ALESSIA
There was no reason for me to be close to Claude’s parents if their own child didn’t want me. I am just fooling myself then if I thought I can still be close to them after our divorce. I am not shameless. I knew how to feel embarrassed, at least to some extent.
“I’m really sorry about this. I don’t agree with my son’s decision. Believe me, I also hoped that your relationship wouldn’t end in separation. But there are things that just can’t be forced.” Mrs. Robinson gently held my hand that was resting on the table.
“It’s okay, Auntie. You don’t need to apologize to me. Besides, it was also my decision to marry Claude. I didn’t listen to your advice back then.”
The saying “regret always comes last” is indeed true. You need to experience something before you learn. So even though it hurts, I’ll accept everything. I learned a great lesson from my time with Claude.
The older woman sighed. She picked up the envelope on the table, opened it, and took out its contents, then placed it in front of me.
“Will you sign this paper, dear?”
I took a deep breath. I quickly glanced at the paper in front of me. It was a divorce paper, and only mine and Claude’s signatures were missing. I had just heard about it in their conversation earlier, and now it was right in front of me. It seemed like everything was happening so fast. As short as our wedding ceremony was, it seemed that my time spent on divorce would be even shorter.
When I looked back at my mother-in-law, I saw that she had placed a pen in front of me.
My hands trembled as I took it and opened it. I tightened my grip as I signed. After signing, I quickly put the pen on the table as if the paper and the sign pen were on fire.
“My son will give you alimony for this. I’ll make sure you receive it tomorrow,” Mrs. Robinson said.
I just nodded. I didn’t want to speak anymore because I am sure my voice would break if I did. Even though I am close to Claude’s mother, I still felt that my husband would be favored over me.
Mrs. Robinson squeezed my hand. When she let go, my attention was immediately drawn to the wedding ring I was wearing. A decision formed in my mind. I quickly took it off my finger and placed it on top of the signed document. There was no reason for me to use the ring if Claude and I were already separated. Just as Claude said, I didn’t deserve his love, so I didn’t deserve to wear the ring he gave me.
“Please return this to Claude,” I said calmly before standing up and leaving the room before my tears fell.
When I entered the master bedroom, Claude wasn’t there yet. I needed to leave. I won’t wait for him to ask me to leave. I took my small suitcase and packed my personal belongings before getting dressed. Before I left, I looked at the neatly arranged clothes on the rack.
“I don’t deserve any of you. Maybe there’s someone more deserving to wear you. Thank you for the opportunity to wear you, even if only for a short time. You made me happy somehow. You made me feel how to live more than the luxury I grew up with.”
I carried my suitcase and left the room. As I left, I glanced around the entire room before heading to the door. I was about to grab the doorknob when it suddenly opened. Claude was standing there, his face devoid of any emotion.
This guy really has nerves. But I couldn’t blame him if he really didn’t want me.
“Going somewhere tonight?” he asked seriously, glancing at the suitcase I was holding.
“I’m leaving,” I said.
“Okay. You can go,” Claude replied indifferently. He pushed the door and entered the room.
I felt a heaviness in my chest. It seemed like I was being deprived of breath. But I didn’t let my husband see. I will only give him satisfaction if I cried in front of him. I glanced at Claude. “Goodbye, Claude Xavier Robinson! I hope we’ll never cross paths again someday.”
“Goodbye, Sia! Good riddance!”
I bit my lip. Even in my departure, Claude’s words still hurt.
With a heavy heart, I left the room. I was on the stairs when I noticed Constance. The maid hurriedly approached me.
“Where are you going, ma’am? Why do you have a suitcase?”
“I’m leaving, Constance. Thank you for all your help.” I smiled at her and continued descending.
“It’s late, ma’am. You can leave tomorrow. It might be unsafe to go out now.”
I paused briefly to take a deep breath. It made sense. But I couldn’t stay even for a few more minutes. It felt like my chest would explode. The maid was nice, but Claude didn’t care about me at all.
“I’m okay, Constance. Please don’t worry about me,” I replied, then continued down the stairs.
As I reached the door, someone grabbed my suitcase. When I looked to see who it was, I saw Constance with tears in her eyes.
“I’ll carry this for you, ma’am. I’ll tell Ford to take you wherever you’re going.”
I smiled faintly. I let go of the suitcase. Constance and I left together. We were being watched by the other maids.
“Constance, I’ll just take a taxi,” I said as I was about to head to the garage.
“But, ma’am…”
“It’s fine, Constance. I can manage on my own.”
I was about to take the suitcase from the maid, but she pulled it away from me. “I’ll accompany you outside the gate.”
I just nodded. When I finally stepped out of the house, I looked back at where I came from.
“Thank you for the beautiful memories. But I won’t come back here ever again,” I whispered before following Constance towards the gate.
The guards waved at me as I exited through the gate.
“I’ll call the main gate to get you a taxi, ma’am,” one of them said.
I thanked him.
“Go back inside, Constance. I’ll wait for the taxi here.”
“No, ma’am. I’ll stay with you until your cab arrives. You should have just let Ford take you,” Constance insisted.
“No need. I’ll just be a bother to his rest.”
“Not at all. It’s his job.”
I smiled bitterly. “Constance, I’m leaving. Claude and I are separated, so I have no right to stay in this house anymore.”
Constance sighed.
In just a few moments, a car stopped in front of us. The driver got out and took my suitcase.
“Thank you for everything, Constance,” I said, turning to the maid.
“Take care, ma’am. I’ll miss you.”
I hugged her before getting into the taxi. I waved to her as I sat inside. I noticed she’s wiping her tears. I wouldn’t forget her either.
As the taxi left through the main gate, I held my stomach. “I’m sorry, baby. You won’t know or see your daddy anymore. I hope you can forgive me for what I’m about to do,” I whispered tearfully.