“Husbands and wives should try to understand each other. Your husband is worried about you.”
Worried. The word echoed in my mind like a cruel joke. He wasn’t worried about me; he was worried about breaking his word. For Brian, promises were everything. I would never be more than that—a duty to fulfill.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I pulled away from his arms, forcing myself to ignore the warmth I had once longed for.
“Brian, I want a divorce. Let’s end this—today.”
My voice cracked, but my gaze was steady, unyielding.
His expression darkened with something I couldn’t place—fear, perhaps? He stepped forward, reaching for my hand.
“Elise, wait. Let me explain—”
I cut him off, retreating further.
“There’s nothing left to explain. I just want a divorce.”
The silence between us stretched unbearably, interrupted only when the lawyer arrived with the divorce papers. I watched Brian’s face as he read through them. His jaw clenched and for the second time in my life, I saw his eyes fill with unrestrained emotion. The first time was when my father died.
“Elise,” he said, his voice rough, “you’ve already decided you don’t want me. But this isn’t up to you alone. I won’t agree to a divorce.”