1#01

1

The third instance Nicolas Reid and I found ourselves at the courthouse was due to his decision to reassign my cherished role as head meteorologist to the station's latest weather presenter.

Casually propped against his vehicle, a cigarette between his lips, Nicolas exhaled smoke and gazed at me with barely concealed annoyance.

"Is this really essential?" he questioned, his voice dismissive. "I mean, giving her your position is just a way for you to take a breather, isn't it? Heaven knows you could use one." He grinned, tapping ash onto the ground. "Plus, I only gave her the job to keep her content. Can't you just endure it? For my sake?"

I maintained a steady gaze, looking straight ahead as if his irritating words hadn't been spoken. Calmly, I responded with three short words.

"Let's go inside."

That night, I observed Nicolas with his arm around the new girl, chuckling and drinking with his companions as if without a worry in the world.

"So, what's your plan if Rowena actually follows through with the divorce?" One of his friends teased, a smile playing on his lips.

Nicolas took a long sip of his beverage, his eyes narrowing with an air of superiority.

"That's not going to happen. She cares for me too much to go through with it. She's just being dramatic. Typical her."

It wasn't until he saw me, some weeks later, seated in the back of another man's wedding car that he realized I hadn't been joking.

——

Exiting the courthouse after our divorce was finalized, Nicolas thrust the divorce papers and my copy of the household registry into my hands.

"There, satisfied now?" he said, lighting another cigarette. His lips curled into a smirk as he glanced at me sideways, arrogance evident in his expression.

I neatly folded the papers, placing my copy in my bag. Then I forcefully pressed his copy against his chest, hard enough to make him stumble slightly. I remained silent. Turning around, I walked towards my car. But just as I reached the door, he grabbed my wrist and suddenly had me pinned against the vehicle. The overpowering scent of his cologne—or perhaps it was her perfume—filled my nostrils, making me want to retch. His grip was unyielding, his eyes burning with anger as he leaned in closer.

"All this over a mere job?" he snarled through gritted teeth. "I already explained, I gave her your position just to keep her satisfied. It's only temporary. Once she loses interest, you can have it back! Why are you making such a fuss about it?"

His voice increased in volume as he continued, "Do you really need to drag us to court every time we disagree? How many times has it been now? I'm not perfect, Rowena and you know it. Stop this act before I reach my breaking point!"

My breath caught and then, to his astonishment, I laughed—a harsh, cynical sound that cut through his outburst like a blade.

"Breaking point?" I echoed, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're in no position to talk about breaking points right now, Nicholas."

We had known each other since childhood, sweethearts who became husband and wife. Six years of marriage had bound me to this man.

A week prior, Nicolas had reintroduced Annette into my life. Without any warning, he made a call right in front of me to the state meteorology bureau, where I had worked diligently for years.

"I'm considering investing $2 million into the station," he had informed the director on the other end of the line. "But I have one condition."

Holding Annette protectively in his arms, he turned to me. His gaze was icy, his tone deliberate.

"The condition is this: Rowena steps down and Annette takes her place."

The words felt like a knife to the heart. I stared at him, shocked and disbelieving, but he didn't waver. Instead, he pressed on, making the decision for me.

"She's okay with it," Nicolas assured the director. Then, looking down at me, he added, "Tomorrow, Annette will start work. Rowena, you'll show her what to do."

I lost control that day. I yelled, hurled anything within reach and even slapped both Nicolas and Annette across the face.

"Who do you think you are, making that choice for me? You have no right, Nicholas!" I shouted. "I never agreed to quit my job!"

"Oh, I have every right to do it." He stared back at me with infuriating composure, "In case you've forgotten, I'm your husband, your legal guardian. What I say goes. And, it's done. You don't have the job anymore, Annette will take over."

He exhaled sharply and added, "Why can't you see it from my perspective? You get to have a break and Annette gains experience. It's beneficial for everyone."

In the end, I told them both to leave. Nicolas, ever the protector, shielded Annette keeping her safe in his embrace. Before they reached the door I heard him muttering under his breath, "You're insane."

No one knew how I endured that miserable week. Nicolas, fearing I'd interfere with Annette's new job, confined me to the house. I was a captive in my own home, trapped with my spiraling thoughts and emotions. I alternated between sobbing and laughing—both hysterical, both empty. The man I had once trusted above all others had turned me into a pawn in his twisted game and I had no one to blame but myself for allowing it to reach this point.