Chapter One: Househusband

Xurion’s POV

Mistake. Or just fate. I don't know… But I wasted the last five years of my life married to a woman that still chose her ex-boyfriend who hurt her years ago.

Happy anniversary, Circe.

Eight years of loving you. Five years of calling you my wife.

Today, our special day, I'll finally give you what you've always wanted. Freedom, sealed in ink, divorce papers.

Now you can be with your first and only love.

The one I caught you moaning his name at the garden on our last anniversary. And the same name you moaned most nights I attempted to have intimacy with you as my wife.

I've been putting seizure medication in all your jackets, just so you are safe when I'm not there.

And spraying your clothes with diazepam, all night when you were asleep.

But you never even noticed all these things.

That's fine.

Drayton can take care of you from now on.

I spent three months at the dietitian to learn how to cook healthy foods for you to manage your peptic ulcer.

But you don't even know this. Because I didn't tell you. I didn't need to.

And you..you never wondered or even asked.

I looked forward to being the best father to our kids, I even learnt baking for you and our future child.

But you don't even want kids with me.

I mean, the pack of contraceptives I found in your cupboard last week poked my wishes.

For five years I had been worried. And had been in and out of the hospital for check ups.

But it's cold.

Because you were behind it, all these years.

Even now, as much as I hate the truth that you are in love with some other man, I sit here, this late, the ticking clock being my only companion, still worrying about your safety.

Old habits die slow, I guess.

Unloving you will take some time.

A sharp rap sounded at the door, getting me on my feet with speed.

“Hey, where have you been? It’s one in the morning,” I asked, holding Circe up with my arm.

She buckled into my chest, handed me her jacket and then staggered past me towards the stairs, her phone pressed against her ears.

Her blonde hair was quite a nest suit for a homeless bird.

And her shoes clicked against the white floors, so uncomposed they sounded like rain taps.

She smelled like strawberry, girl things and alcohol.

Alcohol?

I sighed and trailed behind her.

“You have conditions, Circe. You can't drink, you know that,”

“Yeah, Drayton,” She bumped into our bedroom, kicking off her shoes and tousling into the bed.

Drayton?

She was with Drayton all night?

Oh, great.

Something flickered in my chest. Anger maybe. Or something I couldn’t pin out.

Remembering I had been up all night worrying for her. And not getting a second of sleep. Just because she was with another man.

“I just got home,” she spoke into the phone, her dimples deepened in a bright smile and her soft blue eyes twinkled.

That smile.

She never smiled at me like that.

Even when I tried so hard.

Her babyish voice sang, “ So, are we still on for Norway next week? Because I found a gorgeous ski resort in the mountain”

My blood became solid.

My wife was happily planning a tour with her ex-boyfriend while she was always too busy to agree to go to one with me.

This time she laughed, “ oh yeah, of course, it'll be just us. And uh, thanks for letting me wear your jacket, Dray.”

What??

My world froze.

I stared at the black fur jacket in my hands.

I was holding my wife's ex-boyfriend’s jacket…in my own hand??

I had another man's clothe in my home?

“ Oh yeah, I noticed that too, it smells just like you,” She smiled, her words rolling out like missile.

I tightened my grip on the jacket till my fist trembled and my knuckles cracked.

My jaw tightened till I tasted copper.

Yet, with contempt I dropped the jacket on the floor and just walked away.

I should be blamed for failing to unlove you quick.

And thinking I could fill in that void you didn't ask help with.

Her stern voice called me back, just as I turned, “What the hell is your problem?” She asked scowling, her words poking my ego.

“Pick that up!” she ordered.