My Ex-wife, My Destination

Daisy’s P. O. V.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Mess.

I stand at Aunt Eva’s apartment, ringing the bell, and looking like a complete mess-my eyes are puffy, my hair is dishevelled, and my face is pale. Earlier, I had asked Aunt Eva to pick Hope up from school since I wasn’t in a state to face her. Although I’m still not feeling well, I need to muster the strength for my daughter’s sake.

Since I saw Luke with Olivia, I have just lost my mind. I don’t understand what I should do. When Luke was begging me to hear him out, I won’t lie-my heart wasn’t melting. My heart was screaming at me to let him explain, but I didn’t because I didn’t want him to fool me again.

He kept begging, sitting outside the apartment, and I kept crying, sitting on the other side of the door. When I couldn’t take it any longer, I called the police, and they took him to the police station.

I feel a deep ache in my chest as I recall the look in his eyes when the officers led him away. The hurt and longing in his gaze made it hard to breathe. My heart was yelling at me not to let him go, but I didn’t listen to it because I had to protect myself from him.

As the door swings open, I embrace Aunt, and my shoulder shakes as the sound of my sob fills the room. “He shattered my heart again, Aunt. All these months, he was lying to me. He never changed. He fooled me, and I became blind in his love again.”

She pulls me away from her. “Come.” She guides me to the hall and makes me sit down on the sofa. She goes to the kitchen and returns with a glass of water. “Have this and relax yourself.” As she offers me the water, I stare at her unblinkingly. I didn’t expect her to be so calm.

“Drink it, Daisy.” As I take a few sips of water, she settles down beside me. “Did you talk to Luke?” As she questions, I immediately shift my gaze towards her. Before I can say something, she says, “I know what you saw today.”

“How did you find out?” I ask, my grip on the glass tightening as my heart races.

The sight of Olivia sitting on Luke’s lap, their lips sealed in a kiss, flashes in my mind, shattering my heart all over again. It hurts so much that I feel like I can’t breathe properly.

“Luke came here searching for you. He told me everything. Did you hear him out, Daisy?”

Her calm demeanour and the way she is questioning me suggest that I misunderstood everything. There’s something I missed. Luke isn’t wrong. I feel both relieved and guilty-relieved that he didn’t betray me, but guilty for not trusting him and listening to my heart.

I shake my head in response. “He came to meet me in my old apartment, but I called the police.”

Aunt’s eyes widen slightly in shock. “You had him arrested? Luke was right; you wouldn’t trust him.” There is a hint of disappointment in her voice, which brings fresh tears to my eyes.

I feel so… I don’t know. Everything is so messed up.

“I was…” A sob escapes my mouth. “I was shaken. My mind was swirling. I was scared to trust him again. Therefore, I pushed him away from me.”

“Daisy, do you really think all these months Luke was lying to you? What will he gain by hurting you?”

Biting my lower lip, I shake my head. “I don’t know. I’m not in a condition to think about what’s the truth and what’s the lie.”

She stares at me, concerned, and places her hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay. Just relax. Everything is fine. Luke loves you, so don’t worry that he was lying to you.”

“What about what I saw in the restaurant?”

“That woman whom you caught with Luke had spiked his drink. Luke was going to propose to you today.”

Aunt’s words hit me hard, shattering the walls of doubt I had built around my heart. Luke was going to propose to me? I feel guilty and regretful for not giving him a chance to explain.

“I… I didn’t know,” I stammer, feeling a lump form in my throat. “He… he was going to propose?”

Aunt nods. “Yes, he had everything planned. But that woman… she sabotaged it all.”

I feel a wave of rage towards Olivia for ruining our special day, and I also feel guilty for not giving Luke a chance to explain. My heart was begging me, yet I didn’t trust him.

“I’m sick of your lies, Luke. You can’t fool me anymore.”

“Butterfly, please. I’ll die without you.”

“Go away, Luke. I don’t care if you die or live any longer.”

“Just give me a chance to explain. I love you. I would never hurt you on purpose. Please don’t shut me out. I beg you.”

Our voices from our last conversation echo in my mind, and my chest becomes heavy with immense regret. I should have let him explain. I shouldn’t have judged him on his past mistakes. When will I move on from my past?

“Aunt…” I hiccup. “I’m feeling so terrible. Luke was begging me to hear him out… and I…” I squeeze my eyes shut and cry, palming my mouth.

“Daisy, relax.” She rubs my back, wiping my tears. “It’s understandable, sweetheart. You were hurt, and you reacted the way anyone would in that situation.” Tears blur my vision as I stare at her, filled with remorse. “But now you have to trust him. You have to understand Luke loves you. He’s not the same man he used to be.”

“I knew deep inside, I was doing wrong by not trusting him, but my past trauma overpowered me.” I wipe my tears, sniffling. “However, now I won’t repeat the mistake. I’ll not let my past come between us ever again.” I declare, my voice steadier than it’s been in hours.

“Now go get your man back.” She encourages me, wrapping her arms around me.

I pass her a small smile, feeling grateful to have someone like her in my life. “Thank you, Aunt.” I give her a tight hug. “Thank you for always being there for me.”

“I’m always there for you.” She strokes my hair affectionately.

“Aunt, I need to leave now.” I stand up and walk towards the door, but stop in my tracks as I recall Hope. I turn towards Aunt. “Hope-”

Before I can ask, she answers, “Hope is sleeping. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her. You focus on Luke.” She reassures me, and I hurry out of her apartment after passing her a smile of gratitude.

So much has happened in just one day. I’m hoping it ends on a positive note, just like it began.

***

After reaching the police station, I climb out of the car after quickly paying the cab driver.

I stop as my eyes fall on Luke, who stands outside the station on the other side of the road where I stand. I feel a pang in my heart as I notice his condition. He looks so hurt and broken, and the cause of his terrible state is me.

I promise, Luke, I won’t misjudge you ever again.

As his gaze falls on me, his eyes widen in surprise. And as our eyes lock onto each other, the entire world comes to a halt around us. My eyes apologise to him, and he stares at me like I’m his entire world.

As I lose myself in his blue eyes, he takes slow steps towards me, his gaze glued to me.

“I love you,” he murmurs, walking closer to me, and my lips curve up.

As I open my mouth to confess my love, my words are cut off by the screeching sound of tyres. My heart stops as I watch in horror as a car veers out of control, heading straight for Luke.

Time seems to slow down as I see him frozen in shock, unable to move as the car hurtles towards him. Without thinking, my instincts kick in, and I rush towards him, screaming his name. “Luke…”

Everything happens in a blur. I try to pull him out of harm’s way, but it’s too late. The car crashes into him with a sickening thud, causing him to fly in the air before crashing to the ground.

And in that moment, my world shatters into a million pieces.