3 — Divorce Papers

Nora

The three days passed by peacefully, and of course, I wasted no time with sorting out my things. I had filed for a divorce, and for some reason, I could feel nervousness mixed with the anticipation that was gnawing my bones.

Zara was upstairs with her nanny, and Caden still hadn’t returned, leaving me alone in the mansion.

I sunk into the sofa in the living room, still in disbelief that everything I’ve built for the past five years was all a farce. Every smile he flashed my way, every look of concern, every gentle caress. Fuck. Every single moment I cherished was just him pretending so I wouldn’t get ahead of him.

He reduced me to nothing with just three words.

I love you.

My mind started to spiral and it felt like I was taken back to that race track with the flames everywhere and the sight of him hugging his mistress and cursing my very existence.

My heart squeezed painfully and it felt like I couldn’t breathe. I grabbed a glass of water, chugged it down and decided to go outside and go for a run.

Running reminded me of why I loved racing. The wind on my face, the feeling of freedom and the adrenaline pumping through me. Sadly, I lost myself so much in that so-called marriage that I hadn’t gone for a run in so long.

My phone buzzed as I reached the gate of the mansion. It was a message from my lawyer, Sean Voss.

The divorce papers have been drafted and they are currently on their way to you. Once you’ve both signed it, you need to print two copies and send one to me.

I will inform you when the judge finalizes it.

A bittersweet feeling hit me as I read it, but as I got closer to the entrance, the sweetness vanished quicker than the avatar when they needed him the most.

Caden was holding Rory by the waist, her body pressed flush against him as she giggled against his chest. She noticed me and brought her face closer to him and whispered something that made him smirk before he leaned to her too, their lips almost touching.

I cleared my throat immediately to announce my presence.

Caden quickly let go of her, his eyes slightly filled with surprise and then something else when he took in my outfit. I was wearing active wear, and I was aware of how sexy I looked in it. .

And even more, I was aware of how long it had been since I wore it.

Rory noticed his expression and I caught the tick of the muscle in her top lip. She was irritated. Irritated that my husband was gawking at me. How pathetic?

“You’re back.” I said simply and added a fake smile. The last thing I wanted was for him to suspect anything. I needed him to think everything was alright because it would be easier to get him to sign the divorce papers without him realizing what they are.

Caden would never sign them if he knew. He wanted me reduced to just his wife so he could lead the racing world. He knew I was better than him, and he simply couldn’t take it. That’s why he has tied me down all these years.

He turned fully to me, and I could see a mix of desire and possessiveness in his eyes. In the past, it would have exhilarated me, but at that moment, I just felt sick.

“What? You want to pretend like you didn’t miss me?”

I said nothing and simply moved to enter inside, but he grabbed my arm instead. His hold, slightly painful.

“You don’t walk away from me when I’m talking to you.”

“Oh… I thought you were done.” My tone was flat as I met his gaze. “What else do you want to say to me?”

“Have you learnt your lesson?” I had to fight the disgusted expression that threatened to scrunch my face up. He had always been so obsessed with ‘teaching me a lesson’ and ‘making me perfect for him’. Seeing it in hindsight, it was nauseating.

Really Nora! How could you fall for this flat toned guy?

I must have been silent for too long, because he increased the tightness of his hold on my arm and yanked me closer to him.

“Yes. Of course, I learnt my lesson.” I replied and he seemed taken aback. Usually whenever he asked me this question, I always answered with an explanation of my innocence.

But there’s nothing to explain to someone who is adamant that you’re the curse of his life. There’s nothing to explain to someone you no longer love and care about.

“Are you trying to be coy with me?” His tone was cold, but I could hear the hint of confusion in them. “You know you were in the wrong, right? Training Zara to be a bad child and lie for attention is not something a good mother should do. I mean… It’s bad enough that you do it.”

My expression was calm but inside, my heart was on fire and I was screaming so loud in my head. I imagined him as a pinata and you best believe that I was hitting the life out of this asshole! Lie for attention!?

He has barely been in Zara’s life for two years now. Which was about the same time he met Rory. At the same time he started to hate me and compare me to everything she did.

“Caden, you can’t blame Nora for thinking there’s something going on between us. It’s just normal wife paranoia. If I had a husband as amazing, handsome and sweet as you, I’d be jealous too.” Rory chipped in, her face all innocent as she spoke to him.

Caden sighed, released my arm and cupped my face. “It’s all in your head. You should try being more reasonable, like Rory is.” He walked over to his Ferrari, opened the trunk and grabbed a small gift bag “That’s enough now, I don’t want to argue with you anymore. I got you a gift.”

I collected the bag and offered him a small smile. “Thank you.”

But the tiny flake of gratitude that was blooming in my heart died at the next words that came out of his mouth.

“Rory is going to spend the night today. It’s already late, and a woman shouldn’t be out on her own at these hours.” His eyes pressed and half pleaded as his voice softened a little bit. “I told her you wouldn’t mind.”

I glanced at the sky. The sun had set, and it was indeed getting dark. But not so dark that she couldn’t go home.

My palms balled into fists as I thought of the numerous times I had rushed over to bring Caden whatever he needed at the Racing Arena. Whether the sun was scorching, or if it were raining, if it was too early or if it was late. He never cared.

But now, he had the nerve to ask me to host and accommodate his mistress.

“Sister, I understand your reservations, and it is alright. Really. I don’t mind going back on my own. I just hope there are no thugs on the way.”

Her words grated my nerves, and for the sake of my sanity, I didn’t let Caden start. “Fine.”

“What?” They asked simultaneously, clearly surprised by my answer, and how easily I had given in.

“You want her to sleep over. It’s okay. I think you should also check to make sure the guest room is suitable for her. She’s your favourite, so, she should be comfortable.”

Caden chuckled, too excited to catch the double meaning behind my words. He grabbed Rory’s hand, a boyish grin plastered on his face. “If you have been this reasonable all this time, we wouldn’t have so many issues.”

Not wanting to stay there any longer, I turned and made my way inside, but as I stepped in, what I heard next made me stop in my tracks as panic surged from my gut to my throat.

“This came for Madam, earlier.” Our butler, Joseph said and I turned just in time to see him hand over the brown envelope to Caden. My eyes widened as the stamp on the envelope confirmed my suspicions.

The document was sent from my lawyer’s office. The divorce papers I didn’t want Caden to see was in his hands. Could the divorce papers have reached here earlier than Sean predicted they would?

Claustrophobia threatened to choke me as the image of being stuck in this farce of a marriage flashed through my mind.

“Nora, what is this?” He asked, his brows furrowed slightly as he opened the envelope and reached in to bring the papers out.