10
Olivia
~•~
I felt a surge of frustration and anger run through my veins. “You’re not going anywhere with me and there’s nothing to fix,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m done trying to please you, I’m done letting you control me. I’m getting a divorce and there is nothing you can do about it.”
The words rolled off my tongue like a train with no brakes. From their puzzled expressions, I could tell they were stunned by my response.
Without giving them a chance to say anything else, I turned around and walked out of the room, banging the door behind me. Amanda and David rushed out of the dining room to meet me when they heard me walking out.
They both had worried looks on their faces. “What happened there?” David asked, his voice laced with concern.
“What did you say to them? What did they say to you?”
I didn’t want to stay in the house any longer. “I’m going back home, you’ll hear it from your parents.” I dismissed them and picked up my bag from the table before making my way out of the house.
When I settled in my car, I drove off immediately in case anyone would try to come and stop me. I was already hurt seeing my husband being cozy with another woman, and instead of having supportive parents, I had ones who were against me.
My ride back home was a blur, my mind reeling with different thoughts and emotions. As I pulled into the driveway, I saw Alexander’s car parked outside and my heart sank.
I knew I needed to confront him, to demand answers but a part of me didn’t want to go inside anymore. I couldn’t face him just yet. I wasn’t in the right headspace.
Frustrated, I reversed the car and drove back to the gate. I decided to go to the one place where I knew I would find solace and comfort.
“Hey Olivia, what’s up?” Sandra's voice echoed through the speaker as she picked up on the first ring.
“I need to see you,” I said, my voice shaky. “Are you at home? I’m driving down.” I added.
“Yes, I’m at home.” Sandra’s response was swift, and I could tell she was worried about me. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
Without another word, I hung up the call and kept on driving to her house. A few minutes later, I pulled up to her driveway and she was already sitting on her front porch waiting for me.
I felt a little bit better as I saw Sandra. Sometimes I felt like I was a burden to her but she never complained about anything. Sandra was always there for me whenever I needed her. I was lucky to have her in my life.
“What happened?” She asked as I stepped out of the car. I tried to speak but my words failed me. I didn’t know how I started crying.
Sandra didn’t say anything. She just pulled me into a gentle and comforting hug. We stayed outside in that position while I cried my eyes out.
I needed to let those tears out, so I would feel better.
When I was done, Sandra gave me a pat on my back and released me from her grip. Then she led me through the front door.
As we got into the house, we both collapsed on the couch and I lay my head on her thighs. “I’m listening.” She said softly as she ran her hands through my hair.
“You haven’t seen the posts?”
“What posts?” Sandra asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
I hesitated, the pain and anger resurfacing. “The one about Alexander and Tricia.” Their names felt like venom on my lips. Sandra sat up straight and gave me an anticipating look. “There are posts… about them together. All over social media.” I choked out, the words catching in my throat. After my mum showed me, I couldn’t even bring myself to look at it on my phone.
I couldn’t handle the cruel comments I was going to see. I couldn’t bring myself to look at the picture of them together for a second time.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Sandra said, her voice filled with pity. “So he actually lied about everything?” She asked and I nodded.
Who knows how long they had been seeing each other? I wouldn’t have even known if someone hadn’t recorded them without their knowledge.
“Maybe it’s time for me to sign the papers and move on with my life.” It wasn’t going to be easy but staying in the toxic marriage would even be harder.
Even if it would take time, I was going to heal later on. I couldn’t stop hanging on to someone who was consistently disrespecting me.