Divorced In Love

AUTHORS POV

THE ICU lights dimmed signaling the end of a high-risk delivery.

The ward was almost silent except for the bickering of nurses and Doctor Natasha. Gavin held his wife's hand firmly, his eyes glowed with anxious tears threatening to escape his green eyes.

Doctor Natasha, turned to the married couple after handing their immobile baby to a nurse. A glimpse of sadness flashed in her eyes through her glasses.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Reed, but your child couldn't make it." Doctor Natasha announced grimly. Gavin's grip on Sydney's pale hand loosened, his heartbeat matched the beeping of the Life support monitor.

"There were high traces of caffeine in her bloodstream as well as the baby's. Unfortunately, the baby couldn't survive it."

Gavin said nothing. His eyes drifted to his dead baby and then to Sydney. She was crying, normally, he would wipe her tears away, but instead, it disgusted him.

"I'm sorry," she mouthed, veins bulging from her forehead. He said nothing but stared at her, his angry eyes were glistening with tears.

His silence cut layers through her skin. The last time she had seen him this way was when his father disowned him, and he got hit with the reality that he had an eighteen-year-old wife and one-year-old to take care of alone. She had never seen him cry so much before.

"Gav-" she reached feebly to cup his cheek but he stood up, his eyes leaving hers. He headed for the door, Doctor Natasha called him back but he ignored her.

"Dad!" Ethan, Gavin's ten-year-old exclaimed as Gavin walked out of the ward. Emily, his six-year-old sister, moved in his arms as she slept.

Gavin pressed his pale finger on his lips signaling Ethan to be quiet. Ethan nodded briskly, "How's mum and Xavier?" He whispered, his voice shaky.

Emily was so excited about the baby she came up with potential names for the baby with Ethan. Sydney, and Gavin joined in, and they settled with Xavier.

Gavin let out his breath, controlling his tears. He bent to look Ethan in the eyes. "Mum's a bit sore now- but she'll be fine."

He didn't mention Xavier, "And Xav?"

Gavin wilted slightly. "He's taking a nap he'll wake up soon." in Heaven.

Ethan grinned, his curly blonde hair bouncing as he leaned on the chair and sighed. "Thank God."

His smile didn't reach his eyes. "I've gotta go now champ." Gavin said nearly breaking down. He needed to leave now before lost his sanity.

Ethan stood straight, frowning, "You have to stay with Mum; she needs you."

She hadn't needed him since five years ago, she decided to go against his decisions, and now they are all going to suffer the outcome of her disobedience. Or at least that's what he thought.

"I'll be back in a few minutes." He moved the hair from Ethan's forehead and kissed him. "Don't wake up your sister."

He nodded, slightly concerned about the look in Gavin's eyes. Gavin kissed Emily's cheek and when he stood, Ethan saw the tear that dropped to the ground. Gavin knew he saw it and walked away before he could speak.

Reaching into the pocket of his designer khaki pants, he pulled out a handkerchief and flicked his tears away. His demeanor turned hard and professional like it always was in the face of the public.

As soon as he stepped out of the hospital, multiple camera lights captured him and within a second, he was surrounded by desperate paparazzi and newscasters.

"Mr. Reed, was the delivery successful?"

"Mr. Reed, we heard your wife, Sydney Reed, skipped prenatal care because she didn't want to stress herself. Is that true?" almost.

"Mr. Reed, you aren't speaking. Is the baby all right?"

Gavin tore through the crowds; a bodyguard cleared his path as he headed towards his car, ignoring the hypocritical questions.

Gavin got into the plush passenger seat of his Rolls-Royce and slammed the door shut but not after hearing a question that broke into his stony demeanor.

"Is it true Mrs. Reed decided to become independent because you abused her just like her father, Mr. Morgan, abused his wife?"

Logan River, Gavin's driver, drove into the luxurious street of Beverly Hills. The car was eerily silent. Logan wanted to ask if Mrs. Reed was fine but he feared Gavin with his life. No one enjoyed upsetting Gavin Reed. Gavin had not always been fond of throwing his anger at others until God knows what happened five years ago. Logan thought.

Whatever it was, it ruined him. Logan saw the flicker of pain in his eyes as he stared out the window.

"Turn up the music," Gavin instructed, leaning into the chair and closing his eyes, his hands intertwined.

Logan Obeyed but Gavin wasn't satisfied. "Play something cynical." His voice was shrill and demanding.

Again, Logan obeyed. "Louder." Done. "Increase the speed to 70."

Logan drew in a soft gasp of protest. "But sir-" he paused when he caught Gavin's glare in the rearview mirror.

Done. Gavin frowned at the memories of his dead baby playing in his head like a broken record player. "Turn to the left and hit the gas." His knuckles were white.

Logan swallowed and obeyed. Multiple colored lights penetrated through Gavin's closed eyes. He was calculating, "Lower your speed, turn to the right, accelerate and hit the freaking brakes."

Logan killed the engine in the parking space of the Red Room strip club. His eyes widened, it never occurred to him he was driving to a strip club.

Logan blanched and he opened the door for Gavin, "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed won't be happy if she knew you came here." for goodness sake, she just put to bed and you should be with her!

Gavin scowled down at him. "Don't tell me how to bloody live my life." Those words were so familiar. Sydney had told him those same words five years back. Her voice filled with odd defiance.

Covetous eyes washed over Gavin as he stepped into the club. He was spent, he needed some liquid courage. He had never felt so helpless in his life. The woman he loved so much murdered his child.

Gavin was already wasted half an hour in the club, his white shirt soaked in alcohol. He looked more like the foolish teenager he used to be; His shirt flown out, blonde hair disheveled. He looked inexplicably sad.

"Gavin!" A brunette gasped, seeing him. Gavin lifted his head from the bar table and looked at her.

He recognized her immediately. "Avery." She had been Sydney's best friend since high school, and his old fling before Sydney captured his heart.

She studied his face and gasped again, "You look awful, are you okay?"

He stood swaying, "Do I look okay?" He barked exasperatedly but she didn't flinch.

Her hands cupped his cheeks and she stared up at him with concern and a subtle hint of happiness. "How's Sydney and Xav?"

Gavin held her hand away and ran a hand through his hair. "There's a quiet space upstairs, you could tell me about it."

"Leave me alone Avery," he growled.

"Keeping it in won't make things better. We both know what that has caused over the years." She crossed her arms around her voluptuous chest. It ached with cravings. A coveted craving.

Gavin gave in and followed her to the room upstairs. He entered first and she locked the door behind her. The lights were vermilion, obscuring Gavin's vision. His eyes darkened. He remembered the first day he had slept with Sydney; she was sixteen, pretty, and everything he loved, not the woman she was now.

"Tell me," Avery whispered, pouring champagne into a flute. Gavin sat on the bed, his eyes barely open as he watched her.

He opened his mouth to speak but he couldn't. Desire pricked his soul as she walked towards him, in nothing but a handless top and leather mini-skirt outlining her voluptuous figure. A weapon of seduction she had always possessed.

Their past relationship had been nothing more than a tool to gain popularity in high school. She was a rich brat before life slapped her in the face and he was a lecher who played with girls' hearts.

Her lashes batted. "Have a drink, you might feel better."

He collected the drink and she made sure their hands brushed. He had a boner instantly and she noticed it. "I'm married Avery." He knew what she was trying to do.

Oh yeah, where has that gotten you? "I can consider." she licked the edge of the flute.

He glared at her. "Sydney is your best friend."

"I loved you first."

He scoffed. "Past tense." He emptied the glass and she smirked. He stood up and tried to leave but she blocked him. His chest brushed her large ones. He wanted to feel it again.

"We both know how much you want it too."

He hated himself for being a man. "Human desires are deceitful."

"Human desires are an epiphany." When she noticed the flicker of surrender in him she took the courage to wrap her hands around his neck.

His fist clenched but he didn't push her away. She smirked and moved her lips seductively to his ear. He had always wondered how she became a principal without a college degree. "She doesn't deserve you."

He swallowed, "I love my wife."

She wilted but didn't give up, "But, she doesn't love you." He also heard, 'she killed your child.' "When was the last time you slept with her?" she sucked his neck.

He lost every bit of self-control. He grabbed her by the neck and pushed her to the wall, devouring her like a hungry lion.

He tore their clothes off within seconds and pushed her to the bed. Everything he had been holding in, he let them out on her. Then he realized what she actually meant. "Deceitful whore."

She smirked, " I missed you, Gav."

AUTHORS POV

SYDNEY was going mad and the nurses had to run to get anesthesia.

"I need to go home." She barked for the umpteenth time. It hadn't been up to a minute since she woke up from surgery, and she demanded to return home.

After Gavin's curt exit, Sydney's heart began to fail due to her severe pre-eclampsia pregnancy. "You aren't stable now, your blood pressure may heighten if you do not rest." The doctor was tired of explaining, she had already begun sweating.

If Sydney stayed a night in the hospital, she was surely going to lose it. The corpse of Xavier hunted her. If only she had listened to Gavin, none of this would have happened.

"What about my kids?" She struggled in the doctor's hand. Her hair was disheveled, and her mascara was ruined. She was just about to leave for work when an excruciating pain hit her earlier.

Thinking about it, she had always been fine till sunrise. "We can't bring them in. They won't be able to see you this way. Nurse Tiffany hurry up!"

On a beck of call, Tiffany shot Sydney the anesthesia. Her struggle on Natasha slowly reduced. She remembered the look on Gavin's face before he left, "And my husband?" Her voice was low.

Natasha looked at her pitifully, " He hasn't returned."

Sydney nodded. A tear slipped from her eyes, and she lost consciousness.

Nurse Davis entered the ward carrying a sleeping Ethan, he looked distraught. He looked from Sydney to Natasha.

"Her little girl wouldn't stop crying, I think she knows Mrs. Reed lost the baby. I had to give her son anesthesia because he wouldn't stop breaking things."

Natasha nodded grimly. "Don't announce the news to anyone till Mr. Reed gives a go-ahead. Has he returned yet?"

"No, no calls too."

"Put the boy in a private ward. I'll calm the girl down.

------

Avery stared at Gavin as he slept, her hand raking the gold hair on his seductive chest. Even his snoring turned her on.

Finally, she had him under her wings. She wasn't going to let him go this time. Staring at him, she realized how stupid she was leaving him in high school. How things had changed over the years.

High school baddie, richest, most sexy girl, now a principal in Gavin's children's school. Gavin had always been a blue blood but not as much to impress her. Over the years, she had watched him climb the ladder of success with Sydney by his side. Oh, how much she wanted it to be her.

She spent five years of her life sowing seeds of destruction in their marriage, and finally, it has reaped, and the fruit was so exotic, more or less erotic.

"You are mine now." She kissed him. Gavin moved on the bed; the duvet that covered his nakedness moved, exposing his V-lined waist. Avery blushed remembering how she kissed him there.

He groaned as he sat up, his eyes barely open. Avery sat up exposing her large gifts. She had always thought of herself as a goddess created to make men fall no matter how good they were.

"Good morning," she whispered and ran a hand through his chest.

Gavin's eyes shot open and he looked at her through his messy hair. "What are you-" his gaze moved to her chest and he swallowed. "doing here?"

She rolled her eyes and got out of the bed. He blushed and looked away. "You'll need some of this for your hangover, here." She stretched out a glass of concussion to him.

He ignored her and got up. She watched him as he put on his briefs. "What did you put in the drink yesterday?" He turned to her, zipping up his pants. He sighed internally when he saw her in undergarments.

"Tell me you haven't had Molly before." She flipped her hair carelessly.

Gavin's eyes darkened in anger, he went to her and grabbed her shoulder firmly, but she moaned, smirking. "You made me sleep with you."

She popped her lips," Nope, I just made you express what you truly wanted."

His eyebrows were creased, "You are evil."

"I know." She grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't you remember what you did to me last night?" She whispered on his neck.

He felt helpless. Was it his fault? If Sydney had not starved him of his husbandly rights for nine months, he wouldn't have given in to this Jezebel.

"Doesn't it kill you being starved by the woman you hold dear?" She couldn't say the word love because if she did, her confidence would wither.

"I love her, not her body." He didn't sound sure. Their relationship had been very sexual even as friends. Sydney had given him her body to end his so-called heartbreak misery. How Avery used it to her advantage.

"Say it again, you may just believe it." She turned to the dresser and frowned. Gavin glared at her reflection in the mirror.

"If you'd excuse me, I have a wife to take care of." He wasn't going to see Sydney, he was going to take his kids.

"Take a step out of the door and the news of you cheating on Sydney would go global." She threatened her gaze as hard as a diamond.

Gavin froze. "You are willing to defame yourself too?"

She hugged him from behind but he pushed her away, turning to look at her.

"I'll do anything to have you."

His gaze bored into her soul. "You won't hurt Syd, would you?" He somehow had a bit of trust that she regarded Sydney as her best friend.

"My desires always come first, everyone else doesn't matter to me."

"What do you want Avery? Is it money or a more bloody ego?"

She grinned. "Tempting but no. I want you Gavin, all of you." She held herself from running her hand through his chest.

"I'm married for goodness sake!"

Avery barked a disdainful laugh. "Who said that couldn't be changed?''

Gavin felt uneasy. "What do you mean?"

"Divorce her, she doesn't deserve you." Her expression morphed from confident to expecting.

Gavin stared at her blankly. To her surprise, it didn't affect him as much as she wanted to. That meant, her plan had actually done far more harm to him than she expected.

"I can't divorce Sydney. I have children, and I'm not going to let them suffer for her mistakes." What about his mistakes?

"If the press knows about our affair, you'll be ruined; your kids will be mocked by their classmates. I know very much how evil those kids in that school could be." She sighed. "Once you see Sydney, tell her about the divorce so she'll prepare her lawyer earlier."

Gavin said nothing, he grabbed his blazer and walked to the door.

Avery spoke. "And yes sweetheart, if it isn't accomplished within a week, consider yourself and so-called family ruined."

AUTHORS POV

"I can't believe he didn't stay with you during postpartum." Avery drove Sydney home. Ethan and Emily were asleep in the back seat.

Sydney had dark circles under her eyes; she didn't look like the immaculate businesswoman everyone knew. She's spent three days being tormented by Xavier's spirit and Gavin didn't take the liberty to visit her.

Sydney sniffed."He must still be hurt, I understand." He had come to take Ethan and Emily home, but Emily didn't want to leave their mother; on the other hand, Ethan was mad at him for lying.

Avery held a scoff. "That doesn't justify his actions. No man would leave their wife after she just put to bed."

Sydney didn't want to talk about it but Avery kept on talking. "Syd, I know you are blaming yourself for Xavier's death; you should stop. It isn't healthy."

Sydney bit her lips. "I should have listened to Gavin." She had decided to be defiant for five years and see where it got her.

Avery rolled her eyes. "Oh please, a man has no right to treat you as his maid."

Sydney remembered her mother and clenched her fist. "Not that, I should have gone for prenatal."

"Maybe that was your fault but Gavin had no right to leave you half dead in the hospital."

"He was just angry about Xavier's death."

Avery sneered. "A code for he's taking out his anger on you because you chose not to be his handbag."

Avery's words hurt Sydney because she believed it. Gavin hadn't been the same man she met in high school since she chose to go to college and have a life for herself.

She could remember the day she told him she wanted to go to college, the look in his eyes.

"You aren't saying anything, Gav." Sydney stared up at her husband.

Gavin's eyes were glacial. "What the hell do you want me to say?" He mumbled a curse word, and she flinched at his tone.

He had never raised his voice at her. Her eyes grew moist."You are shouting Gav."

He ran a hand through his hair and his eyes softened. "I'm sorry babe," his tone was soft. "You can't go to college, what about Emily? She's barely a year old."

"I'll drop her with Avery."

"Avery has a job."

Sydney frowned. "So, why can't I? Why can't I go to college and make money for myself."

Gavin paced around the room. "Don't I give you enough money? What the hell do you want again!"

Sydney froze at his words. She could hear her father saying those words to her mother. Afterward, she heard a loud slap and her mother sobbing.

Sydney stood defiant. "I don't want your money, I don't want to be a man's handbag." She didn't want the past to repeat itself just like Avery had warned her.

Gavin scoffed. "You watch too many reality TV shows. Grow up, Sydney." he turned to leave.

"You won't change my mind, Gavin."

He looked at her with flames in his eyes, "Suit your bloody self." Then he left. She didn't see him for a week.

---------

Sydney laid Emily on the bed and spread the Barbie-themed duvet over her chest. She had cried so much that she fell asleep. Sydney blamed herself, their house had never been so quiet.

"Dad isn't home yet." Ethan stood by the door in blue pajamas. They all had matching pairs, Xavier too.

Sydney stood and looked at him. "He said he'll be back soon, you shouldn't worry about him."

Ethan was scowling." I wasn't worrying about him. He left you in the hospital, I don't want to see him again."

Sydney's heart broke but she had to smile. She went to him and hugged him. She almost pulled back; the feeling was strange; she couldn't remember the last time she hugged him. Was Gavin right? Had she been so busy with work that she forgot her family? No! She had always thought of them.

"I told him to leave because he had something important to do."She lied.

"Nothing is more important than you."

Sydney pulled away and held his cheek; she was so surprised at how much taller he was becoming. "I know, baby, but your dad isn't at fault; I wanted him to leave."

Ethan folded his arm around his chest. He had temper issues just like Gavin, and Sydney hated it, but she was grateful he had a friend like Kelly to put him straight.

"I'm still angry with him."

Sydney smiled weakly and kissed his forehead. "You'll gnaw before thirty if you keep frowning like that, and Kelly won't find you attractive.

Blush coated Ethan's cheek and he moved away. "Leave my room, Mum; I want to sleep."

Sydney chuckled and immediately regretted it when pain engulfed her chest. The scar from the surgery was still fresh. She turned before Ethan could notice.

Ethan got into the bed, "Good night mum."

Sydney held her chest."Good night baby."

-----

Sydney dreamt.

She woke up when she heard the crying of a baby. "Xavier." She rubbed her eyes and sat up.

She was in the hospital bed. The cacophony of the baby became unbearable. Sydney winced and lazily got out of bed. She checked the baby bassinet but Xavier wasn't there.

Her heart leaped. "Xavier." She looked around the room but didn't see him. Her eyes widened and she followed the sound of the cry.

She stopped by a ward door and then pushed it open. The crying ceased. She saw a nurse carrying Xavier, "I'm sorry, Sydney, but Xavier is dead."

Sydney shot up from the bed when she heard the door opening. She was sweating like she had been in the desert. Gavin didn't look at her as he entered the room.

"Are you okay?" He asked, taking off his blue blazer.

Sydney took a strand of hair away from her face. She had no intentions of telling him she dreamt of Xavier.

"Yes, just a bad dream."

He didn't ask for details but just kept unbuttoning his shirt.

Sydney stood up and stared at the sexy silhouette of her husband standing next to the floor-ceiling window. She had never missed him so much. She was tired of controlling herself around him because Avery told her to test if he actually loved her or if it was just all about sex.

Of course, she did it. She had doubts about his love for her especially since their relationship had always been sensual.

She stood behind him, suddenly scared to touch him. "Ethan's mad at you."

He stopped unbuttoning his shirt halfway."He'll get over it."

Sydney hesitated but wrapped her hand around his waist. He stilled. "I'm sorry about Xavier." She was crying. "I'm really sorry."

Gavin's heart squeezed. He hated the effect she had on him. He didn't reply. "Gavin."

He moved away from her and walked to the bed. She followed. "Go back to bed."

"I said I'm sorry." Would that bring back Xavier?

He glared at her. "What should I say? You are forgiven?"

The cloak of self-consciousness Avery had sown for her, covered her at moment. "It wasn't entirely my fault he died."

He couldn't believe he actually felt pity for her. "Who else refused to go for prenatal care? Who else carelessness killed my child?" He didn't say 'our'.

She took a step forward, "If only you had supported my decision and stood by me, I would have gone for it." Would you?

His gaze moved pointedly over her. "Don't throw your black linen on me. Yes, I didn't support you at first but after a while, I did. I paid all your fees. I made Alfred Patel hire you." He wasn't meant to say the last part.

"You did what?"

He ran a hand through his hair and reached out to her but she moved away. "I told you I wanted to find a job by myself. I told you I didn't need your help."

Gavin stared into her moistened brown eyes. "It's not like you would have gotten it anyway with your terrible grades." Another mistake.

She stared at him unbelievably. He knew her father mocked her about her grades; he would always compare her to her younger sister Anita, yet he said that.

"I didn't mean it, I'm sorry."

Her voice quavered," Leave me alone."

His eyes darkened; why was he the one saying sorry? She had managed to turn the blame on him.

"Your solitude has always been important to you anyway." He took off his shirt aggressively and walked to the bathroom.

"Why did you leave me in the hospital?"

He stopped. He remembered what he had done with her so-called best friend and his conscience pricked.

"You know the answer."

"I needed you."

"I was busy."

"Busy with what?"

He froze. She noticed his muscles tensed and went to him. For some reason, her heart pounded in her chest. "Busy with what Gavin?"

He avoided her gaze and she grew impatient. "What's wrong?"

He had to say it and he had to say it now. Drawing in a sharp breath, he turned to her."I want a divorce Sydney."