CHAPTER FIFTEEN
HAILEY’s POV
I burst into tears when I entered the room. Earlier I wanted to shed my tears but I just held back. I didn’t want to answer him. I have no plans to fight him. But because he really triggers me I spill everything I wanted to say.
I dismissed all his accusations against me because I knew that was not true. But he always pushes me to my limits. I just want to prove to him that I am not an enemy. I want us to be ok. I want my husband and I to be a real couple. Because I loved him sine we were young.
I’m not bad and I didn’t take anything from him. Maybe I’m at fault because I told grandpa not to tell him the truth. I don’t want to hurt him but I don’t know that he thinks like that.
When I was young I didn’t want to make friends with anyone. When my parents died, I became even more lonely. When my grandpa adopted me and introduced me to Phoenix, I immediately had a crush on him. So I’m happy that he befriended me.
He is my first friend. So I vinalue him. I remember everything he shares, all his secrets are my secrets as well. But he changed. I do not know why. Suddenly his attitude changed and he kept fighting with me. I’m hurt because he’s not like that. I was sad but I still secretly looked at him.
As I grew older, everytime I met him during vacation I proved to myself that I love him. But I know that he doesn’t love me because of the open hate he shows me. So I kept him in my heart. I thought that if we stay together it would be ok. Just being friends, I am ok with that.
Grandpa has a bone cancer. Only Phoenix’s parents and I know. He had a term so he told me I needed to get married before he died so he knew who I would leave.
He chose Enrique, not because he is my prince, but because Enrique told him that he loves me. I agreed and I accepted that. I knew I would be happy with Enrique even if I didn’t love him. Because he was kind and considerate to me. He always makes me laugh and make me happy.
I know he wasn’t hard to love. If we don’t work as a couple, at least we will remain friends anyway. But I doubt that our marriage will not work because he is a good person. Even if our relationship will be friends-couple, there will be no problem.
But the night before grandpa talked to Enrique, Phoenix called and said he needed money. Grandpa asked me first, because it’s not a joke that Phoenix needed. I said yes, but on one condition. I want him to marry me.
I told my grandpa that I wanted to marry Phoenix instead of Enrique. Grandpa knew I loved Phoenix back then. Grandpa didn’t want to because he knew Phoenix hated me. But I said, in case Phoenix agreed, I will do my best to tame him. I will be a good wife, a good friend. I will show and make him feel that I will do everything for him.
I set a split. But I have no plans to really force him. I just want to offer him just in case. If he doesn’t agree, it’s ok for his grandfather to still lend him the amount he needs. I just want to try my luck.
But I didn’t expect him to agree. So I thought that maybe he likes me too and he was just passing by in a rage. Grandpa asked me if I was sure and I said yes. So even though grandpa didn’t want to because he wanted Enrique, I forced him.
Enrique and I talked and he asked me. He was not angry and he was not even upset. He said, where I am happy he is there. He will still support me.
The night before the wedding Grandpa and Phoenix’s parents talked to me, they wanted me to cancel the wedding. They said I would just be miserable with Phoenix so as long as there was still time, I refused. But I promised them that I would do everything to make Phoenix see that I was not a bad girl as he thought.
I did not contradict Phoenix with his accusations, because I thought I was guilty. He was right that I was manipulative, because I allowed Grandpa and his parents to set Phoenix up with me. But maybe we won’t ended into wedding if he didn’t approve of.
I showed him kindness, sympathized with him, cared for him, loved him, and everything I did, everything I gave for him. But eventually. I am still his enemy. When I met his girlfriend I didn’t fight because I knew we were only married. Though painful to me I accepted to myself that he was the one Phoenix loved.
If she fought me and insulted me I would not object. But I was wrong because she is nice. She asked me if I loved Phoenix and could take care of her. I was just honest and said that when I was young I loved him and if I just took care of him I would do everything I could for him.
Nor does it issue to me if they still are. Because I can’t stop them from doing what they want or force them to separate. But she herself said she would leave Phoenix. She would give me a chance for Phoenix to see that I was not a bad girl. That Phoenix was so wrong with his accusation.
The first time we had sex, I was very happy. Because I gave myself to the man I love. I couldn’t believe that the man I had long hidden in my heart had claimed me. I couldn’t move then because I was shy. I knew nothing of such a thing and I might make a mistake and he would get mad at me.
In our first wedding months, I was especially happy. Because he accepted my gift of a painting that I had been making for a week. But I was happier with his gift to me. He make love with me. Yes, I feel love that time because he was so gentle even though I was ashamed of what happened but he made me feel that I have nothing to be ashamed of.
Now grandpa is gone. We have also been together for over a month. Maybe that’s right because I can see that even a one percent improvement has not happened. Even worse, as is the case today. Because he was doing it so I could let him go.
I’m not sorry if we split up. Because I became the wife of the man I love. I gave myself to the person I love. I have no regrets that I loved him and married him. I was happy to be with him and to be served briefly.
But I don’t want to continue, I will let him go. I will give him the share that is due for him as agreed. As well as half of my share. I don’t need that, so I’ll give it to him. He needs that more because he has many dreams. Simple life is enough for me and I don’t need a lot of money.
There was no point in talking to my grandfather that he would not be able to get his share if I did not have children. Most of all I don’t care if he stays with me until we have children. Because that’s what he’s waiting for, he’ll be tied to me for the rest of his life.
Because I can’t have children. Grandpa knew that. So that’s what he said. Phoenix is right, I’m a liar and manipulative because I know that I can’t bear a child but I tied him with me.
So I’m going to divorce him. Tomorrow, I will talk to the attorney to file an annulment. I will release him so that he can be happy. Something I couldn’t do for him. TO LET HIM GO.
PHOENIX’s POV
I couldn’t sleep all night because of what happened last night. It’s better that she just cried and fought me. But she criticized me and let out all her thoughts. I even overcame the beating to wake up from the nightmare.
I don’t know what happened to me. After what she said I suddenly woke up from my stupidity. Suddenly everything he was doing to me came back to me. I suddenly realized everything I was wrong.
It was like I was put in a room full of tv and the shows that were there were nonsense I did to Hailey. Her virtues that I ignored. How she would take care of me, take care of me, understand me. I suddenly thought that maybe she was doing it was because she loved me?
Who is a stupid rich woman who will marry a fool without money and then pay more? Above all, did nothing but quarrel with you, if you are not loved? I was suddenly confused. Conscious, confused, remorseful. I don’t understand what is happening to me right now.
I have to apologize to her. She was right, of all the accusations I made against her that were purely wrong and I did not apologize to her. Instead, I still insist mine.
I don’t know, there’s something in my heart that says I’m stupid. A fool. A stupid. There was also something in my heart that scared me suddenly because of what happened last night. Especially what she showed when we talked.
It’s 8AM but I’m still lying down. I was afraid to go out. I was embarrassed to face her because I didn’t know what face I would face her.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
It was almost 10AM so I left the room and I caught up with Hailey with a man at the door. This is the first time I have no doubt. I was not angry. I did not shout. In an instant I gained confidence and thought that maybe he was just a guest and they talked about something important.
When she closed the door she saw me but there was no shock or fear in her eyes.
“You’re awake,” she coldly asked and I am not use to it.
“Who is that?” I asked but just calm down. I can’t help but be annoyed or angry that she’s letting another man into the condo.
“Attorney Cruz.”
“Atty?”
“I let him arranged for our annulment,” she said like nothing. But for me, I feel like it’s a bomb exploding in front of me. If she mentions annulment it seems like separation is not the topic she is opening up.
“What?”
“I will file an annulment so you can be free.”
“Hailey,”
“You can eat and there’s food on the table. I’ll just fix something in the bedroom.” Then she turned to leave me.