Before Our Divorce I Discovered My Husband Had Loved Me All Along Chapter 05

Before Our Divorce I Discovered My Husband Had Loved Me All Along Chapter 05

Ethan came home early that night. He didn’t go straight to the bedroom—he stepped onto the balcony and lit a cigarette. He’d quit the day we got married. Seeing Avery again had clearly shaken him.

After his shower, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. We never touched like this except in bed.

“We should talk,” he murmured.

Talk about what? Divorce?

I went stiff, my breath hitching.

“Never mind,” he backtracked. “Why’d you call me today?”

We rarely called—only occasional texts.

I didn’t know what to say. And I didn’t have the heart to lie.

“Butt-dial?” he guessed. “You hung up so fast.”

That night he kissed me carefully, tenderly. I preferred him rough and wild—in those moments I caught glimpses of the seventeen-year-old boy he used to be.

They say love makes you childish. I’d seen him ruffle Avery’s hair with wicked delight. I’d seen him fight for her, bloody and unhinged.

But with me, he was always composed, always cool.

Because I had seen how he loved someone else, I knew—Ethan Grant did not love me.

I had no one to turn to. No friends. No family. Except Grandpa.

That afternoon, I stared at the chessboard, frozen. The old saying goes, Don’t be greedy for victory; when danger comes, let go.

I wondered if marriage worked the same way.

“Grandpa,” I asked, “I can’t solve this. What do I do?”

He laughed, swept the pieces aside. “Then flip the board.”

So be it.

Fall was coming. I didn’t switch out my wardrobe. My body wash was nearly empty—I didn’t stock up. I packed my books into cardboard boxes.

Ethan noticed the half-empty shelf. “Where are your books?”

“Already read them. Dropping them off at the foster center.” A lie. I just didn’t want to scramble when I left.

Even the divorce speech I’d rehearsed a hundred times.

That night he was working in his study. I stood outside, took three deep breaths, then turned the knob.

He was at his desk, phone pressed to his ear, rubbing his temple. He sounded tired, his voice soft, “Avery, I can wrap up my side whenever—it’s been too long. I don’t want to wait anymore…”

I didn’t stay to hear more. I quietly stepped back and pulled the door shut.

I almost laughed at myself. Ethan was more eager than me—and much more patient.

Divorce was a monumental decision for me. I needed the right time, the right opening.

But to him, it was just logistics. Probably waiting for Avery to give the green light so he could “deal” with me.

I’d overthought it. Made too much of a marriage that was always just a formality.

That night, I finally said it. At the worst possible moment, in the flattest tone.

He was kissing my ear, his lips hot, and I turned my head away.

“Ethan. Let’s get a divorce.”