Chapter 7
Clara
I went before daybreak.
It was not a fear of Alexander.
I was scared I'd change my mind if I stayed 'til morning.
The lake house was quiet as I lugged Noah’s bag down the stairs. Every step felt like a betrayal of the life I’d spent six years building.
Our lives.
Wedding.
His kin.
The gorgeous house I had once thought of as a home.
I paused at the front door and looked back.
For one bloody foolish second I thought Alexander was behind me.
Maybe he would mention my name.
Perhaps he would finally say the words I had waited six years to hear.
Don't leave.
I need you here.
I love you.
Nope.
Silence answered him in response.
I twisted the handle.
And he departed.
I buckled Noah into the back seat; he was still half asleep.
Mommy?" "Yeah, baby?" "Where are we going?" "Somewhere peaceful.
He rubbed his eyes. "Is Daddy coming?"
My hands clenched the driving wheel. "None.
He was silent for a few seconds. ""Is Daddy angry?
I swallowed the lump in my throat. No, baby. Daddy's likely pretty confused."
It was the best I could say.
I was confused too because.
How could a man sleep next to you for six years and make you feel so alone?
How could he sit across the dinner table from you and say nothing while your whole heart was breaking?
How did I mistake provision for love?
I drove until the sun came up.
By the time we got to the temporary flat my lawyer had booked, Noah was asleep again.
I brought him in.
Then I went back to the car.
I opened the trunk.
My suitcase was there.
So was the jewellery box, too.
I stared at it for a long moment.
Alexander had given me the necklace for our third anniversary.
The earrings for my birthday.
The bracelet after Noah was born.
Expensive things.
Beautiful things.
Things I'd once treasured because I believed they meant anything.
I took up the jewellery box.
Then I closed the trunk. "No."
I wasn't taking them.
Not one piece.
I didn't want anything that could make me feel purchased.
I took my wedding ring off next.
It landed in the jewellery box with a small metallic click.
The sound nearly broke me.
I carried the package back into the apartment and left it on the counter.
Then I remained alongside Noah until he woke.
Two hours later, someone hammered on the door.
I already knew who it was.
Alexander,
Certainly.
Before I could answer, the door opened.
His face was rigid.
His outfit was creased.
His hair was a mess.
He looked like a man who had gotten no sleep.
I didn't care this time. 'Where is my son?'
I stood in front of him and the hall behind him. He is sleeping. "I want to see him. You can do it.
His expression changed.
He thought there might be a battle.
So I stepped aside instead.
Alexander entered the flat.
He found Noah asleep on the couch, one tiny hand wrapped around his favourite toy dinosaur.
Something softened on Alexander's face.
He sank alongside him. "Noah."
Our son moved out. “Daddy?”" I am here.
Noah opened his eyes and a smile crept across his face.
That smile was hurting more than ever.
Because Alexander had earned it.
Noah needed a father who delivered.
And I deserved a husband who had once looked at me with that same warmth.
Alexander picked him up. Did Mommy say we were going home?"
I answered before Noah could. No.
Alexander looked at me. “Clara. "No."
His jaw clenched. "You can't take my son away from me." I'm not. "Then what is the point?" "It's me leaving our marriage."
He stared at me. "You can't just decide that." "I already did." "Because of what you heard?"
I had one laugh.
It wasn't a joke. "Because of your statement." I didn't mean "Stop it.
He stopped.
Years passed and I was still waiting for Alexander Vale to finish a sentence about his sentiments.
Now I didn't want to hear another one.
"He moved forward." “Clara, you don’t know what’s going on.”" Then you should have told me that. "I was going to." "“When?”
His lips parted.
No issuance.
Precisely.
I nodded. That was what I thought.
He glared at Noah.
And then back to me. '"You love me."
The words smacked me like a slap. ""I did." "I did.
His face shifted.
I saw the hurt.
Actual pain.
And for one awful second my heart failed me.
I wanted to go to him.
I wanted to trust him.
But then I thought about standing there in that hall.
I remembered his words.
Responsible choice.
Pregnant.
That's all.
I stepped backward. "Take Noah for the afternoon. Bring him back tonight."
Alexander stared at me. "You're serious." "I've never been more serious about anything."
He carried Noah toward the door.
Then stopped. "Where will you be?" "Here." "How long?" "Until the divorce is official."
He turned slowly. "The what?"
I retained his gaze. "The divorce."
For the first time since I'd known Alexander Vale, the billionaire appeared absolutely helpless. "You're divorcing me?" "Yes." "Clara." "No."
I opened the door.
He waited there for several seconds, as if waiting for me to alter my mind.
I didn't.
Finally, he walked away with our son.
I closed the door.
Then I fell down against it. I covered my face.
I was crying.
It wasn't that I was sorry to leave.
Because I now understood how much I’d put up with to keep a marriage going.
An hour later I sat opposite my lawyer.
The divorce papers lay scattered on the table. ‘You sure?’ she said. "Yes." "Alexander has a huge net worth. “You’re entitled to a substantial part of the marital assets.”
I shook my head. ““We’ll figure out a fair settlement then." No.
She blinked. “Clara, you don’t have to punish yourself to prove you’re self-sufficient.” No, I am not.
I looked at the papers.
For six years, I’ve been told how lucky I am.
And I’m lucky to be Mrs Alexander Vale.
Lucky to be living in his mansion.
So lucky to be wearing his jewellery.
Lucky to be in his world.
No one ever asked me if I was content.
I grabbed the pen.
My hand did not tremble. “I don’t want his half money.
My lawyer was eyeing me closely. "What do you want?
I spelt out my name.
Then I looked up. ““I just want to be free.”
For the first time in six years, those words seemed like anything but a fantasy.
They sounded like a resolution.