Chapter 7
Elijah
Anger doesn't even begin to cover what I’m feeling. How dare she tell Willow she needs a job right now—or else she's out on the street? I thought Rose had already hit rock bottom, but apparently, she can sink even lower, and she chooses to do it to her own daughter.
Willow is grieving. Not just any grief—she's carrying the weight of losing her father, the biggest loss she will ever face.
Watching her today, seeing her do something she used to do with him, catching those tiny, fleeting smiles when I let her help, or when we talked about my family…
It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at once.
I've let her isolate herself, thinking she needs space, but it's obvious that being alone isn't what she needs. She needs people who care, people who will be there, and I’m not letting her forget that.
I’m probably the last person she would want to talk to, and that's fine. I can live with that. However, today she looked at me with something other than hatred—just for a second, but it was enough.
I like watching the fire in her eyes when she snaps at me, the way her thoughts tumble out of her like she can't hold them back, the soft flush creeping over her pale cheeks when she realises she's embarrassed herself after a compliment.
I can't stop noticing. Every little thing hits me in ways I didn't expect, and I don't know what to do with these thoughts.
River is staying at a friend's house tonight, which is a good thing because his mum is due home, and I don't want him here when I rip her a new one and hand her the divorce papers.
I’m sitting on the couch, the lights off and just the glow of the TV shining in the room.
I’m on my second bottle of beer, tapping it as I switch through channels until I finally hear the front door shut.
The anxiety about the impending storm that is Rose is coming off me in waves, and even though there is a flutter of excitement that I will be free, I know she won't take this lightly.
I know she doesn't love me, but loves the lifestyle I provide, which is why she will hold on as tight as she can and drag this out for as long as possible.
Once again, I am wondering what I ever saw in her.
I hear the front door open and then slam shut with an echoing thud, and a sheen of sweat breaks out.
She's home.
Within seconds, she appears in the doorway, dressed up like always, with too much makeup and hair scraped back. For someone who has just been on a spa break, she doesn't look like it.
“Hi, baby, did you miss me?” she asks sweetly, walking over to me with a smile that I just want to wipe off her face.
God, I must have been blind all these years because I can't remember why I ever loved this woman. Why did I ruin my friendship with Leon for her?
“I missed you.” She plants her manicured hand on the arm of the couch and leans in for a kiss. I move the bottle to my lips and take mouthfuls of my drink, looking right at her as her eyes narrow with annoyance, and she purses her lips.
“Well, that was rude.”
I shove the empty bottle into her hand. “Do you know what was rude? You vanish for two weeks just as Willow comes to live with us.”
She blinks, clearly not expecting that. “She’s a big girl, Elijah. She can take care of herself.”
I grip the armrest. “You didn't even congratulate our son after his game.”
She steps back with a scoff. “He knows I’m proud of him.”
I rise slowly until I’m towering over her. “And what about telling Willow she'd be out on the streets if she didn't get a job?”
"She really needs to find a job. Since she moved in, I've heard that all she's been doing is getting drunk and sleeping with random men. It reflects poorly on me, and I can't have that."
Unfuckingbelievable.
“Do you hear yourself? She just lost her father, and all you care about is how her grief inconveniences you.”
“It affects us as a family—”
“Oh, you care about your family now?” I cut in, pinching the bridge of my nose. “You didn't give a shit about family when I caught you with the postman's cock in your mouth. Or when those two lads were using you like the whore you are.”
Slap.
My head snaps to the side, but I laugh when I look back at her.
“I am your wife,” she says tightly. “You don't speak to me like that.”
“Not for much longer.”
I turn, yank open the drawer, and grab the papers. I take the bottle from her hand and replace it with the divorce forms.
“We. Are. Done.”
Her eyes skim the page, then harden. “You're divorcing me?”
“Are you really surprised?” I cross my arms. “I won't throw you out because you're Rivers' mum, but I want you out.”
She rips the papers in half, screaming like a child who just lost her favourite toy.
“You’re not divorcing me. This is my house too.”
I glance at the torn pages, then back at her. “I’ll print more.”
“I won't sign them.”
“You will, so don't test me.”
She jabs a finger at my chest. “I refuse.”
I step into her space, voice deadly calm. “You've got a week. Then I will take you to court. And trust me—no judge is siding with you.”
Rose shoves me. “You'll regret this.”
I lean down. “The only thing I regret is thinking you were worth losing the best friend I ever had for.”
The sex was absolute shit on her part, too.
Her face reddened. “You didn't care when he left with Willow, so why pretend now?”
“I’ve always cared.” I snap angrily. “She was a child. And you didn't give two shits. She deserves better. So does River.”
I watch as she stomps her foot. “You wonder why I cheated? You haven't touched me in forever. Always working. I've tried on multiple occasions with you, but you can't even get it up anymore.”
This again.
In all honesty, I couldn't stand the thought of being anywhere near her, and I know for a fact my dick would shrivel up like a prune if I even tried.
“I can get it up just fine. You just don't do it for me anymore.”
I give her one last look before I make my way toward the door. “You're sleeping on the couch,” I grunt, looking over my shoulder. “I’ll bring the divorce papers back tomorrow.”
I don't wait for a response.
The moment I step away to head to bed, it's like something loosens inside me—an ache I've carried for years finally easing. Leaving her feels like breathing properly for the first time in a long while. My marriage is over.
Done.
Thank fuck.
I’m not stupid enough to think this will be easy. Rose never lets go without a fight.
She can spit venom at me. She can threaten, manipulate, play whatever game she thinks will scare me into backing down. I can handle all of that.
But if he so much as thinks about hurting Willow—if she even adds even one more crack to a woman who's already holding herself together with sheer will—then there won't be a court, a god, or a damn thing in this world that will stop me from ruining her.