EVEN IF IT HURTS, DADDY

Giselle adjusted the straps of her red lace lingerie while she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked at the red rose petals scattered across the hotel bed and tried to breathe. She was nervous as fuck, her heart felt like it was going to explored against her ribs. For a moment, she could swear she didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror. The make up on her face could not hide the awfully glaring truth, that she was visibly tired. Burn out to say the least.

About a week ago, her husband, Chase had sat her down and calmly suggested an open marriage. He told her that he loved her, but he needed to “explore” and that he was tired of eating from just one pot in his own words.

He said it as though it was the only way to keep their spark alive. But she knew she was losing her man, the only logical thing she could do at that moment was refuse immediately. She told him through tears that she could not afford to share him with another woman or live with the thoughts of him in bed with other women.

But he still went ahead to cheat anyway, she knew this. She knew he was cheating and still stayed, sometimes she wondered why, but that didn’t matter in that moment.

This Valentine’s Day surprise was her last chance. She had spent a fortune on this suite, the flowers, new rose scented body mists and the expensive champagne. She wanted to remind him of the heat they used to have. She wanted to prove that no other woman could love him or salaciously fuck him the way she did.

The door clicked open. Giselle stood up straight, her skin tingling. Chase walked in, he didn't look like he was ready for romance. He was in a piece of black suit, his tie hanging loosely. When his eyes landed on her, a flash of something that looked like disgust crossed his face. He hid it quickly, replacing it with a fake smile.

"Hmph! You went all out," Chase dryly said.

"Happy Valentine’s Day," Giselle whispered. She walked toward him. "Do you like it?"

Chase didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled out a thick, white legal envelope. He tossed it onto the bed. It landed right in the center of the heart-shaped rose petals.

"There is your gift," he said.

Giselle looked at the paper, then back at him. "A gift? Please tell me those are plane tickets to Italy? You know I’ve wanted to go for years. You promised we would go there this year."

"Open it, Giselle."

"No," she said, shaking her head. She didn't like the cold look in his eyes. "Not yet. I planned this whole night for you. I want to show you how much I love you. I want to show you that we don't need anyone else in this marriage. I, for you, and you, for me."

She turned to her phone and pressed play. The smooth beats and sound of Nobody Exists by Coco Jones filled the room. Giselle began to move. She danced slowly, letting the music guide her body. She kept her eyes locked on his, trying to find a spark of the man she had married three years ago.

She swayed her hips and moved closer to him. She wanted to erase the memory of his "open marriage" proposal. She wanted him to crave and desire her. When she was close enough to smell his woody cologne, she reached up. She placed her hands on his shoulders, letting them travel to other parts of his body and leaned in to kiss him.

Chase pulled back. He grabbed her wrists and held them firmly, stopping her.

"Stop it," he said. His voice erupting into a sharp tone “I said stop it”.

"Chase? What’s wrong?" she asked inquisitively.

"Stop the music and listen to me," he commanded. "I have something to tell you."

Giselle felt a chill run down her spine. "Don't you like the surprise? I can order some food. We can—"

"Giselle, listen."

She stepped back, her hands dropping to her sides. She walked over to the phone and paused the song. The silence in the room reigned for a few seconds, her heart was beating and the air was beginning to suffocate her. She turned to face him, wrapping her arms around her middle to hide how much she was shaking.

"Okay," she said. "I'm listening. Speak. But can we at least sit?"

Chase didn't sit down. He stood by the door as if he was already planning his exit.

"I told you last week that I wanted an open marriage to give you a chance to keep your dignity," Chase started. "I thought you could handle it. I thought you would be smart enough to take the deal and keep the lifestyle I provide for you."

Giselle blinked. "The lifestyle? To hell with that Chase! I want my husband all to myself. I want my Man all to myself is that too much to ask?."

"And I want a woman who doesn't suffocate me," he snapped. "You refused the deal. You insisted on being the only one. But the truth is, you haven't been the only one for a long time."

Giselle felt like she had been punched in the stomach. "What are you saying?"

"I’m saying I’ve found someone else. Someone who understands that a man like me needs more than just one person. Since you won't share, I don't see any reason to stay." He pointed to the envelope on the bed. "Those are divorce papers. I’ve already signed them."

Giselle looked at the bed. At white envelope sitting on top of the roses.

"Divorce?" her voice broke. "On Valentine's Day? After everything I've done for you?”

“What have you done for me other than suffocate me with your clinginess and narrow perspective about life”

“ Please don’t be like this Chase, I gave you my virginity. You were my first, Chase!! We were going to have a family."

"Truth is I never wanted a family with you, I can’t imagine you being the mother of my kids, you are too plain for my liking" he said coldly. He checked his watch. "I have dinner reservations at eight. I only came here to make sure you got these in person. I want you out of the house by the weekend. My father is returning from his London office tomorrow, and I don't want you there making a scene when he arrives."

"You're throwing me out?" she asked.

"I'm moving on," Chase said. He turned towards the door. "Read the settlement. I’m being fair. Don't make this harder than it has to be by crying. It’s over, Giselle."