Chapter5:
“Divorce is not happening. We have to talk. Today.” Delia glared at the message that had popped up on her phone for the hundredth time. Drawing in a breath, she set the phone back down on the table and rested her head on her hands. How dare he even try to sort things out with her. Delia knew that he was only bothered about how his precious reputation would be seen as a divorced man. She couldn't be bothered to deal with his stupidity and cheating ways any longer. She deserved better, and she was not afraid to stand her ground.
As the sunlight streamed through the half-drawn curtains, Delia felt a rush of conflicting emotions. Anger simmered just beneath the surface, mingling with the ache of betrayal that had embedded itself in her heart. She couldn't shake the image of him—the charming smile, the smugness that had once drawn her in now morphed into an unbearable weight dragging her down.
Her phone buzzed again, another reminder of a conversation she had no interest in having. She picked it up, staring at the screen as if willing the words to disappear. She imagined Thomas’s face as he sent those messages, probably perched comfortably in his office, oblivious to the turmoil she was drowning in.
"What's left to talk about, Thomas?" she muttered to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. The air in the room felt heavy, suffocating, as if the walls themselves bore witness to the chaos of their relationship.
She pushed herself away from the table and began to pace the living room, each step echoing her determination. She didn't need to relive the past, didn't want another round of him trying to charm his way back into her good graces. And yet, part of her hesitated. Maybe it was the familiarity of the life they had built together, the echoes of laughter and moments of love that still haunted her. But in every fond memory, another darker one persisted—his betrayal, his arrogance, the late nights that turned into excuses.
Delia stopped in front of the large mirror that hung above the fireplace. She looked at herself, searching for the woman she used to be—confident, ready to take on the world. That woman felt buried under the weight of disappointment and loss, yet she also felt the embers of resilience igniting within her.
"Enough," she whispered, straightening her posture and lifting her chin. She could feel a fire building in her chest, one that urged her to reclaim her space and her worth. She reached for her phone again, the harsh glare of the screen a reminder of the decision she needed to make.
With steady hands, she typed out a response, her fingers flying over the keys as words flowed freely. It was a short message, but one filled with finality:
“Not now. Not ever.”
She hit send, almost surprised by the rush of relief that surged through her veins. Taking a deep breath, Delia knew that today was not the day for conversations. Today was for closure. Today was the first day of the future with her unborn child.
As the reality of her situation settled in, another wave of emotions crashed over her. She struggled to understand how Thomas could cheat on her. Just weeks ago, she had been so excited to tell him the news that they were going to be parents. The moment she found out, her heart had raced with joy, imagining their little family, the laughter that would fill their home. But that blissful anticipation had shattered into a million pieces the moment she had walked in on him and Samantha, tangled together in a way that felt like a personal betrayal.
Now, with the weight of the new life growing inside her, how could she possibly share that joy with him? He didn’t deserve to be a part of this chapter, not after what he had done. There was so much she wanted to say, yet words felt inadequate. No explanation would make up for the pain he caused or the trust he shattered.
Delia glanced around the room they had once shared, the memories too painful to linger on. She couldn't imagine telling him about the child—her child.
“If you're going to ignore me, then I will come over after work,” he sent another message.
Delia rolled her eyes, frustration boiling within her. Did he really think he could just waltz back into her life? It was infuriating. As if sensing that he could still control this situation. She shook her head and got up from the table, her heart racing with a mix of anxiety and anger.
Her gaze landed on the suitcase in the corner of the room—a remnant from when she had considered taking a weekend away to clear her mind. A sudden impulse gripped her; she had to get out. The thought of staying here, waiting for him to impose himself upon her, felt suffocating.
She hurried over and unzipped the suitcase, tossing in clothes, toiletries, anything that would give her a fresh start, even if just for a little while. She needed space, a place where she could think clearly without the weight of his presence looming over her.
As she packed, the phone on the table buzzed insistently, but she ignored it. The urgency in his messages only fueled her resolve to escape. She needed to focus on herself and the life growing inside her. There was no room for his chaos in her world anymore.
Once the suitcase was filled, she closed it with a snap and took a moment to breathe. This was her decision, her reclaiming of autonomy. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear—she was done allowing Thomas to dictate her emotions or her life.
Delia slung the suitcase over her shoulder and stepped out of the cramped living room, determination pulsing in her veins. Today marked not just an end but the beginning of something new. She would find a way to navigate this unexpected journey, no matter how daunting it felt. And with each step she took away from their shared life, the weight on her shoulders lightened just a bit more.