In Love With My Bully-Chapter 65: The Edge of us

Richard stormed inside the office, his eyes flashing fury as he looked at me. "What the fucking hell, Nita? What the fuck do you think you are doing?"

I sat relaxed in the chair, feigning that I was unbothered by his escapades last night or by his tantrums this morning. "What does it look like I am doing? Will you please stop shouting? We aren’t the only clients in this establishment."

His hands clenched into fists. "You want a divorce so badly, you had Martin kidnap me and get me here?"

I intertwined my fingers and looked up at him. "Be grateful, Richard, that I am giving you one final chance to set me free. If not, I will be on a flight out of the country right now, and you will never lay eyes on your child."

"Are you threatening me, Nita? I don’t respond to threats." His voice was a growl now, but nothing could intimidate me. I was done.

I reached into my bag and pulled out another copy of the divorce papers. "Sign it."

He looked at the file I was holding, and his eyes drifted back to mine, almost looking defeated. His eyes burned into mine. "You’re serious?"

"I am." I responded calmly, placing the file on the table.

"Can we discuss this further?"

"Talk?" I smiled coldly. "Talk... about what? How did you crawl in Gwen’s bed last night? How did you think it would look admirable if you sent me a picture of your naked selves?"

His eyes stared at mine in surprise and realization. "I didn’t... Nita... I didn’t send it."

"I figured, but I am done with excuses. I have been a good little wife for you, an understanding wife. Well, no longer."

His face paled.

I pushed the documents towards him and opened it to the first page that needed his signature. My own part of the document is already signed. "You want Gwen? Take her. But leave me out of it."

He wanted to say something, maybe another ridiculous explanation, but he stopped. "You’re right. All of this is not fair to you. I’m sorry." He took a pen on the table, bent over, and signed each of the pages.

As I watched him scrawl his name on the last page, a sharp pain sliced through my heart. It was officially over. Richard and Nita Numero, the power couple, were finally over.

He turned to me, held my gaze for a moment too long, a moment where I began to question if I was acting too rashly. He moved closer and brushed my lips gently with his. "Goodbye, Nerdy Benny."

He straightened his jacket and walked out of the office, leaving me and my heart in pieces. That was who he remembered me as: Nerdy Benny. How long will I stay Nerdy Benny?

*****

I pulled into the driveway three days after our divorce was final, expecting an empty house. I had let go of everything that tied me to the numerals except the child growing inside me. I didn’t want any guards watching me and reporting to Richard.

I still didn’t have the heart to go see Mrs. Numero yet. She would do nothing short of murdering me. And my parents, well, since they found out about Gwen’s pregnancy, had been on my side. Of course, they would like us to resolve our issues, but they were currently supporting me.

Despite their support, I knew I needed my own space, and I was seriously house hunting. Something simple and fit for a single mom. I would want it at a central location—among my ex in-laws, my parents, and Richard’s houses. Not too close but not too far away either.

I stepped on the porch and noticed that there was music playing. Something by Alec Benjamin. I never understood his taste in music. I, on the other hand, liked a bit more beat in rhythm.

For a moment, I considered leaving and coming back at a later time. I let myself in and found him on the sofa, all the lights off and curtains drawn. I could see his bare, smooth chest, softly breathing. His abs are perfectly sculpted, not too macho, just enough to make my tongue water.

His eyes turned in my direction, and I saw the almost empty bottle of whiskey on the coffee table. It was 10am in the morning. He ignored me and went back to staring into space.

My heart yearned for him, looking so undone. I wanted to reach out to him and find a switch somewhere to undo all the bad things in our lives. But I strode past him. "I came to pack my things."

"Figures." He downed the rest of his drink, stood up, and followed behind me.

"Richard, I don’t need your help."

"You don’t have to need my help. I will be there when I see you need help." His eyes were red, and he could hardly keep them open. He staggered a little but maintained his balance with a hand on the wall.

I stopped in front of our bedroom door. "You aren’t at work."

"I needed a break."

I nodded and stepped into the room. The memories we made in here hit me like a ton of bricks; for some reason, anger welled inside me. Life took my happiness away from me.

"Second thoughts?" he asked.

"Too late for that, don’t you think?"

A muscle in his jaw tightened. "Because you made it late."

"No, because you wanted Gwen."

His lips parted like he was about to argue, but then he closed his mouth, exhaling harshly. "I didn’t sleep with her, Nita."

I laughed drily. "Oh, so you just happened to be naked in bed with her?" I stopped myself from going down this conversation path. "I’m not doing this. I came to pack."

He pulled me to him, caging me in. "Nita... if it’s any consolation. I still do not remember you, but I believe now that I did love you. I feel pain here." He took my hand and placed it on his chest, where his heart was. My breathing quickened, and I felt the tears threatening to spill.

"You will remember Richard. I know that you will. But it’s unfair to both of us to keep this up while you don’t. I cannot take any more."

I looked up at him, my throat tightening. My fingers on his bare chest struggled with my brain to move, to caress him, to feel the smoothness of his skin.

His gaze softened, his hand lifting as if he wanted to touch me but stopped himself.

"Richard, go. Please, before we do something stupid. I promise I will call if I need you."

He nodded, stepped back, and we stood there. Maybe something stupid wouldn’t be such a terrible idea.