From Her Perspective (BWWM)

IX

Auriella Devereaux

5 years ago

I smiled as Billy opened my door and helped me out of the car.

"I can't believe we're doing this."

"Are you absolutely sure you want to do this, love? I don't want you to regret leaving all this for me."

"All of this? Do you think I will hesitate to trade New York for France? Billy, we can't get on that plane fast enough," I chuckled as I leaned up to kiss his cheek. He smirked, and we grabbed our bags from the trunk.

"We're about two hours early. Wanna grab a coffee?" he asked as he nodded toward the cafe near us.

"Sure," I said as his phone started rapidly vibrating. He sighed before pulling it out of his pocket. I heard his breath hitch before he looked away from me.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Auriella."

I frowned as he said my full name. He looked back at me before pulling me in for a deep kiss. He pressed his forehead against mine and sighed.

"I can't do this. We can't do this."

"What? Can't do what, Billy?" I stepped back and looked up at him.

"I can't take you to Nice. It's not going to be worth it."

"What won't be worth it? You don't think I'm worth it? What happened? Everything was fine a second ago," I questioned as I fought the tears that were building. Don't you dare cry in front of him.

"This was a mistake, Auriella. I'm sorry I let you come this far."

"Stop calling me that. Billy, who just texted you?"

"It doesn't matter. I changed my mind, okay? I'll do everything I can to get you re-enrolled at NYU and ensure you get the apartment back. I'm so sorry, baby, but this is for the best."

"You're leaving me? You promised you'd never leave me?"

"Unfortunately, that was a lie," he said coldly.

"You said you loved me more than all the raindrops in a hurricane. Was that a lie, too?" I asked. He clenched his jaw before looking away.

"I have to go, Auriella," he said as he grabbed his bag.

"Fuck you. Fuck you. I fucking hate you," I said as I punched his chest, drawing attention to us. A security guard approached us and stepped in between us.

"Do we have an issue here?"

"Yes, he's a fucking coward," I said as I grabbed my bag and walked away from the man I thought loved me.

Present

I sighed as I scrubbed the canvas once again. Another careless mistake made that nearly ruined the piece I had been working on.

"I need a break," I said to myself as I stepped away from the aisle and went to wash the paint off my hands. I stared at the tired woman in the mirror. She looked horrible. Her curly hair was knotted, and her lips were chapped. Stress acne covered her face, and no amount of concealer could hide it.

I walked towards the door when I heard a soft knock. I sighed and prepared to see Billy. My eyes widened in shock as I saw Emma standing behind the door.

"Emma, hi. How are you?"

"I was right. You're living in the guesthouse," she said more to herself as she walked past me. She looked around before turning to me. I closed the door and put on my best-confused expression.

"What are you talking about?"

"My brother has not stepped foot into his ratty little poolhouse since he moved here, and suddenly, it's been turned into a beautiful, livable home. I saw your face at dinner when I mentioned Dad trying to keep you apart. You didn't know. William didn't tell you. What are the two of you doing?"

"Emma, I don't know what you think you know, but I love Billy. I just like to paint in here. That's all."

"You aren't wearing your ring."

"I was painting. I didn't want to ruin it."

"So, you've seen your husband today? You woke up next to him this morning?"

"Of course."

"William said he went on an emergency trip to California. He left last night a few hours after we left here. He said he'll be back later today, but you didn't even know that" she finished as she crossed her arms and cocked her eyebrow at me.

He just left without even telling me. I live 70 yards away, and he didn't have the decency to text me.

"Auriella, I like you. I really do, and I like how happy my brother is when he talks about you. I just need to know that this is real. I know my Grandfather told him to settle down, and I was so excited when he told me you two got married. I figured you two finally realized that you two belonged together and were ready for a second chance at this. I felt awful for stepping down once I got pregnant, especially when he told me he found the love of his life, and I thought that maybe this was you guys seizing the chance now, but I see that it was all a lie. What is this, Auriella?" she finished with a huff as she stepped closer to me. She didn't sound angry or upset. She genuinely sounded concerned for us.

"I don't know where to start," I said as my eyes watered. I haven't had anyone to talk to about all of this. My best friend in the entire world doesn't even know about the contract. She thinks I'm happy with my perfect husband.

"How about at the beginning?" she suggested as she sat on the couch. I nodded and did just that.

I told her about the contract, the pool house, everything. I even told her about the day he broke my heart at the airport.

"He's an idiot. For fuck sake, our mère taught us better than that. I can't believe he didn't even tell me any of this."

"It's not as bad as you think."

"Not as bad? You are in a contractual relationship with a man who broke your heart. You are living in his backyard and are forced to endure being surrounded by all the pain he put you through. Why are you doing this?"

"I needed help, and so did he. We don't have much longer."

"Do you still have feelings for him?"

"I don't know," I said. It wasn't a lie; I don't know how I feel about Billy. All I knew was that I was counting the days until our divorce.