5. Let's Divorce

Damian’s POV

“... Let’s divorce.”

My mind went blank for a moment, then her words echoed in my head. My eyes widened in disbelief, unable to process that those cold, emotionless words had come from Samantha’s lips.

Samantha has always been obedient to me. She listens, she follows, she endures. It's her own kind of strength, and I admire her for that.

So why now? Why is she suddenly asking for divorce?

“What did you say?” I feel the crease on my forehead deepening as I watch her click her tongue in front of me. “You want a divorce? Why, Samantha?”

She’s always the one who wants to work out things between us. So, why now? In the past, I also thought of giving up, but I didn’t… Because she begs me to fight alongside her. And now she’s giving up just like that?

“Why, you ask? Seriously, Damian. You’re still asking me that?” she snaps, frustration flashing across her face.

I just realized her eyes were swollen and she had dark circles around them.… Did she stay up and cry all night?

Is it because I ignored her at the party again? But she should already know the rules. Getting chummy with her in public will only put her in a more difficult situation with my mother.

“I’m asking ‘cause I don’t understand!” I retort, brushing my hair with my fingers. “I told you to give it a rest, Samantha. Why are you bringing up divorce now?”

She stares at me then bursts into laughter as if she’s losing her mind.

“If I don’t divorce you now, will you be the one doing it later? When exactly though? Tomorrow or maybe the day after? Is it next week or next month?” Samantha bites her lip and clenches her fists.

“Don’t make me laugh, Damian. If you think you can abandon me, then think again ‘cause I’m the one abandoning you now,” she continues, tears falling from her eyes like waterfalls.

“I… I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I reply, clenching my jaw.

Samantha says nothing and marches to the drawer. She takes out a piece of paper and a pen.

“You don’t, really? Then what’s this for? You make me believe all those sweet promises you whispered in my ears at night… Meanwhile, you have this damn divorce paper sitting in the drawer!”

What? Divorce papers? I don’t know anything about it.

“Here.” She signs her name with trembling hands, then thrusts the paper and pen toward me. “Now it’s your turn.”

I glare at the document, my pride burning. I want to rip it apart, throw it in her face, but the way she looks at me… cold, disgusted… cuts deeper than any blade. Why is she acting like I’ve committed a crime?

What did I even do to her?

“Samantha,” I say, looking straight into her eyes. “Are you sure about this?”

She nods, her eyes scream with a firm resolve that she’ll not change her mind.

“If this is about the photo you saw on the internet, I can explain–”

“No need,” she cuts me off, pressing the pen into my hand. “Just sign it, Damian. I don’t care anymore. I gave you a chance to choose. I wasn’t asking you to defy your family, I only wanted you to leave a small piece of yourself for me.”

“I am your wife,” she whispers, her gaze locking onto mine, filled with pain and resolve.

I sign my name on it and toss the pen. “Now, you’re not,” I sneer, shaking my head while looking at her with disappointment.

Samantha stares blankly at the document with our signatures on. She wipes her tears and nods before heading to the wardrobe. Taking out her luggage, she starts packing up.

“Yeah, that’s right. Leave. I bet you finally accepted the money they offered you, huh?” I mock, watching her shoving her stuff in the bag.

“How much is it? I thought you didn’t marry me for money, but in the end, you decided to take it. Otherwise, why would you even want a divorce? It’s not like you have any family to take care of you now that you’re no longer part of the Sterling family,” I continue, my voice dripping with scorn.

She fooled me, making me believe she will never be bought with money. But look at her pack in a hurry like she didn’t want to stay another minute with me here.

“Is it 10 million? Or a billion? How much did you get in exchange for me, huh?”

Samantha freezes, her hands tightening around the fabric she was folding. Slowly, she turns to face me, her eyes blazing through the tears.

“You think this is about money?” she snaps, her voice trembling with fury.

She slams the suitcase shut, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. “Think whatever you want. What’s important now is that we’re over.”

“Oh yeah? Admit it, Samantha. You married me for money, didn’t you? Did you endure those two years just to increase my mother’s offer? Huh?!” I kicked the leg of the bed in anger, but she didn’t stop what she’s doing.

“I don’t need your family’s money, Damian. I don’t need their approval. What I needed was you. But you couldn’t even give me that” Her voice cracks, but her resolve is firm.

Samantha grabs the suitcase handle, her knuckles white. “You want to know why I’m leaving?” She smiles, so wide like she hit the jackpot in the lottery. “Because you’re no longer worth it, Damian. I don’t want to keep fighting a losing battle.”

My jaw tightens, my pride stings by her words. “Not worth it? After everything I’ve done for you, you dare say that?”

“You mean hiding me, silencing me, pretending I don’t exist whenever your mother is around? That’s not love, Damian. That’s cowardice,” she says and drags the suitcase toward the door.

The door clicks shut behind her, leaving me alone in this vast, cold room.

“Fine, Samantha. Leave me… Just make sure you won’t come back begging,” I mutter, my jaw tight as hot tears cut down my cheeks.