CHAPTER 12

Why can't I come along?" Anna whined
Liam bent and pulled her close. "Because this is an office and not a playground. I promise to take you to the beach next time. Ok?"
"Hannah doesn't know anything about the office but she's going with you."
"That's because she's my wife," Liam said with a smile as he got up. I stood close to the door and admired the conversation between Liam and his sister. She was the only one he talked to politely. He loved her very much.
"And I'll get you chocolates. We are going to have such a fun time here." Maria said encouragingly. They watched me and Liam enter the car before going back in to listen to Pastor Steven Furtick's preaching.
On a few occasions, I looked back at Liam anxiously. It was my first time going to the office. I didn't know much about anything and the fact that we would be getting divorced soon, troubled me.
"Liam," Before I could say anything else, there was a scream outside, up-turning of cars, and firefighters trying to put out the fire.
Eight little bodies separated from each other and two older bodies. Their eyes were devoid of the story they would have loved to tell. Liam held onto my trembling hands before the driver got in.
"What's going on out there?" He asked.
"An accident. A killer found his way into that house. He killed every person in there and set the house on fire. Only their oldest daughter is alive.
"Let's go." I relaxed my head on his shoulder thinking of what that girl would be going through. Obviously, they had plans to hang out today, or probably go watch a movie but some crazy dude just ended everything in a split second.
"There is no need to feel scared. I'm here."
"Thanks."
When we arrived at the office, the car drove to the parking lot and stopped. Liam and I alighted the car and moved towards the office.
"Go in. I'll join you later. I got a call from a client."
I walked into the office alone. The whole place was just like a movie theater. People were glaring at me. I noticed a girl take out her book and began writing out new employees' names. I walked over to her and smiled.
"How may I help you?" She asked calmly.
"Hi, I'm......"
"I'm sorry," she had a pitiful smile on her face. "We are not hiring again. We already have enough employees."
"Are you nuts?" Another girl whispered loudly. "She's Mrs. Smith. Boss's wife.
"I'm sorry, ma'am." She jumped down from her chair and prostrated in front of me. "Please don't fire me."
"Why would I do that? Get up, you are embarrassing me." I helped her to her feet. "Where's Liam's office?"
"Will you be working here?"
"Mmmm."
"That's funny." The other girl added. She had a sarcastic smile on her face. "Diana, Liam's ex-girlfriend works here too."
"What?" I thought by now, Diana would have resigned but I was wrong.
"Right now, she's in his office."
"Thanks, um."
"Maya."
"Thanks, Maya."
What was she doing here? I already booked her a flight to Australia to finish her studies. This girl was a real pain in the ass. I opened his office door and entered. Diana was sitting on his chair with her legs crossed on his table.
"You are here? Where's your husband? Did you fight again?" She asked sarcastically. I pulled her up by her arm and pushed her to the ground. "How dare you?"
"Don't you have any shame? How dare you sit on my husband's chair. Were you trying to seduce him?"
"How does it matter?" She got up from the ground and sat down on the chair again. "You don't even love each other. Your marriage is a fake just like you."
"You of all people shouldn't call my marriage a fake. Wait till Liam finds out that you cheated on him with his best friend when you two were still together."
"Who's going to tell him?" She got up from the chair and sat on the table. "If you do, I'll just say, you made up those stories because you were jealous of me. Liam trusts me more than you. And, how do you know this?"
"It doesn't matter. Get out!" I opened the door not minding if people were eavesdropping.
"If I open my mouth, these people will tell the press everything. I'll suggest you close that door."
"What's going on here!" Liam stood across the room. He turned back at his staff and asked, "What are you still doing here? Get back to work."
"Yes sir " they chorused.
"Baby, all I told her was I wanted to see you one last time before I left for Australia. I don't know why your wife hates me." I thought my mum was good at emotional blackmail but she was better and she was a very big liar. "Baby, I'm sorry if I did anything wrong. I just wanted to see you."
"Why, Hannah? Why create a scene because of a small issue?"
"Unbelievable." I didn't know if I should get upset because of Diana's lies or because Liam didn't trust me. "Are you just going to believe every little thing she tells you?"
"If you hadn't taken your sister's place at the altar that day, I probably would have believed you."
Diana smiled, she had already achieved what she came here for. She picked up her bag and kissed Liam on his cheek before walking out.
"You see that," I yelled. "I'm the one who has to tolerate seeing you two together yet I'm seen as the victim."
"You pretending to be the victim all the time is what sickens me." He retorted. "Let's say I haven't been a good husband to you, what measures have you taken to change that?"
"Our relationship isn't real, how can I stop you from living your life the way you want?"
"I've called our family lawyer. He's bringing our divorce papers today."
"Sure." Finally, I will no longer have to put up with Diana's dirty schemes.
"There's a restaurant nearby. He will be meeting us there. I don't want my employees to know anything about this."
"I'll get ready."

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"And that's how we ended up here" I poured myself some wine before returning my gaze at the waitress
"Wow, you've gone through a lot in just a month." The waitress sympathized with me. I had already told her my story of how I got married to him and everything about Diana. She felt sad that Liam and I were getting divorced today. "Give it a try." She added.
"Huh?" This girl didn't understand what I went through being with Liam. I guess Liam and I never thought about how our lie would affect people.
"There's absolutely no way you can say you do not feel anything for Liam. You've been together for a month. I agree that Liam is rude and proud but he's also caring. You can't see him in pain, you get jealous when he's with another girl. You don't want him close to you but when he's far away, you yearn for him. This is love, Hannah."
"Love?" Was everything she said correct? How could I fall in love with him in just a month? I only care for him because he's always had my back. I assured myself. "You've got it all wrong. I don't love Liam."
"You think of him when you are alone. What about your first kiss? Have you forgotten everything you shared? When his lips touched yours, didn't you feel anything at all?"
"Yes." It was useless trying to argue with her. She was right after all.
"No relationship is perfect. They all have their ups and downs. You've been with Liam for a month but you two didn't live as a couple but as enemies forced into marriage. This time, try living as husband and wife." While we were still discussing, Liam stepped in with the lawyer. He had in his hand a file. My hands began to tremble under the table. This is exactly what I wanted so why was I feeling uneasy.
"This is Mr. Antonio, the lawyer," Liam introduced the lawyer. The waitress got up from where she was sitting.
"I'll be leaving." She excused herself.
"Mr. Antonio is here with the divorce papers. All we need to do is sign it."
"That's true." Mr. Antonio affirmed. "Once you miss this opportunity to get divorced today, you won't get this opportunity again till this time next year. Mrs. Hannah Smith, just put your signature here."
My signature? It was finally over. Liam and I will no longer have any reason to tolerate each other. We'll be free from today. I was one step closer to freeing myself. What was holding me back? Why couldn't I sign this paper?
"Liam," I shuttered.
"It's okay to not want to let go," Liam spoke calmly. "This is the best decision we've ever had."
Questioning my life and wrestling with an argument in my head about whether I should tear the papers or sign them, I picked up the papers and read through them.
"Don't worry, It's not property papers. I already checked them."
"It's not that, Liam. I was just thinking, we've been married for only a month. So why get divorced so quickly? It's okay for couples to fight. I mean, there are times a wife feels like she's tired of seeing the same man over and over again but that doesn't mean she wants to leave."
"I don't get it."
"Forget it."
"Hannah," he drew my attention back. "Why don't you want to sign the papers?" He turned my face to his and placed his hands on mine. Mr. Antonio blushed and looked away.
"There can always be a next year." The lawyer whispered.
"Do you love me?" This was the first time Liam mentioned the word 'love' to me. This was my opportunity to stop the divorce, but what was holding me back? I wasn't sure of my feelings. I still felt hatred towards him but I also didn't want to leave him.
"How could you ask me such a question, our marriage is not based on love. I have no feelings for you."
"Then why aren't you signing the papers?"
"My parents' debt. I made a promise to myself, and my parents that I won't leave you till I clear their debts." He withdrew his hands from mine. There was a depressed look in his eyes like the answer I gave wasn't what he was expecting.
"You don't have to worry about the money. I'll settle everything. You have no reason to stay back. Give me the papers, I'll sign them first." He grabbed the papers from me and signed them before walking away.
"Liam! Liam!" I chased after him.
"Hannah, what do you want? I already freed you from your debt, didn't I?"
"Why did you sign the divorce papers? There is a limit to being childish. You can't just sign anything you see."
"Hannah,"
"No. Didn't you think about your parents and how they will feel."
"I did it for myself. Since you came into my life, nothing's gone right for me. You complain about the tiniest things. I signed those papers to get rid of you finally."
"I'm sorry. I yelled at you for no good reason." Liam leaned on his car. He put his left hand into his pocket and brought out his phone.
"Diana, is on her way home?"
"What?" It took me almost two weeks to get rid of Liam's ex-girlfriend. Now she's back. I reached out my hand to the lawyer who had just approached us and took the divorce papers from him. "I'm sorry we troubled you for no good reason. We ain't getting divorced."
I tore the papers into shreds before reaching for Liam's hand.
"I admit that our relationship started on the wrong part, but I'm willing to take that big step in being a good wife. Liam, I love you."
"Don't lie to me."
"It's not a lie. You asked why I didn't want us to get a divorce, it's because of my heart. I can't live without you."
There was a sudden pause between the two of us. He stared motionlessly at me.
"Get in the car." He instructed. This is the first time I got to express my feelings to anyone and I was turned down like this. I opened the door, entered, and slammed it so loud. Liam turned to look at me. He hadn't seen such anger on my face before. He smiled before turning to the other side.
"Hannah, just because I didn't say the words 'I love you ' doesn't mean you should stop loving me. I just need some time, Ok?"
Was I supposed to feel okay by what he just said? I blushed before looking out through the window.