Wife Swap - S01 E38

6 months ago

Wife Swap - S01 E38

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 38

Rome pov

This is not how I had perceived this day ending. I had a plan and a lot of expectations, and I mean a lot! My head tries to wrap itself around what is happening. Never in a thousand years did I imagine someday I would get to a point where I loathed my wife this much, after all, I presumed we are not those couples. We married for the right reasons, loved each other, and had the best interest of each other at heart. Yet, here we are, so never say never.

When I get to my room, I head to my room to get a copy of the divorce papers I had in my drawer.

How dare she? Wife? Married? Where does she get the nerve?

She even dares to claim we are even, when were we in a competition? I wasn't aware. I was never told the rules to acquaint myself with them. And most importantly I was never asked if I wanted to participate. I throw a blow to the air.

My eyes shift to the white pieces on the floor and as I bend to check, I am certain that, it is the divorce papers she tore. I look around noting the things I missed. All of Esme's things that I had thrown in the bathroom. Are now put back where they initially were when things were good. The straw that breaks the camel's back is when I see Athena's Aloe Vera on the floor near the door that leads to the balcony. The pot is broken but the soil is still intact. I have spent my mornings and evenings watering and tending to it, watching its leaves become succulent. It has become a routine and I have become attached to it.

I storm out just to find Esme and Sienna pushing Athena out of the house. I rush to her rescue but the door is shut before I can intervene.

"Both of you," I point at each one of them, "Out of my way," I shout.

"I am not going to allow it." Esme huffs.

I sigh angrily, "As who?" I demand.

"Your wife!" She yells back.

"I am done," I tell her.

"You are just confused and once she is out of our life. You will see. This agreement helped me realize I was confused too." She speaks with what I can say is feigned remorse.

"You cheated!" I tell. I hate being reminded of it and I don't even wait for her response. I am tired of this pointless banter, while Athena is on the other side being humiliated by both of them. I grab both of them roughly and pull them away. They wince in pain but I don't care.

I open the door, Athena is gone while all the neighbors are at their door making sure they don't miss any drama.

"If you are fast, you will catch her," An old woman that leaves below me says. I have always liked her and her coconut cookies.

I rush downstairs. I am breathing hard when I finally get out. It takes a moment to feel normal again. I look around and I see her get into a taxi. I rush towards her calling out her name but she is already gone.

****

Prudence pov

If Rome was here he would make fun of how my tears are so easy to come.

I shut my eyes and open them. It is insane! Everything! Why did I agree to this wife swap agreement? Why am I even crying? He is not mine. He never promised me anything. A month ago I could not stand him. Never spoke more than three words to him. Yet here I feel I have known him all my life and I can not see the rest of it without him.

My phone rings and it is Rome. I watch it contemplating. I let it ring till it stops. It is better this way, there is nothing healthy that brought us together. Maybe all these confusing emotions are just because of a trauma bond.

The taxi drives me to the bus stage. I am nervous but I have no otherwise. No money or anywhere to go. Where do I start? And where I am going will I be welcomed or the door will be shut in my face?

I board it and settled down.

I am woken up by the driver tapping on my shoulder. I struggle to open my eyes.

"We are at our destination." He says.

I give him a weak smile and alight. Take my luggage and order a taxi. As I wait for it, I start to think. What am I doing here? This is the opportunity to abort this mission get into the other bus and go back to my husband. After all, I had gotten comfortable with the toxicity and there is security. Mason always assured me of that.

However, I know I need to do this. It is said, when you are feeling lost, home is the best compass to offer direction.

The drive is slow and I am glad as it eases my thoughts and anxiety. It is three in the morning when I finally arrive at home. She must be asleep. I take deep breaths as I stare at where I grew up. The flowers have died except the Aloe Vera plants my father left. They are tall but their leaves are thin and withered.

The lights in my mother's bedroom are turned on and after a while the porch light too. She already knows of my presence. So I wait to be either chased or welcomed back.

When she opens the door, my anxiety kicks back. She just stands taking in my appearance. No words are shared just looks.

I feel a strong urge to break down and cry, but if I do, she'll state how right she is always.

She steps aside and I sidestep inside a house I haven't been in for three years.