DAMN!

(ALICE'S POV)

I curled up on the sofa, laughing a bit too loudly at the comedy TV show I've been watching for close to two hours now.

My eyes went up to the wall clock_ 11:20pm!

I picked up my phone to call Edward again, but then I heard his car at the driveway.

“I thought you'd sleep in your office,” I smiled at my joke as he walked in, expecting him to laugh as he always does. But his face held no emotion of such sort.

“Is something wrong, honey?” I strode towards him in worry, loosening his tie.

“Nothing is wrong. I'm just tired,” he said, slumping into the couch.

“I'll get you a cup of water.”

When I returned with a glass of water, Edward held a file in his hand.

“We should talk Alice.”

“About?” I sat close to him, curious about the file.

He handed it to me, and the contents left me in my most confused state.

“Let's get a divorce.” His voice came calm, shattering the silence between us.

“Wha.. what do you mean?”

“You heard me, Alice.”

“Why are we getting divorced?” I inquired, getting a bit impatient. “Are you stressed? If you're stressed about anything, we can talk it out. But this? You can't just come back and decide to divorce out of the blue. Does that even make sense?” I shook my head, handing the file back to him.

“Alice, don't make this harder than it is,” he stood up and faced me, “I've had these papers for a month now. I'm not stressed, neither do I still want you. You want to know why we're getting divorced?” he snickered, “it's because I already have someone else, someone that makes me feel alive.”

“Oh,” he turned to me again, “she's pregnant too.”

“Wh..what do you….,” the word stuck in my throat, his words painfully registering.

I stared blankly at the door as he turned and left. What just happened?

My eyes slowly trailed to the table where I had set wine and glasses to celebrate our fifth year anniversary.

Did he even remember it's our anniversary, or was it also part of the plan to tell me those years did not matter.

Tears filled my eyes, and as much as I tried to hold it back, it ran down my cheeks. I felt a lump on my chest, as I whimpered in pain.

Then the nausea hit, and I felt dizzy.

***********************************************

I woke up to beeping of machines, and sterile scent of antiseptic.

Hospital. I am in the hospital.

“Alice! You are awake!” I heard my old housekeeper, Beth, say with relief.

“What happened?” I sat up, looking around.

“You fainted in the sitting room. I heard a loud thud and came down, only to see you in that state. I was really scared.” Tears formed in her eyes.

“I’m sorry for making you worry.”

Beth has been with me almost all my life. She worked for my mum, and continued taking care of me even when my parents passed. And still stayed with me as I got married.

“The doctor said you had a panic attack, and your blood pressure spiked. Have you been under a lot of stress?”

It all suddenly came to me again. Edward's sudden divorce, and his announcement about his new woman.

I sighed.

“I already called Mr. Edward and he said he will come later,” she added.

I scoffed.

“He might as well want me dead,” I muttered under my breath.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.” I shook my head. I can't bring myself to tell her what is going on between us for now.

I lay back quietly, thoughts I had kept out, slowly clouding my mind. No matter how much I think about it, I couldn't figure it out.

I met Edward in my final year at college. When I first met him he was bubbly and cheerful, and was persistent in getting to be my friend. More than anything I liked how he made me feel, safe and loved.

That was why a year after we graduated, I said yes to his proposal. He always looked at me like he wouldn't survive without me. We had a lot in common…. TV shows, sleeping in, favourite toothpaste too!

I blinked. And tears fell.

Shit! I cursed. Quickly wiping it off my face.

Why am I crying?

Just then Beth walked in with food.

“Here, eat this. I'll go back home and get a few things you'll need for the night.”

“Thank you.”

An hour later, my back was against the door when someone walked in.

“Beth, are you back already?” I asked, only turning to see Edward.

With a redhead beside him!

It's always the redheads.

I stared blankly at him, as they came closer.

“Heard your blood pressure spiked.”

No response.

“Here. I brought the papers for you to sign. And this is Claire.” He was clearly excited.

Excitement I haven't seen in a while, and I thought it was work stress from his promotion to director.

I took the file from him, and glanced through the contents. It was okay until my eyes caught something.

“What is all this? Why are you taking everything?” I asked in shock, my eyes not leaving the papers.

“I'm taking everything that is mine.” He gave a smug smile that made me want to kill him.

“The house,the building, the joint account and even the company shares that I gave you!”

“It’s all mine now.” He said with the same tone that infuriated me.

“I won't take this. I'll speak to my lawyer tomorrow.” I glared at him. “Leave!”

Claire stepped forward, throwing a phone on the bed.

“I think you have to see that video.” She said, smiling.

I picked up the phone and my eyes widened in disbelief.

What am I seeing?

Why am I in bed with another man?

And naked!