006 Divorce? Dream on

***

~~Delilah~~

***

Everyone turns to me.

Then her.

Then back to me.

I know what they're thinking. I know exactly what this looks like.

I clench my fork a little tighter, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness.

Soren— he didn't look at me once.

Instead he smiles back at her and turns to his family. “Yes. Ashley and I are expecting a baby,”

It hurts to hear that.

To watch them.

I swallow hard. I could feel someone's gaze scorching my left cheek.

I knew it was Cameron, and I didn't dare look at him.

Rebecca shrills. “Finally! Someone did it. I knew Soren's perfect. It'd never be his fault for being childless,”

“Rebecca —,” Julian calls her.

I could feel Grandpa's hand on mine. I stand, pushing my chair back. “Excuse me. I need to use the bathroom,”

I hear Soren's voice. “Lilah…”

I don't look at him.

He doesn't follow.

I push inside and lock the door.

That's when tears streams down.

Heavy.

Uncontrolled.

I bawl my eyes out.

Looking at the mirror, I see someone who looks like me but doesn't feel like me.

I feel drained. I'm breathing hurt—

It hits me again.

The urgent need to vomit.

I wrench my guts out, emptying my stomach.

After that. I wipe my mouth, my eyes too and splash water. I bet my makeup is all ruined.

I take a deep breath, pull the door open and pause.

Ashley's standing right there, alone. I turn to the other side, she blocks me. “Feeling sad, are we?”

I stare at her. “Get off my way, Ashley.”

“And if I refuse?” She quips back, inching closer.

I glare at her. “Don't taste my patience,”

A smile curls her lips. “You know me, Delilah. I always do,” she says and before I can blink, I hear it.

A scream.

And Ashley crashing into the floor. Her long nails scrapes at her neck as she goes, leaving a big mark.

Soren, like a knight in shining armor scurries in, and goes over to her. “What the hell happened?” He cups her face.

Ashley starts crying and plays the victim. “I was just here to comfort her. I just don't know why Delilah would push me,”

My face goes hot. This lying bitch is testing me. “What?! I didn't even touch you,” I turn to Soren. “Look, Ashley needs help. She's done this to herself.”

Soren stares coldly at me.

He doesn't believe me.

“I know you're angry, but attacking Ashley like this is too much. Apologize to her and I'd let this slide,”

My brows lifts and I scoff. “You're seriously going to believe her over me. She did this!”

Soren glares at me, voice tight. “Why'd Ashley want to hurt herself? Stop being unreasonable and apologize,”

“Oh, I'm unreasonable? You cheated, brought another woman into our home . I didn't make it a big deal out of it. You've been too busy with Ashley to remember you have a wife!”

That's when Rebecca emerges and rushes over to Ashley sprawled on the floor. “I knew she'd be bitter. Don't try to hurt a pregnant woman when you haven't conceived before,”

My breathing slows.

I expect Soren to say something in my defense.

He didn't.

My eyes stinks with tears. I've never felt so low in my life.

I turn to Soren. “You know what? I'm out of here,”

I spin. I don't listen.

Every word feels like static to my ears.

Why do I even put up with him treating me like trash?

Rage blurs my vision.

****

It's raining heavily.

I pace the floor of our massive living room, bags packed, heart slamming hard.

Soren walks in with Ashley by his side.

I don't wait.

There's no need to.

His eyes goes over to my box, then it found mine.

“What's —,”

“I want a divorce,”

It's out in the open now— there's no turning back.

Then, it's just dead silent. Soren doesn't say anything at first, like he's trying to process what I just said.

Ashley of course has a smug look.

I don't care.

I'm done.

“You can't be serious,” he blurts out with his tone of total disbelief.

I look straight at him. “Yeah, you heard me,” I say, extra clear this time. “I want a divorce,”

Soren's eyes darkens. “You don't get to walk out of this marriage. It only ends when I say so. And trust me, Lilah. I have no intention of divorcing you,”

My blood is boiling so hot. I grab my bag. “Well, watch me, Soren!”

I push past him and walk off, seething.

I ignore the rain, throw my bag into my car and drove off.

The rain hammers the windshield like it was trying to break through. I drove, fast, knuckles white on the wheel, eyes burning.

My phone buzzed in the cup holder — his name. I ignore it.

Tears streams down, I wipe it, fighting to keep my eyes on the road, but it blurs into silver streaks. Headlights smeared.

It's too late when I see it coming — a car slams into me.

Tires screeches, metals shrieks, the impact quick and brutal.

Then darkness follows.