Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 3 LILY My afternoon did no not go as planned at all. When I entered my car to drive home, what I envisioned was telling Ryan about the pregnancy, and in my imagination, he liftedinto his arms and peppered my face with ki*ses, tellinghow we were going to be perfect parents. Divorce papers weren't part of that imagination at all. I was still seated in the sspot that Ryan was seated a few hours ago when he gavethe divorce papers. My legs had given out the moment he ignored my questions and walked away with Stephanic, and that was five hours ago. The distant sound of the front door opening and the soft thuds of footsteps proved that he was horne. Dragging myself up from the dining chair, I gripped the papers tightly and went in search of the man who vowed at the altar that he would lovetill death do us part, the man who swore never to hurtor causeany pain. I walked into our bedroom in tbefore he walked into the bathroom to take a shower, "What is going on Ryan? What is the meaning of this?" I flung the papers at him and they went flying all over the room. "This is the second tyou are askingthat he deadpanned, "don't you have any more questions after going through the divorce agreements?" I can't believe what I am hearing "I did not go through any agreement!" I yelled at him, "And I won't be going through them, not until you tellwhy you are thinking of divorcing me." Ryan sighed. "I am not thinking about it Lily, it is already a reality. Know the difference." I glared at him. "Is that all you are going to say?" I growled but he shrugged in response, looking indifferent to the whole thing "What was Stephanie doing here?" is she the reason why he is leaving me! "Why was your ex-girlfriend in our hwhen you chose to givethe divorce papers! Folding his hands, he stared atwith a tired expression. "She is a lawyer," he drawled out as though I was dumb or something- She is no divorce or family lawyer," I reminded him, "so don't make it seem I do not have the right to question her presence. Biting my lips hard, 1 tried to keep the tears in "Is she the reason you are divorcing me?" He stared atintently without givinga response. My heartbeat quickened as my lungs threatened to collapse. "Why aren't you answering Ryan 1 expected him to assurethat whatever I was thinking was all in my head, but his silence madethink otherwise. "Why aren't you saying anything?" I bellowed. "Because I am wondering how this happened. He spat, flicking his hand between us, "How did I end up here?" I exhaled shaky breath breath. "End up where?" please don't tellhe is regretting getting married tobecause I might end up losing my mind. "Here." He repeated. "Look, there are certain decisions that we take that do end well for us. Let us take this marriage as one of them. can feel my Jungs contracting no matter how hard I try to prevent it "This is because of Stephanie right? Everything was okay until she showed up again and you suddenly want to divorce me" "This has nothing to do with Stephaniel" he roared angrily, "this has everything to do with us." He inhaled deeply. "I have had a long day Lily, and I really want to take a shower and get ready for the team of designers who will be gettingready for the gala." He turned to walk away but I stopped him. "Is this because we don't have a baby yet?" if that is why he is leavingthen he shouldn't because the baby is already here "Baby?" he smiled sadly, "you know Lily, I have never been so glad that we haven't had any baby since we got married." My lips trembled, "what do you mean by that?" "I mean, there is no baby to deal with the aftermath of our divorce, and also no reason for us to see each other or tolerate each other." "Tole_" unable to take in air anymore, I began gasping. "I can... can'... Byan........." He walked over to the drawer opened it, pulled out a paper bag then tossed it over to me. "You already know the drill," he said flatly, "take slow breaths into the paper bag and you should be fine." Without sparinganother glance, he turned and walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Watching my husband leave while I struggled for breath pained more than I could have imagined. I ended up not going to the gala, nor did I take his mother's call for gardening. I wasn't in the right state of mind to interact with anyone right now. 11:28 AM Chapter 3 If I face Ryan's mother right now, I might end up snapping at her or cursing her which isn't something I should do since I am trying to get Ryan to change his mind about this divorce, so I locked myself away in our bedroom and watched the gala live on TV hoping to take my mind away from the ordeal that has hit me. Watching the guests arrive for the red carpet, watching the camera capture them, and watching them pose for the camera madewonder just how strong sof them are. I know for a fact that sof them are being faced with different problems, yet they smile at the camera as though all is well. I wonder if I can be that strong. I was still staring blankly at the screen when Ryan suddenly showed up for pictures on the red carpet, only that he wasn't alone. Clinging to his arm with a wide smile is Stephanie The paparazzi beceven more aggressive with their picture, no doubt wondering why he showed up with his ex to the event instead of his wife. This was Ryan making it known to the world that all is not well between us, that our marriage is about to crumble. His silent announcement wasn't what scaredor broke my heart, rather it was the way he stared at Stephanie as she posed for pictures, the way he helped her with her dress, and the way he smiled widely when she whispered something in his ear. I watched my husband through the screen behave in a manner I have always yearned for, only that it wasn't directed towardsbut to his ex-girlfriend. He is looking at her like a man in love and he isn't even bothering to hide it. How much more humiliation do I need to understand the fact that I have lost my husband to her? How much more heartbreak must I endure? He claims that Stephanie isn't the reason for our crumbled marriage, but he is either lying toor himself. Stephanie Waper is the reason my marriage is coming to an end.

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