Chapter 2
His buddies were always so good at covering for him.
Looking back now, the signs that Leon was obsessed with his ex were everywhere, if I'd just paid attention.
It was his bachelor party.
*****
I went to pick him up from his place. I got to the door of his room and heard him crying as if someone had died.
"Once I'm married, I have to bury all this. I can't ever talk about it again," Leon said. "You guys have no idea how much this hurts. Forget it. It's over. It's done. Let's just keep drinking."
I pushed the door open.
Leon, my husband-to-be, was sitting there, eyes all red and puffy.
The room went dead silent.
His buddies immediately changed the subject.
Leon pretended to be even drunker, avoiding my eyes.
We were so close to the wedding, I didn't push it.
But now, it was easy to guess what they were talking about. Leon, still not over his ex, was pouring his heart out to his friends.
*****
"It's not up to you guys to decide if it's a big deal. It's up to me," I replied.
I gave them a cold stare, and they finally shut up and looked down.
Leon's patience was wearing thin. I could see the annoyance in his eyes. "Irene, this is our daughter's birthday party. Do you have to make a scene and embarrass us both in front of everyone?"
He was already apologizing to the guests, bowing and scraping, and shooting me looks to just take the out and let it go.
I just smiled at him coldly. I mouthed two words silently, "Stella."
Leon's eyes went wide.
He started towards me, but I was already on stage, microphone in hand.
"Thanks for coming to celebrate my daughter's birthday. I also want you all to be witnesses. Because Leon can't get over his ex-girlfriend, I'm out. We're going to the court house tomorrow to file for divorce." I announced.
I tried to keep my voice steady, to hold onto some shred of dignity.
The crowd erupted.
Leon rushed the stage, yelling at me. "Irene, I put up with your moods, I spoil you, but this is too much! You can't just lose it whenever, wherever!
"You're a mom now. Can't you be a little more stable? Set a good example for our daughter, for once.
"Divorce is a serious word. Stop messing around."
People in the crowd nodded along.
To them, I was just some crazy woman ruining her own daughter's party for no reason.
Leon, playing the part of the wronged husband, ran his hands through his hair. He was looking all broken and defeated when he tried to reason with me. It just made him look more innocent, and everyone felt even worse for him.
My chest was heaving.
It felt like I was truly seeing this man for the first time, after all these years.
Pathetic. Weak. And a liar who wouldn't even admit the truth.
I didn't hesitate. "You decorated our house exactly like your ex wanted. You named our daughter after her. Stella Grace is everywhere. And you're calling me unreasonable?
"Let's just get a divorce. I'm done."
I was too tired to argue anymore. I dropped the mic and walked off the stage, exhausted.
All those eyes burned into my back.
I was rubbing my temples when Leon dropped to his knees with a thud.
He pleaded, "Irene, please, don't do this. Let's not get divorced, okay?"
Which, of course, just made everyone glare at me even harder.
"Marrying the wrong woman ruins the whole family. I'm not marrying someone this unreasonable."
"Poor Leon. She's so cold, making him beg like that, and she doesn't even care."
"The ex-girlfriend thing is probably nothing. She's acting like she has proof or something."
I was too tired to explain.
But then, Leon's excited voice boomed through the mic, making everyone eat their words. "Fine. Irene, let's do it. Let's get a divorce."
His ex-girlfriend had just walked into the party, looking at him all soft and gooey-eyed as she glided towards him.