The Divorce Settlement Chapter 2

What was I like before?

The first time I found out Ray was seeing other women, I wanted him dead.

Ray and I met in college. We fell in love, and I was with him when he started his business, through all the hardest times.

When the business finally took off and the company started turning a profit, we got married. It felt like the natural next step.

Not long after, we got the wonderful news that I was pregnant with twins.

Back then, I thought this was the definition of a perfect life.

Until the third trimester. That's when Ray cheated.

I was heavily pregnant, and I caught him with his secretary in his office. The shock and anger nearly sent me into premature labor.

I was in a hospital bed, trying to keep the babies from coming too early, and Ray was kneeling beside me.

"Ava, she seduced me. Please, just forgive me this one time."

Is that what all cheating men say? Blame the other woman?

As if he had no fault in the matter.

It takes two to tango. They were both disgusting.

My parents rushed to the hospital. My mom held my hand, her face a mask of pain, while my dad kicked Ray square in the chest.

Even his own parents were furious with him. Before he could react, his mother slapped him hard across the face.

"Ava is carrying your children! How could you?"

Listening to them scream at him, listening to Ray's pathetic apologies, my heart felt like it was being torn to shreds. The tears just wouldn't stop.

What good were his regrets now?

A crack had formed in our love, and it could never be repaired.

To make up for what he'd done, Ray transferred all of our assets into my name.

His parents also gave me a substantial amount of money, telling me to focus on my health.

Soon after, through waves of agonizing pain, I gave birth to my son and daughter.

That period was the darkest time of my life.

I was filled with joy at the arrival of my children, but at the same time, I was consumed by the grief of their father's betrayal.

The pain was indescribable.

But life had to go on.

I took all my anger out on Ray.

I hated him, I loathed him, and every day, I silently cursed him.

You think he learned his lesson then?

Of course not.

After getting caught the first time, Ray did behave himself for a while.

He was a good provider, he loved the kids, and he was a family man.

My parents advised me to give him another chance, for the sake of the children.

But a dog will always return to its vomit.

And cheating is never a one-time thing.