I figured I’d just never understand why.
I knew Chris’s father, Tony, didn’t always deal with divorces, but I knew he’d take it on simply because I was a friend of the family. Sitting me down, he obviously asked plenty of personal, difficult questions about my relationship. He asked if I was serious about a divorce. Though I was adamant, he told me to take a few days to cool off, let the rawness at least somewhat fade away. He added that I’d have to separate for twelve months before it could proceed, which pissed me off. I’d rather just get it over and done with, but he said he’d get the paperwork ready and served once the time was right.
What I did need was to collect my things. I waited until Chris arrived home, then called my father and explained the situation. He turned up within an hour, and we took my ute to my apartment. I handed Chris my keys to open the door, following in behind him and then my father. She was home, of course. I figured she would have been waiting to try and talk to me.
“Back off, Hayley,” Chris warned, “He’s grabbing his things and leaving.”
She tried to get close, Chris and my father using their broad frames to keep her away as I walked towards the spare room where I kept all my things. “Let me speak to my husband!” she cried.
“He doesn’t want to talk to you, Hayley. Why can’t you understand what you’ve done?” my father asked, “Ten years of love and loyalty, and you’ve just thrown it back in his face. What about all those dreams you apparently shared? Raising a family together? Growing old together? And you threw that away for some strange dick. Quite frankly, I’m ashamed, Chris here is ashamed, and I hope your parents hear of what you’ve done and support my son rather than yourself.”
I packed a large bag of my clothes, grabbing the important paperwork I was going to need. I wanted nothing else from that place. No further reminders. I did not intend on returning. I walked out and met her eyes. I hated seeing my wife cry, at least I had hated it. Her smile had lit up every room she’d entered, and I’d tried to put a smile on her damned face every single day. But I just hardened my heart, remembering what I saw, the fact she’d been with another man.
“I spoke to a lawyer today, Hayley. I will be initiating divorce proceedings as soon as I am legally allowed. Seeing you here now, you’re not feeling guilty, you’re just ashamed I caught you. I have no idea if you’ve fucked other guys, don’t know, and I no longer care. But I took my vows seriously, so I can leave this marriage with head held high.”
“Please, we can talk about this. Just you and me. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t want to hear it, Hayley. You cheated, end of discussion. The trust is irrevocably broken. So you’re free to do whatever you want now. Go fuck all the guys you want. It’s no longer my concern. Dad, Chris, I’ll see you downstairs.”
Dumping my things in the back of my ute, I got behind the wheel and beeped the horn, my best friend and then father following me down, joining me in the cab. Hayley followed them down, hitting the window next to me, but I ignored her. Put the car in first and pulled away.
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