"Oh yes, right!" Jason said, practically celebrating as soon as I finished signing the papers. He was checking to make sure there were no errors that could jeopardize the process in the future, as what he wanted most was to get this divorce to finally live his love story with his great passion, Kendall. But I had signed everything correctly; I wasn't there to complicate his life. "Wonderful! Finally, this divorce is happening!"
With great sorrow, I took my ring off my finger, and no matter how hard I tried to stay strong, it was almost impossible not to cry as I removed that ring that had been on my finger for continuous five years. I thought I would never take that ring off my finger because I had never considered the possibility of separating from Jason. But now I was doing it. I left the ring on the table and sighed with my head down, hearing Jason and Kendall celebrating because now they could legally get married.
"Well, you'll retain her rights, right, Jason?" Terence said after clearing his throat. He was so sad to see his friends' marriage ending so dramatically. "It's in the law that Laura should receive a part of your fortune, and she should also be compensated for the divorce because you filed for it and were unfaithful," he accused his friend without shame. It was obvious that he was upset with his friend's behavior.
Jason sighed but nodded, "whatever, she can have whatever she wants. The important thing is that I can be happy now with the woman I love and have always loved." He smiled affectionately at Kendall. I even averted my eyes to avoid seeing that display of affection between the two, which struck me like a stab in my heart. My heart was so broken that I would never be myself again.
"I don't want anything; I don't want money, property, or his fortune," I said, responding to Terence. Then I looked at Jason, "I don't want anything from you." I wished my words could convey all the hurt and anguish I was feeling.
"Wait, calm down, Laura; you might not be fully aware of what you're saying due to your pain," Terence said, looking genuinely concerned now. "You don't understand; this fortune is your right. You need to accept it. Waiving it doesn't make any sense. You've spent five years in this marriage, and you have no savings or anything. Accept this money that is rightfully yours."
"Please, my friend, think it over," Ava also interceded for me. "How will you live from now on?" She was so sad that she almost cried.
"Why are you both insisting so much? If she doesn't want it, then let her be. It's her decision," Kendall said, stopping Terence and Ava from continuing.
"Don't you think you should keep quiet now, Kendall?" Ava asked, seemingly scandalized that this woman was still insisting. "Have some sense, for God's sake!"
"It's okay, Ava; I'll be fine. I'll manage," I smiled to reassure them. I chose to ignore Kendall and looked at Jason, "I didn't marry you for your money, Jason. I never had any ulterior motives in our union. That's why I prefer to leave without anything." I was resolute in my words, and for a moment, Jason couldn't respond, looking confused by my response.
After all, he was a billionaire and probably thought I would file a lawsuit to take a significant portion of his fortune. He certainly didn't expect my answer.
"Well, if she doesn't want the money, there's no point in insisting, right?" Kendall insisted jokingly now. "Besides, you'll have more money to spend on me, my love." She laughed melodiously, hugging Jason's arm.
"Look, Jason, be a man and try to convince her to take the money!" Terence was practically shouting at his friend.
Jason just shrugged, "there's nothing I can do if she doesn't want it." He walked away with the divorce papers in one hand and holding his new fiancée's hand in the other.
"This mansion is so beautiful, love," I could hear Kendall saying as they walked away to go upstairs. "We're going to be so happy here, but I think I'll change this tacky decoration, hahaha."
Her ridiculing the decoration of the mansion that I worked on with so much appreciation broke me in half. I realized that everything was over, everything I built all these years would only live in my memory from now on.
"What a disgrace, honestly!" Ava swore under her breath as we watched Jason and Kendall climb the stairs on their way upstairs.
Even though I knew that was the last time he would see me, Jason didn't even look at me, acting as if he were finally free of me. That hurt more than anything. I had practically given my life to this man, but today he turned his back on me and left with another woman. My heart was, without compression, aching and resentful.
"He's my friend, but I'm totally disappointed in him," Terrence commented, utterly embarrassed.
I just wiped my tears, took a shaky breath, and picked up my suitcase, leaving the house with the intention of never coming back.
"Ma'am..." I heard a hesitant voice call me when I was outside, and that's when I saw all the household staff waiting for me outside. They were as sad as if it were a funeral. My heart almost failed. The team of housekeepers had been working with me since the day I moved into this place. So you can imagine how much they missed me and how much they were hurting to see me leave.
"Hi, everyone," I went to hug them all to say goodbye.
"We'll miss you so much...," they said, "this is so unfair; this house will never shine like it did when you were here." They liked me because I was always humble and treated them well.
"I hope you all will be fine. I need to go now," I said, smiling to reassure them, and I left for my friends' car, where I ended up crying again. I didn't want to leave that place behind and all the relationships I had built over all that time.
Terence was driving, and Ava was in the back seat, providing emotional support. I looked out the window one last time at that mansion that had been my home for so many years. It was as if half of me was staying in that place, so I ended up crying again.
"You were strong, Laura, you were amazing," Ava praised me, giving me strength.
"And now? What are you going to do?" Terence asked, looking at me in the rearview mirror. He was still so apprehensive.
And with good reason, I had no money or job. Since I graduated from college, I had been living to please my husband and make him happy, working hard for him. Jason Davies had been the center of my life for the last five years. Now that he was gone, I was as lost as a boat adrift in the ocean.
I sighed, resting my head against the car window and shaking my head. "I simply don't know what will become of me from now on."
