Chapter 3 Episode 3

Chapter Three: The Divorce is Final

The morning light crept through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the cold, empty space beside me. I stared at the ceiling, my heart steady, my mind clear. Today was the day.

I sat at the dining table, the divorce papers in front of me. My fingers traced the edges, feeling the weight of five years of emptiness pressed into ink and paper.

Johnny sat across from me, his expression unreadable. His eyes, always distant, held no emotion. No regret. No hesitation.

I picked up the pen, my hand steady.

"Are you sure about this?" Johnny's voice was calm, almost indifferent.

I looked at him, my lips curling into a sad smile. "You handed me these papers, Johnny. Are you?"

He didn't answer.

I took a breath, pressed the pen to the page, and signed my name.

It was over.

I set the pen down and pushed the papers toward him. "There. It's done."

Johnny picked them up, his eyes scanning the signatures. He gave a small nod, like we had just closed a business deal.

Silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating.

Then, I broke it.

"I want Leo."

Johnny's jaw tensed. He set the papers down carefully, his fingers pressing against them. "Leo is fine where he is."

I shook my head. "No. He belongs with me."

His eyes darkened. "You're being emotional."

I clenched my fists. "I'm being a mother."

He sighed, rubbing his temple. "Leo has a stable life with my parents. He's used to them."

"He's used to me too," I shot back. "I won't let you take him from me, Johnny."

Johnny exhaled sharply, his frustration clear. "Do you think I'd let you take him just like that?"

I held my ground. "I'm his mother."

"You think that's enough?" He leaned forward, his voice low. "Leo needs stability. You don't even know where you're going next."

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm. "I'll figure it out."

Johnny studied me for a long moment. "We'll split time. He stays with you, but he visits me every weekend."

I hesitated. Sharing him with Johnny would be hard. But I had no choice.

"Fine," I said quietly.

His shoulders relaxed slightly. "Fine."

And just like that, Leo's fate was sealed too.

Packing Up My Life

I stepped into our bedroom-no, his bedroom now. The room that once held my dreams, my hopes, my foolish belief that one day, Johnny would love me.

I grabbed a suitcase and started packing. Clothes. Shoes. Memories.

I didn't cry.

I folded each dress neatly, placed each item carefully, as if treating them with respect would somehow make this easier.

Five years. Five years of being invisible. And now, I was finally walking away.

I reached the nightstand and saw the small framed picture of me, Johnny, and Leo.

For a moment, I stared at it, my throat tightening.

Then, I turned it face down.

This was no longer my home.

-

I zipped up my suitcase, lifted it off the bed, and walked out.

Johnny was waiting in the living room, his hands in his pockets. He didn't say a word.

I stood at the door, gripping the handle. My heart pounded, but I kept my face blank. I wouldn't break in front of him.

I turned slightly, meeting his gaze. One last time.

He held my stare, his expression unreadable. No sadness. No regret. Just silence.

I nodded once. Then, I opened the door and stepped out.

A luxury car waited at the curb, sleek and expensive. The kind of car I shouldn't be stepping into.

Johnny stepped forward slightly, his brows furrowing.

"Who's picking you up?" His voice was sharp, suspicious.

I didn't answer.

The driver stepped out and opened the door for me. I slid in without looking back.

Johnny stood on the doorstep, watching as the car pulled away, his face tense.

For the first time, he looked confused.

For the first time, he didn't know who I really was.

And it was only the beginning.