The Billionaire's Pearl Ring

Chapter 2 - The Breaking Point

Chapter 2 - The Breaking Point

Emily's POV

An hour or so later, Robert decided to join me in bed. I had already taken off all my remaining make-up and changed into a pair of worn out pyjamas. As he entered the bedroom I pretended to be asleep, tears still seeping underneath my closed eyelids. I hear some rustling sounds, as he changes his clothes and then feel the bed dip as he climbs into it. I stupidly expected him to cuddle me, give me a goodnight kiss or apologise for fighting with me on my birthday, but instead I started hearing soft snores coming from him. Great, he's asleep already.

Now, one might call me a bratty b***h because my husband works so much and might be tired, but not everything is as it seems. Whatever work he does, mainly involves him showing his face around the office. His dad still runs the show and Robert will only step in as CEO without ever having to prove himself.

Minutes turn to hours again, and I can't seem to fall asleep. Here I am, crying and sobbing, tired of all the s**t he put me through. Every other night I would cry myself to sleep, all with him laying next to me unbothered. Suddenly a moment of clarity- so much calm- and it felt like the time stood so still that I could see everything frame by frame.

I climbed out of bed and went into the dining room, rummaging through Robert's jacket.

Aha! I take out the pack of cigarettes and a lighter, making my way outside on the patio. The cold air of the night is biting into my skin, but I don't mind it. I was calmly smoking a cigarette and smiling. I couldn't believe it, it was like a f*****g switch finally flipped and I saw everything so clearly and felt nothing. Do you even know how good it feels to feel nothing? I might sound like a lunatic right now, but I'm far from it. At this moment I decided that I was done. This had been our last fight, this would be it. I will ask him for a divorce.

OK, so I don't actually smoke, I've always hated cigarettes because of my parents that have been heavy smokers all my life. I basically grew up hating the smell left behind after they smoked. Tonight I was just trying to be dramatic, but I quickly give up and throw the cigarette on the concrete tiles, using my shoe to fully put it out.

Satisfied with the decision I just took, I make my way back into the bedroom and climb on the bed, trying to wake Robert up. I should have probably waited until morning, but I didn't want to lose my nerve.

"Robert?" He groans as he slowly wakes up, clearly not happy for having his sleep interrupted. My bad, that's on me, but it's too important.

"Robert, are you awake?" I almost slap myself because of the silly questions I asked.

"Yeah, what?"

"I want a divorce. I think it's best to finally accept defeat and go our separate ways. I mean, there's nothing tying us together, we just outgrew this relationship, so maybe it's best if we both start fresh." I lay out my speech and see that he's looking at me. Good, at least he didn't fall back asleep, so I wouldn't have to repeat all this. He's still staring at me, probably digesting what I just said. It's not everyday that your wife wakes you up in the middle of the night asking for a divorce.

"If that's what you want, Em... " Robert said with a sleepy voice and turned his back on me, going back to sleep. That's his reaction after I poured my heart out and told him I didn't want us to be together anymore.

That motherfucker! I had given 8 years of my life. That's my young and carefree years all gone and I can never get that time back. He was the first and only man that ever touched me, and that's his response to me asking for a divorce? Well, f**k him! I said unsure if this cursing stayed within my head or I had actually muttered those words out loud to him. He deserves it, anyway. That is not how a MAN reacts to his woman wanting to leave him. But Robert has never been that Alpha male that I craved for, he never made my insides burn, he is not a leader, but an obedient follower. I often felt like I was the husband in this marriage.

I had met Robert while interning at the same company he worked for. I was still in high school and working towards earning some extra credit to help with my future college applications and increase my chances of getting a full scholarship.

Robert was the most promising Sales Agent they had, and all the girls in the office were smitten with him. Granted, he was only 19 at the time and because his family owned the telecommunication company, he didn't feel the need to further his education.

Much to my surprise, he seemed to have taken an interest in me. Everything moved so fast, that before I realized what was happening, we went from dating to being married. Soon after, he'd been promoted (of course he has) and I was stuck being a miserable housewife.

My dear husband convinced my parents that there is no point for me to go to University either, that I wouldn't need further education and I will be well taken care of. I tried to convince them otherwise, but in the end my parents agreed to his logic, and not wanting to have more arguments, I gave in. Well, kind of. This is when I started keeping my big secret. I secretly enrolled at University of Cambridge in a special course which only required attendance in person 1 day a week, on Thursdays. So as far as Robert was concerned, Thursday's were my shopping, gym, hair and various other appointments day. He never really asks what I do with my time, and I was happy to keep my little secret.

My extra credits allowed me to get the full scholarship I wanted, so it worked out great. I actually enjoyed going to University and making new friends. Of course I could never see those friends outside class, because that would have exposed my little secret, but it was good. I didn't have anyone to celebrate my graduation with, so this failed birthday kind of reminded me of that. I guess it finally became too much.

I've never given this so much thought, but I should have. Robert is nothing but a brat, born into his well planned out life.

He took a job that his father offered at the family's company, and now is just waiting for his dad to retire to finally have the CEO position. Nothing more, nothing less. Like I said, a follower. Whenever I asked if he ever thought about expanding the company and doing something new, he would laugh softly and tell me not to worry about business. That's what I absolutely hate the most - when he treats me like I'm dumb. A part of me always wondered if he actually thinks I'm not that bright.

I'm determined to go ahead with the divorce. It should be a clean break, right? Luckily we don't have any kids, since that would mean having s*x, an activity that was a rare occurrence resembling more of a chore. I'm not an expert or anything, because I've only been with Robert, but I'm pretty sure a young couple with no children should have intimate relations more than once a month.

I feel a sad smile forming on my lips. Happy birthday to me. I lay my head on the pillow and allow myself to fall asleep.