Chapter 1: Unfortunate Dinner

“You were never enough for me.”

Flora Grey blinked at the harsh words from her husband, Henry Grey as the fork fell from her hand. They were eating dinner in the summerhouse Henry’s parents had given to them as a gift for their third anniversary. Classical music was playing softly from the speakers in the room but it all sounded so far away to her as she stared at Henry.

Tears stung her eyes, threatening to spill and ruin her delicate makeup. Flora hated crying, it turned her face so red and splotchy she looked like she was having an allergy attack. Henry dropped his fork and picked up the napkin by his plate to wipe his mouth. His dark grey eyes were devoid of any feeling. “Stop crying now, I’m not done talking.”

“Where is this coming from Henry?” Flora said, her voice breaking. She rubbed her face, trying to stop her tears from falling. She wasn’t really shocked, but she was angry. Angry with him for what he had just dared to say to her, and for surprising her with a trip to this beautiful house only to ruin the mood like this. Today was a special day. Why was he talking like this?

“This is our anniversary for goodness’ sake!”

Henry shook his head at her. “I have not been happy for a long time, Flora. Not with you. You don’t make me happy.” He did not look her in her eyes, but instead looked at the messy napkin in his hand. “When was the last time you dressed up for me, and took the time to look good for me? You’re so quiet you barely speak to me. It’s like living with a ghost. Do you even love me?”

Flora stood up so quickly her chair fell to the ground. Bang! Her body was shaking with all the anger she had tried so hard to hide in this marriage. She used to love Henry. She had loved him so much she gave up who she was for him. Even now, despite all the cruel things he was saying to her without an inch of remorse, she did not hate him. She was just disappointed. This Henry was not the man she had married. The Henry she had said ‘I do’ to on her wedding day was a loving, considerate man. A kind man. But during their marriage, he had changed. Somehow, his love for her had dissolved, and Flora did not know where it had gone.

“I used to love you Henry,” she said quietly. “But I’m not sure you ever loved me. Did you ever ask me why I became so quiet? Did you try to find out why I changed so much?”

Henry just looked at her without interest, as if his ears were blocking out the words she was saying. It made Flora want to lose her self-control and break down in front of him so he could see how much he was hurting her. She had done so much for him. She had sacrificed so much to protect him.

Henry pushed his chair back and stood up, throwing his napkin at his plate. The meal Flora had spent three hours preparing was not even half eaten. He grabbed his jacket from the chair and quickly wore it without looking at her.

“Answer me Henry,” she begged. “I thought you had brought me here for a romantic get-away for two. Little did I know you only wanted to break my heart. Now you won’t even give me an answer?”

Flora’s husband sighed heavily as he buttoned his jacket and adjusted his cuff-links. “Let’s not waste our time anymore Flora. I don’t love you, at least not anymore. What’s the point of staying together if we don’t love each other?”

He came closer to her carefully, as if he was afraid she would suddenly slap him. Indeed, Flora felt like slapping him so hard her hand would leave a mark on his bearded face. The speakers were playing a sweet light piano track now, which was painfully ironic to Flora. There was nothing sweet or light about her life right now.

“We haven’t felt like a couple in a very long time.” Henry continued. “I’m leaving you.”

Her throat closed up. “Henry…”

“I’ve found the love you were not able to give me with someone else. She makes me happy, Flora. She tells me how much she adores me. She makes herself look beautiful for me. How could I not fall for her?”

“Who is she?” Flora rasped. Her legs felt like jelly. If she moved even an inch at this moment, she knew she was going to fall over and humiliate herself. So she stood where she was, still as stone, and listen to Henry admit he was leaving her for another woman on their anniversary of all days.

Henry opened his briefcase, and brought out some thick office papers. This time, Flora did not stop the tears that started falling as he held out his hand to hand the documents to her. “That doesn’t matter Flora. Look, I’ve prepared everything. Let’s make this easy for the both of us.”

Impulsively, she slapped the papers from his hand, burning with righteous anger. Under her make up, her tears had turned red from the force of her tears. She felt so stupid for trying so hard to make today pleasant for him now. She had gone all out in the kitchen to prepare a three-course meal of his most favorite foods. She had even ordered a brand-new silk evening gown in red, Henry’s best color, and trimmed her chestnut-colored hair so it fell just above her waist, because he liked to run his hands through the length of her hair. What a waste of time.

He had wasted her time, and her love.

Henry put the remaining papers on the table and came closer to her. With his big hands, he cradled her jaw and pressed his lips to her forehead in a soft kiss. “We’re done Flora. Don’t be difficult. Make sure you sign the papers.”

She pulled away, her heart shattering into a million pieces. “I trusted you, Henry. I gave you everything.”

Through tears, Flora watched the man she’d loved for so long walk out of her life without a second glance.

As he slammed the door of the dining room behind him, she let herself cry out loud for what she had lost. Her sobs choked her as she fell to the ground, crying heavily. What a cruel way to end their marriage. Flora had come here today thinking that it was the beginning of closing the distance between her and Henry, and fixing the problems in their marriage.

She cringed to think at how excited she’d been when Henry had come to her with flowers, that he was trying to mend the pieces of her cracked heart.

On the contrary, in a single night Henry Grey had broken it completely and absolutely. Flora would never love again.