Starting Over

Chapter 1: Surprise

"Ugh," Elle stopped reading the trashy romance novel she had balanced in her left hand long enough to spit the toothpaste into the sink. "Why can't these stupid women ever say what they want?"

She placed her toothbrush back into the glass and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before walking back into the bedroom.

Brandon, her husband, was sitting on the end of the bed.

"It seriously frustrates me no end," Elle continued. "They spend an entire book too afraid to say the very thing that would solve the whole issue if they just said what they really wanted to." She undid her fluffy dressing gown and tossed it onto the chair before pulling back the covers and slipping into bed.

"I want a divorce," Brandon said.

"Exactly!" Elle clicked her fingers and pointed at him. ""I want a divorce", or, "I love you." Or, "I'm sorry," or, "I forgive you."" She tugged her hair elastic from her hair and massaged her scalp. "I mean, I know they have to keep their emotions in, otherwise there wouldn't even be a story to read, but geez, come on girl, say what you want!"

"Elle, I want a divorce."

Elle raised her eyes from her book and looked at Brandon. A slow smile spread across her face. "And I want a million dollars." She turned back to her book.

"Elle," Brandon said.

She raised her eyes once more and studied his face. There wasn't a single glimmer of humour on his face.

"I'm serious." His eyes held hers. "This isn't working."

Elle frowned. "Isn't working? What do you mean? We've been together since we were 12. We've been together for 14 years. What do you mean it's not working?"

Brandon shifted slightly. "I just think it'd be better if we weren't together anymore."

Elle blinked rapidly as she tried to process these words that had seemingly come out of the blue. "Better for who?"

"Both of us?'

"What? What are you talking about Brandon? Where has this come from?" Elle stared questioningly at him. "And what about the kids?"

His shoulders shrugged slightly and Elle felt her body begin to prickle with heat. "What about them?"

Her mouth dropped open. "Is it better for them?"

He shifted uncomfortably again. "Maybe."

"Maybe?" Elle ran her fingers through her hair. "Where is this coming from?" She placed her book on the bedside table and licked her lips. "Are you feeling neglected because of the kids? Because that's apparently pretty common. I know they take up a lot of my time, but they're only 1 and 3. It won't be like this forever-"

"It's not about that." Brandon couldn't even look at her now.

"Then what is it about?" Elle asked softly. "Is it something I've done?"

He sighed and looked down to where he was picking at one thumb nail with his other thumb. "It's not you. I just . . . I just don't want to be with you anymore. I'm not in love with you anymore."

Elle's mind began to race. "Well that's normal, you know, those romantic feelings don't last forever. I think it's normal to not have those feelings anymore. But that doesn't mean we have to just give up." She bit her lower lip. "We could go to counselling and see if there's something we can work-"

"I've met someone else."

His words hit her like a slap across the face.

Finally he looked at her. His brows were lowered and he seemed to be gauging her response.