Chapter 2 Chaos

The situation is in chaos. Claire, looking pale, slowly stood up. Blood still visible on her head and slowly dripping down her cheek. Alex frowned in confusion as he stared at Claire in a calm state. He took a step back and shielded Lisa away from Claire sight incase she pull any dangerous stunt. “What did you say earlier?” said Alex making sure he heard her right. Claire clicked her tongue in annoyance and crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you deaf or something? I want a divorce.” Claire said firmly. Alex body stiffened for a second as if he cannot believe his ears. Earlier Claire begged him to not divorce her but now is the opposite. Claire calm and cool demeanor freaked Alex out, but he tried to remain calm. “Are you toying with me? Is this one of your tricks?” Claire exhaled harshly and wipe the blood on her cheek with the back of her hand. “Listen, Harris, I am not playing with you.” Claire took a step forward. “Instead, I am dead serious.” Anger are evident in Alex eyes as he stared at her. For a moment, he search Claire’s face to find out if she is telling the truth or just lying. “Fine, I will get the paper.” Alex exit the kitchen to proceed to bring the divorce paper. Claire raised her brows at Lisa, her now ex best friend. “What?” Claire said coldly, Lisa was about to respond but think otherwise. Claire made her way to the living room so casually as if she owns the place. She plopped down the expensive custom couch while her eyes capturing every detail. “You know, I have never admire the true beauty of this penthouse. No wonder he brought you here.” said Claire with such ease. A paper are being thrown on the coffee table. “Sign it.” Claire doesn’t waste time as she grab the paper and took her time reading it. “Are you reading? You are the one asking for a divorce and yet here you are taking your sweet time reading instead of signing it. You are such a witch.” Claire throw the paper with a loud snapped on the coffee table. A look of annoyed etched on her face as she stared at Alex from across her seat. “That divorce paper…is bullshit. Everything that you wrote there doesn’t give me any benefit. Who do you think suffer the most in this marriage, huh? Three fucking years…I endured living with you. Trying to maintain this stupid marriage even God knows is not worth saving.” Alex chuckled sarcastically. “I knew it. This is one of your tricks. What are you plotting, huh?” “I’m not plotting anything.” Claire said innocently as she lean back to the soft cushion of the sofa. “I am only asking for my part.” “Which is?” “I want £100,000.00.” Alex jumped out of the couch as soon as he hear it. “Are you fucking crazy? Do you know how much money that is?” “Yeah, I am aware. After all I married the most wealthy man in London.” Claire shoot him a smile that makes Alex more annoyed. He shook his head in disagreement. “No, I will not comply to your request.” “Okay, if it is too much for you…” Claire tiled her head to the side pretending to think even though she already has it in mind. “How about, your mansion and a 30% of your company stock?” “30%?! Are you trying to take over my company?” Claire rolled her eyes then sighed. “Fine 20% and the mansion. Take it or leave it.” “You are such a gold digger. You marry me because you want money. You never want the marriage life anyway.” “Tomato tomatoes…does it matter? That is my request. No negotiations. The choice is in your hand now. If you don’t want to take it…then you will stuck with me forever.” A malicious smile grazing Claire’s lip. Alex is fuming in anger, but he has no choice if he wants to get divorce. “I can’t believe my grandfather told me to marry you. You are only in it for the money.” Alex pulled his phone and dialed his lawyer. “Like you care about it.” Claire rolled her eyes. “Nick, I want you to print out a new divorce paper with these new requirements.” Alex listed Claire request exactly as she said. “Deliver to my loft, right now.” Alex balled up his fist as he stared at Claire. He cannot digest Claire changed of behavior. She truly deserves an Oscar for her mind-blowing performance, he thought. “You know what’s funny, Alex?” “What?” Alex response, his void cold. “That I marry a guy like you.” Claire laughed at herself. “I cannot believe myself. How dense was I? I mean you…are clearly not worth it.” her eyes fixed on Alex with a mixture of disbelief and disdain. Alex's jaw clenched; his irritation evident in the way his eyes narrowed. He looked ready to lash out, but Lisa, standing beside Claire, placed a calming hand on his shoulder, silently warning him to keep his composure. Before the tension could escalate further, the doorbell rang, interrupting the charged atmosphere. Lisa hurried to answer it, welcoming Nick, Alex's lawyer, into the room. Nick's eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. Claire's forehead was still marked with dried blood, but she seemed unfazed by it. He hesitated to ask about her condition, sensing the tension in the room. With a gulp, Nick approached Mr. Harris and handed him the divorce papers. Nick felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. Mr. Harris snatched them from Nick's hand. Alex hastily signed the papers and flung them onto Claire's lap. Claire took the papers and scanned the documents carefully. “What you have second thoughts now? I knew it. You are doing this for attention. How low can you get, huh?” Claire shoot him a glared. “I need to make sure you're not trying to pull anything dirty,” she said, her voice firm. Alex scoffed, his tone dripping with contempt. “Like you have any right to doubt me after everything you've done,” he retorted bitterly. Claire's eyes flashed with anger as she met his gaze head-on. “You are the one who cheated, Alex. Don't try to twist this around on me,” she shot back, her voice laced with venom. Lisa stepped in, her voice calm but firm. "Let's keep this civil, shall we?" she interjected. “Oh look, the husband stealer has talk.” Claire uttered sarcastically with a smile on her face. Nick shifted uncomfortably, feeling like a bystander caught in the middle of a storm. “We just need both of your signatures to finalize the divorce,” he reminded them, his tone professional. Claire nodded and signed the paper, her resolve hardening. "I'm done with this marriage," she declared. She stood up, plastering a fake smile. “Send me the copy of the paper will you, Nick? Oh, and Lisa, I wish you both happy…in hell.” Claire smirk and turned on her heels to leave the apartment. “Don’t bother coming back to take your stuff, Alex, I will gladly burn it for you.”