DIVORCED

 Vanya's POV 

That night, I stayed up all through thinking and pondering about my marriage to Dario , wondering where things had gone wrong. Sleep evaded me and all I could do was toss restlessly on the bed.

It was when Maggie knocked on my door that I realized that it was morning already. I was still in my clothes from the previous day and I was looking like a mess.

"I will be down in five minutes, Maggie." 

I listen for her retreating footsteps before getting up from the bed. I could hear laughter from downstairs as I approached my door. A new kind of laughter.

None of the maids in the house laughed loudly in that way, it was Seraphina and she was in the kitchen. I couldn't help but wonder what was the source of her amusement as early as it was.

I went back into the bathroom to clean up before going downstairs. I needed to talk to Dario , even if it was one last time.

...

I met Dario in the dining room with Seraphina. She must have been the one who made it herself. They were chattering away excitedly and laughing their heads off until I walked in. 

But it wasn't the sudden cold air that caught my attention. It was Seraphina. She was wearing my favourite silk robe. It was the same robe that I had worn on the morning of our honeymoon and had always remained one of my most treasured clothings.

My throat got dry immediately. My gaze went from Dario to Seraphina and back to Dario again. He had purposefully brought that out for her to wear. I smiled bitterly.

"Oh, Vanya, Good morning." Seraphina said in the most cheerful way there could be. 

"Good morning Seraphina." I muttered trying not to be rude.

"Are you hungry? I made breakfast for Ady and I have some to spare." Her fake lashes were batting up and down my face. I was there for a reason.

"No, Thank you, Seraphina. I'm not hungry." I saw what looked like a pout on her face but it cleared up immediately.

Dario suddenly got busy typing away at his tablet. He didn't look up even once.

"Dario , Good morning." I tried to sound as bright as possible.

He merely muttered an 'hmm'

His countenance wasn't particularly welcoming but I had to bite the bullet. I had no other choice.

"I haven't had the chance to talk to you these past few days, and I really want to talk to you about something."

"Go ahead." 

I thought I heard Seraphina chuckle but she looked too engrossed in her food.

"Privately, if possible?" I cast a quick glance at Seraphina feeling a little bit uncomfortable that she was going to be there while I talked to my husband.

"No. Seraphina is family." 

I swallowed hard.

"Our anniversary didn't go as planned." I decided to get the dice rolling with that.

"How else was it supposed to go?" 

That was when I got it, that day wasn't supposed to be about me but about Seraphina.

"You have been ignoring me since then, Dario . And you know that it was our anniversary but you brought another woman home on that same day, shifting the attention from me to her." I let it out in one quick breath, shocking him.

"Who is the 'another woman' in your sentence, Vanya!" His face suddenly got cold and his eyes turned red. I saw Seraphina stretch a palm to cover one of his.

"Dario , it's our marriage. She is the outsider. We were just okay and the day was going to be a perfect one if she hadn't intruded." I could feel the tears coming. They were going to pour down anytime soon but I won't let him win.

"Our marriage? You are so fucking clueless, Vanya." He was calm now.

"Our marriage....." 

He stood up without letting me finish. I watched him silently as he stormed up the stairs and a few minutes later, he was downstairs again with a file.

He slammed the paper on the marble island.

Sign it," Dario said, his voice as flat as the paper he had just placed on the marble island.

I looked down. Dissolution of Marriage. The words blurred before my eyes. "Dario ... three years. I gave you three years of my life. I stayed when your company was failing, I cared for your mother when she was ill...."

"And I am paying you for those years," he interrupted, gesturing to the check attached to the back. "Ten million. It’s more than you’re worth, Vanya. Consider it a tip for your service. "

Seraphina let out a soft, mocking titter as she sipped her coffee. "Don't be greedy, honey. With that money, you can finally buy those designer bags you used to look at so longingly."

I looked at the check. To them, it was a 'tip.' To me, it was the price of my soul. I felt the morning sickness hit the back of my throat, a reminder of the secret I carried. My hand instinctively went to my stomach, but I pulled it back before he could notice.

"Why Dario ? Why do you want to divorce me? I know I haven't been a perfect wife but, I can fix myself. I can be better. Dario ..."

"Seraphina is pregnant." 

He dropped the bomb. My eyes popped open. I staggered but held on to my chair before I could fall.

"I don't want my kids to be confused by your presence here, so please take the money and get out."

I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to tell him that I'm the one with a child. I wanted to tell him that his offspring was growing inside of me but I didn't. I balanced myself before standing erect.

"I don't want your money, Dario ," I said, my voice finally finding its edge. I picked up the pen. "I want you to remember this day. I want you to remember the day you threw away the only person who actually loved you for who you were, not for your bank account."

I signed the name Vanya West for the last time.

"Keep your millions," I tossed the pen down. It clattered against his expensive china. "You’re going to need them to pay for the lies she’s feeding you."

"Get out," Dario hissed, his eyes finally showing a spark of anger. "Before I have security drag you to the curb."

I walked out of the Blackwood Mansion without a single suitcase. I didn't need their clothes. I didn't need their air. I saw Maggie looking at me from the stairs, I smiled at her. She had tears in her eyes and I knew that I would come back for her. 

 I left without looking back. I had my baby, and I had a name I had buried long ago.

As I reached the gates, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in years.

"Grandfather?" I whispered, my voice was trembling. "It’s Vanya. I can't keep staying here. I'm coming home... and I'm ready to take my place at the head of the family.”