BLOODSUCKER

vingt et un

6 months later.

Maeve sat in the seat next to her lawyer. Today was the day she hoped to be free of the Leclerc's. Charles had respected his wife's boundary's by giving her space and time but enough was enough. He was fed up now, he wanted answers. He couldn't wait anymore. Maeve was still adamant she wanted a divorce, Charles was reluctant but at the end of the day he would give anything to see the woman he loves happy again.

Charles walked into the room accompanied by his lawyer. When he entered the room his presence took Maeve's breath away. It was like the first time they met, his smile, his eyes and his overall presence made Maeve weak. It made butterflies appear in her stomach like she was some child crushing over another boy.

Charles no longer looked angry at Maeve, he just wanted her happiness to come first in this situation. Whatever she wanted, he would eventually agree with and learn to live with it.

'I think we have finally reached an agreement.' Maeve's lawyer spoke ruining the beautiful silence between Maeve and Charles. He slid a peace of paper over to Charles, Maeve examining Charles's reactions as he read it.

'Mr and Mrs Leclerc cannot divorce due to a clause in this contract.' Charles's lawyer handed Maeve a piece of paper. She was sick of looking at that doomed piece of paper, that is what got her here.

'This is what you want?' Charles spoke up with a break in his voice. It was finally happening. 'Are you certain Maeve?'

'The contract states we cannot divorce but it doesn't state we can't have an annulment.' Maeve stared her husband in his green eyes, she thought about all the times she looked into those eyes and felt love. Lately, no love has been felt.

'An annulment! Are you serious Maeve. We spent 2 and a half years building a life with each other, you can't tell me none of this means anything to you!' Charles erupted, he was hurting so it was only natural for him to react this way. Maeve expected worse.

'You spent 2 and half years lying to my face. This life was all built of false promises Charles. An annulment is the only way I am going to find peace with this whole situation.'

'Why can't we just attend, I don't know, attend marriage counselling. Why can't we work on this? Why are you so determined to through this all away?' Charles asked pleading his wife he didn't want to go through with this.

'We've spent 6 months going back and forth with this Charles. I just want this over now, it's been going on for too long.' Maeve reached across the table to hold Charles hand. 'We were young, we both made mistakes. It's time to move on.'

He hesitated before he spoke, his heart was in his mouth. 'I'd do anything for you Maeve. If this is what you want, I'll do this because I love you, more than you could have ever known.'

'Great.' Maeve's lawyer spoke, 'we will meet again in the morning to sign the papers and can get this over with.'

*~*~*~*~*~*

Maeve laid in her bed reminiscing on the past. She somehow couldn't help but feel like the good out weighed the bad. Despite all the lying, she was happy, happier than she had ever been in her life. The spontaneous trips, the humour they shared, the support and the strength they gave each other made a difference to their marriage. The late nights the spent discussing the past, the future and the present, the early morning conversations that made no sense to anyone else but them. The thoughtful gifts Charles had bought her, the smiles that burnt her cheeks, the touch that stained her skin. The world started to feel warmer and bright when Charles Leclerc turned up in her life. All of this outweighs the bad, yes he lied, yes he cheated, yes he was out of order at times, but Maeve can now see with a clear mind that he did all of this to protect her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Maeve retook her seat feeling nothing but guilt and humiliation. This train was now on the tracks and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

'So we all agree annulment works for both parties?' Maeve's lawyer spoke up breaking the silence, silence that was deathly. Charles and his lawyer nodded. 'Okay Charles, read this and just sign the bottom please.'

His eyes scanned over the contract to make sure he wasn't being tricked into signing anything he didn't agree with. All seemed correct. He took one last glance over to his wife before he scribbled his signature on the dotted line. Maeve was spaced out, she couldn't bring her self to look at him and Charles knew that. He lived with the woman for years, he had studied her every movement. He knew something was wrong but he didn't pry. The moment both there signatures where on the dotted line, it was final. The game was over.

The document was now placed in front of Maeve. For the first time, her eyes shifted from the floor to the table. She scanned the document before picking up the pen. But something stopped her. She didn't want this, she's just doing this because it's what she thinks she should do. Maeve is aware that once she signs this, there is no going back. Let's say Maeve goes through with this. She ends up better off, Charles has agreed to give her half of the assets they own. A plane, the yacht, even the house they live in. If Maeve doesn't go through with this, she ends up with all of this and a husband, as husband who has proven he loves his wife time and time again.

'Mrs Leclerc, what's the hold up.' Maeve's lawyer whispered.

Maeve looked across the table to Charles. He was sat with his arm crossed against his chest. His eyes were red like he was about to break down at any moment. His attention was focused on the plant in the corner of the room, he couldn't look at his wife. None of this felt real to him.

'I can't, I can't do this.' Maeve pushed the piece of paper away from her. 'I don't want this.'

'What is it you want Mrs Leclerc?' Charles lawyer asked Maeve. Charles was now focused on his wife.

'I just want to be with Charles.' Maeve spoke catching herself off guard. 'I just want my husband.'

'Seriously?' Charles sat up in his chair, a smile appearing on his face

'I'll give you another chance.' Maeve couldn't help but smile.

Charles stood up from his chair and pulled his wife in for a hug which she gladly accepted. She felt safe wrapped in his arms, this is all she had longed for these past couple of months. The game wasn't over yet, they need to be on the same team to pull off what Maeve was planning.