CAPTIVITY

"So this is it?"

Ash caresses the base of his chin. Staring down at the paper I had slammed down on the desk in a fit of fury.

"This is what you wanted right?" 

He shifts closer to the edge of his seat. Reading the first few lines. For the first time since our argument began, he remains silent.

"I thought so, I'm laying all the cards on the table Ash,"

He clears his throat, I could feel his stiff, uncomfortable vibe coming from him in waves that hit me as he stands, walking behind the chair he once sitting on. Gripping the back of the seat with both hands, squeezing his hazel eyes shut as he tilts his head down.

"I want to make this work,"

I manage to utter through the hard lump forming in my throat. He runs his fingers through his rich brown hair in nervous motions like he always does when he's stressed.

"Because I've lost so much Ashley...I don't want to lose you too,"

I was giving it 110% and he was only giving 5%.

I couldn't be married to myself.

"I know,"

"So he speaks,"

I lean back in my chair and watch him closely as he lets out a deep sigh before shifting his gaze up to meet mine. Tears brimmed those beautiful hazel eyes and I felt my poor numbed heart skip a beat.

"This is serious Jonathan,"

"Hasn't stopped your humor before,"

The corners of his soft lips form a small smile. The first I've seen in weeks.

"Pain in the ass,"

"Shufu,"

The tension is relieved but only for a few seconds as his face goes back to its serious mold and I'm left facing a heartless Ashley that wasn't my own.

"What do you need?"

"I need..."

He holds his head and sits down again with a strange huff that sounds like a mangled cough.

"I want a divorce."