After Our Fall-out, I Dodged His Enticements

There we sat, across a vast table.

After seven years, we couldn't even muster the courtesy you'd give a stranger.

"If you have no objections, just sign."

Ryan barely glanced at the divorce papers before tossing them aside.

"Hannah, I don't want a divorce."

"You have a child with her! And you say you don't want a divorce? What do you see me as, Ryan?"

"Am I just your loyal maid?"

"Or just an easy mark?"

Ryan's expression tightened. "Don't talk about yourself like that, Hannah. I don't see you that way."

The tears I'd been holding back finally broke free, streaming down my face. "Is it really just about what you say now?"

"Ryan, you've already made your choice!"

He looked down, voice catching, "I'm sorry."

"But believe me, Hannah, I never planned to divorce you. The kid was just a slip."

I wiped my face, each word heavy and deliberate, "Okay, no divorce. But how do we go on from here?"

"Do you expect me to watch you three play house every day?"

"Did you forget we had a child too? You might forget him, but I can't!"

I lost it, screaming at Ryan, grabbing a glass from the table, and hurling it at him.

Ryan didn't move to dodge; instead, he stepped forward and pulled me into his arms. "Hannah, I haven't forgotten. Let me sort this out. I'll send them away, okay? We won't divorce."

I fought against him, kicking and struggling until I was spent. Just before I blacked out, I made it clear, "We're getting a divorce."