FINALLY CHOOSING MYSELF

The next morning came too fast. I woke up with swollen eyes and a heavy heart, but for the first time in three years, I felt relieved, like I could finally be free from this hell.

I grabbed the printed copies of the divorce papers, signed my part with a steady hand, and walked straight to Damon’s home office before I could change my mind.

My fingers gripped the papers tightly as I pushed the door open.

Damon was sitting behind his desk with Melissa sitting on his laps, they were busy making out. Devouring each other's lips like they couldn't get enough. The scene made my blood boil but I couldn't say or do anything because this was the end of it.

I cleared my throat and they both turned to me, Damon's looked nothing like something who has been caught cheating, not embarrassed. Melissa looked irritated, like I had no right to interrupt her lovely moment.

When he saw the papers in my hand, that familiar cruel smirk appeared on his face.

“Well, well,” he said, leaning back. “Look who finally grew a backbone.”

I placed the papers on his desk. My signature was already there, clear and final.

“I want a divorce, Damon,” I said quietly. “I’ve already signed. Just sign yours so we can end this.”

He stared at the papers for a second. Then he turned to Melissa and the both started laughing, that same mocking laugh that makes my skin prickle. I hate this. I hate him.

“Three years,” he said, shaking his head. “Three fucking years I’ve thrown these same papers at you. But you cried every single time, begged me to stay, told me you loved me. And now suddenly you walk in here yourself ready to finally let go, huh?”

He picked up the papers and flipped through them. His eyes landed on my signature.

“Is this because of Melissa?” he asked, still smiling. “You finally saw me with her and realized I was never going to love you?”

"Awwn baby, you're making me blush." Melissa muttered and buried her head into Damon's chest.

Hearing her name again hurt, but I didn’t flinch this time.

“Just sign it already.” I whispered.

Damon watched me for a long moment, like he was waiting for me to break down and beg like I always did. But I didn’t. I stood there straight, even though my legs felt weak.

He picked up his pen, clicked it once, and signed his name with one quick stroke. No hesitation. No second thoughts. He signed it like he had been waiting for this moment for years. Like it was the easiest thing he had ever done.

He slid the papers back toward me.

“There,” he said coldly. “We’re done. Finally.”

“Thank you.” I picked up the papers. My hands were shaking but I held them tight. This was really happening. After all this years, it was over.

I turned to leave without saying another word.

“Hazel,” he called after me.

I stopped at the door but didn’t turn around.

“Don’t take too long packing,” he said and pressed a kiss to her forehead “Melissa will be moving in soon. I don’t need your shit cluttering up my house.”

I walked out without answering.

******

The hallway felt longer than usual. Every step away from that office felt like I was leaving pieces of myself behind. Seven years of love and hope, seven years of my life wasted on a heartless man, seven years of pain, hope, and humiliation. All signed away in two quick signatures.

When I got to the bedroom, I started packing. I didn’t have much. Most of the things in this house had never really been mine anyway. I folded my clothes into a suitcase with tears falling silently down my face.

I finished packing and dragged my two suitcases out of the bedroom. Damon stood at the top of the stairs with Melissa pressed against his side. She had her arm wrapped around his waist like he already belonged to her.

“Running to your new boyfriend already?” Damon asked, his voice dripping with mockery. “That was fast, Hazel. Didn’t know you had it in you.”

Melissa laughed softly and rested her head on his shoulder. “Be nice, baby. She’s probably going through a lot right now.”

The way she said it, all sweet and fake, made my blood boil. This was the same girl who used to hold me while I cried about Damon. The same girl who knew every single detail of my love, pain and heartbreak in this marriage. How stupid I have been thinking she actually cared when she was already plotting her way to take my place.

I looked straight at her. “How long, Melissa? How long have you been sleeping with my husband behind my back?”

She didn’t even flinch. Just gave me that pitying smile she always used when she wanted to look innocent. “Does it matter? You had three years, Hazel. Three whole years and he still chose me. Maybe you should ask yourself why.”

Damon smirked and kissed the top of her head. “She’s right. You were never going to be enough. I tried to tell you that for years. But you just kept holding on like a damn fool.”

They both burst into laughter and I felt the tears coming again but I swallowed them down. I was tired of crying in front of them.

“You know what hurts the most?” I said, my voice shaking but clear. “I actually believed you couldn’t love anyone. I made excuses for you every single day. I told myself you were just cold because of the mafia life, because of your father, because of everything. But you’re not cold. You’re just cruel. You chose to give Melissa everything I begged you for. The gifts. The attention. The love. You just didn’t want to give it to me. And I admit that I have been a fool for thinking you could be a better person.”

Damon shrugged like my words meant nothing. “Exactly. I didn’t want to. Simple as that.”

Melissa stepped forward a little, still smiling. “Don’t make this dramatic, sis. Father and Mom already know what’s happening. They’re not happy about the merger, but they'll understand. I’m the better match for Damon. Everyone sees it. Even you should see it by now.”

Her words cut deeper than anything Damon had said. My own family was choosing her. Again. I was always the second choice in my family. Even this contract marriage was first offered to Melissa first but she turned it down because she said she was too young and didn't want to get married yet. Since I was the one who had a crush on Damon since college I accepted to marry him. And that single decision has become the worst decision of my life.

I looked at both of them standing up there together like the perfect mafia power couple. And I realized something in that moment.

I didn’t want to fight for this anymore.

“I hope she makes you happy, Damon,” I said quietly. “I really do. Because I’m done trying to be the person who does.”

I turned back toward the door, pulling my suitcases behind me. My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped the handle.

“Hazel,” Damon called out. There was something different in his voice this time. Not exactly regret, but maybe surprise. Like he didn’t expect me to actually walk away.

I paused at the door but didn’t turn around.

“You’ll be back,” he said. “You always come back.”

I shook my head. “Not this time.”

I opened the heavy front door and stepped outside. The fresh air hit my face and for the first time in three years, I felt like I could actually breathe. Miss Mia was waiting by the driveway with a small bag of food she had packed for me. Her eyes were wet but she smiled.

“You’re doing the right thing, Miss Hazel,” she whispered as she hugged me tight. “Don’t look back. Just keep walking.”

Her words finally broke the guard and the tears I've been holding back came streaming down my face.

For the first time in a long while, I was finally choosing myself.