Paige’s POV
“Noah Hanson, do you take Paige Lopez as your wife?”
“I do.”
I felt bitterness as I reminisced the day we got married. He accepted me in his life. He answered so quickly and I didn’t realize he'd let go swiftly too. I’ve been in love with Noah Hanson since we were in College. So when he suddenly asked me out, I grabbed the opportunity despite the arrangement and agreement he wanted. I married him, hoping I can make him fall in love with me. We were getting along. So, I don’t understand why he asked for a divorce on our first anniversary. Am I lacking something? I just can’t understand. I gave him everything.
“Sign the divorce papers, Paige. I’m giving you a week to sign it.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks. “Why?”
His forehead creased. “Why? We had an agreement, Paige. I’ll marry you and you’ll give me a son. It’s that simple.”
Right. Why did I even forget about the only reason for this marriage?
“But we still have time and you didn’t tell me that you’ll divorce me if I fail to give you a son.”
He laughed sarcastically. His ruthless eyes bore to me intensely. “It was just a simple logic, Paige. You know me well. I am a businessman. I won’t invest on something that won’t benefit me.”
My heart sank. He’s so heartless. “So, that’s it. It’s all just a business to you? Don’t you have feelings for me, Noah? Don’t you feel anything? We’ve been married for a year. Today is our anniversary. Is this how are we gonna celebrate our marriage?”
He looked at me with annoyance. “Do we need to celebrate, Paige? There’s nothing to celebrate. I’m divorcing you and I won’t take it back.”
I shook my head as tears continued streaming down my face. “Noah, please! Don’t leave me. I need you, Noah. I need you. Did I offend you in some way? Do I smell bad? Am I not sexy enough? I’ll change myself, Noah. Just please… Please, don’t leave me.”
“Stop it, Paige!”
I shook my head and cried harder. I even kneel before him, shocking him. “Noah! You know h-how much I love you. Please, don’t do this to me.”
He pushed me to the floor as he eyed me aggressively. His face was so red in so much anger. I sobbed and looked up to him. “Noah…”
“Have some shame, Paige! Leave some dignity to yourself.”
I bit my bottom lip and shook my head. “I’d rather lose my dignity than losing you, Noah.”
He looked at me mockingly. “Have you gone mad, Paige?”
I sobbed. “Noah…”
He shook his head. "I want you gone, Paige."
I tried holding his hand but he turned his back and started walking away. I want to follow him. I want to run after him but I feel so weak. My knees couldn’t bear to move. I don’t wanna lose him. Losing him will break me.
“Noah! Noah, c-come back, please!” I cried while trying to pull myself up. I’ll swallow my pride. I’m willing to take another risk. I don’t wanna be alone!
When I successfully pulled myself up, I didn’t think twice. I ran out of the house with a thought of following him but I bumped into someone who fortunately caught me by the waist.
“Paige. Oh my God! What happened? Why are you crying?”
I cried harder after seeing my aunt Precy’s worried face. She took care of me after my parents died when I was kid. I held her arms helplessly. My tears won’t stop from falling. “Aunt Precy… N-Noah… Aunt Precy, bring me to Noah.”
“What? What really happened, darling? Did you have a fight with your husband?”
That made me so weak that I lost the strength in my knees again. Aunt Precy continued talking, asking and comforting me but I couldn’t answer. I just realized that consciousness is already leaving my body until I completely passed out, crying.
***
I woke up in the hospital. I stared at the ceiling as I remembered what happened. Noah is divorcing me. It hurts! It hurts so much. I loved him very much and I can’t lose him. I don’t wanna lose him.
I swallowed hard and licked my dried lips as I roamed my eyes around. I need to leave. I need to see Noah. I need to talk to him again.
Hiding my face, I managed to sneak out of the hospital. I rode a cab to go to the Hanson Group. I was so lost in thoughts, I didn’t realize I don’t have money and I need to pay my fare.
“You shouldn’t have ridden my taxi in the first place. What the hell is this, Miss?”
I bowed apologetically. “I-I’m sorry…”
“How much is her fare?” A man’s voice interrupted. I looked at him but I couldn’t see his face. He paid my fare. I thanked him politely and ran to the Hanson Group’s building.
My hands are trembling. I can still feel dizziness but I ignored it. I entered the elevator and went to the floor of Noah’s office. His assistant was shocked upon seeing me. He fixed his eyeglasses. “Miss Paige…”
I swallowed hard. “Where is Noah?”
“Uh… M-Miss Paige–”
“Is there a problem?” I cut him off. He seems so worried and it scares me. Did something happen? Is Noah okay?
He quickly shook his head and swallowed hard. “T-The thing is… Miss P-Paige. It’s because…”
My forehead creased. “What’s the problem, Oliver? Where is your boss?”
He looked away and sucked his breath before answering. “He’s in a m-meeting. He’s busy, Miss Paige. I-I suggest you just wait for him at home tonight.”
I nodded slowly while staring at his elusive eyes. “Then I’ll wait in his office.”
“Wait… Miss… Miss Paige, please don’t–”
I ignored Oliver because my mind was occupied by some thoughts. I opened the door of Noah’s office and I almost passed out again after I saw him sitting on the couch. A familiar woman is sitting on his legs and they’re kissing aggressively.
Tears rolled down my cheeks like a bullet as I felt my whole body become numb. So, this is it. It was all because of this. He wanted a divorce because of this. He wanted me gone because he finally got back with his first love. It’s so damn painful.
