Chapter 47 Signing the Divorce Papers
Standing before Eliana, he handed her the papers, his voice ice–cold. He said: “Look them over and let me know if you want any changes.” Eliana slowly looked up, her eyes landing on the document in his hands. The words “Divorce Agreement” stabbed at her heart. Her red–rimmed eyes filled with tears. Her throat tightened, and her chest felt like she’d swallowed poison, slowly eating away at her heart until she could barely breathe.
So, his words at the hotel – promising never to let her go if she stayed were lies. Just empty comfort. He’d had these papers ready, just waiting for her signature. Meeting his gaze, she asked hoarsely, “Had you these divorce papers ready all along?”
Maybe Chloe was right – she meant nothing to Samuel, just a tool to ease his loneliness
Seeing how pale she looked, Samuel sat beside her and said quietly: “I know this isn’t fair to you. Check the settlement terms – I can add more if you’re not satisfied”
Without even glancing at the agreement, Eliana looked at him with desperate, red eyes; “Samuel, did you ever love me? Even once?”
Samuel’s face remained expressionless, his lips tight. He turned to her, his heart heavy and said, “What’s the point of discussing that now?”
‘He was right,‘ she thought bitterly. What good would talking about love do now? He wanted to divorce her so he could marry someone else. And she, Eliana, was just a patsy. How could she ever think she’d given birth to his child? Eliana, how did you fail so completely? A good marriage, a man you loved deeply – all slipping away. How would she live after this?
Tears in her eyes, she grabbed a pen from the coffee table and, fighting her emotional breakdown, opened the agreement to sign. Seeing her ignore the contents, Samuel blocked her hand: “Won’t you read it first?”
Eliana shook her head, “You’ve given me more than enough. I don’t deserve anything else from you. I’ll sign and you’ll never see me again.”
She moved his hand aside, ready to sign.
out-
Just then, there was a commotion at the front door. “Sam! Sam, open up!” It was Emma’s voice. Samuel suddenly snatched away the unsigned papers and pen, and stood quickly. “Emma’s here,” he said, “Go greet her- we’ll finish this later with a fresh copy.”
But Eliana was insistent, she said, “Let me sign now so we can get the divorce certificate. Then you and Chloe can be together openly.”
Samuel snapped back at her, “I said greet Emma first. Go-” he said, “Open the door.” Then he rushed upstairs with the
papers.
Watching him go, somehow the pain in her chest eased slightly. Was it because Samuel stopped her from signing? Or because deep down, she didn’t want to leave him? ‘But Eliana,” she thought, if not now, you’ll have to leave eventually.” Samuel made it clear – he wants to marry Chloe, no matter what. Divorce, it seemed, was inevitable.
Outside, her little aunt’s clear voice rang out angrily, “Sam,” Emma said, “I know you’re home! Open up, or I’ll get really mad!” Snapping back to reality, Eliana hurried to open the door. She hadn’t expected to see Michael with Emma. As she opened the ornate iron gate, Eliana felt awkward, unsure how to greet them. Seeing Eliana, Emma demanded huffily, “Where’s Samuel? He’s home, right? Just wait till I get my hands on him!” With that, she stormed toward the front door.
Michael remained standing before Eliana, his handsome face missing its usual sunny smile, replaced with concern for her. “Are you… okay?” he asked, kindly.
Only then did Eliana remember sho’d been crying. She avoided his gaze: “I’m fine. Are you coming in or leaving?” she said. Because Michael had pursued her before, Eliana couldn’t even look at him, afraid of revealing their past connection.
“I’m just Emma’s ride,” he said. “She seems hell–bent on giving Mr. Nelson a piece of her mind. I’ll take her home after she’s done.” Though truthfully, he wanted to see how the girl who had rejected him and avoided his affection was living in her marriage to Samuel
*Please, come in then,” Eliana said. Though she had always avoided Michael at school, given the fact that he was right here at her door, she couldn’t very well turn him away. Michael gave her a smile and strode into the villa. Eliana could only hope Samuel wouldn’t notice anything unusual about her relationship with Michael.
