Grace moaned as the alarm blared suddenly, jerking her from sleep.
She crawled out of the bed, dragging her feet on the way to the bathroom to ease nature.
It's today.
She thought, sadness welling up inside her so much that she wondered how she had been able to last all this while.
She stared into the mirror and thought of Ethan, her estranged husband and wondered how he fared knowing that today determines whether they'd remain together for the rest of their lives or not.
Ten years ago, marrying Ethan was the best thing that had ever happened to her and now it seemed like it was just a fairy tale because the love and affection that bloomed between them in the early stages of their marriage has died down to a cold and sad thing.
They weren't who they used to be.
A tear trickled down Grace's face as images of the happy moments she shared with Ethan flooded her mind making her already heavy heart heavier.
She hadn't totally recovered from the shocking news of Ethan's infidelity and she wondered if she would ever get over the disappointment and sadness. The thought of losing everything made her weak.
She got out of the bathroom and got ready as it was almost time for her last meeting with the marriage counselor and perhaps the last time she'll sit close to Ethan again.
She and Ethan had agreed to sign up for a monthly marriage counseling session with the very renowned Miss Susan because of the pleas from her mother and also because her mother believes Miss Susan to be a miracle worker in marriages.
Miracle worker my foot.
Grace shook her head as she drove down the street. This is the last appointment with Miss Susan and so far no miracles.
Mostly because Ethan refuses to admit that he cheated even when the pictures say different. Getting Ethan to admit his mistake would be a miracle indeed.
"I have an 08:00 with Doctor Susan."
Grace said to the receptionist in the lobby.
"She's expecting you."
The receptionist replied politely and pointed to the elevator.
Grace's heart beat slowly and heavily as the elevator progressed, she wonders how this last meeting will turn out. A tiny piece of her wants Ethan back home with her, not just for herself alone also for the kids, but thought of his infidelity and his refusal to admit and apologize prevents her from opening up.
If he desires a divorce, then a divorce he shall get.
She stepped out of the elevator and walked into an office with the name Dr. Susan on the door.
"Good morning Miss Susan."
Grace said as she walked in on Doctor Susan and Ethan exchanging greetings.
"Mrs Williams! Good morning to you and welcome."
Doctor Susan greeted her happily.
"Morning Grace."
Ethan said softly as she sat next to him on the couch.
"Morning Ethan."
Grace nodded and faced the doctor, her heart breaking in tiny bits.
"I am so glad you both are here. Did you do as I advised in our last session?"
Doctor Susan asked.
"No we didn't."
Ethan spoke up after a brief silence.
"We didn't because I could tell from her countenance that she didn't want me around, so I went to bunk in a friend's house."
"Is this true Mrs Williams?"
Doctor Susan asked Grace.
"Well... I... wasn't expecting him to just give up and leave."
She said.
"But that's the feeling you were giving me, you didn't want us to bond."
Ethan said.
"Did you call him back?"
Doctor Susan asked.
"No I didn't."
"Why?"
"Because he didn't want to stay. He doesn't want to stay with me."
Grace's voice broke a little.
"Mr Williams, you should have stayed for a while at least instead of bolting off."
Oh my God.
Ethan thought as he rubbed his head with his palms.
He was already tired and sore from all this. The one person who should trust him doesn't trust him anymore and instead prefers to see him as a liar and a cheat even though he has tried to prove to her that he'd never betray her trust in any way and definitely not like that.
"I should have I admit it, but it's difficult to persevere when she looks at me like I am a liar even when I've told and proven to her that I am not."
A look of sadness crosses Doctor Susan's face as she studied the couple before her. They were both hurting and obviously in love with each other, she sighed a little.
I have to fix this somehow.
"Mrs Williams, do you still love your husband?"
Grace stared at her, a part of her wanting to scream NO but she knew that'd just be a lie as the other broken parts of her still loved him.
It's why it hurt so much.
"Do you still love him?"
The doctor asked again.
"Yes I do."
Grace said on a sob.
"I still love him. That's why it hurts so much."
Tears ran down her cheeks as she sobbed quietly.
A sudden burst of emotion coursed through Ethan as he couldn't believe his ears.
"Gracie look at me."
Ethan took Grace's hands and went on his knees in front of her.
"Grace I love you and I would never, ever betray you. I swear it."
"Then why did you cheat? Why was there a picture of you in a bar with her? Why was there a lipstick stain on your shirt?"
Grace sobbed.
"I didn't cheat on you Gracie, you've got to trust me. I haven't cheated and will never cheat on you. Kylie found a way to attend the company seminar all just to try to get me to cheat on you but I didn't, I wouldn't.
We didn't share a room neither did we share a table. Nothing happened Gracie, I swear to you."
Ethan held her face in his hands.
"I love you and nothing is ever going to change that. There's nothing between Kylie and I. You have to trust me."
He kissed her forehead as she held him in a tight hug.
She didn't want to lose him, definitely not because some bimbo at his workplace.
She was going to fight for her marriage, love conquers all she knew that now and she wasn't just going to throw hers to the wind.
"I love you Ethan, I love you so much."
Grace said.
"I love you more Gracie, more than you could ever imagine."
Ethan said.
Infidelity or not, they were going to work on their marriage.
Doctor Susan dabbed delicately at her eyes with a tissue and smiled as she watch them hug each other.
Another marriage miracle happened once again.
THE END