章 4: Chapter 4
Fiona's parents were in utter disbelief. They sat across from her in the living room, staring at her tear-streaked face as she sobbed uncontrollably. Her mother, Mrs. Kemila, finally spoke, her voice thick with concern.
"Fiona, what are you saying? What has Daniel done that you want a divorce?" Mrs. Kemila's voice wavered between confusion and frustration.
But Fiona didn't respond. She just sat there, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, crying. The weight of everything she'd been holding in for days now cascaded out in silent sobs. Her father, Mr. Ledger, leaned forward, trying to catch his daughter's gaze.
"Fiona, why won't you say anything?" he urged, his tone gentler than before. "Tell us what happened between you two."
Mrs. Kemila interjected, still trying to piece together the situation. "She hasn't said a word since she came home. She's been like this—just crying."
Finally, Fiona looked up, her voice shaky but determined. "I got married because of you," she said, her words filled with years of bottled-up frustration. "Because you wanted me to. You married me off to someone who has never truly loved me!"
Her father frowned, not fully understanding. "Fiona, you're misunderstanding the situation. Daniel isn't like that. He loves you a lot."
Fiona's face contorted with anger, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "How can you say that? You don't know him better than I do."
There was silence in the room, thick and suffocating. They had never seen their daughter like this. She was usually so calm, so composed. What had happened?
Meanwhile, Daniel was frantically trying to call Fiona, but each attempt ended with no answer. Desperate, he dialed her father, hoping to reach her through him. Mr. Ledger was just about to answer when Fiona snatched the phone from his hand and hung up. Without saying a word, she turned off the phone and threw it onto the couch.
"Why are you even thinking of answering his call?" Fiona's voice was harsh now, filled with the bitterness she'd been keeping inside. "Do you know what he did to me?" She stared at both her parents, her voice cracking. "He cheated on me. I did everything for him, and he never loved me back. He was seeing another woman, taking her to hotels. And I—I was just… nothing."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with accusations and pain. Her parents sat frozen, unable to process what they were hearing. Their sweet, stable Daniel? The man who had asked for their daughter's hand with so much love and sincerity?
Mr. Ledger shook his head slowly, trying to make sense of it. "Fiona, what are you talking about?"
Without a word, Fiona grabbed her phone and turned it on. She swiped through her photos, then thrust the phone towards her parents, showing them the evidence—the photos of Daniel with another woman. Mrs. Kemila gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth. Mr. Ledger's eyes widened in shock, his face turning pale as he stared at the images.
"Fiona…" her mother whispered, but Fiona didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to hear them try to reason with her or make excuses for him. She had seen enough.
Despite her parents' attempts to talk her down, to convince her to reconsider, Fiona's decision was firm. She wasn't going to change her mind about the divorce. She had agreed to the marriage because of them, but now this decision was hers. Her parents, though reluctant, had no choice but to support her. They saw the conviction in her eyes.
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Ten days passed, and in that time, Daniel tried everything he could to reach Fiona. He called, texted, and even sent messages through her friends, but she refused to speak to him. The only thing she said, through her lawyer, was that she would meet him on the day of the divorce.
On that fateful day, Fiona arrived at the courthouse with her parents and her two best friends, Maya and Onne. Daniel and his parents were already there, waiting. Fiona had made sure all the divorce papers were prepared by her lawyer in advance. There was nothing left to discuss.
When Fiona saw Daniel from across the room, she almost didn't recognize him. In just ten days, he had become a shadow of the man she knew. His face was gaunt, with dark circles under his eyes, and he looked like he hadn't slept or eaten properly in days. He had lost weight, and his once sharp appearance was now disheveled and broken. Fiona was taken aback. Could this really be the same Daniel?
Daniel saw her too, and his heart ached. He wanted to speak, to explain everything, but as soon as their eyes met, Fiona turned away and walked inside without a word. He followed her, but the distance between them felt insurmountable. Everyone in the room could feel the tension, and Daniel's parents watched helplessly as their son unraveled before them.
Inside the courthouse, Fiona felt strange. She was on edge, and something felt off. Every time she stood near someone, she thought she could hear things—thoughts, whispers that didn't match the silence of the room. She moved away from her friends, confused and anxious. A girl stood near her, silent, but Fiona swore she could hear every thought running through the girl's mind, even though the girl didn't say a word.
Was it her nerves? Was the pressure of the divorce finally getting to her? Fiona shook her head and stepped away again, trying to clear her mind. But the feeling lingered, unsettling her.
When everyone took their seats, Fiona glanced over at Daniel. The strange sensation grew stronger. She could hear him. But not his voice—his thoughts. She could hear what he was thinking, clear as day, as if he were speaking directly to her. But his lips weren't moving.
Her breath caught in her throat. What was happening?
The lawyer entered the room and approached Fiona and Daniel. "Everything is ready," he said. "We just need your signatures."
Fiona and Daniel were called forward, and the lawyer asked the final question: "Mrs. Fiona Christel, have you thought this through carefully? Are you sure you want to proceed with the divorce?"
Fiona took a deep breath. "Yes," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
But as soon as she looked into Daniel's eyes, the voices—no, his voice—came flooding back. She could hear his thoughts, and they were full of pain.
Fiona, why are you leaving me over a misunderstanding? I don't know what you believe, but it's not true. Someone must have set me up. Fiona, I saw you for the first time at the bus stop when I was on my way to work. You didn't notice me, but I noticed you. Every day, I made sure to catch a glimpse of you. I fell in love with you, but I was afraid you'd reject me. I couldn't lose you. I've loved you from the very beginning…
Fiona's heart clenched. Was she really hearing this? Could she somehow hear Daniel's thoughts, or was she imagining it all?
Tears streamed down her face as she listened to the thoughts pouring out from Daniel's mind. He was remembering how he had fallen in love with her, how he had worried about her, and how he had told his parents everything so they could arrange the marriage. He had loved her so deeply, yet he had never told her the full extent of his feelings. And now, she was about to leave him.
The lawyer's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Mrs. Fiona, are you ready to sign the divorce papers?"
Fiona glanced at Daniel again, and his thoughts echoed louder in her mind. Fiona, please don't leave me. I can't live without you. I'm begging you, but I can't say it out loud. Please don't go.
Her hands trembled. What was happening to her? Was this real, or was it just her imagination playing tricks on her because of the stress? Fiona squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the overwhelming emotions flooding her.
When she opened them again, she looked at Daniel, and in that moment, she knew—whether it was real or not—she couldn't go through with it. She couldn't sign the papers.
Her heart ached, but she couldn't deny the love she had felt for him, the love that still lingered beneath all the hurt and betrayal.
With trembling hands, Fiona put the pen down. "I can't," she whispered.
The room fell silent. Daniel's eyes widened in disbelief, but for the first time in weeks, there was a glimmer of hope.
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