Chapter 3 Stranger

It had been a week since Ava found out about her husband sleeping with her best friend. A week since she had seen Brandon.

After that awful fight, Brandon hadn't bothered to come back home and Ava suspected that he was with Mia, after all, he had left, running after Mia after that confrontation.

Left to pick up the pieces of her life alone, Ava could hardly keep herself in check. It was so bad that her twin boys started noticing. They were her source of strength, Jesse and Javier but they were a reminder of Brandon. The twins had taken after Brandon with almost everything. Except the blue eyes and perfectly thick brown hair that was Ava's, Ava could confidently say that her children were a hard copy of their father.

Ava was currently on the couch, watching Jesse and Javier working on their respective homeworks. Her eyes were on the back of their little heads as she watched them concentrating on their work. She just couldn't understand it. As far as she could tell, Brandon truly loved the twins. She would really rather die than believe that Brandon was faking his love for his boys. Then how could he throw away what they both had, what they built together from scratch?

Sniffling softly, she reached for the tissue box and pulled a couple out to blow her nose. Ava hadn't even realised that she was crying until Javier suddenly spoke.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" The soft, caring voice made Ava look up to see the nine year old boy, standing infront of her. Ava, forcing a small smile, reached out to cup his cheek while nodding slowly.

"Mommy's not crying Javy. It's just a little dust. Okay. I'm fine sweetheart" she tried to reassure the boy who looked doubtful. "Give me a hug and i'll be alright. Come here" Ava cooed and moved closer to hug Javier. Jesse soon joined them and for the first time since she came back, Ava felt like everything would be alright now.

"Now who wants some ice cream? We can watch the Avengers or something" Ava suggested as she pulled back to look at her two perfect boys. "Yes, right after you're through with your homework" she added and when the twins complained, she broke into a chuckle.

Later that night, right after Ava had put the boys to sleep, she heard the front door open. Walking to the top of the staircase, she looked down just as Brandon made his appearance. When Brandon noticed her, he stood there and looked up at her. The two stood there in absolute silence, just staring into each other's eyes. Unlike before, there was no love involved. On Brandon's side, the look was blank and Ava knew that she had lost him for good.

"Why are you back Brandon? I was starting to believe you didn't know your way home" she asked and sighed when Brandon sighed.

"Not now Ava. I'm not in the mood for your bullshit" Brandon said coldly and Ava scoffed.

"You don't feel anything at all, do you? You've been sleeping with my bestfriend all along and you think i'm bullshitting? What happened to you Brandon? What happened to us?" Ava asked softly as she watched him in disbelief.

"Stop Ava..just stop it. What do you want from me? An apology? Fine. I'm sorry. Can we just drop it? I'm tired and--" Brandon said as he made his way up the staircase and walked past her. Ava gripped the railings tightly and closed her eyes, letting the welled up tears trickle down her cheeks.

She wasn't done though, she wiped her cheeks , followed Brandon to their room and stood by the door looking at her husband. "When Brandon?" She asked quietly. Ava still couldn't understand how things had come to this point. Brandon didn't use to be like this? He was warm, friendly and had been Ava's safe haven. Right now, all she could see was a cold man. One that didn't resonate with the man she knew.

"When what?" Brandon asked as he tossed his jacket on the bed and sat on the bed to take his shoes off.

"When did you and Mia start? How long has it been?" She asked.

"Ava--" Brandon called out and Ava scoffed.

"I at least deserve to know how long you two have been screwing me over. You owe me that much" Ava pleaded and she was trying to be quiet for the sake of her sleeping sons.

"Can't i have some peace in my house? I don't want to fight with you Ava so tell me exactly what you want from me" Brandon asked.

"Divorce"

Brandon's eyes widened slightly when he heard Ava. "I want a divorce"