Chapter 6

She stared at him.

"... What do you mean by ‘yet’?"

They both stood still in the absence of words. 

Damien placed his briefcase on the armchair before letting out a slow breath.

"I never said I was divorcing you."

"But you were discussing divorce papers with another woman."

"You shouldn't have looked at my phone."

"So that's your answer?"

He looked away.

"You invaded my privacy.”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

"Privacy?"

She took a step toward him.

"You've been having an affair for two years. You brought your mistress into this house. You kissed her in your office where anyone could have walked in. And you're talking about privacy?"

Damien pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I don't want to argue."

"But I do”, her voice rose.

"I deserve to at least know what's going on.”

Yet again, silence settled between them.

She looked at him trying to see if he would soften up.

She had loved him for years. 

She had walked away from her dream to be a global jeweller because she believed loving him would be enough.

She poured into him all she had and waited for their love to blossom. 

"Look at me," she whispered.

Damien met her eyes.

"Tell me the truth."

His jaw tightened.

"I am telling the truth."

"No”, she snapped back and shook her head.

"Just tell the truth."

Another long silence followed.

Then he spoke.

"I can't keep living like this."

Her heart lurched.

"What does that even mean?"

"It means someone is going to get hurt no matter what I choose."

Shirley frowned.

"So you've made your choice?"

Damien didn't answer immediately but when he finally did, his voice was calm.

"I've already told you that I never stopped loving Violetta…What more do you want to hear?” 

Those words landed harder than they had two nights ago.

Back then, she had been too shocked to process them.

Now...

Now they settled deep inside her chest.

Before she could hold herself together, the words slipped.

“A divorce breaks a home. Do you want our children to grow up in a broken home?” 

“What do you mean?” Damien quizzed. 

But she did not reply. Her eyes remained lowered to the ground until he shook her slightly. 

“Let go of me”, she said, freeing herself from his touch. 

The last thing she wanted was to make contact with him…not even a brush.

“What did you mean by ‘children’?” Damien asked again. 

“Nothing”, she said quickly.

“And don't change the topic”, she added. 

But Damien was not fully convinced. 

She noticed his gaze and she tried to divert his attention. 

“Just tell me one thing. Did you ever care about me…our family and everything we've built.” 

“Of course. I've always loved Cindy and this home.” 

“And me?” she asked but he looked away. 

“Don't make this about you. It's selfish to separate people in love”, he added before walking out of the room. 

He returned shortly and Shirley's eyes brightened. 

She assumed he returned to her…perhaps to apologize or try to fix things.

But no, he only returned to pick up his keys and before he left, he told her, “I'll let you know when I've made my final decision.”

The door clicked shut behind him. 

She fell on her knees and her hand drifted toward her stomach.

Almost instinctively.

She wanted to tell Damien of her pregnancy…that there was going to be a bundle of joy arriving shortly. 

But it didn't feel right. 

He clearly didn't love her. 

Shirley remained where she was…completely still.

After a long moment, she walked to the bedside drawer and slowly pulled it open.

Inside lay the pregnancy test.

She picked it up with trembling fingers and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"You'll never grow up believing you weren't enough," she whispered, resting a hand over her stomach.

"I'll fight to make sure you get a perfect life. But…if mummy loses this battle, she'll protect you alone."  

She closed her eyes.

For the first time since marrying Damien Schrett...

She decided there was one secret he may not deserve to know.

                                        ***

Meanwhile, Damien had driven off to Violetta’s house. 

“You're here so late”, she said upon seeing him at the door. 

“So do you want me to leave?”, he asked, clearly irritated. 

“No. No. That's not what I'm saying. This is also your house”, she replied. 

He went straight to the bar to pour himself a glass of wine. 

“You look upset.”

“I'm bound to get upset”, he replied with his head tilted back slightly and the wine glass pressed flat against his temple. 

“Then speak to me”.

She walked closer to him and gave him a head massage. 

“I think Shirley is hiding something from me”, he said after a while. 

“She's been acting up these past few days.” 

“How?” 

“She saw your text about the divorce today and she raised her voice at me…I've never seen her react like that before.” 

“She even looks pale lately…it's like…she's not well.” 

“That's normal”, Violleta replied. 

“Every one in her position would react that way. And she's probably trying to get you to sympathize with her by feigning sickness.” 

“No. I've lived with her for a good amount of time. She's not like that.” 

“You're so naive”, Violleta said. 

She walked in front of him and laid a kiss on his lips. 

“You love me and only me. Shirley will surely be jealous but don't be swayed by her antics.” 

Damien looked into her eyes and pulled her closer.

“This is why I love you”, he whispered, “you make me feel good.” 

“Then divorce Shirley.” 

“It's not as easy as it sounds”, Damien replied, standing. 

“My daughter is far too young for this.” 

“Please!” Violetta sneered, “it feels like Shirley is speaking through you.” 

“You can co-parent without being tied down in a marriage you don't want.” 

Damien still didn't look convinced. 

But before his head could process his thoughts, his mouth gave way for the words that made Violetta smile. 

“I'll present her with the divorce papers in a few days.”