Phoenix's Deceptress Wife

NINETEEN

"Hailey, what does this mean?" I asked, holding the papers in my hands.

"Didn't I tell you about this earlier, before we left?" she responded calmly.

"I thought we were okay?"

"Are we?" she shot back, her gaze piercing.

"Hailey..." I said her name, confused.

"Tell me, Phoenix, where exactly are we okay? Is it in how you've been treating me—with your constant anger? Or is it in how I respond after every time you lash out?" She paused, and I couldn't find the words to reply. "Last I checked, I've been fine. You're the one who hasn't been okay with me. So, are we really fine, Phoenix?"

"I'm sorry for what I did last night," I said, trying to keep calm, knowing I was in the wrong.

"Okay."

"Hailey, please. I'm genuinely apologizing. I know what I did last night was wrong. I know I've hurt you a lot, and I've said things I shouldn't have. But last night made me realize everything I've done to you." I reached for her hand, my voice softening. "I'm so sorry. I've made so many mistakes, said so many things I didn't mean. I failed to see your worth. Please, forgive me."

"Just like that?" she asked, her voice steady.

"Hailey..."

"How many times have you hurt me? Insulted me? Accused me? And now, after one realization, a single apology is supposed to erase all of that? Are we just supposed to pretend none of it happened?" Her words hit hard, and I couldn't find a response. "You know what hurts the most, Phoenix? It's not the mistakes I've made. It's that you humiliated me and doubted me in front of everyone. In front of your friends."

"Hailey, I didn't mean to."

"You meant to. You wanted to humiliate me. You started a fight with someone I was only talking to, without asking what was really going on. You punched him without listening to me. You wanted to make me look bad."

I stood there, silent, ashamed of how right she was. I had rushed to conclusions, wanting to prove to others that she was at fault, without caring for her side of the story.

"And that's enough of a reason for you to file for an annulment?"

"Yes. Because I can't be with someone who doesn't trust me. Besides, you never loved me, did you? You only agreed to this marriage because you needed something from it. So now, I'm letting you go."

"I don't want to."

"What?" Her eyes narrowed.

"You heard me. Paper companies can keep making annulment papers, but I won't be signing any of them."

"Is it because you're afraid you won't get the share your grandfather promised?"

"It's not about that, Hailey..."

"I'll give you the 25% Grandpa promised, plus half of what I own. Just sign the annulment."

"Why are you so eager to leave me? Give me a chance, Hailey."

"You've had more than a month of chances. More than 30 chances, Phoenix. Every single day was a new chance, and you did nothing with them."

"I won't sign," I said firmly. "I won't."

"You always have to get your way, don't you? Fine, I won't force you."

"Why are you in such a rush? I thought we were fine since you agreed to what happened between us?"

"I'm still your wife, aren't I? You haven't signed yet, right? And as your wife, it's my duty to serve you—even in bed."

"No matter your reasoning, I'm not signing."