Chapter 3

The word DIVORCE met my gaze as I walked into the house. My feet stopped at the furry rug that was supposed to be welcoming as my head ran with a million thoughts the most reoccurring one was to turn back and run away.

But seeing Lucas standing by the table his gaze hard and then seeing the papers in his hands looking like he had rehearsed this a thousand times. I took a deep breath and stepped closer to him my heart beating against my sternum.

“So this is it? I asked my voice coming out shaky

Lucas looked at me,not even trying to deny it.

“Yes, you heard what she said and this least you could do”

He said his gaze fleeting to the door like he wanted to leave as soon as possible.

I nodded slowly as I let everything sink in.

“I knew she would say this,she always tries to take things away from me.”

Lucas frowned at my statement.

“She never took anything from you as a matter of fact you took everything away from her.”

"Grow up this isn't about your childish jealousy," he added.

I let out a weak breath that almost sounded like a laugh.

"Jealousy? I repeated as I walked closer to the table my eyes avoiding the papers.

"She stood in front of the world today and lied " I said.

“I was called a kidnapper,jealous,wicked and what not” and you are here calling me jealous.

"She was kidnapped," Lucas said sharply. "She was hurt. Don't twist this."

"I'm not twisting anything,". "She is a fucking liar " I yelled as tears pooled around my eyes.

“Please believe me.” I whispered looking into his brown eyes the same ones I loved so dearly as he looked away barely acknowledging me.

He then lifted the papers.

"Sign them Sereia." He warned his voice made of steel and hood of emotion.

I looked at the signature line as my heart skipped a few beats at the thought of leaving Lucas.

“Please Lucas I already gave blood” I said trying to convince him not to do this but he just stared at me his face bored from my supposed theatrics.

"I already lost my name. My face is everywhere. Why does she want you ?" I cried as my lips shook

Lucas's jaw tightened.

"She needs peace,she needs to die knowing she had people by her side.”

"And I don't?" Selena has millions of fans,she has my family’s love.She has fame,power,money.

She doesn’t need people by her side they would always be there.”

“Meanwhile I only have you.” I said my voice coming out in whimpers.

He didn't answer.

I swallowed.

“I knew marrying you would break me but Lucas I promise I would do anything please don’t divorce me

I would give her blood if you want I can even give a kidney but please don’t do this I love you.” I sobbed my body shaking as I held his cold hands.

“You’re literally the only one I have left… please” I whispered.

I’ve stayed in the shadows for five years I can continue.

“I don’t need an empty marriage,Sereia.”

“Just sign the fucking papers” he thundered and I scrambled from the hold I had on him.

"I'm not asking you to love me," I remarked “So why is it so hard for you”

He looked at me then, really looked at me, and there was something hard in his gaze.

"Selena is my wife," he said. "She always has been. You were a replacement."

The word landed deep.

Replacement.That was what I was.

“This is her last wish," Lucas said. "I won't deny her that like you did her wedding."

My lips trembled.

"So you never even saw me?" I inquired.

But he ignored me looking at the door and I let out a sigh of disappointment and kept my hand against the table to keep myself upright.

"If I sign this," I said, "It’s over between us."

"That's correct."

"No house. No money. No protection."

"Is that what you want?," he sneered mockingly.

“You could have just asked instead of playing dutiful wife and opening your legs whenever I please”

I closed my eyes as the tears threatened to spill.

"I swear I didn’t want the money." I whispered. "Just give me time I will prove it to you.’"

"No."

His voice was final.

"If you don't sign," he continued, "I'll make sure everyone knows you're the reason Selena can't rest."

My chest tightened painfully.

"They would drag me to the mud " I said.

"They already are I will just make it a tad bit worse," he replied.

I sighed as I picked up the pen.

My hand shook so badly I had to steady it with my other hand.

"I love you," I said softly.

He didn't respond.

I signed.

When I finished, Lucas took the papers without looking at me.

"You have theee minutes," he said. "Jonathon will escort you out.”

I looked around the living room .

The life I built quietly.

"So this is how it ends," I whispered to myself .

No apology.

No goodbye.

When the guards came, I didn't try to fight them.

I was weak,tired and worst of all confused and as the door closed behind me, I didn't scream.

I just stood there.

Divorced.

Discarded.

And still in love with a man who didn’t care about me.

The door closed behind me with a gentle click and I stood there for minutes, like the fool I was staring and hoping that it would open again if I waited long enough.

Like Lucas someone would call my name and say this was a mistake and that he loved me.

No one did.

The night breeze was cold so I pressed my coat tighter against myself, My chest felt tight, like something heavy was sitting there, pressing down.

I released a deep breath and started walking.

I didn't know where I was going. I didn’t even have anywhere to go .

No money.

No job.

I just knew I couldn't stay here anymore and I continued walking away from life as I knew it.

I continued in my steps as they got quicker,my breath grew uneven.

He didn't hesitate.

He didn’t even try.

I stopped at the edge of the sidewalk staring across the street, traffic moved steadily. Cars rushing past. Headlights blurring together.

I stepped closer to the road.

Just one step. And this would be over.

I would finally feel this peace everyone has been talking about.

My heart began beating fast as my hands shook.

If I just step forward, a small voice in my head whispered, it would all stop.

No more explaining.

No more begging.

No more being second.

And as i contemplated taking another step.

A car horned blared loudly causing me to flinch back and almost immediately my heels caught against a crack in the pavement i fell to the ground face first my palm scraping against the hard ground.

“Next time you plan to kill your self use cliff.” A deep baritone voice hissed startling the heck out of me