7 Fine, I'm Leaving

"Calvin wants a divorce?" Kelly’s voice rose in shock, and she nearly dropped her coffee. We were sitting at a cafe, and after Calvin left, I realized I couldn’t keep fighting this battle alone. For years, I had dealt with our marriage struggles by myself, keeping it all hidden from even my best friend. But now, I needed to talk.

"Shh! Be quiet!" I hissed, glancing nervously at the coffee on the table. The cafe was crowded, and I started to worry this wasn’t the best place for such a conversation, but it was too late to change. I needed to get everything off my chest.

"It's going to be public soon anyway," Kelly shrugged, sipping her coffee, “Tell me everything.”

I frowned, the thought of a divorce still stinging. "We’ve been fighting since day one," I said bitterly. "Everyone thought we were perfect, but it was all just for show. We were never happy."

She raised an eyebrow. "But why? You and Calvin always seemed so… ideal."

I sighed, "It’s a long story."

Kelly glanced at her watch. "I’ve got time."

I leaned back in my chair, the memories rushing back to me. "I met Calvin in my last year of college. He was outgoing, always making connections, but he never noticed me. So, I hacked into the college system and started texting him anonymously."

Kelly’s eyes widened. "Wow, you really went for it."

I felt a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, I was obsessed. But it worked—we started texting, and he seemed to like me. But then everything went south."

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "He found out who you were?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "Before I could tell him, I found out he was dating Becky."

"Let me guess," Kelly said, rolling her eyes. "Becky?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it was her. Becky was outgoing, everyone loved her, and somehow she ended up with Calvin. It broke me, especially when I hadn’t even told her how I felt."

Kelly paused. "Did she know?"

"No," I admitted. "I never told her. I kept it all to myself."

"You’ve been keeping things from your best friend for years, huh?" Kelly said, raising an eyebrow.

I snapped, "Kelly!"

"Sorry, but look at what it cost you!" she shot back. "So, what happened next?"

"Becky and I were in a car accident," I said, voice trembling. "She was driving drunk, crashed into a tree. I was fine, but Becky went into a coma."

"Did you call Calvin?" Kelly asked, voice softening.

"Yeah. I saw the look on his face when he got there—he was so heartbroken. I realized how much he cared for her."

Kelly frowned. "What did you do?"

"Becky needed regular blood transfusions, and I was the only one who could donate. I made a deal with Calvin. I told him I’d donate blood regularly if he married me."

Kelly’s mouth dropped. "You did what?"

"I know," I said, embarrassed. "He agreed, out of guilt, I guess. But looking back, I realize I was selfish. We got married, but it was all a mess from the start."

Kelly stared at me. "That’s... a lot."

I nodded. "I’ve been paying for that mistake ever since."

---

The ride home was silent. Kelly offered to drive me, but neither of us said a word. Her eyes stayed fixed on the road, and I could only guess what she was thinking. Maybe she was judging me like everyone else had in the past. There was no excuse for what I had done, and I didn’t expect any sympathy.

When we reached my house, I turned to her and asked, "Are you disappointed in me?"

Kelly didn’t look at me. "Yes," she said bluntly. "That was stupid, Cassie. You’ve been paying for it for three years now."

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. Her words stung, but they were the truth. I wiped a tear from my cheek, trying to hold it together.

"Don’t worry," Kelly said, glancing at me now. "Your problem is now my problem. I’m going to fix this."

I managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Kelly."

I got out of the car and approached the mansion, my heart heavy. The guards at the gate watched me with pity. Word of the separation must’ve reached them, but they still let me in. I had a small sliver of hope that maybe things weren’t completely lost.

The house was quiet. Jen and Fiona weren’t around. I went up to our room and froze at the sight of three large suitcases by the bed.

Calvin was sitting at the desk, working on his laptop. When I stepped inside, he turned to look at me, his face cold.

"What’s all this?" I asked, pointing to the suitcases.

"Your stuff," he said, irritation in his voice. "I packed it. You’re leaving."

"What? Now?" I was shocked.

"Yes," he said, glaring at me. "I’m kicking you out."

"Where will I go?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"I don’t care. Just get out," he snapped.

My heart sank, but I took a deep breath, trying to stand my ground. "Why do I have to leave now? We’re not even divorced yet."

Calvin’s laughter was bitter. "Because of what you did to Becky," he said, his voice low.

I took a step back, confused. "What I did to Becky? I saved her life!"

He scoffed, "After you tried to kill her."

My stomach dropped. "What are you talking about?" I asked, barely able to comprehend his words. Was he drunk? Had he lost his mind?

"Becky told me today that you were the one driving that night. You crashed the car on purpose so she’d die, and you could marry me."

I froze. "No! I didn’t drive! Becky was driving—she was drunk!"

"Enough!" Calvin yelled, pushing me away. "Get out of my house, Cassie. Sign the divorce papers, or I’ll call the police."

I stumbled back, landing on the floor. My arm shot with pain, but all I could focus on was the rage in his eyes. His disgust was palpable, and I realized—he truly hated me now.

With a clenched jaw, he glared at me. "I mean it. Get out, or I’ll have you arrested."

I was shocked by what he said. He wanted to have me arrested? Am I hearing this right?

"Is this because of what Becky said?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"Shut up! You don't deserve to say her name!" Calvin yelled.

I let out a bitter laugh, tears starting to fall from my eyes.

The path I chose to marry Calvin may not have been the right one, but I gave everything I had to be a good wife. After all the sacrifices I made for this family, this is how it ended.

When I thought about everything, it felt like I was the one to blame for all of this. I was dumb enough to think I could make him fall for me, and that three years would be enough to make him forget about Becky. I thought if I donated my blood to her and kept her alive, maybe it would bring me some kind of good karma. But Calvin refused to be thankful for any of it.

I should never have let things get this out of hand, that I'd end up begging my own husband to stay. No. Not anymore. I’m not going to let him or anyone else walk all over me like this again.

"Fine, I'll move out. I won't be coming back, not to this place, and not to you," I said firmly.

Calvin looked really surprised, like he didn’t expect me to say that. But I wasn’t gonna care about his thoughts anymore. I’m done.

It's time to move on.