Chapter 9

*CORA* Even if I tried to look calm on the outside,I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that me and Tristan were now finally divorced. It was impossible for it not to hurt.I had loved him for years. Rubbing my chest,I felt the pain becoming more and more unbearable. I glanced back at Tristan who had his back to me and seemed to be making a call. He must be so happy right now. He can completely be with Phoebe again. Sighing,I made to leave but he stopped me. “Don’t announce our divorce yet for the meantime.”He said to me. I frowned at that. “Why?” “For my Grandmother’s sake.I do not know how to face her with the fact that we’ve gotten divorce me.” My face paled.”Still,she has to know.We’re divorced so everyone should know that.I do not want anyone that ever knows about us to still think we’re married.” “Seriously?What’s the big deal in just agreeing to this small request of mine.”He snapped. I glared at him.”Well,that request isn’t small anymore!I do not want to waste any more of my youth with you.” After saying that,I glanced bitterly at the divorce certificate in my hand. What was the point of not letting anyone know that I was no longer married? What was the point of still wearing this wedding ring? It was as if he was asking me to be both a chaste widow and his bitch. ****** *TRISTAN* My eyes narrowed at Cora.Although her face was pale, her skin was delicate and smooth.The corners of her eyes,which were slightly raised looked exceeding fascinating even without makeup. But her most enticing feature was the color of her amber eyes.I could distinctly remember the tenderness in those eyes when we first got married. I couldn’t deny the fact that she had an indescribable charm. At this moment,I couldn’t help but admit that she was much more beautiful than Phoebe,than any woman I’ve ever met before. And then I recalled how she really was deep down.I recalled that she was the opposite to good and my fist clenched. Even after all her lies,I still thought she’d at least have my grandmother’s feelings at heart but she still can’t do this! “Your youth?”I scoffed at her.”You were the one who did all you could to be with me.You were the one who pulled off every lie and deceit that you could to marry me!I never asked for this and now you’re calling it a waste?Did I ever ask you to waste anything on me?!” At that moment,my thoughts flooded with my memories of Phoebe. And how Cora had threatened her and made her break up with me! Why did I even have this stupid soft spot for Cora.She wasn’t worth it. *CORA* Did he seriously have to mock me for going out of my way? For trying by all means to marry him. I didn’t think I did anything too bad at that time except stooping so low as hiding my identity. He had no idea how much I loved him to mock me like this! I lowered my head,my thick and long lashes hiding the hurt and sadness that I felt. When I looked up at him again,I felt nothing but detachment. “My dear ex-husband,you’ve made your point clear and I believe that there’s nothing for us to talk about anymore.But as to regards of our divorce,I am not going to hide it.” “Fine!”He lashed out.”What do you want?I’m sure there’s something you must want.Tell me,I’ll give you anything so you don’t announce our divorce to the public.Why am I even stressing this?Do you seriously want to announce our divorce?Does your father even know you got married to me?Afterall,you made me believe that you came from nothing.Now,how would he feel if he knows that you denied him?!” I scoffed. Was he threatening me? He wanted to divorce me for the sake of Phoebe,but the pressure from the media and other factors did not allow him to reveal the news. And now,I wanted nothing more than to reveal that news. I didn’t care about how my father would feel about it. “You’re doing this all because of Phoebe,aren’t you?That woman left you and you let her back into your life just like that?It’s as if she’s playing with you.Why can’t you see that?Do you honestly think she loves you?” “Now you’re trying to paint Phoebe black as if you haven’t done enough!” “I am trying…” “Your lies and pretense would not work on me anymore and stop feigning ignorance as if you have no idea about why Phoebe left me in the first place?” “How am I supposed to know why she left you?I do not know but I am sure of one thing,she doesn’t love you!” Tristan’s face darkened and the blue veins on his forehead pulsated angrily. He clenched his fists walking closer to me. “Take that back.” I retreated step by step until my back was against the wall. By now,Tristan was merely inches away from me. “Why should I?Did I hit a nerve?Or have you truly become so blind?You claim to know people so well.You claim to know all about me,yet,you’re letting Phoebe manipulate you!”