DIVORCE PAPERS

VIVI’S P.O.V

My heart stops. I didn’t hear right……right? He doesn’t even stare at me. His usual cold demeanor is back on his face, no longer the man all over me barely a minute ago.

“What? I… what’s going on?”

“I didn’t stutter, did I?” He still doesn’t glance at me. He types away at his phone, punching the words in like he’s angry. My stomach coils with a sick feeling, bringing my hand to my belly.

The thought of the baby and the sonogram in my hand nearly makes me choke.

Is this really it? Do I mean nothing to him anymore?

I lied……I did know who Elias Whitmore was long before he proposed a contract marriage of convenience.

He was my first love……and now, my first heartbreak. I still remember that sunny Friday at his parents' residential home for the homeless. My father and I went there to get some grants that could last us for about six months while he was out of a job.

But I went there to meet him.

After speaking secretly on a dating site for months, we could see what we looked like. He’d introduced himself to me, as did I while we talked.

However, before we could see our faces, a massive fire broke out. Everyone thought it was an accident, but barely a few days later, an arsonist was caught.

We’d separated because his life was more important than mine to his rich parents. I thought he was dead…….until I saw him again.

“What? Why?” I whispered, fighting the urge to step closer to him.

Remember the rules, Genevieve.

‘Unless we’re about to have sex, keep at least a seven-step distance from me.’

“I no longer have use for you.”

“But the terms of our contract state that we would stay married for one year…….there are a couple of months left.

I-why do you suddenly want a divorce?” When I’m carrying your baby… those words remained in a deep part of me, not daring to be let out.

He finally turns to me, eyes no longer on that phone. Hope surges in my heart, making me clutch the sonogram tighter.

A slow, irritated smirk graces his lips; “Just as I thought, you care only about the money.”

“No! That’s not it…..I just wanted to sa-“

“Save it, Genevieve.” He interrupts, turning back to his phone. “You’ll get the money I agreed on with interest and an apparent; just like we discussed. We both know money has never been an issue for my family.

All you need to do is get in there, sign the papers, and then pack things.

Parker and Harrison can take you to the apartment or a hotel if you want for the night; then my lawyer will be in contact. Don’t act like you never knew why I married you.

I’ve found my real love……..we’re over.”

“No, you don’t understand; Elias. I-I’m pregnant.” I blurted out before I could stop myself. I revealed it… It wasn’t about the money anymore, or the debts; it was about my love for him.

I hate to use the baby this way, but I felt like I had no other choice.

Maybe the Elias I fell in love with years ago would resurface…….maybe he would see that I was the woman he was searching for.

Being his wife provided safety from the loan sharks hounding for my head for the last two years.

His head snaps up, and the look in his eyes makes me take a step back until my back connects with the wall again. For a moment, there’s a flicker of shock, and he appears taken aback, but that melts into something visceral.

“You’re what?” He grunts; voice laced with venom.

“P-pregnant…” my voice comes out in a low, trembling squeak. I knew what the contract states, but I also knew this could be the only chance I had to make him stay.

“You missed your shot?”

“I……I swear I didn’t mean to. Things just happened, and I did; I thought I got food poisoning from that Chinese takeout I had two days ago, but the doctor says in six weeks.”

“You expect me to believe you didn’t do this on purpose?”

“I didn’t.”

“This isn’t about looking to get more money from me?”

“No, it’s not! The contract states that I wouldn’t get any money if I got pregnant.”

“Good thing you know.” My eyes widen at that… what’s he saying?

“No……please, you know I need the money to clear out dad’s debts.”

“I don’t care, Genevieve. You knew what you were getting into the moment you signed. The agreement was for you to play wife until I’d find my true love.

Upon which I would divorce you even if I find her earlier than I thought. Now you’re saying you’re pregnant?

What’s next? You’re in love with me?” He scoffs, clearly waiting for an answer.

My eyes dart to his shoes, and I swallow thickly, my vision blurred with my tears. He still hasn’t even seen the sonogram yet…

“Look at the sonogram……maybe you’ll change your mind? I really am not trying to baby trap you.”

He snatches the sonogram from my hands and rips it apart before throwing it in the air. “Don’t act so innocent.

Hell, I shouldn’t even speak to you right now.

Get rid of the baby, or keep it; I don’t care, but make sure you’re out of my house by the time I get back. My love might want to move in, and I wouldn’t want her to get the wrong idea.”

Before I could utter another word, he stepped out of the apartment; the door slammed shut so hard that it made the pictures and flower pots rattle.

My tears flowed freely then, the hurt and silence he left in its wake stretching me far until all that was left was something hollow.

My sobs came out like a broken symphony, my heart squeezing tight until it hurt. I grabbed the ripped pieces off the floor, clutching them to my chest.

Fuck me for loving him even while it’s against our rules.

I searched for my phone while crawling on my knees until I found it. Wiping my tears, I searched for my sister's contact; pressing the phone to my ear until she picked up.

“Gene? It’s past one in the middle of the night……what’s up?”

“I…” I couldn’t finish the words before a sob ripped out of me. She doesn’t utter a word for some time, until I hear the sound of sheets being ripped away, followed by her tapping on someone, probably her boyfriend, Carter.

“Get up, Carter. Gene needs us.” The rustle in the background is then followed by her voice: “We’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

I wiped my tears, my heart still squeezing tight as I walked out of the penthouse. I didn’t know where I was headed, but I let my legs move me. The heavy downpour drenched the shirt I had on in seconds, the moment I stepped onto the empty street.

Or so I thought.

The first thing I heard was a loud honking, before the bright headlights assaulted my vision. My body freezes immediately, my heart pounding violently, while all of me trembles as the speeding vehicle charges towards me.

Maybe this is for the best.

Elias has left me anyway………what’s the point of all this if my love doesn’t want me back? It’s best to end it all.

I wait for the moment the car would collide with my body; it’s the end…..

But to my surprise, the car stops right at my feet. But the rush of adrenaline suddenly depletes, turning me to a heap on the floor, my body still trembling visibly as my teeth clatter. My hands dart to my face in an attempt to shield myself from the lights.

What looks like the silhouette of a man steps out. I can’t see his face because of the light, but I make out his blonde hair.

My eyes turned wide as saucers the minute my vision became clearer…..

He looks like…….Elias.

My tongue is tied, and there is a ringing in my ears, but amidst it all, I clearly hear his deep voice;

“Hello, Genevieve. We have much to discuss.” Before I could respond, my vision turned blurry, and everything turned black.