- (Book 2: Subtraction)

I sat in the bar downstairs with conflicted feelings as I waited for Alyssa to join me. Earlier today I was so sure leaving Dwayne would be easy but after everything that's happened in the last hour, this was going to hurt me more than I realized. I decided to call Sean to talk it out before I lost my mind.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, I just needed to hear your voice."

"You don't sound okay. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm fine. I just miss you."

"I know you well enough to know that 'I'm fine' means you aren't."

"I fucked up, Sean. I made a stupid decision that I really don't wanna talk about right now."

There was a very uncomfortable silence on the other line. So silent that I had to check to make sure the call didn't disconnect.

"Sean?"

"I'm still here. Should I be?"

"I haven't changed my mind."

"Okay. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Sean—"

"Tomorrow, Kia," he said before hanging up.

I could feel my stomach drop to my ass when he ended the call. This wasn't something I wanted to hide from him but I also didn't like the idea of fully committing to a new relationship without emotionally ending the previous one. I placed my phone on the table, running my hands through my hair as the bartender handed me my drink.

"Thank you."

"This one's on me. You look like you need it," she smiled before she walked away.

I took a sip as Alyssa finally made it downstairs, sitting in the chair next to me.

"Sorry I'm late. Dwayne called."

"What?" I asked with wide eyes.

After everything that just happened, he still called her. I immediately felt stupid and angry that I've potentially ruined my relationship with Sean.

"Yeah. Let's just say you're making the right decision by leaving."

"Oh no, I need to know what he said."

"Are you sure?"

"No but tell me anyway," I demanded anxiously.

"Of course I didn't tell him I was here and I tried to play it cool so he wouldn't get suspicious. He told me that he was out of town visiting family and that he wasn't having the best time and he couldn't wait to get back to LA."

"Sorry ass lying ass sack of shit!" I shouted, feeling my blood boiling under my skin.

I snatched my phone off the bar, jumping out of my chair to make my way back to the room.

"Kia, wait," Alyssa stopped me, grabbing my arm. "Just sit and cool off before you go up there."

"You've been in a relationship with my husband for most of my marriage and you want me to cool off?"

"I just don't want you to go up there in the condition you're in."

"Let me go," I growled, snatching my arm away from her and storming towards the elevator.

Alyssa was on my heels begging me to stop and calm down but I didn't want to hear shit she had to say. I was trying to do my best to keep my anger directed at him but honestly I was 2 seconds off her ass as well because I know she only told one side of the conversation.

The elevator opened on my floor and the closer I got to the door the more pissed off I got. I was seeing red and God himself couldn't stop me from going off. I unlocked the door with my keycard, swinging the door open ready to get straight to it.

"Four years. I gave you four fucking years of my life!" I yelled, tackling him onto the bed.

"Kia, what the fuck?!" he shouted, trying his his best to stop me but it wasn't happening.

"You couldn't even wait 6 fucking months!"

I could feel the tears filling my eyes with every swing. Alyssa finally made it into the room, trying to grab me to pull me off of Dwayne.

"Let go! Let me go!"

"No!" she yelled. "I told you this was a bad idea. Stop!"

"Alyssa? What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Yeah, because you just talked to her huh? You didn't think I would find out that you've been fucking her for almost a year?! I found the marriage license in your office!"

"Kia, can we talk about this?"

"I have nothing to say to you," I said softly and slowly. "My attorneys will contact you and I will see you in court."

"Court? Baby, let's just talk about this."

"Shut the fuck up! I don't wanna hear anything you have to say."

There was a deafening silence in the room as I calmed down. Once my heart rate slowed, I walked over to the corner, grabbing my suitcase and exiting the room. I didn't even look to see if Alyssa was behind me. I just got on the elevator, pressed the ground floor and left it all behind me.