Stefan stood toe-to-toe with me and stared down into my face. The blues of his eyes were almost black; never before had I seen them look this way and it downright terrified me. "You're right, I do want to go back. I want to go back to the day we met and I wish I would have just kept fucking walking so I didn't waste my life."
"That's what you think our marriage was-a waste?"
"I think it was a fucking joke, Greyson. Wake up, the guy you fell in love with died a long time ago and he's never coming back." Before I could digest what was happening I felt my hand connect with the side of his face as I laid a slap against him that burned from my palm to the depths of my soul.
I shoved him out of my way and ran to my bedroom. I whipped open my closet door and grabbed my large traveling suitcase. I didn't think twice about what I was packing as I ransacked my drawers and hangers for whatever filled it.
The last thing I placed inside was the pink bunny I had yet to let go. I sealed him up with a tear and whispered, "I promise I'll never let you go, baby."
With that I closed my bag and entered the hallway again to collect my shoes, keys and my jacket. I glanced back down the hall and saw that Stefan hadn't moved from his spot against the wall where I had shoved him. At first I planned to say nothing, but finally I said the only thing I thought was right.
"You got your wish-it's over. I want a divorce."
I slammed the door shut behind me and promised that I would never look back.
I shot straight up, sweat soaked my hair and my breathing shook my body. Tears were pouring before I even had a chance to grasp the reality around me. Richard woke up and quickly sat up, wrapping his hands around my shoulders.
"Baby, what's wrong?" I couldn't answer.
All I could do was sob hysterically as I clutched at the unbearable pain in my heart.
"Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
I shook my head and buried my face into his chest. Jayden had been right; I was a fool for even spending a second with Stefan again. I was holding onto something that had died long ago. For the first time in six years, I knew it was time to move on.
"I think I should take today off." Richard sat on the edge of our bed sipping on a cup of coffee. I was slowly waking up, and feeling even worse than I had last night. Of course I refused to let Richard see this. I made a promise to myself after I regained my breath that I would tell him everything that I had kept hidden. Right now wasn't the time though, there was one thing I needed to do first.
"No, baby, you don't need to take the day off. Not only do you need to go in, but this is another one of your long shifts. The patients and the other doctors need you there."
He reached a free hand out with a heartbroken look in his eyes. "I hate that I can't be here for you."
I leaned my cheek into his hand, pressing a kiss against his palm. "You are here for me. Besides, I have to go to work today too. I feel badly that I haven't been there for Kari and Kacie."
"You know they understand, sweetheart."
I nodded, then leaned forward to give Richard a kiss. "I know, now go on to work, baby. I know you have to go."
He shifted his arm to catch a glimpse of the watch under the cuff of his shirt. "Oh shit, you're right." He downed the final swig of his drink and set it on the night stand. "Have a good day, Grey, call me if you need anything."
With one hand on either side of my face he leaned in and pressed a kiss to my lips.
"I love you," I said, taking hold of his face.
A grin beamed back at me as he placed a farewell kiss on my lips.
"I love you back, my dear."
I waved goodbye as he left the room, but didn't move to get up until I heard the apartment door shut and lock. Immediately I reached for my cell phone and dialed Kacie's number.
"Grey! How are you doing?" she said, bypassing all greetings.
"I'm alright. How have things been at the salon?"
"We're holding down the fort just fine. How's the ankle?"
Oh yeah, I hardly felt a thing. Apparently the last few days my mind had been … elsewhere.
"It's fine, doesn't hurt a bit. Hey, the reason I called was to let you know that I'm coming in today, but I'll be just a little late."
"Oh, that's no problem, babe. You just come in whenever you can. Is everything okay?"
I blew out a sigh. "Yeah, there's just something I need to take care of."
"Alright, see you when you come in."
"Okay, love you, Kace. Thanks again."