Blake’s POV
I had decided to return home tonight, I needed to pacify Anastasia. I got to the office as early as possible, so as to complete as many tasks as possible.
A knock on the door disrupts my attention. “I don’t think I am expecting someone,” I soliloquize.
“Come in,” I say, my voice raised.
Selene walks in, closing the door behind her. I immediately pressed the desk bell before saying “Why are you here and how come my secretary let you in?”
“No good morning or greeting of any sort, just straight-on bombarded questions, well that’s disappointing, don’t you think?” She says, sarcastically.
Moments later, my secretary, Emily, rushes in, looking flustered. “I’m very, very sorry, sir. I wasn’t at my desk,” she stammers, her face turning red.
Selene shrugs, barely glancing at her. “Don’t trouble the girl. I was the one who waltzed in.”
I nod, waving a hand dismissively. “It’s fine, Emily. You’re excused.” Emily sighs in relief and exits the room quickly, closing the door behind her.
Selene takes a seat opposite me, dropping her handbag on the chair beside her.
“Why are you here?” I asked. “What kind of question is that?” she replies, making a strange face.
I stood up, trying to keep my composure. “I thought I made it clear. We’re done. No more communication, no visits, nothing.”
She rolled her eyes and smirked, leaning against the desk. “You can’t just shut me out like that, not after all that has happened,”
“Are you even listening to yourself,” I ask her, utterly disgusted.
“Are you denying me right now? We both framed Anastasia for this transaction,” She accuses.
“Hold up, YOU framed Anastasia, I agree that I signed those documents, but I wasn’t aware of the adverse effects on Anastasia, get your facts right,” I confess. “Plus she has been sacked already, so no need for communication or contact with you whatsoever,”
“I’m afraid that’s impossible now,” she says. “What do you mean?” I questioned, confusion running through my mind.
“I am pregnant,” she states blatantly.
For a moment, I could feel time stop.”What do you mean you are pregnant?”
She gulps for a moment before speaking, “I meant everything that it would have meant.
“You… You can’t be serious,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
Selene’s eyes bore into my eyes, cold and unyielding. “Do you think I’m joking? Do I look like I’m joking, Blake?”
“How far along are you?” I ask, my legs suddenly feeling weak.
“Four weeks,” she replies, crossing her arms. “And before you ask, yes, it’s yours.”
My mind races through the implications. This could ruin everything. Anastasia finding out about Selene was bad enough, but a child? It was catastrophic. “We’ll figure something out,” I say, more to myself than to Selene.
I ran my hands through my hair while rubbing my temples, feeling a headache coming on. I noticed movement in the corner of my eye. I turned my gaze when the door gently creaked open and my eyes fell on her.
“Figure something out? You’ll figure, something, out, Blake?” she asks, her voice shaking with a blended feeling of anger and pain.
“Anastasia, it’s not what it looks like,” I start, but she cuts me off.
“What will you figure out, Blake? What does that even mean?” Her voice starts to rise, and I can see the tears welling up in her eyes.
Selene stands up, looking between us. “Maybe I should leave you two alone,” she says, heading for the door.
Anastasia barely notices her, her focus is entirely on me. “I can’t believe this. After everything, this is what I walk into?”
“Anastasia, please,” I plead, trying to move closer to her. “Let’s talk about this.”
“Talk about what, Blake? The fact that you cheated on me with her? And got her pregnant? Or the fact that our marriage is a complete lie?” Her voice breaks, and she wipes away a tear.
“Look, didn’t you say you needed a break?” I ask, trying to sound reasonable. “I mean, you mentioned something like that last time we met. Maybe this is for the best.”
Her eyes widened, disbelief and anger mixing on her face. “Blake, I was upset! I didn’t mean it. You should know that!”
I shrug, feeling awkward. “Well, I don’t know what you expect me to do. Isn’t this the divorce you always wanted? Let’s just get it over with.”
Anastasia stares at me, utterly stunned. “A divorce?” She scoffs. “Are you suggesting a divorce right now? After all this?”
“Why are you venting? We can just end it if that’s what you want,” I say, my tone almost nonchalant.
Anastasia’s face crumples and she takes a step back. “You’re unbelievable, Blake. This is it. We’re done. Completely done.” Her voice is resolute, even as her tears flow freely.
“Anastasia, don’t say that,” I beg while moving closer, but she’s already turning to leave.
“Dont. Just don’t,” she says, raising her index finger. “Goodbye, Blake,” she says softly, walking out of the office and out of my life.
As the door closes behind her, I feel a strange mix of relief and emptiness. Selene stands silently, watching me, but I can’t bring myself to look at her. All I can see is the devastation I’ve caused, and the emptiness left in Anastasia’s eyes.
Selene clears her throat, breaking the silence. “Well, that was intense,” she says, trying to tell that she was still in the room. I don’t respond, my mind is replaying the look on Anastasia’s face as she walks out.
“Blake, we need to talk about the baby,” Selene presses. I finally look at her, the weight of my decisions pressing down on me.
“Really, after all that? Selene, just leave me alone for now. Have you always been this insensitive,” I state, disgust showing in my voice?
“I beg your biggest pardon, it’s your marriage, your problem, and your life, how you choose to treat it, is your choice, not mine. Neither do I care,” she retorts.
“I need some time to think,” I say, my voice hollow. “Just… give me some space.”
I really don’t have the energy to contend with her attitude right now.
Selene nods, not entirely pleased. “Fine. But don’t take too long. This situation isn’t going away.” She picks up her handbag and heads for the door, leaving me alone in the office with my thoughts.
The room feels colder, and emptier without Anastasia. I sit down, staring at the desk, trying to make sense of the mess I’ve created.
Was this really the end? Was this how our story was supposed to end? I thought about the good times, the laughter, and the relationship we once shared. At least we were friends. How did it come to this?
I reach for my phone, contemplating calling her, begging her to come back, to give me another chance. But as I hover over her contact, I realize that some mistakes can’t be undone. Maybe this was what she needed, what she deserved. A new fresh start, away from me and my mistakes.
With a heavy heart, I put the phone down. The silence of the office is deafening, and for the first time in a long time, I feel truly alone.
Hours pass, and the weight of my actions only grows heavier. I replay the conversation in my head, Anastasia’s words cutting deeper each time. The realization that I’ve lost her, possibly for good, begins to sink in.