Chapter 6: You can’t live without me.

I walk over to my bag and continue with packing.

I feel Malachi’s glare. Every bit of it in all its righteous indignation and a thrum of pain surges in my heart. He puts the flowers down, embarrassment visible on his face. 

I briefly entertain the hope that he’s embarrassed because he’s finally come to his senses and realized his actions as a husband these past few years have been nothing to write home about.

Malachi shatters my expectations once again, “The flowers weren’t for you anyways, and where do you think you’re going?”

I chuckle bitterly to myself because it’s obvious he’d rather drown than admit to himself he hasn’t been perfect.

I place the jade necklace into my bag and reach under the pillow to pull out the papers I'd placed there this morning. A twinge of embarrassment courses through me because the better option would have been to drop it onto the bedside table. He’s always complained about how unprofessional it is to keep things under the pillow for him to find, and seeing as we are going to be nothing but professional after this I should have been the one to initiate it.

It’s fine though. I can hand him this myself

I turn to Malachi and hand Malachi the papers, “These are the divorce papers, and my letter of  resignation. I will no longer be working for you as your secretary, nor will I ever be.”

Malachi yanks the papers out of my grasp and holds them up in the air, “And when were you going to tell me all this? Was it after you were gone?”

Surprise seeps into me at the amount of anger in Malachi’s tone but I tell myself to ignore it. I  zip my bag, pick it up, place it onto the floor, and begin to make my way to the room doors.

Malachi’s grip is like a vise when he grabs my arm. I stare into his angry green orbs, hissing as I snap at him, “Malachi, stop that, you’re hurting me.”

My tone is brave and solid and Malachi lets go of me immediately. I glare at him and straighten the sleeve of my shirt. Malachi’s tone is tight when he speaks, “You’re really going to leave without informing grandfather?”

I want to scoff, but I know without the patriarch of the Finn family I wouldn't have ever been here. He didn’t want me to be that girl who had a one night stand with Malachi Finn. He saw a place for me, in this family, so he insisted I become a part of the family.

 My voice softens as I respond, “I’ll find some time to come see him myself. As for now, I'll be taking my leave.”

“You know it was a mistake right?” Malachi’s voice is taut with annoyance and I halt in my footsteps, curiosity making me stop as I look at him and ask, “What?”

Malachi responds like every word of explanation he gives strips something out of his soul, “The baby was a mistake. Skye and I were drunk that night, and it was just one night. You’re freaking out and acting up over a mistake.”

“Why haven’t you ever believed that the night we spent was a mistake too then?”

The silence that falls upon the room is thick enough to cut through and my heart pounds a furious beat in my chest as i try to keep my expressions under composure, I continue though my voice turns shaky, “Why have you never believed me when i told you i was probably drunk that night, and that i didn’t drug you and get into your bed? Why should i believe it was a mistake when you’ve never believed me for once and you’ve been treating Skye like a fucking princess!”

“Skye’s pregnant?”

Sienna’s voice reminds me of her presence in the room and probably Malachi too because his tone is chiding as he warns, “Don’t mum.”

Sienna goes on oblivious like she’s in a daze, the look on her face ecstatic and her expression rapturous, “Skye’s pregnant… for you, Malachi! Oh that’s such good news.

Skye Rogers of the prestigious Rogers family, pregnant for my son, Malachi. Skye will make a wonderful mother and daughter in law. Finally! Someone worthy to bear the Finn name. Not some gutter rat who’s been a pest upon our household ever since she’s come in here.”

My eyes well with tears and my throat tightens up.

Malachi warns his mum again, but never actually stops her, and Sienna goes on about how their child will be stunning. Skye has always been a great beauty and with Malachi’s handsome looks, their kids will be astounding.

I make my way to the door when Malachi’s voice comes again, taut with anger this time, “You can’t live without me, Antonia.

Stop this foolishness and come back at once.”

I chuckle as my chest tightens up. His mother is still ramblin in the background, and he’s not stopping her.

It’s time I realize I can never be where I'm not wanted.

My response is crisp and clear, “Trust me Malachi, I'll manage.”

I leave the room amidst Sienna’s taunts and jeers and Malachi stands there, rigid in the middle of it as he yells that I'll never be able to live a good life without him.

I tell myself I don't care anymore. I’ll never go back. 

Everything will go alright.