I packed a bag, printed divorce papers, and went to the hospital. Felix lay on his side, holding Clara in his arms. Their smiles died when they saw me. I did not shout. I calmly placed the papers before her.
“Sign them.”
Her hands shook. Tears welled. “ Ethan…you want a divorce?”
Anger flared. “We’ve suffered ten years together. Is that nothing to you? Can’t you understand me?”
She tore the papers and flung the pieces at me. I watched as she sobbed and curled into Felix’s embrace.
Without warning, Felix lunged and struck me hard. Pain exploded across my face. He straddled me, pulled my hair, and rained blows. Blood filled my mouth. Everything spun.
In pain I grabbed a stool and hit him. He cried out and fell. I scrambled up and kicked him. A lunchbox smashed into my head. Dizziness blurred everything.
Clara’s voice cut through: “ Ethan, how could you? You hit Felix with a chair!” She rushed to him, cradled his head, and left for the clinic with him, not looking back.
I lay on the floor, aching and numb, staring at the ceiling as our lives scattered like torn paper.