Trust and Betrayal

Chapter Three: No Regrets

Brandon's point of view, three days later

As I sat at my office desk, looking out the window, my thoughts were all over the place. The city below moved like it always did, busy and loud, but inside, I felt, conflicted.

Maybe I was too harsh in how I announced my divorce to Danielle. Maybe I could've handled it better. But Natalie was tired of keeping our relationship a secret. She wanted the world to know she was mine, and I couldn't say no to her.

A part of me wanted to wait until my divorce from Danielle was finalized to avoid more embarrassment, but I'd do anything to make Natalie happy. She's sacrificed a lot to be with me, and whatever my baby wants, she gets.

I loved Danielle at one point in our marriage, but somewhere along the way, things changed. She became boring, always nagging about how I worked too much, how I didn't give her attention, how I'd grown distant. But every time I looked up, she was spending my money and hanging out with her loud, ghetto ass sister, D.

She just didn't excite me anymore.

Then Natalie came along.

She was everything Danielle wasn't: fun, exciting, and free. I could breathe around her. I could talk to her about my frustrations, my goals, and my dreams, and she actually listened. She understood me in ways Danielle never could.

And, yeah, I'll admit it, the sex was different. Passionate, wild, it reminded me of what being alive felt like.

I knew it was wrong getting involved with Natalie, especially since she was friends with Danielle, but I was tired of being trapped in a marriage that felt like a prison. There was nothing left for me and Danielle.

I just didn't love her anymore.

Still, I hated the way she found out. That scene, her walking in on me and Natalie, it wasn't supposed to happen like that. I felt bad for Danielle, I really did, but she'd get over it.

What's done is done.

I just hope she takes it well when she finds out Natalie is pregnant. That part, I didn't have the heart to tell her.

My thoughts were everywhere when a soft knock pulled me out of them.

"Mr. McKinley," my secretary, Ms. Lynn, said as she stepped in. "Mr. Knighton is here to see you."

"Thank you, Lynn. Send him in."

Moments later, Terrence Knighton, my best friend and lawyer, walked into my office. Ms. Lynn closed the door behind him, giving us privacy.

"Hey, man," I said, standing to greet him. "What brings you by so early?"

He gave me that look, half concern, half judgment. "Just checking on you, bro. It's been a hell of a week. Wanted to make sure you're holding up."

"I'm good," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "Just ready to get this divorce over with so I can move on. Hopefully, Danielle doesn't try to fight it. I've already made up my mind."

Terrence sat down across from me, setting his briefcase on the floor. "You sure about that? I mean, I know things got messy, but that woman's been by your side since college. She believed in you before the money, before the name. You really ready to throw that away?"

I sighed. "It's already thrown away, T. There's nothing left between me and Danielle. I love Natalie. I want to marry her and start a family. It's time."

He studied me for a long moment. "Alright. I'll respect that. But just know, once the papers are signed, there's no turning back."

"I know."

"Good," he said quietly. "Because I already sent the papers over. She's been served."

My chest tightened. "When?"

"Yesterday morning."

I leaned back again, rubbing my jaw. "How'd she take it?"

Terrence exhaled. "From what her lawyer told me, not good. She was devastated, Brandon. Whatever went down between you two, it broke her."

I stayed quiet, staring out the window again.

"I didn't mean for it to go down like that," I muttered. "I just wanted to be happy."

Terrence nodded slowly. "I get that, man. Everyone deserves happiness. I just hope this happiness of yours doesn't come at too high a cost."

I frowned. "You think I made a mistake?"

He shrugged. "Only time will tell. But I'll say this, the grass ain't always greener, bro. Sometimes it's just better maintained."

His words hung heavy in the air.

He stood, straightening his suit jacket. "I'll keep you posted when her lawyer reaches out. Just, think before you do anything else that might make things worse."

"Yeah," I said quietly. "Appreciate you, T."

He gave me a nod and walked out, leaving me alone again in my silence.

I turned my chair back toward the window, staring out at the skyline.

For the first time in days, I felt something uneasy crawl up my chest, guilt, maybe, or regret.

I wasn't sure which one.

But either way, I just had to hope I hadn't made a decision I'd regret for the rest of my life.

Because Danielle might've been my past,
But Natalie was supposed to be my future.

Author Notes

That damn Brandon...so selfish smh.
How do you all feel about Brandon's decision to divorce Danielle?

Leave a comment and let me know.

Until then.. Bye for now😘