Chapter 3
“I can sell my shares to Kimberly at market price. Ask her if she wants them,” I thought for a moment and spoke.
Xavier’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Are you serious?”
I nodded.
He quickly stepped toward me, cupping my face and kissing me hard.
“You’re being so good today. I knew it. Deep down, you still care about me.
“I’ll tell her later tonight.”
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized how inappropriate they sounded. He quickly corrected himself.
“I mean, I’ll call her and let her know.”
I pretended not to notice the slip and wiped my face with disgust.
“Do it soon before I change my mind.”
Xavier agreed, grabbed his car keys, and left. He was in such a good mood that he even started humming.
Less than half an hour later, I got a text.
Kimberly had agreed to buy the shares.
I wasn’t surprised that she agreed.
The company was doing better and better, and the stock value kept rising. Even if she didn’t have that much cash on hand, Xavier would help her get it. Free shares were something she couldn’t bear to give up.
That night, Xavier didn’t come home. I wasn’t sure if they were celebrating, but in the middle of the night, while I was sound asleep, my phone
rang.
Half–asleep, I answered.
On the other end, I heard Xavier’s heavy breathing. Nearly ten seconds passed before Kimberly’s playful laughter came through.
“Xavier, you don’t even like Camille anymore. So why are you still getting a marriage certificate with her?”
There was silence for two seconds before Xavier responded in a low voice.
“We’ve been together for ten years. And she did as I asked. She handed over all her shares. Breaking up now wouldn’t be right.
“Ugh, don’t bring her up. It kills the mood.”
The call ended.
I stared at the disconnected screen, knowing full well that Xavier had no idea about this call. It was Kimberly’s doing, a deliberate move to provoke me.
6:56 AM d
<
This wasn’t the first time. Telling Xavier wouldn’t change anything. He trusted Kimberly more than he trusted me. I could even predict that he’d change his mind about the marriage certificate by morning.
I set my phone aside and went back to sleep. The next day, I continued packing my things.
It was nearly evening when Xavier finally came home, looking tired from the day.
“Camille, something urgent came up today, so I couldn’t make it to City Hall. It wasn’t on purpose.
“You’re not mad, right?”
There was a faint scratch on his neck. The urgent matter was obvious.
I shook my head. “No, I’m not mad.”
I had already prepared myself for this. I didn’t go either, after all.
V
“That’s good.” He smiled and handed me a document. “I’ve finalized the stock transfer contract. Let’s get this done first.”
Maybe he was worried I’d change my mind out of anger. He seemed a little anxious, but I pretended not to notice. After checking that the terms were correct, I signed.
As I finished signing the last page, he let out a relieved sigh. The same man who always delayed things immediately called a lawyer to finalize the paperwork.
It had taken nearly a week to transfer the shares to me. This time, it was done in less than half an hour.
The shares were now under Kimberly’s name. The money was in my account.
It was over.
Xavier was in a great mood, even looking at me with a softer gaze.
“You look exhausted.
“I was thinking we could wait until tomorrow for the marriage certificate. But since you’ve been so good today, I’ll take you now.”
Smiling, he reached out and pinched my cheek. “Happy?”
I slapped his hand away without answering. Instead, I turned and walked to the bedroom, pulling out the suitcase I had packed long ago.
Xavier frowned. “What are you doing? Don’t tell me you’ve already planned our honeymoon.
“Camille, I agreed to marry you, but a honeymoon is out of the question. I’m too busy right now…”
“It’s not a honeymoon,” I said calmly.
“I’m moving out.
“Xavier, we’re done.”
