Chapter 1 Divorce

As Claire approach the apartment door, she can’t help but feel the butterfly in her stomach. She feels so excited and giddy. For the whole day she spent her time preparing a surprise for Alex for their 3rd year wedding anniversary. She hold the flower dearly in her arms and gazed at the food nestled in the bag, a smile lighting up her face. It was Alex's favorite dish, and she had poured her heart into making it. Cooking wasn't her forte, but she was determined to get it right for him. Claire punched in the password of the apartment door and let herself in. She stood frozen in spot as she spotted a woman’s blouse laying on the floor. She started to feel unease, but she still managed to keep calm until she saw a woman’s bra on the couch. Panic gripped her, and she hurried to the kitchen and spotted Alex. “What’s going on, Alex?” she demanded, her voice trembling. Alex glanced at her casually as he poured the whiskey into his glass. “Claire, you are here. Good timing. We need to talk.” She hesitated before answering. “About what?” “We are getting a divorce.” Alex statement hit Claire like ton of bricks. Her heart pounded in her chest, and it felt like the room was getting smaller by the minute. “W-what are you talking about?” she choked out, her voice breaking. “You heard me. We are getting a divorce. I have printed you the divorce paper. I need you to sign it as soon as possible.” “What if I don’t want to.” Alex stared at her coldly. “Don’t make this harder than it looks. I have enough of this stupid marriage.” Tears welled up in Claire’s eyes. “Babe…where are you? Come back to bed, please.” A soft familiar voice chime in their conversation and at that moment Claire’s world shattered. “I’m in the kitchen, honey.” Claire turned on her heels. All the air has been knock out of her lungs as she come face to face with the woman. “You?” said Claire in disbelief. “C-Claire?” She stood still frozen in place as her mouth gapped open. “How could you?” “I-” Emily's anger boiled over. “I trusted you. I have done so much for you, and this is how you repay me? By stealing my husband?” “Claire, I can explain,” Lisa approached her as she tried to take ahold of Claire’s hand, but Claire pushed her away harshly. “Don’t you dare hurt her.” Alex said as he stood nest to Lisa with his arms circling her waist. Claire could not believe her eyes. It felt unreal to her but at the same time it was real. “This is where you have been? You are sleeping with her on our anniversary? I-I can’t believe this. You told me you were busy with business and yet here you are. Why? Why are you doing this?” Tears streamed down Claire’s face as she struggled to comprehend his betrayal. Claire shook her head furiously. “No! No! This cannot be happening! Tell me this is a prank, tell me!” Claire said as she shook Lisa shoulder. Alex pushed her away from Lisa and shooting her a glared. “You guys are messing with me, right? This is your punishment cause I broke your favorite mug, right Alex?” “You are crazy. Did you not hear what I said earlier? We are getting a divorce, Claire.” “Please don’t. I will do anything you want, Alex. I will be the obedient wife. I-I-I’m willing to everything you want. Just please don’t divorce me. Give me one more chance.” Alex stared at her in disgust as if he can’t believe himself for marrying a woman like Claire. “Look at you…so pathetic and so desperate. You are willing to do anything for this lifeless marriage.” “Because I love you! I don’t understand why you want to have a divorce? I-I never do any mistake.” The tears on her face kept falling like a waterfall. Claire still couldn’t believe her ear. Alex scoffed. “Marrying you is the mistake.” Claire felt like her heart had been stabbed by a thousand knives. It hurt her. “Then why did you marry me in the first place?” “I marry you because of my grandfather. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t even touch you to begin with. Tell me Claire? What did you do to him to make him like you, huh?” “I didn’t do anything!” “You are such a liar.” Claire was about to defend herself until Alex cut her off. “I don’t want to hear your sappy story. All I want is your signature tomorrow. If I don’t receive it before noon, you will regret it.” “Then what? What are you going to do after the divorce? Marry her?” Alex turned to Lisa. His harden gaze melted as soon as he turned to her. He looks at her with gentle eyes and soft smile. Claire can’t believe what she is seeing. “Yes, I am going to marry her.” Claire gritted her teeth in anger. Her eyes shifted to Lisa who stood there with her innocent looking eyes. It sicken Claire. Claire fists clenched at her sides, anger bubbling up inside her. “This is all your fault! You ruined my marriage. You are no best friend. In fact, you are nobody’s best friend.” “I-I’m sorry, Claire. It just happened.” “You’re not sorry. You’re just sorry you got caught.” She seethed. Claire's anger surged. She hurled a flower at Lisa's face, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I hate you; I hate you!” she screamed, her voice cracking with emotion. She flung everything within reach in a fit of rage. Chairs toppled; glasses shattered. The dining room transformed into a chaotic scene of destruction. “Claire! Are you out of your mind? Stop it!” said Alex who protect Lisa like a knight in shining armor. Alex tried to intervene, shouting at Claire to stop, but she ignored him completely. Grabbing the food she held, she flung it in Lisa's direction, the hot soup splattering over her legs as well as Claire’s hard work go to waste. "Ouch!" Lisa cried out. Alex to step in. "Stop it, Claire!" Alex yelled, trying to restrain her. "Why, Lisa?! Why are you doing this to me? I have always been nothing but nice to you!" Claire screamed. Alex grasped her hands tightly, but Claire struggled against his grip, desperate to lash out. "Let me go!" she yelled, but Alex's hold only tightened. In a sudden, harsh move, he pushed her, causing Claire to collide with the glass dining table with a loud thud. Lisa gasped at the scene, her own shock mirroring Claire's sudden change in demeanor. "Claire, are you okay?" she called out, concerned lacing her voice. For a moment, everything went silent. Food splattered across the floor, staining the pristine tiles. The air was tense. Claire's tears stopped, and an eerie calm washed over her. It was as if someone had flipped a switch, shutting off her emotions. Slowly, Claire lifted her head, blood trickling down her face, but her expression was eerily calm. She fixed her dead eyes on Alex and uttered just four words. "I want a divorce."