Chapter 30
Anthony shook his head desperately. “No, no, I never wanted to divorce you. That wasn’t my choice. Daisy, I know I was wrong, so wrong, but I promise, I’ll fix everything. I’ll make it right. Just come back to me. Let’s live happily together again.”
His voice cracked as he slapped himself hárd across the face, his frustration and guilt evident. Blood trickled from the corner of his lip, but he didn’t seem to notice or care.
“I deserve this, I deserve all of it. Please, Daisy, forgive me. I’ve gotten rid of Julie. She’s gone completely out of my life. I swear, you’ll never see her name or face again.”
Anthony‘ s voice broke as he pleaded, his desperation palpable. “I can‘ t live without you. Do you have any idea how miserable I’ve been this past month?
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I’m begging you. Please, just one more chance.”
I wiped my tears away, forcing myself to stand tall. “No, Anthony,” I said coldly, my voice steady despite the storm in my heart. “I don’t care about your misery because, after leaving you, my days have been the happiest I’ve ever known. I don’t care about you anymore.”
Anthony’s entire body trembled as I continued, my words striking him like thunder. “If it’s the forgiveness you want, fine. I forgive you. But don’t think for a second that means I’ll come back to you.
“There is no forever for us, Anthony. The Daisy you love is gone. I don’t see a future with you, and I’ve already built a life without you. If you ever cared about me, you’d let me go and allow me to be happy. Can you do that?”
Anthony looked shattered, his eyes filled with despair. “Daisy, fine. If we can’t pick up where we left off, then let’s start
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over. With your new name, Valerie, I’ll pursue you all over again. However long it takes, I’ll win you back. Please, just give me that chance.”
I shook my head firmly. “Six years with you was enough, Anthony. If I’m being honest, I was never truly happy as your wife. I stayed out of pity for the man who pursued me so relentlessly for two years.
“But now that I look back, I see that I’ve wasted enough time. I deserve better.”
My words hit him like a physical blow, and I could see the defeat in his eyes.
“Anthony,” I said softly, “it’s over. Let me go.”
He fell to the floor on his knees, his head bowed as if the weight of my words had physically crushed him. His shoulders trembled as he struggled to speak, his voice barely audible.
“Have you never loved me for even a day— not out of pity, Daisy?” he asked softly, his
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tone filled with despair.
I closed my eyes for a moment, steadying my emotions. His question cut deep, and my heart ached despite everything. But I knew I had to be honest-for both of our sakes.
When I finally opened my eyes, I answered with a heavy heart, “Of course I have. There was a time, close to our fourth year of marriage, when I truly loved you.
“But then you hurt me, Anthony. You broke me. And just like that, whatever I felt for you disappeared.
“I’ve realized how unhappy I was when I was with you. I can’t go through that again. I don’t want to. Please, Anthony… let me go. I beg you.”
Anthony remained on the floor, his head
still bowed as if he could not face the truth.
Slowly, he raised his tear–streaked face to look at me. His expression was hollow, his eyes filled with the kind of pain that made
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him look far older than he was.
For a moment, his lips quivered, but then his voice broke the silence.
“I’m sorry, Daisy,” he whispered, his tears falling freely now. “I’m so sorry for never understanding your true feelings. I always thought I was trying hard to make you happy, but… I see now that I was only hurting you. I was blind to everything you were going through.”
He paused, his gaze flickering to Gordon, who stood nearby with an air of quiet authority, his sharp eyes fixed on Anthony.
“But promise me,” Anthony said, his voice cracking, “after I let you go, don’t ever get close to him. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Daisy. You won’t find the happiness you want with someone like him. Please… promise me that much.”
I shook my head slowly, my voice steady as I replied, “It’s not your decision anymore, Anthony. My life, my choices-
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they are mine now. I can take care of myself. You don’t have to worry about me anymore.”
Anthony‘ s tears fell harder as my words. struck him. He looked utterly defeated, his hands gripping his knees as if trying to hold himself together.
I took one final look at the man I had once
called my husband. The man who had pursued me for years, only to shatter my
heart.
“Goodbye, Anthony,” I said firmly, my voice unwavering.
Goodbye to the man I used to know.
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