This was unbelievable. Not that long ago, they were in a reverse situation where Lucien was the one trying to explain and she wouldn’t let him. Being on the other side of it was frustrating. She couldn’t understand why Lucien didn’t want to hear her side of things. When she shut him out, it only made things worse. So, why was he doing the same thing when he knew how bad it got before? “Ugh!” Audrey yelled to no one. Her hands flew into her hair, and she pulled at it in anger. “This is insane! We’ll never get out this damn cycle!” She threw on some clothes and huffed out the house. When she arrived to the hospital, she was surprised to find Mia alone in the room. “Where is he?” Audrey asked in lieu of a greeting. “How funny,” Mia sneered. “Your husband had chosen to spend all of his free time with me.” “He made it seem like you weren’t doing well. Where is he?” “A few well timed tears and whimpers can do wonders to convince someone.” “Where. Is. He?” Audrey asked through
“Whatever, Lucien.”“Why are you mad at me? You’re the one that’s assaulting people! Did you really hit her and call her a ‘homewrecking slut’ just now?”Audrey was starting to wish she had hit Mia.That lady was a psycho! “Why do you need me to tell you? You won’t listen to me anyway. Just listen to Mia’s side of the story. That’s the only truth you care about, isn’t it?” “Audrey…” “Stop it. This is enough. I’ve had enough. Clearly you think so poorly of me that you won’t take my word for it. I can’t do this anymore,” Audrey’s voice broke and she struggled to hold it together. “What does that mean?” “I want a divorce, Lucien.” The line went silent for a few seconds. “No,” His voice was firm and final. “Absolutely not.” “Why not? It’s not like either of us are happy.” “You’re not going to leave me, Audrey. I’ll grant you a divorce over my cold, dead body.” “Well, if things keep going the way they have been, we may end up killing each other, so who knows right?”
They hung up and she opened her email. As promised, Damian’s message was there. Dear Miss Audrey Wilson,Congratulations on your employment with Dezick Design Studios, Inc. We are pleased to inform you that you have been chosen to work with us and we look forward to nurturing and growing your design talents. For starting compensation, we would like to offer you a salary of $70,000 annually. Also, a signing on bonus of $14,000 will be awarded to you. A full medical, dental and vision benefits package is also included for you and a family member.Other perks can include, company housing, company vehicles and paid travel. If this is agreeable to you, please respond to this email. Again, we are glad you have chosen to have your talents represented by Dezick Design Studios. Respectfully, Damian O’Connell, CEOAudrey blinked as she reread the email several times. Her starting salary was more than she could have hoped for, and that sign on bonus would greatly assist her in finding a
“Audrey!”Felicia called out. The nurse rushed over to her, lifting Audrey’s head off the floor. Moments later,her eyes fluttered open. “Let me call a doctor for you.” “No, no, I’m fine. It’s fine.” Audrey struggled to get up, but felt weak. “I’m just tired.” “Ma’am…” “Can you start the discharge process for my father? I’d like to take him home today.”Felicia smiled. “He has been doing well. I think it’ll do both of you a world of good to get out of here. That poor man has been in a hospital for months. Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, helping Audrey up. “Absolutely. I’m fine,” she repeated.Felicia dashed out of the room, and Audrey called to reserve a cab. She was thankful for the bonus Damian had given her. It was more than enough to secure the apartment and furnish it.He even helped her get a hospital bed for her father’s room. Everything was working out. “This is for the best,” she said, trying to convince herself. “This is what we need.”**********^In the
“That would be nice.”Audrey replied. “There is a good spot close to you. I’m at the studio now. I’ll pick you up in a few minutes.”Damian texted back. “No that’s okay. If it’s close, I’ll walk. I need the air.” “Are you sure?” “Positive. I’ll meet you there.” Damian sent her the name of the bar, and it was right down the street from her. A five-minute walk tops. As she walked towards the bar, her mind wandered in every direction except the one she wanted it to.All she wanted was to get Lucien out of her mind, and he just wouldn’t leave. Would she be able to run from him forever? Eventually, they would have to hash this out. Damian was waiting for outside when she arrived. “Are you all right? He asked when he saw her. “You look troubled.” “I feel troubled,” Audrey admitted. “I checked my dad out of the hospital, and moved us into the apartment without telling Lucien.” “I thought he knew,” Damian said as he escorted Audrey inside. “If he did, he’d never let me go.”
Persistent knocking erupted at Audrey’s door. “What in the hell?” Audrey wondered.Her father had gone to sleep, and she was nursing a headache from last night. The banging at the door wasn’t going to help either of them.Audrey answered the door was surprised to find Lucien standing there. He looked awful, as though he hadn’t slept in days. “How did you find me?” she asked. “Are you kidding? You think you could just disappear on me?” “What do you want?” Audrey sighed. “We need to talk.”Audrey wanted to send him away. She wanted him to turn away and walk out of her life. But they did need to talk. To resolve things once and for all. “Fine. Daddy just went to sleep. I have some time.” She stepped aside, making space for him.“Come in.”Lucien looked around the apartment as Audrey led him to a cozy couch. “This is small,” he commented. “It’s more than enough for Daddy and me. Did you come here to insult my apartment?” “Why did you leave?” “Really?” Audrey laughed.
“I should be happy.”He thought.‘Mia wants me back. It’s what I wanted, right? Then why I feel so… empty?’He stood there for what felt like an eternity. The divorce agreement felt like lead weight in his hand. He didn’t want this. “I wanted to try,” he said to no one.Audrey heard him on her side of the door, and did everything she could to muffle her cries.Lucien put the paperwork against the door, and signed it before he changed his mind. “Goodbye, Audrey. I’m sorry.” He pushed the signed agreement under her door and left.Audrey sank to the floor and let her heart shatter. “I wanted to try too,” she whimpered. Deep, painful sobs took hold her of her and she tried to let every ounce of her feelings for Lucien die.Lucien walked to his car, feeling disconnected from his body. Audrey’s past words swirled through his mind.*I like him. Despite everything, and I tried not to. I really tried. But I’m falling in love with him. I know right? How stupid of me. How could I let that h
Tracy was in love with Mark, and he was in love with her. And that was the end of the story. They’d been living together for a while, and she knew she’d say yes if and when he asked her to marry him. If she had his family’s blessing for that, then great. If not, then that was great too. If anything, not getting their blessing would make it more fun. After her shower, she checked her phone. “Yup,” she said. “Five more missed calls. And, oh look. A text.” The message read:“Come to the house, or I will go to you. Take your pick.”Tracy sighed. “Fine. Be there within the hour”Sabrina messaged back.Mark did not know about these exchanges with his mother. He thought they were meeting for brunch every time Tracy went over. She would tell him one day, of course. But, not until his mother gave up.She would win this war on her own. Tracy decided she needed to look strong, and powerful. Not like the demure lady her mother-in-law wanted her to be.“I need to look like a badass bitch toda