Chapter 2

All my friends, his friends, our college classmates, even both our families, everyone knew I'd been with Leon since freshman year. From nineteen to twenty-seven, his name was written all over my youth.

After all those years, it wasn't something I could toss aside like an old shirt. Of course, Leon thought so too.

"I'm choosing divorce," I said, gripping my suitcase and locking eyes with him.

Leon's face changed in an instant. His fingers, resting on his knee, froze, and the certainty he'd always carried fell apart, leaving only raw shock he couldn't hide.

He stood up, moving so slowly I could see his Adam's apple bob. Those eyes, usually so calm and composed, were now filled with emotions I'd never seen before, shock, disbelief, and a hint of wounded pride.

He thought I'd give in. He thought I'd throw a tantrum, give him the silent treatment for a few days, and then come crawling back, like every other time.

After ten years, he'd gotten so used to me waiting for him that he forgot I might actually walk away.

"Tara," he said through gritted teeth, his jaw tight, his voice barely more than a growl. "Don't you dare regret this."

I pulled up the handle of my suitcase and looked at him. He stood there, caught in the orchid's glow. His eyes red, whether from anger or something else. I couldn't tell.

It didn't matter anymore.

"I'll never regret this," I said.

The door closed behind me.

I checked into a hotel and crashed for a while. When I woke up, it was already past nine at night.

I grabbed my phone and saw Mia's post on her social media. [Thank you for never letting go of my hand when I was scared. I don't care what people say about me, because you promised our baby would come into this world with pride.]

The photo showed two hands resting on a slightly rounded belly. One hand had nude pink polish, and the other, with defined knuckles, wore a simple ring on the ring finger.

That was Leon's hand.

I'd held that hand for nine years, from our freshman classroom all the way to the threshold of our marital home.

Then, my phone buzzed with a message.

Leon: [Where are you? Let's talk. Stop making a scene.]

The message was sent ten minutes ago. After taking maternity photos with Mia and posting them online, only then did he remember me, his soon-to-be ex-wife.

With a few taps, I put him on my blacklist for good.

Twenty minutes later, my stomach started growling.

I found a noodle shop next to the hotel. My mom, Clara Sutton, called the moment the noodles arrived. "Tara, are you asleep? Why does your voice sound so hoarse?"

"I just woke up," I replied.

"That's good," she said, pausing. "Ethan Sutton wanted me to tell you. Leon's been flaunting Mia around for a month now. Mrs. Walker saw them together several times. Ethan was ready to confront him, but I stopped him. I didn't want you to be upset."

I sat there, holding my chopsticks, silent.

Turns out everyone else already knew. I was the only one acting clueless, like an ostrich with its head in the sand.

Clara said, her voice cracking, "Ethan said, divorce him.

"When you got married, you were happy, so we didn't stop you. If you're not happy now, then go ahead and divorce him.

"Sutton girls never have trouble finding a good man.

"You've got Ethan and me. We've always got your back. What are you afraid of?"

"Mom," I said, setting down my chopsticks. "The lawyer's already drawn up the papers. I'll have him sign them tomorrow."

"Alright. Once it's done, come home for a bit. I'll make you some soup."

After hanging up, I thought for a moment and unblocked Leon.

I typed to Leon: [The papers are ready. We'll sign them tomorrow.]

I sent him the address right after.

The next day, I showed up at the café right on time with my lawyer.

Leon was already there, sitting with Ryan Chambers, his personal lawyer and college roommate. They didn't notice us come in and were talking quietly. The café was almost empty, so even from across the aisle, I could catch their conversation.

Ryan twirled his pen and leaned back in his chair. "Seriously, man? You're really going through with this? You and Tara have been together for ten years. Do you really have to end it like this?"

Leon took a sip of his coffee, sounding laid-back, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Divorce? Seriously? You know how Tara is. She's making a scene. It'll pass."

He set his cup back down, the porcelain clinking softly against the saucer. "Mia's pregnant and always causing drama. I'll get the divorce papers to calm her down for now. Once the baby's here, I'll win my little princess back."

Leon laughed, that same smug confidence I'd heard for ten years. "I made her this way, so what can I do? I'll put up with it."

Ryan snorted. "Keep dreaming. What if Tara actually means it this time?"

"No way," Leon said, leaning back, totally relaxed. "She's been with me for nine years. She's not about to turn my world upside down. Let her blow off some steam, she'll come around in a few days."

I didn't bother listening any longer. I walked off to the bathroom.