Between love and betrayal

Failed attempt

Days were years for her, her thoughts clinging to a single idea. A rough and difficult decision emerged from her mind between thoughts. She looked at him, so immature and reserved. She was blind, but with everything that had happened to her in the last week she understood perfectly.

She sighed again and again, as she moved her fingers in harmony with them on her legs.

Bradley was confused, a little nervous, he looked at her and didn't understand her. She was strange, distant, as if something was being released inside him.

But, the clock chimed, tik, tok, tok, tik tok, and in a flash of light, Layla felt bitterness and her lips slowly parted.

—Bradley, I want a divorce,— she sighed half-heartedly and closed her lips again.

It was as if she had sunk into an icy sea. Her face was neutral and haggard, almost screaming in desperation to be free of her desires.

Bradley heard her, immediately falling into a trance-like state. He was stunned. He couldn't catch her words. He acted, of course, he did, how could he not?

—What's going on, Layla, this is absurd, all because I wouldn't help your father, you want to blackmail me,— he said, as he grabbed her arm with his hand and pressed his fingers into her skin.

Layla felt his nails digging into her skin, and it hurt. Nausea invaded her body, tears welled in her eyes and slid down her cheeks.

—Bradley, no. Our marriage is no good. You think it's good? There's no communication, let alone honesty, we...— Layla said, as her voice collapsed into tears.

—You never loved me. Why did you go through with this marriage? —

Bradley had always loved that girl, Francin, even though she had abandoned him to pursue her dreams. He was a wreck, he got drunk almost every day, but one night, as the alcohol ate away at his senses, he met her.

He looked at her with empty eyes, he needed someone to fill his heart, after all, his family wanted a wife for him.

Layla knew that, but, at that moment, she was also broken, something in her past drove her to loneliness in that station, depressed, she looked at that handsome man who kept looking at her. She understood him, they understood each other.

He was delighted, he cared for her, but her thoughts did not leave Francin. She had fallen in love with him, completely, although now she felt at the bottom of an abyss.

—I know. He's back, your darling girl. I have to give him my place after all, he's back for you,— Layla said.

At last, at last she could let go of the knot that had tied her throat for so long. Francin Backer was a stone in her shoe, trapped at her feet for more than five years. It had to be released at some point.

Bradley was stunned at his words. But, in a cynical tone he scorned her words and asked her to get out of his way, after all, he shouldn't care.

—I just want to let you have a clear path, maybe it will help you and make it less cumbersome for the three of us,— he said in a mocking and sarcastic tone.

Bradley didn't take it well. You could see it on his face the rage that was gnawing at his insides. However, no coherent explanation could come out of his imagination. It was what it was and there was no going back.

—Is that what you want? Are you sure you won't regret it? —Bradley asked.

Layla shook her head up and down confidently. She wouldn't regret it, or at least that's what she wanted to let Bradley know right then.

—Okay, but what do you want in return? This wouldn't be for nothing,— Bradley added.

Layla sighed, gathered her strength, and focused her gaze on Bradley's eyes.

—I want the million dollars I asked for,— Layla said.

She didn't usually ask for that kind of thing, but she took it as an obligation she had to fulfil. She had no choice but to stoop to that level.

—I knew it. You'll sell our divorce for a million dollars,— Bradley mentioned, a little uncomfortably. He felt nervous, controllable. —That's what our marriage was worth? A million dollars?— he added with a sarcastic, mocking expression.

—No, it's not what it's worth. It's what I demand in exchange for your happiness with her. Did you ever love me? Did you ever feel for me the way you feel for her?— Layla said.

She was determined to go through with the divorce. She wanted the money and to be free of everything that was eating her up inside.

An awkward silence pervaded those four walls, until Bradley's word "No" flowed out like a thousand wasps stinging your skin all at once.

In her thoughts, Layla crawled to hell as she heard his sincerity captured in two letters. It was painful, so painful that her heart began to slow. It was frustrating, a lot. The air in the room diminishes, time seems to have frozen.

—I'll do you a favour, I'll forget your words and pretend you never asked me such an idiotic question,— said Bradley.

Bradley immediately got out of bed and headed for the kitchen. He didn't want to hear her mention it again, he planned to avoid her until the absurd thought passed.

Layla stayed in bed, holding in her helplessness. she didn't understand, why wouldn't she accept it? If she loved Francin, this might finally give her the position she craved.

Maybe he only wanted her as a lover, and didn't expect more than that. Layla raised her hand, and fixed her eyes on that wedding ring, along with the engraved letters that adorned its centre. She loved to wear it on her ring finger, never taking it off her finger, but at that moment she decided to take it off.

It was something symbolic that bound her to her husband, but, it was an impersonal love, there was nothing more than a flaw in the matrix. her eyes closed, and sleep consumed her.

***

The sun rose this morning in the east, as always. It lit up her window and woke her up. Bradley wasn't there, it wasn't unusual. She got up, showered, grabbed her mobile phone and met her best friend for lunch.

The aroma of coffee lit up the place, a chic little coffee shop at the end of Mackenzie Street, which was always lively and quiet. Luckily, that afternoon there was a table free, a little out of the way, by the window on one side.

Brianna Ferrel, a tall, brown-haired, brown-eyed girl. They used to go to primary schools together, and from there their friendship blossomed into adulthood.

A waiter approached them with a small tray and two glasses of water. —Would you like to order? —asked the noble boy.

—Yes, of course. He brings us the menu of the day, and two green salads, with two glasses of blackberry juice, and the dessert of the day, of course,— Brianna mentioned, as she handed the menu back to the boy.

Brianna looked at Layla with intrigue, she knew about her father's will, and how tormented his heart felt. He wanted to cheer her up, yes, but he couldn't find words more vain than to remind her of what a wonderful husband she had, for Brianna there was the solution, Brad had money, and he could help his wife, how could he not?

Layla listened to her and snorted sarcasm from her pores.

—"Ah, Brianna, Bradley and I are getting a divorce,— she said in a soft voice.

It was like a nuclear bomb went off in the middle of the cafeteria. It was almost impossible for Layla to do something like that. As far as she could remember, they were both happy, she knew Layla didn't live in a bubble of love and passion, but it was bearable and they understood each other.

—What do you mean you're getting divorced, what happened? —Brianna asked, a little surprised by the news.

She didn't understand. It was sudden.

—I want to leave the job open to her, Bradley's beloved executive,— Layla said.

After a few words there was an awkward silence. Brianna was trying to take in what Layla was trying to say, and after a few seconds that insipid, unsettling name came to her mind.

—What? Francin? Bradley's back with Francin? —Brianna asked in a state of great intrigue.

Layla just smiled as she took small sips of the delicious blackberry juice the waiter had brought her. She nodded positively and looked down at her plate.

—How awful. He's a bastard,— Brianna said angrily.

It all made sense now. He was a good man, but he didn't cover any ground in terms of being a good husband. To her regret, all of Layla's friends were jealous, adoring him as the best man in the world. Maybe it was his money, or his physical charm that amazed them every day, but they all had the wrong perception of Bradley.

—You know, let's forget about this,— Layla said.

She tried to hold back the tears and a small fake smile tugged at her lips. Brianna wasn't stupid, she knew Layla, it was wrong, she knew it. Layla loved Bradley so much, she'd proved it to him for five years, it was absurd.

—Layla, I... She mentioned half-heartedly. —Layla, what are you going to do? What do you want to do? —Brianna asked, as she took Layla's hand and looked worriedly into her eyes.

Layla tried to calm her down, changing the conversation, or talking about her father's problem, after all, that was what was gnawing at Layla's soul right now.

Brianna could hear her, and she felt a pang of guilt for what her best friend was going through, so she let go of her hand, reached into her purse for her wallet, and pulled out a small wad of notes.

—Layla, I know it's not a lot of money, but I want to help with your dad,— she said.

Layla looked at her dumbfounded by the act. There was over $20,000 in large notes. She couldn't accept it, it was unfair to take Brianna's money. Her eyes grew redder and her voice calmed.

—Brianna, I, I didn't.... —She mentioned between cuts in her voice.

—Layla, calm down, take them. I want to help you, don't reject them. Let me help you. You need them, and this is a big emergency,— Brianna said.

Layla lowered her gaze as her tears welled up, emotion, perhaps. A sea of intertwined feelings at that cafeteria table.

Layla was deep in thought. However, she didn't dare mention her pregnancy to Briana. For her, it was more than enough to have talked about her future divorce.

A few minutes later, the nice young man in his black apron and half-sleeved shirt brought in a small turntable, on which were laid out four elegant china plates and a glorious aroma. Brianna and Layla straightened up as they watched the delicacies being prepared.

Layla placed a cloth napkin on her lap and with a delicate motion reached up and took one of the silverware, but she wasn't hungry. she was about to eat something that wouldn't make her stomach growl.

Brianna's gaze fell on her friend. She wasn't digesting the news of the divorce. She knew Layla loved Bradley and had given up a lot to keep their marriage afloat.

But was it worth it? No, in the end she had nothing to gain.

They both ate again and again, until the meal was finished and they moved on to dessert. Oh, an absolute marvel!

A glass bowl filled with a white cream filled with chunks of peanuts. It was garnished with a dark chocolate syrup and hundreds of caramelised, fruity bits.

My belly was full and the hour was getting late. Brianna had to get to work, so when she was done she sent Layla home and went to work.

***

It was early, the day had just begun and she had barely opened her eyes. Her first thought was for her father, so when she was ready she went straight to the hospital to see him.

It was early, the day had just begun and she had barely opened her eyes. Her first thought was for her father, so when she was ready she went straight to the hospital to see him.

The bad news was at an end: her father was better, his heart had passed all the tests and he could be discharged. She was happy, she could see Will stirring with energy.

After a short while, Layla reached the doctor, who explained a series of details to keep her father healthy, whose heart could have collapsed and suffer serious consequences.

Layla listened attentively to every piece of advice, wrote down all the medications and schedules her father had to follow, until with a huge smile he was discharged.

They returned home, she was an oasis of peace to keep him stable, but when she touched his bed, her doubts rumbled and she had to express them immediately.

—Daughter, honey, have you asked Bradley if he will help us with the debt,— he asked Layla as he took her by the arm.

Layla could no longer hide the truth. Will didn't deserve to keep waiting for help from his beloved son-in-law. Layla had to avoid raising false expectations.

—We should sell the house and the cars, maybe we can pay off some of the debt. Then we'll find a way to collect the rest. We'll manage, all right,— Layla said, pursing her lips and fighting back tears.

Will understood for himself. Stunned, he filled his face with great concern. He couldn't believe it, his own son-in-law was refusing to help him.

—Bradley refused, didn't he? I wouldn't help either, haha,— he said with a mock laugh. —He's right, I'd never be able to pay him back, look at me, I'm sick,— he added.

He despised himself, as Layla heard him and swooned inwardly. His heart was torn with the pain of not being able to help his own father.

—Forgive me for this? —Layla said through her tears.

She couldn't control herself. Her feelings were familiar. She felt totally guilty for everything that was happening.

—I was the one who failed. The one who claimed to be my best friend cheated on me and I fell for his betrayal, I just couldn't help it. Now I have to pay the consequences.

Layla knew he was just trying to soothe her anguish and avoid the subject of Bradley, but Merle couldn't control himself as much as Will.

—What, Bradley doesn't want to help? How can he be so insolent? He's your father, for God's sake, this is his father-in-law we're talking about. He has many millions, how can he not help us,— exclaimed Merle with annoyance.

Layla could do nothing but lower her face and apologise for everything. She didn't even mention the little creature growing in her belly.

—He's a very selfish and ungrateful man! It's your fault! You should have known him before you married such a hateful man,— said Merle.

— Merle, darling, let's forget Bradley. Let's put the house and the cars on the market and then we'll get the rest of the money. I'm sure we can buy another house later. —Will said in a low, resigned tone.

—No, I don't agree. We have nowhere else to go. We have to keep up the pressure on Bradley. I could go and tell him straight away, maybe he'll change his mind,— Merle added desperately.

—No, Merle, we have to calm down, we can settle down, pay off that debt and in the future buy a new house, okay?

Layla intervened and tried to convince Merle not to insist with Bradley, she knew he would refuse and her dignity would die before him. But Merle kept insisting, until her soul noticed and she was breaking down mentally.

—In the end, we will lose everything,— she choked back tears, as she slowly fell to her knees on the floor and then posed her body in despair and agony.

The gazes intertwined between the 3 of them, a silence invaded them, and they could only hear their own faint thoughts. Until suddenly the front doorbell rang.