Chapter 30 — Divorce

I woke up with a different feeling, a different smell, and in a different room. The realization hit me when I looked around, finding it was my husband’s room. He wasn’t beside me. His place was empty, but his smell was still lingering in my nose. I touched the soft black sheets and felt his presence, even though he wasn’t here. But still, I could feel him. I liked everything about him, his smell, his caress, his rare smile, his beautiful eyes, and the way he stared at me. He was gentle last night; he took care of me last night like a real loving husband. I smiled at the memories of last night flooding in my head.

I stretched my body and got off the bed. I wished we could live our life like a normal couple. Can’t we live a normal life? I was wondering about love. But he loved Ava. I shook away this thought and walked out of his room.

I entered the kitchen, and my eyes popped out when I found Henry. He was cooking something. “What are you doing in the kitchen?” I asked, shocked.

He raised his brows. “Can’t you see preparing breakfast for my wife?” he said, sounding like my butler.

“You are cooking?” I pointed out. I couldn’t believe his words.

He nodded and added a few slices of cheese. I couldn’t believe he was making my favorite food, cheesy pasta. “Are you preparing cheesy pasta?”

“Yup.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “This is the first time I made cheese pasta. I don’t know how to cook except for making coffee.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“Henry, are you preparing pasta especially for me?”

“Actually.” He cleared his throat. “I’m just trying.”

Seeing my husband like that, a small smile escaped my lips. “I am hungry,” I said and sat down on the kitchen island.

Five minutes later, he brought the tray of breakfast. “Done!” He sighed and grabbed the bowl of pasta and put it down in front of me.

I grinned. “Um, not bad,” I teased him.

“Well, you are the first lady for whom I’ve cooked.”

No doubt.

“Are you plotting something against me?” I joked.

He frowned and ignored my question and took a seat beside me with his tasteless chicken.

“It looks so delicious. Is it really for me?”

“Just eat it,” he said coldly. Annoyed by my tons of questions.

I took a forkful of pasta in my mouth and tasted it. Ugh, it was too salty, too spicy, and half-cooked. I swallowed it and looked at him who was waiting for my reaction. He was watching every movement, trying to catch my reaction, but before he could catch it, I interrupted. “Wow! Delicious.”

He examined my face and found something. “Oh really,” he said as if he read my mind.

“Yeah. It is delicious, trust me.”

“Let me taste it,” he said and snatched the bowl from my hand.

Before he could taste it, I snatched it back. “I-I’m hungry, so please don’t eat my food. If you want it, then cook it again,” I said and quickly ate pasta. I didn’t want him to taste it because it would disappoint him.

“Alice, just one bite,” he pleaded.

“I said no!”

“Only one.” He said again, looking cute. Not cute, but hot. He had never pleaded with me like that before. And I was struggling to refuse him. If he had asked me something else, then I would have given him, but not this pasta. It tasted horrible.

“Don’t you understand no means no!”

He stood up and snatched the bowl. “You can’t refuse me, Alice,” he said and took the forkful of pasta in his mouth. Damn it! He froze for a moment before grabbing a napkin and spat the whole thing in it.

“Fuck,” he hissed and grabbed my forearm. “Are you crazy? How can you eat that shit!”

My eyes fell to his grip. “Look at me, Alice. Why do you always lie to me? It tastes like shit. How can you eat that!” He growled.

I stared into his eyes. “Um…It was tasty, and I liked it.”

“It was not Alice!” He took one more step, filling the gap between us. “Why did you like it?”

I liked everything about you. It was crazy, but I didn’t know why.

“I like everything, whatever you cook for me. And it was not that bad at all. After all, it was your first time.”

“Why do you act like a goddess? Or you really are?” He whispered and I frowned. “Why don’t you feel bad whenever I insult you? Why don’t you hate me? I have done so many nasty things to you, but still, you always give me that look. Damn that look!”

I looked away, avoiding his eyes. “I’m not acting Henry and I hate you.” My voice was barely audible.

He placed his hand under my chin and forced me to look into his eyes. “When I talk to you, just look into my eyes,” he demanded.

I obeyed him.

“Why don’t you use my money, my name, and this luxurious life? Wasn’t that the reason you married me?” He said, and I balled my hands into fists. Why did he always think like that? “Even if you're teaching so that you could help your parents financially,” he said and surprised me. Did he know I was doing this job?

How long?

“You knew that I’m a teacher?”

“Yes. I know everything about you, where you go, who you meet, and when you return home. I keep busy throughout the day at work but it doesn’t mean I don’t know anything about you, Alice.”

“Then why didn’t you stop me from doing this job?” I asked, wondering.

“Because I knew the reason behind it. You’re doing this job for your parents and…” He didn’t complete his sentence. “Leave it. Just answer my questions.”

“I just don’t want to use your money, name, and fame because.” I fixed my gaze on his. I could see his eyes darkened due to rage. “Because we are not a real couple, Henry. This marriage is just a deal and one day will come when we have to divorce, one day will come when you and Ava will be together.” I bit into my lower lip, looking away. These words wrenched my heart. I felt like I was swallowing the venom while talking about them together.

“Talk about the present, Alice.” Anger crept into his voice. “At present, we are husband and wife.” He tightened his grip around my hand. “And one more thing, don’t talk about Ava ever again.”

I snatched my hand from his grip, getting angry. “I’m talking about the thing that is going to happen, Henry. I said nothing wrong. After all, you love Ava.”

“I don’t…” He didn’t complete himself. “Forget it…” He hissed and stormed out of my sight, angrily.

*****

“Joseph, are you sure he wants to meet me in his office?” I asked him again. Joseph had informed me that Henry wanted to meet me in his office and I didn’t know why? We had fought in the morning and he had left me alone without a single word. I didn’t know what was wrong with him. Why did he get angry when I talked about divorce? Isn’t it what we both wanted? Divorce?

“Yes, he wants to meet you in his office,” Joseph answered and I nodded and focused my eyes out of the window. I didn’t want to think about him. I wished I could go to school and meet Harley. She was the only person who helped me to overcome all my problems.

After fifteen minutes, we arrived at the Robinson fashion house. Joseph pulled into a parking lot, and I climbed off.

I entered the building. “Hello, ma’am nice to meet you,” a blonde woman greeted me with her beautiful smile.

“Nice to meet you too,” I replied.

“Sir wants to meet you in his office,” she informed me, and I gave her a nod. “Please follow me.”

We entered the elevator. She didn’t utter a single word and stood straight professionally as she was in the black formal dress which perfectly matched her white, and flawless skin. Henry was right, his all employees were best in best and professional. How could he marry a girl like me? He had many choices. He could have chosen a beautiful lady who would fit into his status. After all, I was not his type.

“Ma’am, shall we go?” That woman interrupted my thoughts.

“Um, yes,” I said and gave her a slight nod. I was in such deep thought that I didn’t realize that we had already arrived at the top floor of the building.

“Just go straight. You will find his office,” she informed and walked away without another word.

I hesitated before taking steps towards his office. I followed her instructions and walked straight. I found the big glass door and entered. Here he was, standing in front of a full glass wall, observing the beautiful skyline of New York.

“Did you call me?” I asked, stopping his observation. After a while, he turned to me, showing me his handsome face. He had worn a crisp gray suit with a yellow tie perfect match. His face was free from stubble hair and his short dark hair was slicked back.

His dark eyes met mine, and a small smile tugged at his lips. “Yeah, please have a seat, Mrs. Robinson,” he said formally like I was his client.

I took a seat on a black leather chair right in front of a dark wood desk. His office was too big for just one man. Everything was furnished with modern and elegant material. Everything else was white ceiling, floors, and walls except the black furniture. White and black combinations are quite interesting. Ugh, my billionaire husband. After examining his office, I focused my attention on him and he was already staring me down.

“Um, beautiful,” I said awkwardly, and he frowned. “I mean your office is beautiful.”

He said nothing and took a seat in his giant leather chair. “I called you here.” His voice was icy, but his expression was softened.

He slid a black envelope towards me. “What’s that?” I asked, confused.

He joined his hands together and rested his elbows on the table, examining every detail of my face. “Divorce.”

My eyes popped out and my jaw dropped. I felt like someone had stabbed my heart. I felt an unwanted pain in my gut. I didn’t know when the tears formed in my eyes. I could not hide the pain after hearing that single word. “Divorce!” I whispered and touched the envelope with a trembling hand, but before I could open it, he grabbed my hand and stopped me.

“This is what you want, isn’t it?” He said, smirking. I could see how much he was enjoying my pain. It was pleasant for him to make me miserable and helpless, wasn’t it?

I wiped away my tears angrily and looked right into his eyes. “Yes, I have been waiting for this moment for many days.” I snapped. I thought he cared about me. I thought he felt my pain, but I was wrong. I was damn wrong. He was not human; he was a monster.

I hate you, Henry.

I grabbed the envelope fiercely and ran out of his office.

“Alice, stop there!” He screamed from behind, but I didn’t stop because I didn’t want him to see how much he affected me, how much he changed me.

I hate you, Henry.

I hate you.