SCARLET’S POV
I was holding the divorce papers in my hand which I got prepared with my best friend Phoebe. I sighed flipping the pages and my eyes glued to the bottom of the last page where mine and Joshua’s name was mentioned and we had to sign.
I bit my tongue to shush down any bitterness that would be trying to surface at breaking of this marriage that lasted for three years. At the thought of number of years, I have spent in this marriage fooling myself by this man has zipped my lips, a stinging feeling in my heart. I am left with resentment and harshness, whenever I recall the conversation I overhead mistakenly.
My trip to Chicago was meant to be a surprise for my husband for our upcoming wedding anniversary, an event I was preparing a lot and cherished despite never receiving the same attention and excitement from my husband.
As always, this year he was also busy with his beta duties and had gone to Chicago to look the matters for pack, therefore, this year I decided to do something different and instead of waiting for him to arrive, I landed on the land he was currently only to left with surprise instead of doing it to him.
I knew in which hotel he was staying, hence not wasting any time, I was soon standing on the floor his room was, I don’t have to struggle much in finding his room as it was next right to the room in front of the elevator door. With broad smile on my face and giggling inwardly thinking about his shocked face I stepped closer to his room only to find it unlocked, a little space not enough to peak inside but helping in hearing the voices of people inside.
I recognized the voices instantly; one was Joshua and other was his friend Tom.
‘As a friend I would suggest you to not spoil another wedding anniversary like this. It will only thicken the wall between you and Scarlet’ my brows knitted after hearing those words.
Not spoil another anniversary, the word spoil another hinders on my mind, what does Tom mean by this, Joshua deliberately avoids the wedding anniversary? A quick thought swept into my mind, raising doubts and questions. I halted my steps and hid behind the door waiting for Joshua’s response only to hear his weary sigh. My hand tightened around the lock when again Tom’s word hit my ears.
‘That’s an insult to her sincere feelings for you’ I pressed my lips; my heart was on the verge of falling. The commotion and silence of my husband was telling me, I am not gonna hear something good.
‘I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but I am helpless. My little attention to Scarlet will distant me from her and I can’t take a risk of losing her.’ His weak voice was strong enough to shatter my heart, my hand on lock trembled, raising a big question about who is that her, in front of which my powerful husband lacks all his strength.
‘Don’t tell me, by her you are referring to Rosie Edward’ Tom looks much aware about Joshua’s life than me, a sad smile took place on my face, and I looked at the ceiling. There was no point in standing here anymore, going inside would be utter humiliation by my own hands. Hence, I quietly took my steps away from his room and flew back to New York, my husband was still unaware that I came to surprise him and was left startled by him.
The pain was unbearable, I knew Joshua has liked a woman in past but didn’t know who she was, however, I never assumed or could have even think about Rosie for a blink even, because of relation she shares with us. Woah! Love from my married life was already being looted by my sister-in-law and I wasn’t even aware of this.
The truth has shaken me to my core resulting I was having high fever at my return but there was a lot for me to think and realize and soon I had reached to the conclusion, but my action was postponed due to the sudden death of Joshua’s eldest brother Frank Hughes.
Franks Hughes is the spoiled brat of Hughes family and was allowed to do as he wanted, his marriage to Rosie Edward was his own choice and they spend all their time utilizing the wealth of Hughes without any care.
After the funeral, I left the cemetery looking forward to going home and resting. I have barely gotten any sleep these days and now it feels that my body, who forcedly was being dragged all these days would collapse any moment, hence, I quickly got into the car and asked the driver to take me to home, Hughes plans seem different and I don’t have energy to join them anymore.
Before the car starts to drive, Joshua opens the door. His tall figure bent to look at me. I had already glimpsed the presence of Rosie and her son Jeremy; I doubt what my husband was up to now.
‘Can you take them home with you?’ I looked straight into his eyes quietly.
‘Mom and dad are not letting it slide, let them stay our house for few days until things settle at Hughes house’ his words stretched my lips to smirk, my eyes flickered to Rosie who was standing taking shield of my husband. She has no grief of losing her husband in accident, while I was debating on my response, her and Frank’s son hopped in the car as if he owns it, leaving no room for me to say anything.
The drive back home has left me cold and bitter, now that I am aware, I can see how much Joshua cares for her. To save her from wrath of his family, he is willing to compromise his dignity.
After getting home and taking shower to freshen up, I called back Phoebe after seeing her missed calls on my phone.
‘Your documents are ready’ she has been the best divorce lawyer in town and when I had made the decision, she was the first person I contacted.
‘Thanks, can you arrange a delivery of them to my address?’ I sat down on the edge of my bed, brushing my hair with my fingers.
‘Are you sure about your decision Scarlet?’ she was hesitating, knowing my feelings for Joshua but that was past now, I won’t let anyone leave a scar on my heart forever.
‘My husband satisfies himself through picture of another woman, what is left for me to think after that?’