5. Possibilities

               For the past four days, Declan had felt that something was off with his emotions. Several times, he had been overwhelmed by deep sadness and guilt, only to feel the complete opposite not long after. Declan could only come to one conclusion, his separation from Sarah was the reason behind his emotional ups and downs. Perhaps it was only temporary, a result of having to readjust to a new situation.

Just like last night, when Declan saw Sarah returning from the salon. Once again, Sarah barely spoke to him, other than greeting him when she entered the house or asking permission to enter his room. Yes, Sarah actually asked Declan for permission to enter a room that was technically still hers, too.

“Can I come in? I left some of my clothes there,” Sarah said, making Declan, who was sipping his coffee, stare at her in surprise.

Declan let out a long sigh. “Just come in, Sarah. That’s your room too.”

“Not anymore,” Sarah replied, keeping her gaze lowered.

“If you don’t want to think of me as your ex-husband, can you at least think of me as your older brother? Like Jake and Jason.”

“That’s different. They’re my actual brothers. But you…”

“Okay… okay. I understand.” Declan closed his eyes dramatically. With one hand, he gestured for Sarah to enter freely and take whatever she needed from the room.

He stole a quick glance at Sarah as she slowly approached him. She kept one hand hidden behind her back, concealing the mini dress, while her other hand reached out toward Declan, who was still sitting beside the dining table.

“I think I should return this to you.”

Declan frowned when he saw the ring box he had given Sarah when he proposed to her. He leaned back in his chair, unable to understand what his ex-wife was trying to do this time.

“B-but that belongs to you.”

“Not anymore,” Sarah replied quickly before walking away, leaving him alone.

Being ignored by Sarah for the past few days was apparently enough to make Declan restless. Several times, he had woken up in the middle of the night just to check whether Sarah was sleeping soundly in the room next door.

How could he not?

During their two years of marriage, Declan had learned that one of Sarah’s habits was always holding his hand whenever she was about to fall asleep. But now…

“Sir? Mr. Declan, are you daydreaming?”

The office boy at Declan’s company, pulled him out of his long thoughts about Sarah. Declan shook his head. Why did it have to be Sarah occupying his thoughts again?

“Yes? What is it?”

“Your fruit snack, sir. The chili sauce is packed separately.” Declan had almost forgotten that he had ordered the sweet-and-sour and mango snack he had spotted at a row of shops near the office. For some reason, he had been craving the sweet and tangy taste of the fruit since yesterday. Something he had almost never craved before.

Declan nodded. “Just put it there. Thank you.”

Normally, Declan would spend his lunch break with Natalie around this time of day. Sometimes they would eat at a restaurant near the office or at the Padang restaurant that had recently become their regular spot. But today, Declan had to spend his lunch break alone because Natalie had taken the day off. Her son had a fever.

The thought of Natalie, with her motherly nature, taking care of her child made the corners of Declan’s lips lift slightly.

***

“Are you really not suspicious of Declan?” Mia asked, once again disturbing Sarah’s concentration as she focused on creating video content for Seesara, her  beauty salon’s social media account.

“Why would I be suspicious?”

“Hey, don’t you realize how many homewreckers are out there these days, trying to destroy other people’s marriages?” Mia continued passionately.

“Are you saying Declan is seeing another woman?” Sarah glared at her.

Even though Declan had never fallen in love with her, Sarah knew he was a decent man. He would never stoop that low.

“Yeah … who knows? You never go to his office. You don’t know who his friends are, you don’t know what he does. When he comes home late, you don’t know whether he’s working overtime or doing some other kind of ‘overtime.’”

Mia pouted, clearly baffled. She couldn't understand why her best friend still defended the man who was already her ex-husband.

“I trust him. He wouldn't do something like that. He’s a good man.”

“Tsk … keep defending him.” Sarah rolled her eyes, growing tired of all Mia’s jabs at her ex-husband.

She did feel a little relieved after telling Mia everything that had been weighing on her heart. But apparently, Mia was the one who couldn't accept how easily Declan had decided to divorce Sarah.

“Maybe we just weren't meant to be. Matters of the heart can't be forced.”

“And you really think you’re going to be fine with that? You’re just going to carry all that heartbreak after being left when you were already deeply in love with him? Heyyy… wake up, Faw!” Mia pouted even more dramatically.

“Time will heal everything, Mia.”

“Oh My God, Sarah. When are you going to face reality? At least be a little tougher with men. Be suspicious or something! How can there be no warning at all, and then suddenly he asks for a separation?” Mia playfully pinched both of Sarah’s cheeks.

“It wasn't sudden, according to Declan. He'd already thought about it long before this. Besides, from the beginning, we both agreed to the marriage because our families arranged it.”

“So what are you going to do now? How long are you planning to keep living under the same roof with a man like him?”

“Hey! Watch your mouth. Declan isn't some worthless man.”

“Fine, fine. Then let's just call him a cardboard man.”

Sarah took a deep breath, unwilling to waste her energy on Mia’s constant teasing about her ex-husband.

“I’ll stay in that house until I’m ready to go back to my parents’ place. Declan will take me home himself.”

“When?”

“I don't know. He'll take care of our divorce paperwork first. Besides, I haven't told my family about our separation yet. Especially Jack and Jason.” Sarah felt a little uneasy whenever she thought about her two older brothers, who had always spoiled her.

She had no idea how they would react when they found out their little sister’s marriage had fallen apart halfway through. Jack was Sarah’s oldest brother, eight years older than her. Jason was her second brother, seven years older than Sarah and the same age as Declan.

In fact, Jason and Declan had been close friends during college.

“Then tell Jason first. Maybe he can represent the family and give Declan a good beating.”

“Mia…” Sarah shot her friend a sharp look.

“What? Worried he won't survive if he goes up against Jason?”

Sarah pulled a chair beside Mia.

“Help me come up with a reason so Jason can understand our decision.”

Jason was more hot-tempered than Jack, the eldest, who was known for his patience. He was also fearless whenever something involved the happiness of his beloved youngest sister.

“Our decision?” Mia scoffed again. “More like Declan’s decision.”

“But I agreed to it,” Sarah interrupted.

“You’re just way too obedient when it comes to that man, Marimarrrr!” Mia finally burst out, unable to stand Sarah’s habit of always putting Declan first.

“Forget it. Talking to you about my problems is always a mistake, Mia.”

“Well, it’s your fault too. You’re way too soft when it comes to men. No wonder I get annoyed. You’re such a little softie.”

Mia playfully smacked Sarah’s backside as she walked past.

“Heyyy! Keep your hands to yourself!” Sarah glared at Mia, who only burst into laughter.

“You are, though, aren't you?”

Mia suddenly tilted her head. “But wait, Sarah. Now that I look at you… you do seem a little different lately.”

Sarah stopped and looked at her suspiciously.

“You look healthier somehow. And there’s something different about you.”

“You’re imagining things, Mia,” Sarah replied without turning around.

“I’m serious. You really do seem different lately.” Mia narrowed her eyes, studying Sarah with suspicion.

“Don’t tell me…”

“Don’t tell you what? Are you starting to lose your mind?”

“Are you pregnant?”

Sarah froze. Her eyes widened at Mia’s sudden question.

***