Chapter 3 The Encounter

~ELENA'S POV~

"You know what– I have been seeking a better time to give you this, and I think now is the time. There is no point delaying the inevitable," he said, as he opened his briefcase and handed me a document, "sign it".

I looked at the documents with widened brows and rounded lips. I couldn't believe my eyes, 'Am I dreaming? Is this not a divorce agreement?' I muttered silently.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stared at the papers and gazed at Alex standing in front of me. I was lost in deep thoughts to myself and couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

Has he been planning this all along? To divorce me and marry a younger woman? So, this lady has been the reason Alex has been so distant and cold towards me' I silently said to myself.

"I won't sign it" I slammed the papers against the table while staring into his eyes. "I can't believe you did this to me. After everything we have been through over the years".

I was so emotionally shattered and didn't bother to go through the contents of the divorce agreement, I wasn't going to sign it anyway. Besides, I'm not ready to give up my marriage for a younger woman.

Alex and I have gone for medical check-ups, and the doctor confirmed we are medically okay, so how is it my fault we couldn't have babies of our own? Why has nature decided to punish me in this way?

"You dare not!" He thundered, while choking my neck against the wall, with a furious look on his face, "I have been through nothing but pain with you all through the years. I'm done going through unnecessary pain all because of your inability to give me a child".

"Let me go, Alex, you're hurting me," I announced in a faint tone. I tried to free myself from his grip as I couldn't breathe.

"Then sign the divorce papers," he declared and pulled away from me. He bagged out of the room.

***

The next morning, I woke up to loud echoes of my phone ringing. I checked, it was a call from Mark Wilson, the hospital doctor.

"Good morning, Mrs Fox, I am calling you from Medstar Washington Hospital Center. I would like to inform you that your mother, Mrs Frost, is awake and your presence is needed at the hospital right away," the doctor revealed.

"Oh my god– really!?" I jumped out of bed into the shower. "I'll be with you shortly".

***An hour later***

I walked into the doctor's office, and he was sitting behind a desk, writing on a sheet of paper with a computer in front of him.

"Good morning, Doctor Mark," I stretched out my arm for a handshake.

"Good morning, Mrs Fox," he also stretched out his arm and shook my hand. "Please have a seat."

"I got a call from the hospital this morning, stating that my Mom was awake. So, I rushed down here to see how she was doing," I reported.

"Yes, Mrs Fox, your mother woke up from her coma earlier this morning, but she's not fully conscious as we speak," the doctor announced

I cried upon hearing the news. I might have failed in my marriage, but at least my mother is alive and well. "Thank you! Thank you! This is good news, Doctor Mark".

"You're welcome, Mrs Fox, but there's just one problem, though," the doctor divulged.

"What is it?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Your mother needs a refill on her medications, and your husband has not paid for her medical bills in the past three months. He said he won't. He said he needs to talk to you first," the doctor revealed.

I quivered as I felt a cold sensation run through my spine the moment I heard those words from the doctor 'Alex has not paid for the past three months? How could he do that to my mom?' I pondered.

"Really? He said that?" I queried, "How come you never told me about it, not until now?

"Each time I reminded him, Mr Alex promised to pay, and specifically instructed us not to tell you," the doctor disclosed.

I gulped hard as my heartbeat increased. 'What has Alex been doing with the money allocated for my mom's medical bills?. Is this part of his plans to punish me for not giving him a child?' I thought to myself.

Alex and I owned a jewelry company together, though it was his money, but we co–managed the business together. He was the CEO, and I was the design director. I owned shares in the company as his legal wife and Co–co-business owner. We had an agreement to pay my mother's medical bills with my profit shares. So, where is the money now?.

"Okay, fine, I'll talk to him about it and get back to you, I promise." I pronounced, "Can I at least see my mom now?"

"Yes, of course, Mrs Fox," the doctor said, "and I'll look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. Most importantly, your mother needs you for her healing".

"Thank you, Doctor Mark, I'll take my leave now." I grabbed my bag and headed out of the doctor's office to see my Mom in her hospital bed.

After seeing my mother at the hospital, I picked up my phone and dialed Alex's number.

"Why didn't you pay my mom's hospital bills?" I asked

"I was going to pay, but it skipped my mind," Alex answered. "I'll pay if you agree to sign the divorce papers today. Where are you right now?. Come to the office right away."

I know how much I hate to do this, but at this point I don't have any options, because my mother's life was at stake. And I'm ready to do anything to make sure she is okay.

****

I walked into the office and I saw Alex and his mother, Renee Fox, sitting in the office. The divorce papers were right on the desk. He handed me the papers and a pen to sign. I examined the divorce agreement.

I narrowed my brows. "You're taking back my shares?" I clarified

"Remember, I funded the company," Alex explicated. "I gave you the shares, and I have the right to take them back, as part of the divorce settlement. You'll receive a million-dollar payment, and I'll pay your mother's hospital bills to the current date."

I know I didn't contribute financially to fund the company, but I put in my blood, sweat and time to see the company move forward.

I grimaced when I noticed another term on the contract: You want me to give up claims to my previous designs? You know very well they are my designs?".

"You are an employee in the company, so everything you do in the company belongs to the company," Alex rectified. "Aside from that, you'll be dismissed, Elena".

"We both know that we can't work together in our situation," Alex elaborated. "Think about it, Elena, we will have nothing to do with each other, I'll move on, and you should move on with your life also."

I took a deep breath, 'It hurts,' I mused. No matter how much I think about it, I know Alex was right. There was no point delaying the inevitable, so I signed my name and the other copies of the contract as tears rolled down my cheek.

I shifted my gaze towards Alex with narrowed brows. "I regret ever having anything to do with you, I hate you and never want anything to do with you again".

I noticed the look of shock on his face as I dashed out of his office. I went straight to see my best friend, Olivia. The moment I walked in, she knew something was wrong. So, I explained all that happened between Alex and me. She consoled me and tried to make me stop crying.

"Baby girl, you don't look so good right now," Olivia said. "I understand how hurting this could be, but I can't allow you to continue like this. I have suggestions to lighten your mood and make you forget about today."

"What do you suggest?" I enquired

"Let's go to the club and have a new experience of life," She proposed. "Lena, remember you're no longer married and free now."

"Liv, I don't think that's a good idea," I declined

"Girl I wasn't asking," she declared, "get your ass off the bed and go into the shower."

*** A few hours later***

I wasn't interested in Olivia's idea of going to the club at first, because I wasn't the clubbing type. At the same time, I needed some distractions to put me out of my misery. So I followed with her idea.

We got to the club, and there was so much noise and dancing. Even with the noise and crowd surrounding me, I couldn't get my mind off the pain and heartbreak I felt inside of me.

"Lena, our order is taking longer than expected. I guess I'll have to go get it myself," Olivia announced

"Okay, that's fine, Liv," I agreed

I felt twitching in my bladder, making me uncomfortable. I figured I needed to use the restroom.

The bass thumped through the floor, pulsing up my feet as I slipped through the crowd. Strobe light painted the surroundings in flashes of red and electric blue.

After I was done making use of the restroom. I pushed open the restroom door lock. I sighed and rested my head against the wall, causing my eyes to drift shut.

"Elena, you'll be fine," I reassured myself silently.

I turned around, stepping into the chaos as I moved past grinding bodies and raised glasses. My heels twisted slightly, causing me to lose balance. And I was about to crash against the floor when I felt a strong embrace out of nowhere.

"Whoa– careful there," a deep voice said, grasping me by the arm.

I looked up, winking against the flickering lights.

To my greatest surprise, he had a walking stick in one hand and was able to grab me with the other hand before I could fall to the ground. He was tall, with dark hair, a broad chest, strong arms and an easy confidence in the way he stood, like the room moved around him and not the other way round.

"I'm– sorry, my heels–" I stuttered, stroking a lock of hair behind my ears, my face burned. I didn't like how my voice trembled at small moments.

"Are you okay now?" He said with a smirk on his face.

"Yes, I'm fine," I rubbed my palms against my neck.

"I'm Max," he said

I hesitated, then lifted my chin, "Elena".