That was enough for Derek. With a yelp, he turned, scrambled onto the windowsill, and jumped.
From my spot in the hallway, I stifled a laugh as he landed awkwardly on the lawn in nothing but his boxers.
He stumbled to his feet, muttering something about calling later, and bolted down the street.
“Coward,” my dad muttered, shaking his head.
Jessica sat frozen on the bed, her wide eyes darting between me and my father.
I stepped into the room, tightening my robe. Jessica turned to me, her face flushed. “Look, Anna, I didn’t mean for this to happen—”
I held up a hand to cut her off.
“Save it. You’re not the first woman to make excuses for bad decisions. But you will be the last one in my house.”
Jessica blinked.
“I… I don’t have anywhere to go tonight.”
“Not my problem,” I said firmly. “You made a choice. Now you deal with it.
Pack your things and leave.”
“But—”
“Out. Now.”
Jessica looked like she wanted to argue, but my dad’s sharp glare made her think better of it. She grabbed her purse and shoes, glancing back at me as if she expected me to change my mind.
When I didn’t, she shuffled out of the room, her head low.
I heard the front door click shut behind her, and for the first time that night, the house felt quiet.
The next morning, I was up early, not because I had to be, but because I wanted to take control of my life as soon as possible. I dressed, packed a bag of Derek’s things, and made my way to the courthouse.
Filing for divorce felt like taking off a weight I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying. As I signed the papers, I thought about the lies, the betrayal, and the absurdity of Derek’s suggestion.
And then I thought about how I’d handled it.
I’d kept my cool, played my cards right, and turned what could’ve been a humiliating experience into a moment of triumph.
By the time I left the courthouse, I felt lighter, freer. I knew I deserved better, and I wasn’t going to settle for less ever again.
Source: amomama
