48 The Divorce

"Oh, you're actually home this evening and not out with your mistress?" Julia taunted Calvin as he walked in the profound entrance.

He ignored her and went to his room. He now permanently slept in one of the guest rooms. He changed clothes and prepared to go to the dining room for dinner.

Julia wouldn't believe him, but ever since the incident with Charlotte he hadn't touched another woman. Not after holding her in his arms. Even though he knew he was terribly wrong to have done what he did to Charlotte, every time he closed his eyes he pictured himself holding her close and everything in his world felt better again. He felt like a teenager in love...if it weren't for his nagging wife.

He knew he couldn't have Charlotte, but that didn't mean he had to continue living with Julia. He pulled a document from his briefcase and placed it on the table in front of Julia.

"Sign it." He commanded.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Read it." He said blandly.

She picked up the document and began to read. "Certificate of Divorce." It outlined Calvin's terms and concessions. He gave her several pieces of property as well as a generous amount of alimony. Thankfully their children were adults so custody wasn't an issue.

"Divorce? You want to divorce me?!" Julia shouted.

"Yes. I think twenty-five years is enough time for me to realize this is never going to work. I would like to live out the rest of my life in peace." He announced.

"And what about me? You used up the tears of my youth and now you toss me away?" Julia yelled.

"I asked my lawyer to divide assets in such a way that it is more favorable for you, and I'm willing to pay generous alimony. That is my compensation." Calvin refused to waver.

"I never imagined you'd have the guts." Julia spat the words as she took a pen and signed her name.

"You'll regret it. I've managed your affairs for over two decades. You have no idea how much I did for you. But you'll find out soon enough." Julia said.

Calvin knew Julia always wanted the last word so he simply said nothing. Hopefully this was the last argument he would need to endure with her.

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Charlotte was early to her lunch with Rachel so she went to their box early. She quickly realized the early months of pregnancy meant running to the washroom. She stood up and hurried down the hallway when a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.

She heard Gordon talking in one of the boxes. She thought she'd stop and greet him. She peeked inside and saw Gordon with a young woman and a little girl.

"Sara, come back to the family. I promise my parents will recognize Bella as their granddaughter and would be kind to you. You've kept her from us for so long and I want to make up for lost time. Please." Gordon earnestly spike.

Charlotte felt her knees weaken. She grabbed hold of the wall and then ran to the washroom. She couldn't believe it.

Gordon had a child! Why hadn't he told her? Was he still involved with the child's mother? She realized there was still much they didn't know about each other.

She did her best to calm herself and quickly went back to her box to wait for Rachel.

Soon, the very pregnant Rachel joined her.

"Sorry I'm late. Traffic was awful." Rachel apologized

"It's alright. How are you and baby boy doing?" Charlotte tried to smile brightly.

"I went for a maternal visit morning at the hospital and he is growing so much. The doctor said it would be less than a month now before we meet him! Michael is so excited. He insists the ultrasound pictures look like him." Rachel said happily.

Charlotte smiled gently. Rachel's husband was very excited. She wondered would Gordon have been excited about their baby?

"What's going on, Charlotte? You sounded so serious on the phone the other day." Rachel opened the door for Charlotte.

"I'm pregnant. Nine weeks." Charlotte said quietly.

"Are you serious?! This is wonderful! I'll show you the best mother and baby shops! I'm so excited we will experience our first pregnancies at the same time!" Rachel was thrilled.

"Rachel, Gordon has an child outside of our marriage. And he's still seeing the child's mother." Charlotte said in a low and serious voice.

"What!? No way!" Rachel cried.

"I'm serious. I saw them together and he was trying to convince her to let his family acknowledge the little girl." Charlotte told her.

"What are you going to do?" Rachel Asked seriously.

Charlotte took a deep breath.

"I'm going to leave him if he doesn't tell me about the woman and child." Charlotte said with determination.

"You two are so in love! Would you really consider divorce?" Rachel was shocked.

"If our love is built on a lie then how can we continue together? I won't share my husband with another woman. I don't mind the little girl. She's innocent in all of this. But I will not tolerate lies or cheating." Charlotte was getting worked up.

"If you divorce him what will you do?" Rachel asked.

"I'll go abroad. I gave up the chance to go abroad for college to care for my mom. Now that she's gone I'll fulfill my dream." Charlotte decided.

"What about the baby?" Rachel asked.

"I'll have the baby abroad." She said simply.

"Will you tell Gordon about the child? I don't imagine he'll let you leave if he knows." Rachel said.

"No, I won't tell him. He has enough to keep him occupied with the child he already has." Charlotte said bitterly.