Vanessa

The week came as quickly as Adrian suggested it. Initially, he still pretended to love her. Getting her gifts, changing her phone, coming home early to eat dinner but after 3 days a version of Adrian she had never seen emerged. He didn't call or eat, he came back late and was always on call with Vanessa. He made it obvious and Seraphina accepted the fate of their once beautiful marriage before the week ended. Seraphina called Stephanie to get a suitable place for her to move in and Steph screamed from the phone

“Has he responded? Why're you getting a place now?”

“I know what he'll say. So I won't wait to get heartbroken” Seraphina said before landing a gut-retching cough “... I'll send the money now”

“Hmm…okay. I'll get a place that suits you”

“Thank you, Steph. I wonder what I'll do without you”

“Nothing, Sera. You'll do nothing without me.” Before Seraphina could respond, Stephanie hung up the call…leaving Seraphina with the echoes of her laughter. Stephanie helped her with sanity in this world that had gone mad and she was scared of going mad with it.

Friday came very fast and Sera hadn't laughed this hard in a while. “I want to end this marriage” Adrian said with his lungs full of air. Seraphina laughed so much tears started falling down her eyes..

“Give me a week!” She mimicked his voice and laughed harder then she walked up to him “I know you're not aware but if I sign those papers and you text me, I'll find you and end you and your miserable mistress”

He nodded “So be it, Seraphina” he said, looking down on her. His true colors had emerged. He didn't need to pretend anymore this was him, the man who pretended to love her until a week ago.

RING! RING! RING!

Her phone rang out, clearing the tension between them but when she looked at it, she laughed. It was Steph.

“Steph! Send the moving truck. He wants me out!” she laughed and before he could respond, she pointed a knife to him “DO. NOT. TEST. ME.” and he kept mute.

“I'll send him right now girl. You'll love this new place.” Steph said proudly. Stephanie has dedicated her entire life to making money. No time for men. She'd proudly brag about her organization and business but you'll never hear her speak about a man and now, it's all paying off.

Seraphina went up the stairs and came down with her already arranged items, everything before, during and after their marriage. Adrian stood in front of her and she spat at him “You better move.”

“You already planned to leave, didn't you?” Adrian said “When did you pack up?”

She laughed “When you didn't come home. I packed my stuff and cleared my mind off your bullshit.”

“But I could have given a different response”

“Get. Out. Now” she said slowly “or I swear I'll push you down the stairs” he moved and watched her go up and down the stairs carrying boxes and bags then he spoke

“Can I help?”

She turned to him, her eyes piercing like daggers “Help who? With what?” She continued moving.

“Let me help you Sera!” he shouted

“I’d rather die, Adrian!” She shouted even louder “I'd rather let myself be eaten by a lion while I'm still conscious!” He put his hands on his chest like some sort of actor but before he could speak she held his clothes by the collars

“Adrian. Cut this bullshit and stop pissing. Me. Off.” Then she let go and picked her boxes back. Her phone rang out from the couch and just knew who it was but before she could pick it up, her doors slammed open again.

“Where's the asshole!!!!” Stephanie ran in with a bat in her hand, making him hurry up the stairs and Seraphina laughing out loud.

“Ignore him, Steph. Let's leave” she said calmly “Tomorrow, I'll sign the paperwork and you can kill him if you want”

Stephanie has a devilish smile plastered on her face, her eyes glowing with something evil beneath “okay then” and they both walked out of the house as free women.

The separation hadn't hit Adrian until he got back from work expecting a meal. He did the usual walk into the house , then room, clean up and back down but there was no food while on the other hand, Seraphina had cooked a little too much for one person. A notification popped up on Adrian's phone, lighting up the entire room. It was Ness.

“If you need anything, don't hesitate to call.”

Adrian replied with a simple text: “ I need you.” And Ness came running. She didn't take 20 minutes to get there and she jumped on him for a hug but Adrian met her with a kiss. A long one, like they had both been starved of each other. She stayed in the kitchen to cook but all Adrian could see was his wife. After the meal was prepared and they sat to eat, he complemented her cooking with his regular lines.

“This tastes wonderful, Sera….” He said without thinking.

“Sera?” Vanessa gave him a look of disgust. He tried to explain himself but she stood up and walked out immediately.

“Vanessa! Please! I slipped! I'm sorry!” He begged but she didn't respond. She shut the door behind her and sat on the floor, hindering it from opening. He didn't stop begging until he fell asleep close to the door.

Vanessa walked out and saw him, tears fresh on his face. She woke him up gently “babe? Get up…let's go upstairs”

He nodded quickly and stood up, her hands in his while they walked up the stairs.