Q3
62%
Laverne stood by Ayden’s side, her eyes brimming with tears, looking as if she’d been wronged
“Patricia, why couldn’t you spare Ayden some dignity in front of the police?”
Ayden glared at me, his voice dark. “Patricia, you can act out all you want at home, but don’t make a scene in public. If you keep this up, I won’t hold back anymore.”
I slammed the car door and walked over to the police officer, insisting on filing a report. This time, I wasn’t letting it go.
I had quit my job for Ayden’s sake.
He’d not only blamed me for neglecting the household, but he’d even given Laverne the data from my project for her thesis.
That data leak had nearly gotten me arrested as a corporate spy.
At that time, Ayden had been too busy seeing Laverne off abroad to care, leaving me to spend the night in a detention cell.
He’d done nothing but blame me without reason.
“Laverne is my professor’s daughter from college. What’s wrong with me looking out for her? You need to know your place,” he had said.
I couldn’t understand why his so–called “gratitude” had to come at my expense.
Ayden and Laverne were taken to the station for statements while I went home to pack.
Standing at the gate, watching the passing cars, I suddenly felt lost.
Hayley arrived, storming in as if ready to drive straight to the police station if I hadn’t held her
back.
late.
I said nothing and collapsed into bed as soon as I got inside.
When I woke up, the sky was dark.
Hayley had sent a message saying she’d ordered dinner for me but would be home a bit
When the doorbell rang, I thought it was the delivery.
I opened the door, only to see Ayden standing there.
Before I could shut it, he thrust a bouquet of red roses into my arms, speaking in a pleading
tone.
“Patricia, I came to apologize. I didn’t expect Laverne to lose the necklace. Please don’t be mad anymore.”
“The police are checking the surveillance footage, and I’m sure we’ll get the necklace back. But because of the scene you caused this morning, Laverne’s position got revoked. She worked so hard for it, all for nothing now because of you.”
My hand froze, and I slammed the door shut.
The heavy door hit Ayden’s shin, and he let out a grunt, doubling over in pain.
1404
TIIU, 12 DEC
“Patricia, when did you become so unreasonable?”
To him, I was the one being unreasonable, the one making a scene.
The flowers dropped from my arms, scattering across the ground, and a card fell out.
On it, in Ayden’s familiar, casual script, were the words: [I hope my Laverne is always happy.]
It was signed with his name.
I felt sick.
“Ayden, I’ll have the divorce papers prepared and sent to you soon. We’re done.”
“What do you mean, done? We’re not ending this until we talk it out.”
He braced his arm against the door, his face dark with anger.
I knew it was the prelude to one of his fits, but before I could say anything, Laverne called him.
In an instant, his expression softened.
He turned away, his voice soothing and gentle. “Don’t cry. I’ll be there soon.”
Me turned away, his voice soothing and gentle. “Don’t cry. I’ll be there soon.”
