Crazy but sweet

 LOLA’S POV

 I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my heart pounding as if it were trying to break free from my chest. It was just me in this room, no one else to see how nervous I was—except for my own reflection, the only thing that had stayed with me ever since I lost my parents.

 The divorce papers lay on the counter beside me, the ink waiting to seal my fate. All I had to do was pick up the pen and sign. One signature, and I would finally be free. Free from this suffocating marriage, free from always waiting, always hoping, always expecting explanations that never came.

 I took a deep breath. This marriage was not what I had wished for.

 I reached for the pen, but my fingers trembled. My chest ached, my mind swirled with memories. I had given him everything—my love, my patience, my soul. And yet, when it mattered most, I had never been the one he chose.

 Jolie had promised to change. He had promised to put me first. But every time Anna called, he dropped everything to run to her. Every. Damn. Time.

 I smoothed my jeans, ran my fingers over my simple shirt, and pulled my hair into a loose ponytail. This is the real Lola. Not the woman draped in expensive dresses and weighed down by heavy jewelry Jolie had showered me with. Not the woman who sacrificed her happiness just to be chosen second.

 With a final breath, I signed the papers. One stroke, two strokes, done.

 A wave of nausea hit me, but I refused to let my emotions win. No tears. Not today.

 I picked up my purse and turned away from the vanity, my eyes catching sight of a small flower on the papers. My father’s favorite gift to me. He gave me one every birthday, every anniversary of their marriage, just because he wanted me happy.

 I picked it up and pressed it to my nose, inhaling deeply. Goodbye, Papa. Goodbye, Mama. Goodbye, Jolie.

 When I stepped outside, my grandfather was waiting, his expression unreadable. He had been here for hours, refusing to step inside the house that had become my prison.

 He extended his hand, and I took it, gripping tightly.

 We always grieved this day in silence.

 I didn’t look particularly lovely today—but he didn’t care.

 He took the flowers from my hand and carefully placed them in the backseat before closing my door. He sat beside me, his fingers lacing through mine, the same way he had done since I was a little girl.

 We drove off, leaving behind the mansion, the memories, and the man who had broken me.

 It was over.

 ---

 ONE DAY AFTER JOLIE LEFT

 The water was cool against my skin as I floated in the swimming pool, letting myself drift, trying to drown out the thoughts threatening to consume me.

 Jolie had called several times, but I ignored him. What was there left to say? I was tired—tired of being second, tired of waiting, tired of loving a man who had already chosen someone else.

 I was about to give in and video-call him when a commotion broke out near the entrance.

 A familiar voice.

 Guards were pushing someone back.

 Sally.

 I waved a hand, signaling them to let her through. She hesitated, gripping something tightly in her hands—an envelope.

 “What is it?” I asked, wrapping myself in a towel as she approached.

 She exhaled sharply. "Divorce papers. Mrs. Daviola wants you to sign them. She wants Jolie to marry that pregnant woman."

 I froze. Anna.

 Sally continued, her voice cracking. “Your husband visited her before he left. He didn’t know his mother was with her. They argued, and he left looking completely broken.”

 I clenched my jaw. “Why should I trust you? You tried to poison me.”

 She flinched. “I never meant to harm you. I told your grandfather everything. Mrs. Daviola ordered me to do it. I faked it—I only put glucose in your water.”

 My hands curled into fists.

 “Two weeks ago, when you were discharged from the hospital,” she added. “Your grandpa promised to handle everything. He asked me to play along, to let Mrs. Daviola think she still controlled me.”

 I swallowed hard. This was deeper than I thought.

 I stared at the papers. If Mrs. Daviola was pushing for the divorce, it meant one thing: she wanted me out of the way.

 Possibly for good.

 I forced a smile. “Tell her I was devastated. That I signed them in anger.”

 Sally nodded, relief flickering in her eyes. “I already told Mr. Fayas everything. He’s making arrangements for your safety.”

 I turned my back to her and whispered, “Thank you.”

 She left, and I sank onto a poolside chair, pressing my hand against my stomach. My child. My only reason to keep fighting.

 I had to leave.

 ---

 JOLIE’S POV

 I paced the airport, my phone pressed to my ear, calling Lola over and over.

 No answer.

 Damn it.

 My driver pulled up, and I slid into the backseat. “Where is my wife?”

 The man hesitated. “She spent the night at Fayas Mansion.”

 I exhaled sharply. That made sense. Yesterday was her parents' death anniversary. She always spent it with her grandfather.

 I instructed the driver to take me home. I needed to fix this.

 But when I walked into our bedroom, something caught my eye.

 A single withered flower.

 And next to it, the divorce papers.

 Signed.

 My heart slammed against my ribs as I picked up the second sheet.

 Her handwriting.

 My hands shook as I read.

 ---

 **“I love you, you know. I’ll always love you, Jolie. But I have to move on. Starting tonight.

 I never resented you for what you couldn’t give me. I understood when you said Anna was pregnant. I understood when you weren’t sure if the child was yours. But what I could never understand was why you always ran to her the moment she called.

 I wanted to be your first choice, Jolie. But I never was.

 And now I won’t be waiting for you anymore.

 Not because I don’t love you. But because I love myself too.

 You gave me a child. And I will give them a mother who does not wait in the shadows for a man who never comes home.

 Goodbye, Jolie.

 February 13, 2021

 LOLA FAYAS

 Your only crazy ex-wife

.”**

 ---

 My vision blurred.

 The paper slipped from my fingers.

 A hollow, guttural sound clawed its way out of my throat.

 She was gone.

 And this time, I wasn’t sure if I could bring her back.