Chapter 2 LET HIM GO

I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked up at him while suppressing the tears.

A pair of beautiful gray eyes stared back at me. They used to be filled with warmth and laughter whenever they looked at me, but now they showed nothing except chilling civility.

“I can't go on like this, Lily.” He whispered in a barely audible whisper. “The best thing we could do is part ways.”

“Please Grey, I'm willing to give everything you want but not divorce. Please give this marriage a chance.” I pleaded, reaching for his hand. But when my hand finally touched his own, he quickly pulled away.

“My mind's made up. There's nothing you could do to change it.” Finality rang in his tone as he spoke.

“But—”

“No. My decision is final.” Grey Immediately cut my words off. With eyebrows furrowed, he rose from his seat. “I had wasted four years of my life with you. It's time for me to move on and let go. Like it or not, I'm getting a divorce.”

The words painfully reverberated in my ears. For a moment, I closed my eyes to gather myself together before I succumbed to tears in front of him. When my eyes finally opened, my emotions were under control.

I summoned all the courage I could muster and met his gaze. The self-pity I have towards myself disappeared. The feeling of hate took over.

I abandoned my chair with the grace of a Queen. “I've done my best to be a perfect wife to you and I made countless sacrifices to keep us together, but eventually, I failed. Perhaps you're right, we need space. If divorce is what you want, I'm giving it to you.”

Grey stared at me, mouth parted open.

If he thinks I will continue to beg for his love, he’s mistaken!

Wordlessly, I pulled my wedding ring from my finger and laid it on top of the table. It is a gesture that I’m done fulfilling the vows I made in front of the altar, and I’m setting him free. Without a moment's delay, I made my way to the door, not bothering to take one last look at him.

The love I have for him disappeared. Hate took over.

I marched to the parking area where my car was waiting, opened the door, and climbed into the driver’s seat.

My heart still hammered inside my rib cage, even after I sat on the leather chair. Our conversation painfully reverberated in my thoughts. I had to close my eyes to calm myself before I broke into a sob. When my eyes lifted open, the turmoil inside me had subsided.

I took a deep, calming breath and turned the engine on before maneuvering the car out of the parking area.

Soon, the car peacefully traversed the highway under a starless sky.

I already left the restaurant, but my thoughts were still there. I couldn't believe Grey quickly ended what I'd been trying to save for years. He could choose any other day to ask for a divorce, but he purposely did it on our fourth wedding anniversary. He's so cruel!

I expelled a sigh. My emotions were running riot inside me again. I took a deep breath and calmed myself once more. I should not allow my emotions to get the best of me while I’m in the middle of driving.

Minutes later, my car skidded into a stop right in front of a simple two-story building where my mother lives. After getting out of the car, I hurried my way to the door and unlocked it using my duplicate key.

Celine, the nurse who was watching over my mom, was already waiting in the living room. The moment Celine saw me enter through the door, she got up from the Victorian sofa.

“How’s Mom?” I asked her, dread pilling up inside me as I waited for her reply.

“Her condition was not good.” Celine replied. Try as she might, she couldn’t contain the tears. They glittered at the corner of her eyes.

Celine has been my mother’s private nurse for years now. They’re so close that she treats mom like her mother. She cared about Mom so much. We are like sisters to each other.

I swallowed hard. “Will she be okay?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“I couldn’t tell you that. Only time will tell, Lily.” She whispered, then looked away to wipe the tears from her eyes.

The words were nails digging deep into my heart. “I’ll go upstairs to check on her, Celine. Thank you for watching her, even if today’s supposed to be your day off.”

“I told you, Lily, I will still look for her even if you don’t pay me.”

“Thank you so much, Celine. You’re really an angel sent to me. Have a safe trip on your way home. Don’t forget to put your seatbelts on before you drive.”

“See you tomorrow,” Celine walked to the door and gently closed it behind her.

When she’s gone, I climbed the stairs and went to my mom's bedroom.