1| Divorce papers

Ariana

“Sign it.”

That was the first thing I said to him as he walked into the mansion holding his pathetic personal architect Joyce.

I always knew there was more to their friendship, their late night conversations and even the days she comes over and they'll spend hours in his room in the name of work. But now he stooped to the lowest and I wasn't ready to endure it any longer.

Raymond froze at the door, Joyce standing beside him like she belonged there. Like this mansion was hers. Like my marriage was a joke they were both in on or maybe it was.

“What did you just say?” he asked.

I stepped closer and slapped the papers against his chest.

“Sign. It. I want a divorce and I know this must be the best news you've heard so far, and it is since your company keeps getting rejected by client these days and you actually deserve it."

Joyce blinked, then laughed. “Oh my God,” she said, covering her mouth. “Is this for real?”

I crossed my arms. My hands were shaking, but my voice wasn’t. “Very real.”

Raymond looked down at the papers like they were dirty. “You’re being dramatic, Ariana.”

Dramatic.

I laughed once. A Short and real bitter laugh. “You went to a wedding gala that clearly said plus one,” I said. “And you took your architect?."

Joyce smiled wider. “He invited me.”

“And you let him,” I said, turning to her. “You stood beside my husband while he called you his girlfriend in public.”

He groaned. “You know our marriage isn’t public.”

“That doesn’t give you the right to erase me,” I snapped. “People congratulated you. They smiled. They toasted you. And you didn’t correct them.”

He shrugged. “It was easier.”

That word did it.

Easier... He doesn't even care how his words hurts me, it wasn't new to me anyway.

I walked away from them, just a few minutes ago, the paper arrived and years reduced to minutes.

“You know,” I said without turning back, “I always defended you. Every time your tone changed. Every time you looked at me like I was a problem. I told myself you were tired. Busy or something happened at your company.

I turned around.

“But tonight, you made it clear.”

Joyce leaned into him, her hand brushing his arm. “Baby, just sign it. She’s clearly emotional and might cry any moment.”

I looked at her. “Don’t call him that.”

She tilted her head. “Why? You’re leaving anyway.”

He finally looked up. “I’m not signing anything.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“You can’t live without me,” he said calmly. “You won’t even last a month out there Ariana. You must be used to living lavishly by now and definitely don't want to return to your old life."

All he said hurt. But it didn’t break me.

Instead I smiled.

“You’re right,” I said. “I couldn’t live like that.”

I walked past them again, this time toward the stairs. “I’ve already packed.”

He followed me. “You’re bluffing.”

I opened the guest room door. Empty wardrobe. Empty drawers. No clothes. No jewelry. No gifts either

“I dropped everything you ever gave me back into your closet,” I said. “Cards. Watches. Bags. Even the ring and the cloths I used your money to buy.... And don't ask about the dress I'm wearing, I literally bought them before you returned."

His face changed then.

Joyce crossed her arms. “So what now? You want money?”

I stopped.

Slowly, I turned.

She reached into her purse, pulled out a few notes and coins, and held them out. “For your trouble.”

The room went silent.

Raymond didn’t stop her or say anything.

That was the most annoying part.

I walked back to her, took the money, and for a second she looked pleased.

Then I threw it in her face.

Bills scattered. Coins hit the floor and she looked at me instantly.

“Keep your change,” I said. “I’m not the kind of woman you can afford."

Her smile vanished. " Says someone who was literally picked from the cleaners room a few years ago."

I completely ignored her, walked past them and headed straight to the door.

At the door, I didn’t look back.

“I signed already,” I said. “You’re just delaying the inevitable.”

The door closed behind me.

I didn't have a destination yet, I didn't know where to start my life from now, but all I need at the moment is rest and no one questioning decision.

RAYMOND

I watched Ariana walk right out of the Mansion's entrance without a word. She was definitely being dramatic and I knew fof most definitely that she would run back to me in less than 24 hrs.

" Here baby, sign them and get rid of that wretch ." Joyce said handing me the divorce papers. I shut her a hard glare, walking right past her and heading towards my room.

" Don't follow me." I said climbing the stairs.

" Ray!! Ray!. Wait up."

I should have known by now that Joyce wasn't the type to give up easily. She joined me in my room, helping me take off my jacket and my shirt, caressing my bare chest.

" Ariana was never perfect for you baby, but I'm here now." She said wrapping her hands around my neck and kissing me intensely. I've definitely missed such treatment, and I was never going to miss an opportunity to get one just because of Ariana. she'll crawl back, that I'm sure of.

" what's wrong Ray? you aren't responding she pouted."

" it's nothing Joyce." I said, grabbing her hip, resuming the kiss.