Chapter 3 Morning After, The Divorce

The ringing of my phone permeated through the sleepy part of my brain, nudging me, though reluctantly, awake.

I opened my eyes and bit back a groan as a result of the throbbing in my head. Where was I? I blinked to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

This wasn't my bedroom. I sat up, wincing a little at the abrupt movement of my body, trying to remember.

Then it all came back to me. Dylan. His ex, Melisse. This looked like a suite.

And a big bed and I was alone in it.

My phone was still ringing. I reached out for it just as the call ended.

I had many missed calls from Dylan and Alina. I'd call Alina later. For now, I just needed to know what was happening...or had happened.

He walked into the bedroom with just a towel clad around his waist.

My eyes reflexively followed the outline of his muscular, tall frame and ripped chest.

The indelible ink of tattoo that ran from his neck down to his upper arm added to his dangerous look.

I noticed there was a new one since the last time. It was a face but I didn't take note of it.

His hair, black and full, was damp.

"Like what you see?" Humor danced in his eyes.

I gulped and looked away. "What happened between us?"

"Do you need me to remind you?" A smirk made an entrance on his face.

I scowled. "Fuck you! Having sex with a drunk, married woman. Way to go, bad boy."

I got out of the bed and quickly wrapped the sheets around me, remembering I was naked. I searched for my clothes.

He stood before me, still in his towel. He raised my chin with his hand. "I'm a man, not a boy."

His green eyes stared pointedly at me, as though he was trying to fish out my soul using my eyes as a route.

"Whatever." I slapped his hand away and went on to get my clothes.

I quickly put them on, picked my phone, my car keys and made to leave.

"When will I see you again, little doll?" He pulled me back, his voice causing a tingling sensation on my skin.

I sucked in an annoyed breath. "Let go of me. I'm married!"

"I don't care. I want to see you again."

The way he uttered those words with authority grated my nerves. I whirled around, facing him. "I do not care to see you again! You do not just barge into my life after what you did five years ago! Whatever happened last night was a mistake. One you could have avoided but you chose to be a selfish bastard as you always have been and allowed it happen!"

"I didn't hear you protest." His cockiness irked me even further.

"I was drunk, you jerk!" I curled my fists, seething in his face.

"I want to see you again." He repeated, ignoring my previous statement.

A low angry growl escaped my throat. "Stay the hell away from me!"

I spun on my heel and got out of there as fast as could. I blanked my mind, not wanting to think of what I'd done.

"I'll have you, little doll. Whatever it takes, I won't lose you again." His voice followed me out the door.

I didn't have anyone to blame but Dylan. This was all his fault. But then again, he had not asked me to come drink away my sorrows and pain in a bar where I'd unexpectedly met Will Sanders, my ex from a long time ago.

I swiped angrily at the tears that had escaped from my eyes and down my cheeks.

My phone rang. It was Dylan.

I swiped the red button.

It came again, I was about to swipe the red button when I saw it was Alina. I made sure I was safely buckled in my car before picking up.

"Hey best girl, I got your distress call. What's wrong? Do you need me to come?" Her soft, caring voice was like a soothing balm to the pain and chaos within.

I sniffled. I wanted to tell her but changed my mind. I needed to go home first and think things through. "I'll get back to you, Lina."

"You're crying? Something must be wrong. I'm on my way. Are you home?" I heard shuffling in the background.

That was Alina for you. The best friend anyone could ever think of.

My vision blurred when I saw the gate of the home I shared with Dylan come into view. Without meaning to, I cut the call and threw the phone on the passenger seat.

Within minutes, I was walking into the house.

But stopped shortly when I spotted Melisse sitting as though she owned the house.

She saw me and smirked. "Hi."

"What are you doing in my home?" I was ready to attack her the same way emotions attacked me when I'd spotted her in that couch wearing Dylan's shirt and I'd bet nothing was underneath.

"It used to be, but now it's mine." She shrugged.

I approached her menacingly, she quickly got up and ran to hide behind another couch.

I went after her. "I'll fucking end you, you home-wrecking bitch!"

"Babe!" She cried, running away from me. "Dylan! She's going to kill me."

Someone held me from behind. "Stop it, Venice!"

"Let go of me, you cheat!" I struggled from his firm hold.

"I can no longer cheat on you if we're divorced." He uttered still refusing to let me go despite my struggles.

His words sank in, nerves knotted. I froze. When he saw I was no longer being violent, he released me. I faced him, blinking back tears. "What did you just say?"

He walked to a nearby table and brought a file of documents to me. "Let's divorce, Venice."

I wanted to cry but I could not...no, I would not. Four years of abandoning everything, including my dream and education, to help him grow his business from the scratch.

His words from yesterday resounded in my head. He had never loved me.

I took a deep breath and stilled my spine. "So I was nothing but a substitute? You married me while you waited for her?" I pointed at the Melisse who had come to stand beside Dylan.

I gave her a scorching once-over. She had obviously spent the night here with him.

I swept my gaze back to Dylan who was still extending the documents to me.

"I'm sorry Venice, let's divorce." His eyes were sincerely apologetic. "I want to be with the woman I've always loved."

The fact that his tone was pleading for understanding hurt me all the more but I refused to shed a tear. "You'll regret this, Dylan Davis Creighton."

I accepted the documents and the pen he provided, and within seconds, my marriage had ended.