CHASING MY EX-WIFE

Arabella's POV

Effortlessly, the liquid leaves my bladder. With closed eyes, my heart hammers wildly within my ribcage anxiously.

For no reason, I don't want to do this anymore. For a moment, I begin to think of the very step to take as soon as this is confirmed.

Should I still go ahead with it?

Ignorance, they say, is bliss. What if he doesn't want a child now?

Realizing I have been staring at my urine for more than a minute, I summon up enough courage as I grab the container and dip the absorbent tip of the PT test strip before counting from 1 to 10 and then recapping it.

With trembling hands, I place the strip on the flat counter while fidgeting with my hands and watching the timer on my phone.

In five minutes, I would know my fate.

In five minutes, I would have to choose.

In five minutes, I would have to know whether to see him tonight or not.

In five minutes, my world would either change or remain the same.

I shut my eyes, clamp my hands together and stamp my feet impatiently on the floor. When I flicker my eyes back open, traces of the doubtful expression of a woman I can barely recognise in just a few minutes stares back at me from the mirror.

I can barely recognize myself.

What then will happen if I am indeed pregnant?

I try to smile but it falters.

I try to stay calm but the trembling won't stop.

I try to look upset too, perhaps it might help with how I feel but I don't look angry.

My expression is filled with nothing but anxiety, hope, doubts and optimism.

Something dings and it occurs to me that it is the timer. Five minutes is up.

It is time to see the results of what we did a month ago.

Even though my curiosity led me to this, I can't brace myself up to look down at the strip right in front of me. My eyes are looking directly into the mirror.

Suddenly, my eyes water.

A lump is stuck in my throat. My chest is heavy too.

Balling my hand into a fist and letting out a long sigh, I drop my head down to stare at the two red lines staring right back at me.

My heart stops for a minute.

My breathing hitched too.

When it finally dawns on me that this is what I want, I clasp my hand over my mouth, stepping back with laughter erupting from my throat.

Finally!

I'm pregnant.

I'm having a baby.

When my back hits the wall, it sinks in, making my laughter stop halfway.

My initial fear was to know if he would want this too. This is not just about me. It is about us. Our child.

I should tell him. Then I would know if he wants a baby as much as I do.

Hurriedly, I grab the strip and dump it in the bin before rushing outside, unable to hide my excitement.

Richard and I have been married for three years. Our relationship didn't kick off right. We started on the wrong foot.

Our marriage was arranged.

From my side, it wasn't arranged. It was what I wanted. I loved Richard right from the very first day I set my eyes on him.

As I race up the stairs, my heart keeps pounding harder. When I get to the last stairs, I grab onto the stairwell to take in a long breath before moving towards his home office door.

But a sound stops me from opening the door as my hand goes numb on the door handle.

"I love you, Eve", Richard's voice booms loudly, shocking the living hell out of me.

When his deep rich laughter follows, I know I am not imagining things and this is real. I imagine how his Adam's apple will go back and forth as he chuckles. I imagine how his eyes will beam with delight as he spills the love word without a hassle.

Eve.

Who the hell is that?

Intense anger mixed with jealousy sets in.

Who the hell is Eve? Who is she to have had him laughing that way when it took me three good years to finally see his genuine laughter?

Unconsciously, I open the door just in time to see him standing up from behind the huge mahogany brown desk.

Our eyes interlock for a second.

I don't know if he can see the anger in my eyes or whether he chooses to ignore them because he looks away as though he wasn't being unfaithful a while ago.

Just before I can ask him who he was on the phone with just now and why he was telling another woman he loves her, he beats me to it.

"I was just about to come see you", he states, reminding me of the reason why I am also here.

Whenever he is in here, I don't disturb him. I rarely come here to see him because he hates interruptions and distractions. Yet he was on a call with a woman telling her he loved her when he was supposed to be working.

Rage bubbles inside of me.

"Did you get the papers?" He demands almost immediately, not staring at me. Instead, he is picking up some files from the desk and dumping them inside his briefcase. He looks like he is going out.

If I hadn't overheard his conversation with the so-called Eve, I would have assumed he was heading to work. This is usual.

But no.

Deep down, I know work isn't coming. This is Eve calling.

"What papers?" My curiosity gets the better of me. I am supposed to ignore him and go straight to the point about the baby. Perhaps, that will make him change his mind about being unfaithful.

"The divorce papers", he blurts out indifferently.

My jaws drop and I take a step backwards.

I didn't see that coming.

Divorce? What happened to the changes between us these past few weeks? Is this because of this Eve? How can he do this?

"Di...Divorce?" I find myself stuttering as I clench my stomach as though it will vanish into thin air.

He nods and darts his eyes towards me.

"My girlfriend, Eve Rogers is back", he announces without any atom of shame. "Remember the agreement we had? Now that Eve is back, we should get a divorce so I can marry her."

Eve Rogers?

How could I have forgotten?

I take another step backwards, tears welling up in my eyes and lumps upon lumps getting stuck in my throat.

I shake my head, desperately wanting to say something. To fight for us. Keep my marriage intact. To tell him we are expecting a baby.

But I know nothing can change his mind. The tall strong handsome man before me is staring at me with hope and strong determination.

Richard

's mind can not be changed.

Eve Rogers is his obsession. If my arranged marriage to him didn't stop him from loving her all these years, then there is nothing that can stop him from marrying her at this point.

Realizing that the loser here is me, I turn back on my heels and take the exit before tears roll down my eyes.

Richard's POV

The slap stings my cheeks, sending a wave of adrenaline down my spine.

Her eyes are bright with unshed tears. Tears that she is struggling to keep away which makes me wonder what she stands to gain from this.

"You...", she grits her teeth, struggling to let it all out. "You have no idea what you are doing, Richard. Go beg her!"

She turns back to move out but my voice stops her.

"No, mother. I won't."

The determination in my voice is strong. I am done doing what pleases her. It's time I do what pleases me.

Eve is the woman I love, not Arabel. I married Arabel because my mother insisted that I marry her. Arabel is a lovely woman, quiet and submissive. For three years since we got married, I have tried to love her.

But Eve occupies the larger part of my life. I don't want to be tagged an unfaithful husband just like how my father has been tagged. This is why I am letting her go.

Divorce is the best solution.

"You won't?" Her scream booms into my ears, jerking back to reality. A snort follows before she points a warning finger at me. "Richard, go beg that girl or you will have yourself to blame!"

"Why?!" My frustration bubbles over. "Why?"

I would say my curiosity is at its peak. I want to know why. Why does it have to be Arabel? Why do I have to do something against my wish? Why can't it be someone else?

A tear slips down her eyes, making something stir in me despite my determination not to be moved anymore by whatever she says or does.

The silence that falls between us is heavy with tension.

Finally, she looks up, the tears gone. Pointing towards the exit, she states firmly. "You can't divorce her. That girl is the reason for your existence. Your survival. She is the reason why you are still here, hale and hearty. So if you know what is good for you, find her!"

Despite the desire to say another loud NO, her words get to me, increasing my curiosity tenfold.

Without another word, she moves out leaving me standing in confusion.

I love Eve.

Arabel and I had an agreement. We would be married till Eve was back. Eve left because I got married to Arabel instead of her. I tried to explain the real reason for my actions but she didn't listen.

A year after we got married, she finally gave me the chance to explain myself. Out of anger, she applied for her doctorate degree in the UK and was gone for three years.

Now she is back and I won't lose her for the second time.

Suddenly, the memory of how she descends her mouth on mine comes rushing. That single kiss made me realize just how much I still loved her after all these years.

It made me realize she is the one I want to be with and not the woman I think I am gradually falling in love with.

It made me realize what I feel for Arabel isn't love. It's devotion. Lust. Pity.

And I reached a decision.

A divorce was the way out. The way to a new life. That was the only way I wouldn't hurt Arabel. Being with Eve while still married to Arabel would hurt her and my mother.

I love Eve and that is final.

Excitement rushes down my spine.

The deed is done. Arabel already has the divorce papers and I am sure she would have signed them already.

Without hesitation, I move out. Mother is gone already. I rush towards the garage ignoring my secretary's greeting.

Eve's place is just five minutes away from here. I got her that apartment five years ago just because I wanted her close to my office.

Now that she is back, I insist on having her close by too. Once we are married, she can sell it off.

As soon as I get to the garage, I signal to the driver not to get in. I open the car door myself and get in.

I won't let anything stop me now. Not my mother. Not some feeling of undeserved pity for Arabel. I can't break my promise to Eve for the second time.

I should tell her the good news. The good news about my divorce. That way, we can begin plans for our wedding.

If Mother doesn't support me now, Eve and I will get married in secret till she is over it.

Taking note of the time, I decide to spend just 30 minutes with Eve before coming back to the office. I have an appointment by 3 pm today and it's already 2 pm. I also need to visit my Hotel division before my next appointment.

When the car comes to a halt, I step down quickly and with hastened steps, I stride to the door and knock.

I wait for five seconds but there is no response. There is no sign of someone coming towards the door to answer it too.

I knock again, wishing I had come with my keys.

Still, there is no response.

Isn't she home? I ask inwardly as I fish my phone out to give her a call.

It rings loudly and I realize the phone is ringing from inside. Instinctively, I touch the doorknob to confirm if it's locked or not when it turns open and I smile.

I open the door to enter. The living room is empty but her phone is on the center table in the living room.

My eyes roam the entire place but no one is in sight. Thinking she must be in the bedroom having a nap, I find myself walking towards her bedroom.

Just before I can get close to the door, a sound stops me.

Not sound. This is definitely a moan.

Is she watching a porn movie? Where is that sound coming from?

I want to knock so she can stop the movie before I enter but something stops me again.

The moan is louder. And the voice is familiar.

The sound is coming from her.

Fear consumes me and a knot forms in my throat.

"Yes, Jake!" She moans out again and my confusion melts slowly into realization. Blood roars in my ears and my pulse pounds.

"Jake!" She screams out again, jerking me away from the reverie as I step forward with rage bubbling inside of me, pull the door open and enter to see a naked Eve in the arms of another man.

The sound of the door startles them both and she sees me. The man's back is to me but I am not curious to see his face.

The look on Eve's face isn't that of guilt but she steps away from him quickly, grabbing a shirt to cover herself.

I am about to turn away in disappointment when the man moves back and I see his face.

Jake Davenport.

My friend.

Richard's POV

My arms tremble, shaking with the willpower not to break down. I sniffle hoping it will at least grant me the strength to get the hell out of here.

Forcing my head up, I use the seatbelt and ignite the car engine into action. I noticed my hands are still trembling.

For a second, I consider calling a cab to come pick me up instead of driving so I won't end up driving into a pole as a result of this shock but I can't wait here.

I drive out immediately.

The more seconds I spend here the more risk. I might end up doing something rash like storming back into that apartment and breaking Jake's jaws.

Not only that.

The things I want to do to Eve includes slapping her face severally till she begs me for forgiveness.

The thought of her cheating all along causes me nothing but aches. To think I thought she was worth it all. She isn't.

This means she had been sleeping with that traitor all along. No wonder he came back from God knows where just a few days ago. Who knows if they were in London together all along while I was here maltreating Arabel, and even asking her for a divorce just because of someone who wasn't worth it?

I don't know if I am hurt from what I just saw or from what I said to Arabel an hour ago about getting divorced.

I saw the hurt flash across her expression but I chosed to ignore it because I wanted to be selfish for once in my life.

All my life, I have done things for people's happiness. I studied business because that was what my father wanted me to study so I could take over the family business.

I went to England to study because that was my mother's choice.

After graduation, I was forced to go back for my Masters simply because I couldn't take over with just a BA degree.

When Father died, Mother became the one to decide every single thing in my life. Then she brought up Arabella and her choice for her to be my wife.

I was in a relationship with Eve so I kicked against it. She burst into tears, talking about how lonely she had been since Father died and how sweet of a woman Arabel was, which made me feel guilty.

To me, it felt like she wanted Arabel for me so she could be her companion. I had seen Arabel on one or two occasions in our family home in Boston.

I didn't know how I managed to give in to her demands but I know I did and regretted it for a long time because of Eve. I didn't know how to explain myself to her. I didn't want to hurt her. I didn't want to tell her we were done.

So I explained everything to her. I told her it was just for a while. I told her Arabel would be gone in a year. But she chose to leave. She decided to go to London to further her studies.

A year turned into two and then three. And now she was back.

Then I felt it was time to let Arabel go.

The car jerk forward suddenly, forcing me to pull the car to a stop, my head resting on the wheels.

No!

What will I do now? What should I tell my mother? What do I tell Arabel?

Tears are threatening to spill but I force them back. I won't let her make me cry. She isn't worth it at all.

She is nothing but a cheat and a bitch.

My heart is in turmoil, yet, I sit upright and start the car again, this time slowly till I get home, thinking of what excuse they would both give for their actions.

Eve would use the fact that I was married while we were in a relationship as an excuse while Jake would pretend as if he never knew we were together despite my married status.

He knew.

In fact, he was among those who advised me to go ahead with the marriage. He suggested getting a divorce after a year and I thought of it as a nice idea, until reality knocked.

After I was married, I realized still dating Eve meant I was cheating but I kept telling myself it was Eve I loved not Arabel and I was in that marriage for my Mother's sake.

Just yesterday, Eve and I almost had sex. This was the reason why I had to hasten up the divorce process.

Asking Arabel for a divorce was enough heartbreak. I didn't want to add cheating to my list of offences so I told her to be patient till I was done divorcing Arabel.

Was it because we didn't have sex? How long have they been together?

No matter how much I want to forget the fleeting image of those two, it keeps appearing.

For a moment, I force myself to stop thinking about them, filling my head with the thought of Arabel and how exactly I am supposed to change the course of events. What exactly I am supposed to say to her when I get home is what I don't get.

I know I am supposed to apologize but what else will I say afterwards? I don't want us to be divorced anymore. What if she asks me why?

I know how much she adores me. She is a lovely woman. Kind. And sweet. She is also understanding. I'm sure she won't take it to heart. All I need to do is hug her and tell her I don't mean it.

Perhaps, I should tell her it is all a trick.

The quilt settles at the pit of my stomach. I am indeed selfish.

I wanted out because of Eve and now that I found her cheating, I no longer want to divorce Arabel.

As I approach home, I manage to keep calm and ball my fist to stop myself from venting my anger on the wheels.

As soon as the car is parked in the garage, I step out weakly as an angry sigh leaves my mouth. No matter how hard I try to wave it away, the scene keeps racing through my head and my heart keeps hurting.

It hurts like hell to be betrayed by Eve of all people. I waited for three goddamn years to have her back to me and this is all I get.

Realizing my intent on coming back home instead of going to a club to drown my sorrows with alcohol is because of Arabel, I shake my head intermittently, walking slowly towards the entrance of our house.

Our matrimonial home.

The butler throws the door open and I enter without replying to his greetings like I usually do. Instead of going over to her room, I hesitate a little, the guilt from earlier washing over me once more.

I drag my hand over my face, exhaling a breath before striding towards her room.

Arabel and I haven't been sharing a room. From the onset, I made rules which she stuck to firmly. One of those rules is having separate rooms. My mother was against it at first but when I didn't give in, she stopped pestering me about it.

But two months ago, something happened. She slept in my room, on my bed and in my arms. I don't know what came over me or how it happened. It just happened and I think that gave her the impression that I was beginning to fall head over heels in love with her.

I can't love two women at a time, can I?

Honestly, I was confused when it happened. But my firm resolution on coming back to Eve made me throw caution to the winds about what happened between us.

When I get to the door, I knock slightly and wait, expecting the door to be thrown open immediately.

There is no reply.

Is she crying?

I move close to hear if she is crying her eyes out because of what I said earlier but I can't hear anything.

With a brow raised and my heart beating twice its normal rate just like it has been pounding since I got to her door, I knock again. This time, it is louder and I know she will definitely hear the knock this time.

A second passes and the door does not open.

A minute passes and I am met with silence. Without hesitation, I open the door to her room and then step in, glancing around for the sight of her.

I halt in my step when I see the open closet which is completely empty. My eyes open more widely as I rush forward in confusion.

What the hell happened? Where did she go?

Panic strikes me at the thought of Arabel gone.

I get to the closet and it is still empty. Twirling around and hoping this is a prank, my eyes instantly fall on the document on her bed.

The divorce papers.

I grab it and open the page immediately to see her signature on it already. Just before the document leaves my hand in extreme shock, a sheet of paper falls to the ground.

Quickly, I pick it up and I see the two words which shatter my very existence as the heavy reality of her absence dawns on me.

"Thank you. Goodbye."