4

I stared at it for a long while, before shaking my head.

“I'm sorry, Cassie. I just can't let you take my husband that way.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don't be pathetic. Drex is outside. He's the one who drove me here, so he clearly doesn't want to be your husband.

“Just sign it and let's all go our separate ways.”

I noticed how dad and Trish had both gone silent, but the shocks stayed in their expressions.

It didn't stop me from continuing. “Drex is outside?”

“Clearly.”

With a sigh, I brushed past her and walked out of the building.

It was already dark out, but with the lights I could still make out his figure where he stood, leaned against his car.

I had to remember my dad's words and quench any bit of shame left.

"One month." I said, voice barely above a whisper, then watched how his brows furrowed.

"What are you saying?"

"Listen, I know you don't love me. Heck, you probably never would, but please..." my eyes begged him to listen, "just give me one month."

He frowned. "And what the hell do you think would happen within that time?

"I'm never going to love you. Don't waste your time trying."

I breathed out a humorless laugh. "I'm not asking for love." As it was, he had made it clear that he couldn't give me that. "All I want is for us to stay married for one extra month."

Within that period, I could gather myself. I could get a place, find a job, just do something so I don't have to depend on my dad after.

But Drex clearly didn't see from my perspective, because he ran a hand through his hair like I was tiring.

For a second, I thought I noticed him stare over me, before he returned his gaze to mine.

"Stop talking crazy." He shook his head. "Fuck, I didn't think you would be this hard to divorce."

The way he said it… They made me feel worse.

Like an obsessive, pitiful woman.

"I've never loved you." He continued in a sharper tone, teeth gritted. "These three years have been like hell, Lisa. Every day I wake up to you beside me, I just feel like ripping the building."

Drex stepped forward so his six foot four figure towered over me. "I don't want to spend even a second with you, and here you come asking for one month.

"Get out of whatever world you're in, because that is not happening."

Against my will, tears filled my eyes.

The look on his face... That was pure hatred.

He wasn't just leaving me because he loved Cassie... He was leaving because he despised me.

That hurt more than the first.

My bottom lip trembled, and I didn't stop it. "All I did was get married, Drex. I didn't ruin your business. I didn't stain your name, or kill a loved one. I only got married."

He didn't say anything for a second. His face twisted to what I thought was pain, but then shoulders tensed when he finally replied. "That is the problem. The day I opened the veil to your face is the day you became the worst thing to ever happen to me."

For a second, neither of us spoke, eyes locked on each other.

Mine were filled with unshed tears, while his had an emotion I couldn't understand.

But one thing was for sure... tonight had changed everything.

“Do you understand?” Cassie's voice came from behind.

She walked over, her arm wrapping around my shoulders, and a smug, satisfied smile was planted on her lips.

"My love has told you how he feels. I hope that'll stick to your head forever."

I stared at her. Then my gaze shifted to his, before returning to her.

The lack of sympathy in their faces. They were just doing this with no care on how I felt. Or my emotions at that.

None of that mattered.

My heart grew heavy, but I refused to cry. Not anymore.

Instead, wiggled myself free of her grip, and just started to walk off.

Twenty three years of my life, I'd barely been happy.

Even before marriage, Trish never ceased to remind me that my mom abandoned me for dad.

Dad never loved me either. My step cousin hated me like I was the worst thing to ever happen.

I endured that for twenty years, hoping that in marriage it would change.

Everything would be better.

I could be happy.

“Hey! You bitch, stop there and come sign these dang papers!” Cassie screamed from behind, and began to follow, but I didn't stop.

“Just let her be. We'll discuss this tomorrow.” I heard Drex say.

“No! I want you two divorced today so we can start our life afresh tonight.” She finally caught up with me. “Don't you dare run away.”

“Leave me.” I managed to yank my arm free and increase my stride, feeling the frustration grow.

“Don't you have any shame?” She tried to match my pace, panting loudly.

“Shame?” I huffed. “You're the one chasing a married woman so you can take her husband.”

“He was supposed to be my husband!”

“Yes! Supposed! Because you left the dang wedding and threw him at me!” Why on earth wasn't anyone thinking from my perspective?

“You…!” She was going to reach out, when I hurriedly started to cross the road.

With a few muttered cuss words, she followed, grabbing me by my elbow, hard enough for it to swell.

“Leave me!”

“No! Not until you sign the papers!”

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. “You know what, I'm tired! I'm fucking tired! Get me the stupid papers!”

What was the point? What was the point of keeping a marriage when the man hated you?

When he called you the worst thing to ever happen to him!

And I was only doing it for a family that would not give a damn about my existence after today.

So tell me! What was the point?!!!

“Great, it's right…”

“Watch out!” We both flinched at Drex's scream.

It was then that the horn came, loud and deafening as a car headed our way, its light blindening.

Shock gripped me tight that my body froze for a moment as it sped nearer.

Whatever happened after, felt like an unreal experience.

Ten seconds.

Just ten seconds. That felt like ten minutes

Drex was running towards me, worry ached in his expression as he jumped forward.

My arms moved to wrap around myself, waiting to feel his as he neared.

But the touch never came.

Because he ran past me.

There my husband was, and with as much speed, he managed to grab Cassie out of the way, totally ignoring my existence.

It was then that it snapped in my head… Whatever I had been in wasn't marriage.

If three years wasn't enough to choose me. To want me.

Then nothing was.

The headlight blinded me. It was too bright. And the horn that followed was too loud.

For a second, I thought I heard someone scream my name.

But as the truck hit me that evening, and I fell to the ground, another hit followed. This time, an internal hit.

It wasn't hurt. It wasn't sadness. It wasn't even anger.

It was a determination. A mind made up.

That I was done. I couldn't keep on being the pawn everyone could use.

I couldn't keep living my life dependent on anyone.

The sound around me started to fade, my eyes drooping shut, but I said to myself that this was it.

This was the end.

I made a vow… That I'd become someone they regret not wanting.

A few more breaths, and darkness followed.