W I N T E R

A divorce?

"A divorce?" I asked as I got up from my seat because the cold air suddenly turned hot. "What do you mean a divorce?" I questioned.

"I-"

"I don't understand, why do you want a divorce?" I asked again not giving him a chance to answer me. "I thought we were using this opportunity to start over? Why's divorce even a topic of discussion?" I frowned as I observed his every reaction

"I'm doing this for you!" He answered in a firm tone.

"For me?" I scoffed. "I don't recall ever asking you for a divorce." I crossed my arms around my chest.

"I think time apart will do you good. Winter, the way you got upset that day, I've never seen you like that before. It really hurt me that I was the reason for that and I also did something terrible after that so to ease my guilt-"

"So you're doing this for you then?" I scoffed again. "Listen Leo, I appreciate you thinking about my mental health but this marriage is pretty much the only thing keeping me sane right now," I tried to make him understand.

"Why?"

"Because I like having to live with you and the girls!"

"Why?"

"Because you all make me feel lighter! I don't think about Damian when you all are around me."

"So you only consider us to be distractions?"

"What?" I gasped. "No, I consider you all family."

He sighed and pressed his arms on the pillars of the balcony.

"Tell me the truth, why do you really want to get separated? Is it because I don't fulfill your sexual desires? That's really what this is about huh?" I demanded an explanation.

"This has nothing to do with that. I think you're not ready to move on from your past; which I totally understand but I don't think I want to in a fully committed relationship where I can't get the whole of you because I'm starting to get greedy and I really want all of you."

"That literally makes no sense. I'm failing to see why you would want a divorce instead of trying to woo me and try to make me forget like every other guy!"

"I plan to do that after we get separated."

"You're joking."

"I'm not. I'll send the papers in the morning." He bellowed before walking out of the balcony.

What just happened?

I walked to the front and leaned on the pillar. As I released a sigh, I felt something drop on my hand. I looked up at the sky and saw small white droplets falling from the sky.

Snow? It's snowing? How interesting. It's snowing and it just had to be now, now that my life is falling apart.

I heard Iris squeal from downstairs. She must be elated that it's snowing.

Why? Why does he want a divorce?

My heart clenched thinking about it.

Wait. I should be happy though. I mean I didn't want this marriage anyway and you don't love Leo. It would be selfish of me to keep him in this kind of relationship where neither his sexual desires or his emotional needs can be met.

I tried to motivate myself to see the silver lining in the divorce but it felt like my heart was being trampled on.

After grabbing my blanket, I strolled straight into my room and jumped into my bed. My phone buzzed and I looked at it. It was Rachel sending me photos of the new purse I got her and photos of my parents opening their gifts.

"Everyone loved their gifts and thank youuuu!"

A smile made its way across my lips as I replied; "Glad they did. Can I come over tomorrow morning?"

"You are no longer a member of this family jsyk! so please remain in your house." She texted back.

"Screw you! Let me rephrase that; I'm coming over tomorrow morning so see you later!"

"Are you coming with Leo?"

"Nope."

"Hmm okay then. Merry Christmas and I love you."

"Merry Christmas ya filthy animal!"

A giggle escaped my lips as I pressed send and laid up on the bed to face my ceiling then my phone buzzed.

"Fuck you, ya filthy animal. I take back my I love you."

"Too late. I love you too."

I suddenly didn't feel as sad anymore. I'm so glad I have rachel in my life.

When I woke up the next morning, my neck felt stiff. I must have slept in a bad position.

I made my way downstairs for breakfast as I kept one hand at the back of my neck in a bid to massage it.

As I approached the dining table, I noticed the girls were seated but leo wasn't there.

"Good morning Winter!"

"Good morning!"

"Good morning girls!" I smiled as I took a seat and Emily arrived with the food.

"Where's leo? Isn't he having breakfast?"

"Le-"

"Sir went away on a trip." Emily answered as she turned tea into my teacup and everyone turned to look at her.

"Can y-"

"Also, he asked me to give you something." Emily cut off Iris before scurrying into the kitchen and returned with a long brown envelope which she handed to me.

My heart began to race as I took the envelope from her and opened it. It couldn't possibly be-

"Divorce papers?" I silently gasped to myself as I took a deep breath then regained my composure.

I pushed the papers back into the envelope and placed them on the table. I glanced over at the girls and noticed they both had a worrying look.

"It's nothing serious don't worry." I faked a smile. "Let's eat." I encouraged.

"Now that you're done delivering your message, can you excuse us?" Iris shot Emily a death glare.

"Don't be rude."

"Excuse me."

"It snowed all through the night, did you enjoy the weather?"

"I did. You didn't say goodnight before going to bed last night." Cassidy took a long sip of her coffee.

"Oh, I was extremely tired last night." I lied.

"Leo actually said he had an emergency case at the hospital so he'll be there for a while." Iris blurted out.

What a coincidence. An emergency case after he asked me for a divorce. More like he's trying to avoid contact with me.

"It's alright." I plastered a smile on my face.

No. It's not alright. Why couldn't he tell me himself that he'd be away for a coupl of days. Even a helper knew he was away but he didn't tell me?

So he's really serious about this divorce hm?

**
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