Chapter 76—Divorce

Three Years Later:

Astrid’s POV:

“Yes!” I cut the call and ran downstairs. God, this mess is really messy.

The doorbell rang just as I got to downstairs. I opened it and ran back to the kitchen.

“Why are you running?” Noah’s voice stopped me.

“Well, I have to go to the hospital, in case you don’t remember” I replied, going to the kitchen and taking my stuff.

“I will go with you too” he said.

“Ah, well… you just came. I can manage” I denied and was going to the gate when he sighed.

“What?” I asked him.

“When will you return?”

“Night”

“It is morning” he insisted. “Please come back fast”

“I will try” I smiled lightly, and he nodded with a cute smile.

“Bye!”

“Bye” I made my way out and to the hospital.

Noah and I are good, actually. Although… nothing changed.

He still doesn’t love me.

I still love him.

It is like… we are best friends. He returns every Sunday from his University. Wait. Shit. He is home early, that means his university’s last day is coming.

I shrugged my thoughts because I have to see my mom first.

My mom is in the hospital. She was diagnosed with... I don’t know, some heart problem. I didn’t get to know much about it because Noah told me that he can manage it, as he is a medical student. So, I just left it to him.

I rarely go to mom alone, as Noah has told me it’s better if she is left alone. But today I am gonna see her once again after a long time. I hope... she is alright. I am so done with all of this. I want a settled life. Since two years, when mom was admitted in the hospital, and everything has been fucked up completely. My studies were completed some months ago.

I went to the doctor. “Hello Astrid. Your mom’s condition is still stable”

I nodded. The doc knows me well; he knows I come to meet her. And I ask him how she is, almost every time. So, he always recognizes me.

“Is Noah with you?”

“No”

He sighed. “Can you call him?”

“But... I am here, you can tell me what’s wrong. He just came back from University after a long week, I think I should manage this”

“But Astrid, he knows everything about your mom, and he is more experienced”

“Please doc”

He thought for a moment. “Then at least ask him if he’s okay with this”

“Please tell me doctor, it is alright”

He sighed. “Okay. Your mom’s condition is stable, but her cancer is increasing. She may not be able to survive like this for another year”

My eyes widened. Cancer? She has cancer? But—

My head started spinning and I fell down. What is wrong with me? Why didn’t I know that? Noah... he hid it. I... I hate him.

“Astrid, get up...” Doctor helped me, and I got up. I was already crying. I was betrayed by the one I loved... again.

“Wh-what can I do for her, doc...” I asked and he shook his head.

“I don’t think you can do anything”

I cried and went to her. I looked at her and guilt filled up in me. I should have been by her side. But no. It’s because of that Noah. It’s all because of him. I’ll divorce him.

Sorry mom, for taking this decision on my own.

I called Noah.

“Hello Astrid?”

“Can you come here?”

“Hospital?”

“Yes”

“Okay, wait for me” the call ended up.

I’ll wait for you Noah, after all this is the last time I will.

I waited for some time and after that, I saw him coming. He came to me.

“Is everything alright?” He asked me.

“You lied to me Noah, and you are asked is everything alright? Yes it was till now, but we are getting divorced”

He looked at me wide eyed. “N-no, slow down Astrid...”

“We’re done, Noah. I hate you”

I went out and ran to my car. I started driving fast and drove to my house. My own house. My mum’s.

I got down and started crying. What’s gonna happen now? I left him, and my mom... God, I don’t even wanna think about it. Is this the end?

I went inside. The house is as vacant as ever. I was... so... I don’t know... sad, angry, frustrated. I had nowhere to go, no one to run to. No friends, and everyone is a betrayer. They always hurt me.

I sat down on a sofa. What will happen now? My mom... no... I can’t lose her. I can never lose her. She is the only one I have.

I heard the doorbell, and I knew who was there. If it is really Noah, I am gonna beat him so bad.

I went and opened the door. He was there with tears in his eyes. He hugged me suddenly.

“I’m sorry, Astrid, I am so sorry. I had my reasons; Astrid please don’t take this step”

I got away and looked in his eyes. “What reasons?”

“I... Astrid...”

“Leave. Leave until you can’t tell me the reasons!”

He sobbed and nodded. “I’m sorry” he left.

I closed the door and fell down. I started crying again. He knew and he never told me. He can’t even tell me the reasons. Why did you do this to us Noah? Why lie again?

I sat down defeated. None can change my decision, Noah. I will do this divorce no matter what happens.