7. Not your effin' business.

“Stop it!” I yelled at the top of my lungs.

I tried to get in between the brawl but Zayn managed to pull me away from the fighting men.

“They’ll stop when they’re exhausted,” Zayn stated, wincing as he watched his best friend beating my brother like a punching bag.

“Edmund!! Stop it!” I shouted again.

Panic rose to my throat when I caught a glimpse of Raven’s bleeding nose. He may have been an athlete and had a fair share of fistfights with his fellow players back in the day, but he was not a trained fighter.

Edmund, on the other hand, was a black belt holder in both karate and taekwondo. He even boxed whenever he had the spare time. Undoubtedly, he could easily beat my brother to death if he were to get serious.

“He’s drunk. Nobody can stop him,” Zayn mumbled, heaving a deep sigh. “Don’t worry, he’s not going to murder your man.”

My face contorted into a deep scowl. I jerked away from Zayn and ran closer to the fighting duo. Never in my whole life had I imagined that I would have to face this kind of childish behavior from Raven, let alone Edmund, who was always in control of his emotions and temper.

In all the years I have known my ex-husband, this was the first time I had seen him lose his bearings. He might have had a sharp tongue, but he never engaged in fistfights to uphold his reputation and pride. There was something different to the vibe he was giving off when he threw those bottles, as if he had gone to hell and back.

“I’m going to jump in the river if you don’t stop!” I screamed angrily, feeling even more childish for having pulled that lame threat.

To my surprise, they froze and focused their attention on me. My mouth twitched at the sight of their faces—bleeding noses, swollen cheeks, black eyes, and broken lips—they had it all.

I hiccupped. It wasn’t until I tasted my tears that I realized I was crying. I wasn’t even sure if it was because of panic, frustration, or the fact that both men I hold deeply in my heart were fighting like hooligans.

“Please, stop,” I pleaded in almost a whisper, my voice trembling as I fell to the ground. Sobbing pitifully, I hugged my knees and buried my face against my thigh.

“Shit,” Edmund cursed.

“M-Maggie...”

My shoulders shuddered and I couldn’t stop my tears no matter how much I tried. I felt pathetic. It wasn’t that long ago when I swore I would never cry in front of Edmund ever again. 

Yet here I am, clenching my chest at the burst of tormenting pain gnawing my insides as I wept helplessly.

His words hurt, but his stares still made me breathless, and his touch still excited my senses. And as much as I hated to admit it, he was still here...

Etched. Engraved. Entwined.

I’ve betrayed myself again.

Completely.

And I hate it. I hate myself for feeling this vulnerable in front of a man who would never regard me the same way I did for him; that even if I plucked out my heart from my chest and offered it to him on a golden platter, he would never, ever look at me the way he looked at Violet.

“I’m sorry, I-I…”

“I didn’t mean to... Please don’t cry…”

I hissed when Raven and Edmund chorused again. I wish I could bump their heads together. Just a few moments ago, they were at each other’s throats, and now they’re apologizing like two clueless children.

Fuck. Were men really this simple-minded?

“Please, just get the fuck away from each other!” I snarled.

I rose to my full height, glaring at the duo while wiping away my tears. Raven scratched the back of his head in embarrassment while Edmund held my gaze expressionlessly.

Impatiently, I dragged Raven away from the arrogant prick to check on his wounds. When I was certain he did not have any serious injury, I furiously pressed my thumb on his busted lips, and he cried like a baby, shoving my hand away.

“Ouch! Ouch!! Maggie, that fucking hurts!”

“Then why did you even start a brawl without certainty of winning?” I scolded, crossing my arms over my chest. “You could have died if he took you seriously!”

Raven’s eyes dilated. He leaned in with his palm over his mouth, and whispered, “Really? He’s that good?”

I felt a headache coming on. Sighing exasperatedly, I pinched his side and whispered back, “He’s a black belter, you idiot. Breaking your neck would have been a piece of cake.”

“Ohh...” was all my brother could mumble, touching his intact neck. “You should have warned me. What will you do if I suddenly die?”

I facepalmed, ready to leave, but before I could take a single step, Edmund’s voice rang out once more.

“Tell me, Margaret. Is he the reason why you suddenly changed your mind about the divorce? This loser? Really?” he mocked, pointing at Raven, his voice laced with hostility.

Edmund ran his fingers through his hair while letting out a bone-chilling laugh. As our eyes met, I saw nothing but anger and confusion in those deep, dark orbs. If I didn’t know better, I might believe that he was furious to see me with another man—jealous even. But I dismissed the thought.

It was impossible.

“So? What is it to you?” I asked coldly.

He scoffed. “I just want to remind you that even if we’re divorced, you were once Mrs Grant. Your every move could affect Global Global’s image and, consequently, the reputation of the Grant family. What would people think if they learned that I was once married to a promiscuous woman like you?”

Unimpressed, I shrugged. “Just like you said, I am no longer your wife, and whatever I do, wherever I go, or with whom I am with doesn’t concern you. Mr Grant, you should look at yourself in the mirror. I doubt my actions will have a significant effect on your company. I’ve been nothing but honest in our marriage. And what of you?”

I paused, took a deep breath, and continued, “So, please… I’d very much appreciate it if could tell the public I’m no longer your wife. I don’t want to receive those sympathetic stares anymore. We’re over, and this title has become more of a burden than a privilege.”

Edmund’s face darkened. “What are you saying?”

“She meant that she never cheated on you like you did to her. So, get the fuck off her face. Understood?” Raven said sharply.

In one swift motion, my brother pulled me away, not giving Edmund another chance to speak. Raven’s steps were large and quick. It wasn't until he pushed me back into the passenger seat of his car, slamming the door shut, that I realized something was wrong.

Uh-oh. He’s furious.

Not wasting time, he started the car as soon as he settled behind the wheel. The entire ride back home was quiet, and I knew perfectly well that a silent Raven Delamar meant I was treading on thin ice.

My brother may appear sensible, but he had a temper that was far worse than mine. Reasoning with him was almost always futile, especially if it involved me. 

Truthfully, I only managed to avoid his wrath two years ago when I purposely cut off our communication after I chose to marry Edmund.

“Out with it,” he said once he pulled over the driveway.

I flinched and looked away guiltily. I haven’t told him about Edmund’s illicit affair with Violet, knowing that he would explode in rage. Back when I called him to send a lawyer to draw up the divorce agreement, he didn’t think much and believed when I said that the accident had cleared up my mind.

“Tell me the truth. Is that why you almost got yourself killed? I know you, Margaret. You wouldn’t easily change your decisions without a reason. Since when did you know about his affair?”

Now that the cat was out of the bag, I didn’t have a choice, did I?

About thirty minutes later, I found myself crying my heart out, squeezing a throw pillow in my arms. In my living room, I recounted everything that transpired from the day Edmund asked for a divorce to the incident at the restaurant the other night.

“I... It’s so unfair, Rave… He could have been honest with me. No matter how much he hated me, I deserved his respect...”

“Do you still love him?” Raven asked after a moment of silence, his jaws clenched and hands fisted. The somber look on his face told me he was close to losing his shit.

Oh, well. At least, I’m not alone in this.

I pursed my lips and nodded without hesitation. “Y-Yes… But I’m done. I want to forget him. I want to be okay again.”

He smiled and ruffled my hair. “Then, you do that. Do what you think is best for you. Your brother will take care of the rest.”