Divorce? Just Not Yet Darling

Bella's P.O.V

I sat quietly, slicing a piece of meat on my plate cos that was the least I could do: eat and remain irrelevant, as I've forcefully learned within these past years. I kept my eyes buried on my plate as I tried to ignore the pangs in my chest seeing how close together Linda and Alex sat as they chattered on.

I'd never sat so close to him in all the three years we've lived as husband and wife because he would never permit it. But here she was, not just sitting close to my husband but encircling her hand around his arm, right in my face, and he did nothing. Nobody did.

They were all blinded by the aura of Linda, a child born with a golden spoon that reciprocated and aligned well with their status as the formidable Hayes. Since I was short of that class given my poor upbringing, I was nothing but a ghostly creature nobody noticed, a naive girl lost in a world of fantasy through art and a despicable mistake Alex brought to the family.

Just when I lifted a chunk of meat to my mouth, Linda reached out for the bowl where the vegetables were served pushing aside her meat. "This is more healthy, Bella". She said, lifting the bowl to my face. All eyes turned to me, something I had dreaded all through the night and I froze. I felt like crawling under the table, away from their suffocating gazes. "You're adding a lot of weight already. Don't you think it's time to go on a diet and cut back on the food?" She asked, with a sarcastic, concerned look.

My mouth suddenly felt dry, and for a thousand and one reason, my heartbeat accelerated. I looked around, smiling nervously to mask the sting of embarrassment while I did a mental ransack for the right words. "Yeah, I.....I should. I just-"

"Oh Linda, that's so thoughtful of you. No wonder you're still in shape after all these years, look at you!" Mrs Caroline, my mother-in-law praised Linda, cutting me off rudely like I was babbling. She turned to me, and all the smile on her face turned to hateful scorn, "You can as well empty the refrigerator while going home. We have enough meat to last you for a month, so you can eat non-stop. I guess that's what you're good at after all".

They all laughed heartily like it was the entertainment they had anticipated all along. "Oh, mummy!" Linda pleaded jokingly, still laughing. "She is still my lovely friend from college and a foodie as always. But I can help her since I'm back now. She can try to be like me".

I bit my lower lip at her words, so hard that I felt the metallic taste of blood down my throat. It pained me so much that her words were getting to me. That was a big, fat lie. But who was I to challenge Linda in front of everyone?

That has always been the basis of her friendship with me in college. I was always the one to be degraded in front of others for her glory to shine bright. How could I have been a foodie for someone who barely ate three square meals as a child raised by a struggling single mum?

And what in God's name was wrong with my weight? Nobody ever complained about it but because Linda pointed it out tonight, they all bobbled their heads in agreement. I looked at Alex for some help, for him to defend me at least and salvage the situation, but he didn't spare me a glance and just sat there mindlessly while she said those hurtful things to me.

"What help can you render to something already damaged. That's a waste of time darling. You know this unworthy riffraff can never be like you, Linda. She is way out of your league". Sophia, Alex's sister, chimed in, shooting me a soul-crushing glare.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at them, simultaneously contributing, in turns, to my ordeal, their voices fading away into the background as my thoughts trailed off. Why was it so easy to forget a good did than a bad one? Why had they forgotten so soon that this unworthy riffraff was the same three years ago that saved their faces from shame when their darling Linda ditched their son on his wedding day and ran to God knows where? Had they forgotten so soon?

I was obliged to marry Alex despite his cold gesture and demeanor toward me. I loved him to a fault. I had my hope alive that one day he would see my worth and fall for me. But he never did. Linda had always been the one in his heart and there was no space left for me. Not even the thinnest.

The atmosphere seemed to mock me as hot sweats formed on my temples, a tip of the heat brewing in my insides, as reality dawned on me. Linda's return screamed only one thing, clear as crystal: My services as Mrs Alex were no longer needed.

Bella's POV

I guess it was about time I stopped building castles in the air and faced reality. Alex was certainly not going to give me a chance. Not now, not ever. And since Linda was back in his arms, Alex and his family were going to dump me like I never existed.

I sniffed, rubbing the tears off my eyes, my face etched with a bold resolve. I refuse to be dumped. I was going to be the one to dump the Hayes this time around. Going to give them a taste of their own medicine.

A weak smile that didn't reach the corner of my eyes spread across my face and metamorphosed into a light giggle. They were stunned that I dared laugh, making a fool of them while they were yet speaking and they glared at me.

Having secured their rapt attention wrapped around my fingers, I patted my lips slightly with elegance allowing the savory taste of the meat engulf me while I let out a satisfactory "mmmh" nodding my head in agreement.

Sophia scoffed, as I took a sip of my wine, "Look at you. Are you not ashamed of yourself?" She yelled, rising to her feet in fury. "You're not just disrespectful to us all, but you've also lost your manners for my mother?" She swung her hands in the air, perhaps to dash a slap across my face.

A strange energy and morale engulfed me and I made for her hands, catching it along the way before it got to my face. "Don't you dare lay your filthy hands on me". I warned, rising to my feet as well. She gasped in shock and so did everyone. I expelled her hands, but not after torturing them under my firm grip until she winced in pain, as a reminder that I was the senior one here.

Her husband, Mr Claud, my fellow riffraff to the Hayes family, Who was always at their beck and call, serving them and cleaning the dust under their feet like a nonentity, stood up and wrapped Sophia in a warm embrace in an attempt to comfort her. But she rebuffed in disgust, slumping the innocent man forcefully to his seat.

"You weakling. Didn't you see she almost damaged my skin and called me filthy? Is that all you can do? Can't you act her like a man!?" She sneered, towering her frame over Mr Claud.

He shakily stood to his feet to speak like the moron he was, but a sharp voice cut through the air. "Sit your poor ass down!" Mrs Caroline ordered. "This is not your part to handle". She said but Mr Claud hesitated. Within a fleeting second, my eyes caught sight of Linda and Mr Claud sharing an understanding gaze, Linda's eyes pleading with him to remain calm and obey. He eventually did and sat down.

Mrs. Caroline made a face at Sophia that she, too, was included. Sophia grudgingly sat down, after shaking her lean frame like a worm in a salty environment and rolling her eyes at me like a roller coaster, giving out a false promise to tear me into shreds if given the chance. But the truth is, Sophia was the weakling, whose strength lay only in her tongue.

Mrs Caroline focused every ounce of her being as she addressed me, "I can see you've grown wings. Who gave you the right to talk to my daughter in such a manner? Because we gave you the privilege to sit at table with us?" She queried, using her hands to access my frame with disdain.

It felt like a chord struck my heart, and my face gloomed from its painful impact. Three years. Three solid years and I'm not even regarded as a Hayes. So my being here, regardless of my marriage to her son, was just a privilege?

This marriage was as good as over by the way. It was time to tell her what she needed to hear. With my head raised high, "I am not-"

"Enough!"

My gaze fell on Alex as I recognized the caution was from him. He finally got to look at me and say something for the first time all through the night.

For a split second, his voice calmed my nerves, and my expression softened because he was the asshole whose intervention I'd craved so much.

He is the asshole I love. But not anymore. To hell with you too, Alex!

My face lit up with a sarcastic smile, "Finally decided to say something, huh?"

"Bella-"

I held my hands up, a sign to shush him and he obeyed indeliberately. The shock was what silenced him and caged his words. He arched a brow at my audacity.

I grabbed my bag and strapped it to my arms, "Thanks for dinner, Hayes. Let's never catch up some other time." And with that, I walked out on them under their scrutinizing gazes.

My mind was made up. I was going to complete what I'd started. I got home, and amidst the greeting from our housekeepers, I strode up the stairs straight to the room.

Within a few minutes, my fingers fumbled over my clothes as I packed them haphazardly into my box. I was done. Three years gone and wasted, invested in someone that never appreciated me. A tear dropped on my hands and that was when I knew I had been sobbing all along.

I deserved better. People who would treat my heart with care, not like some piece of shit. The old Bella died right there at dinner tonight. It was time to pursue a new version of me where all that mattered was my happiness.

My mind plunged into a thought, and I paused for a second. Talking about my happiness, it was time to take back what I'd sold out to the Hayes all these years for their better good, blinded by my desire to be loved and accepted.

It was mine after all, and I don't care the damage it was going to cause them; I'm taking it back. Everything is leaving this damn marriage with me.

I couldn't help the smirk that rose to my face as I rested my butt on the dressing table, folding my hands neatly underneath my bust. My voice was filled with contempt while I reveried their future suffering, "Oh Alex just wait. You are so going to pay for every dine you've caused me in this hell of a marriage. You and your proud Peacocks!"

Alex's POV

I drove in hastily, pulling up into the parking lot of my mansion. Only God knows how impatient I was, my mind still reeling from Bella's outrageous behavior tonight. I couldn't wait to hear what she had to say, cos she had some explaining to do. Where did she get the guts to embarrass me like that, in front of everyone?

"Welcome, sir," one of my male servants bowed in respect as I stepped out of the car. My mind was too occupied to return the gesture, so I flung the car keys at him and hurried in.

I made for our master's bedroom, where I was sure to meet her, coiled up in self-pity. A troupe I've become accustomed to after monthly family gatherings like this.

I flung the door without hesitation, but the emptiness my eyes met, was a cold welcome. I headed for the restroom, yelling her name.

"Bella!"

My voice and the sharp clicking of my shoes on the marble floor were the only response I received. My steps faltered the farther I went when it struck me. Something was definitely off.

My two hands met my waist in a firm hold, as I looked around me properly, trying to take everything in detail. There was this darkness and gloom that clouded the room, despite the bright light doing justice to every nook and cranny. The scent was odd. Everything was different. Something was missing. I studiously narrowed my eyes to make sense of the situation.

As if to answer my question, my head motioned my eyes to the bedside clock, the wall, and the flower vases, which contained rare flowers that diffused heavenly scents around the room. Shit! It was all gone. The sparks of color and homeliness Bella brought to the room when we got married were all gone. And the room returned to its old self, dark and void.

I fought so hard to push aside what my mind was projecting. Could it be that she's -

I walked straight to her collection and flung the doors to her closet open with so much speed as if I was eager to shame my instinct and prove it wrong.

It was empty.

"Bella!" I called out faintly, saying the name more to myself this time. I rushed downstairs. Spotting a chef, "Hey you!" I halted him, with my eyes still roaming to sight as many housekeepers that were passing by. "You, you, and you come here right now! Where is my wife?"

They shared confused gazes at each other before returning their gaze to me.

I shook my head in disagreement, "Hey don't give me that pretentious look". I warned, under gritted teeth. Where is she? If you don't tell me right this minute, you are all going to lose your jobs. Where the hell is Bella!?"

Their expression turned fearful as they stared at each other intentionally, each one's eyes begging the other to give out any information they had to save their jobs.

"She came home and went up to the room. That was the last time we saw her, Sir". One of them explained.

I couldn't believe my ears. That was such a flimsy excuse. "What? So you're telling me she disappeared with all her things, just like that? You are all liars. I'm -"

My official driver walking into the house caught my attention. "Hey, Dune!" I switched over, ignoring the ones before me like an enraged bull. "Bella is not at home. I need you to take the car keys right now and search for her. Anywhere. She shouldn't have gone far. Make sure you find her. Did you hear me!?"

"Yes sir!" He bowed and, with that, left to do the needful.

I trudged back to the room, slumping on the bed. Questions invaded my mind. Why all this fuss Alex? I couldn't understand if it was just mere anger, that Bella had taken a decision, which was leaving the house without informing me, Or was it something more....fear?

I shrugged at the thought. Nonsense! Why would I be afraid of losing-

Losing Bella?

My breath hitched at the thought. Bella had become a part of my life these past years. Her presence, her scent, and her duty as a wife marked a territory within the confines of this house. One too hard to erase. Despite the numerous housekeepers scattered all over the place, she made sure my things remained sensitive and were personally handled by her. She was that rare part, I was not willing to let go. Not yet.

*************

My eyes were fixed intently on my phone with my fingertips, tapping hard on the desk while I oscillated on my office chair. It was already 10 AM and still no call from Bella. No call from home that she had returned.

A heavy sigh erupted my lips and I sat up. It was odd. Bella would always be the one to call no matter the situation, to save me the stress of worrying. The cracking sound of my bones as I stretched my fingers and neck, was me strategizing to start a countdown. I wished in all my elevens that Bella was going to call on the last count. And rubbing my hands, I began, staring so hard at the phone as if, for some reason, it would help.

"1....2.....3....4....5....6....7...." My face twisted into a frown as I worked to loosen the knot of my tie.

".....8....9- oh come on!" I banged the table so hard that my hands regretted the impact the next minute. Damn! I sank into my chair pinching the bridge of my nose in disappointment.

"Sir?"

I threw my head up to find Mr. Tristan, my personal assistant, peeking through the slightly open door. I motioned him to come in.

"Something arrived at the office right now" He stated with a look I couldn't quite place my hands on. My eyes dropped to the file in his hands and I sensed that was what he was referring to. I reluctantly stretched my hands to receive them.

The opening message was a start, which provoked a sense of urgency in me. I flipped through the pages. My eyes scanned through the legal jargon. "What?" I blurted out, my eyes gleaming with confusion and anger all rolled into one, "She wants a divorce!?" I asked. But it was a question I directed to myself. Tristan just stood there looking as confused as I was.

What in God's name is Bella driving at? Yesterday's drama was not enough for her and now....this?

My fingertips struck my desk, this time with a louder thud. Bella was trying my patience, too far than she should. I was the one who made the rules here not her. I was not going to let anything that was truly mine getaway. Not until I say so!

"Track her fucking location now!"