Chapter 2
Desmond lowered his head, thinking for a moment, then realization dawned on him. "Sorry, I totally forgot today is our third anniversary. Next year, I'll make it up to you."
"Next year at this time, it'll still be Lois's birthday. You'll probably forget again," I said.
"You're not the man I married anymore. I don't see any reason to keep this marriage alive," I added.
For three years, I willingly gave up my own career just to be his housewife.
I did his laundry, gave him back rubs, and was always there whenever he needed support.
I worried about his weak stomach, afraid he couldn't handle outside food.
Every day, I'd shop for groceries, cook, and personally deliver his meals to the office.
And in the end, after all that, he still disregarded and betrayed me.
There was really no reason for this marriage to go on anymore.
When Desmond saw how firm I was, his face suddenly went cold.
"Adira, have you really thought this through?" he asked.
I picked up the divorce papers and handed them to him.
"I've thought it through," I said. "I don't want anything. I'm making a clean break. Just sign the papers."
Desmond took the papers, didn't even glance at them, and tore them to shreds right in front of me.
"Adira, don't go too far," he snapped. "I'll never agree to the divorce."
With that, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
I kept my cool, picked up the broom, and swept the shredded papers into the trash.
After that, I headed back to the study, made two more copies, and set them down on the coffee table.
Desmond didn't want to divorce me because he was scared of being accused of being ungrateful to the one who once helped him.
Back when his uncle was trying to kill him, I put my life on the line to save him.
I threw everything I had into helping him beat his uncle and grab the CEO seat at Kramer Group.
On our wedding day, he went all out, swearing that I was the only woman he'd ever love, and that he'd never leave me.
But now, he was tainted.
I was done with him.
I was determined to get divorced.
*****
The next morning, just as I finished getting ready, Desmond's mom, May showed up at my door.
"Adira, you really have some nerve. You actually dared to ask my son for a divorce?" she snapped.
So that was where Desmond spent the night, at his mom's place.
"Isn't this exactly what you've been hoping for?" I shot back. "Now you can finally pick out a new woman for him and give him children."
Desmond and I had been married for three years, and I still hadn't conceived.
May had always looked down on me, constantly dropping hints and calling me barren.
For the sake of my marriage with Desmond, I swallowed it all and never once talked back to her.
But now that I was getting divorced, there was no reason for me to put up with her anymore.
May let out a snort. "Have you really thought this through? Just look at yourself. Spending every day at home, eating and sleeping, getting as fat as a pig.
"Once you're divorced, no man would want you. You don't even have a job. How do you think you'll survive?"
These past few years, I'd just been at home.
Not only did I always eat leftovers, I also didn't pay much attention to my appearance.
I was a little heavier than most women, but it was nowhere near as bad as May made it out to be.
Besides, the only reason I stayed home was to look after Desmond.
Back then, I used the compensation from my parents' accident and handed over the entire Moreno family business just to bail them out when May and Desmond were in trouble.
It looked like May had forgotten everything I did for them.
And now she had the nerve to humiliate me.
"That's none of your business," I said coolly. "Let me make this clear, May. I'm the one who's done with your son."
May was left speechless by my retort, her hands trembling and her mouth hanging open, unable to get a word out.
Just then, Lois strutted in wearing sunglasses, acting like she owned the place.
"Hey, Adira, looks like you've got a guest," Lois said. "Desmond asked me to swing by and pick up a shirt for him."
May stared, almost mesmerized by Lois's graceful, swaying figure.
"You must be Lois, the new secretary Desmond mentioned," May asked.
"And you are?" Lois replied.
May and Lois quickly hit it off, chatting as if they'd known each other for ages.
Moreover, Lois didn't even bother to acknowledge me, strutting straight into the master bedroom to grab Desmond's clothes.
I glanced at May, couldn't care less. I said, "Look at her, May. Curves in all the right places. Isn't she more suitable for Desmond?
"Desmond can't keep his hands off her these days.
"Why don't you go home and tell your precious son to sign the divorce papers? The sooner he marries her, the better."
Lois came out, and, hearing what I said, could barely hide her excitement.
May sneered, "You're right, I like Lois. She's young, pretty, and has manners, so much better than you.
"I'm going back right now to make Desmond sign those papers. A woman who can't have kids? He should've dumped you long ago."
I watched as the two of them walked off arm in arm, looking all chummy.
I suddenly laughed.
There was no way Lois would ever manage to have a kid.
*****
I finished packing my bags and waited until 3 PM, but Desmond was still a no-show.
I shot him another message. [If you don't come back and sign the papers by four, don't blame me for what happens next.]
Sure enough, that did the trick.
Desmond came home. After opening the door, he frowned at me. "How long are you going to keep making a fuss?"
I pointed to the suitcase by the door.
"I'm not making a scene. I mean it," I said.