Chapter 39: I still want a divorce
Mara’s anger was still there, simmering beneath the surface, but it was mixed with something else now something softer, something she didn’t want to acknowledge. She hated that he could still make her feel this way, that even after everything, a part of her still cared.
Ethan stirred, his eyes fluttering open. When he saw her standing there, he straightened up quickly, wincing as his stiff muscles protested. "Mara," he said, his voice rough from sleep. "I... I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I just wanted to be close. In case you needed me."
Mara crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "I don’t need you, Ethan. I told you to leave."
"I know," he said, his voice quiet. "But I couldn’t. I can’t just walk away, Mara. Not from you. Not from us."
Mara looked away, her jaw tightening. "There is no ’us’ anymore, Ethan. You made sure of that."
Ethan stood slowly, his movements careful, like he was afraid she’d bolt if he moved too fast. "I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. And I don’t expect you to forgive me. But I’m not giving up on us. I’ll wait. However long it takes."
Mara’s eyes flicked back to his, and for a moment, she saw the pain in them, it was raw and real. It mirrored her own, and it made her chest ache. But she couldn’t let herself soften. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
"You can wait all you want," she said, her voice cold. "But that doesn’t mean I’ll change my mind. I will send the divorce papers to your office, make sure you sign them,"
Ethan nodded, his shoulders slumping. "I know. But I have to try. You’re worth it, Mara. You always have been." completely ignoring the divorce part.
Mara didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her throat felt tight, her emotions tangled in a way she couldn’t unravel. Instead, she turned and walked away, leaving Ethan standing there, watching her go.
Mara retreated to the bedroom, she closed the door softly behind her, leaning against it for a moment. Her heart was racing, her mind a spinning of anger, pain, and something else she couldn’t name. She wanted to hate him. She did hate him. But hate wasn’t the only thing she felt, and that was the hardest part.