Starting Over After My Husband's Lies

RACHEL:

Austin stared at me like I had just shattered something between us. And for the first time, he didn't look as smug as he always us. Instead, all I could see was something in between regret and desperation.

He was trying to be careful not to reveal too much but I was seeing beneath the mask. The storm was brewing in him already.

"You're really going to marry him? You're going to just end everything between us like that?" His voice was lower than usual.

"This isn't just ending now. You already put a pen to it yourself. The papers were signed weeks ago and the only thing left is to finalize it. Trust me when I say it's just a matter of time."

I refused to let my resolve waver. He was going to feel just how much I wanted out of this. And I don't care if he was having second thoughts about it. It was already too late and I wasn't going to comply to anything.

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his attitude. "I thought..." He began to say but cut himself short. "I thought you just needed time to think things through."

"Time?" I spat out in rage. "You had time, Austin. Time to prove that I meant something to you. But what did you do? You spent it with her. You forgot I was supposed to be your wife and instead decided to treat me like a stranger. This isn't a negotiation. We're done."

Silence suffocated us as soon as I let out my feelings. God knows how long I've been bottling that up. I had more than that to say but that was the only thing I decided to just let out for now.

"So there's really nothing we can do about this?" he asked, his voice calmer now.

"Nothing. I'm engaged already so there's really no point trying."

"Where will you stay? Surely you can't keep living here." There was concern laced in his voice as he looked around at the apartment. I could tell that he wasn't okay with the place but what was his business?

"Don't worry about it. Daniel has it all sorted out," I said.

The mention of Daniel must have affected him because his expression changed. "Of course, he does."

I refused to engage in another argument about Daniel. I wonder why Austin thought he had the right to care about my choices or what I did. He was not even supposed to find here in the first place.

"I hope you and Chloe find the happiness you couldn't find in me," I said, forcing neutrality into my tone. I wanted this to be over so I could head in and find the rest I needed.

He didn't look too pleased by the mention of that. But before be could respond, someone else did.

"Oh, we will be."

It was a familiar voice. And when I turned around, I saw Chloe just behind me. She had the usual smug smile plastered on her face and she looked like she had triumphed in a battle.

"Why is she here?" I directed the question to Austin who didn't even know how to answer. "Why are the both of you even here?"

Chloe went to Austin's side and placed a hand oj his arm. She was doing her routine of staking her claim but it wasn't even a battle for me.

"I'm glad you're finally accepting reality, Rachel. Austin and I are meant to be and that's how it's going to be."

I didn't flinch when I met her gaze. "If I didn't accept reality, I wouldn't have handed him those divorce papers."

"Good. Then you won't mind that I would be moving into the villa with Austin."

Austin immediately stiffened beside her as if she just revealed too much information. "Chloe—" he tried calling her name but she continued to speak.

"I already talked to the staff," she continued. "They are preparing everything and maybe by next week, I should be well settled in."

I really had no idea why she was sharing such details with me. Was I supposed to care? Was I supposed to worry? I really couldn't tell why she was doing that.

"You certainly wasted no time," I simply said.

Chloe shrugged. "Why should I? You wanted out and the only thing that has to happen next is that we move forward. It's just that simple."

"And I wish you two the best," I said. "Now if you would excuse me... I have to get inside. You are both in my way."

They paved the way for me to get in and I walked in between them to get to my front door. I unlocked the door and just before entering, I turned around to face them one last time.

"Do me a favor, you two. Don't ever come back here."