[Dara's POV]

When Jirin's ear twitched a bit before he leaped off his seat, racing to the door, I knew Jiyong was home.

Well, if he even considers this place as his home anymore, a part of my brain said snidely and I squashed it angrily. Instead of rushing out to Jiyong, like Jirin did, I chose to stay in the kitchen. Hiding, if you must call it.

However, when Jirin shouted to me, b with happiness that his appa was finally home early for once, I knew I had to go out and face Jiyong. And because he was finally home early, I knew something was wrong. I stopped at the door and looked up from my hands to meet Jiyong's stare.

He walked forward tentatively and placed Jirin on the ground, their son running off to his room obediently.

"Dara, we need to talk."

"I know." I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. He was going to leave me, and he wouldn't spare me a backwards glance. Should I let him leave without telling him?

Just tell him! Pabo!

How can I? No one knows about it, not even my own mother, and you want me to tell the man who is going to LEAVE me???

Maybe he won't leave if you tell him! After all, you do need support!

No. Since I'm leaving first in the end... I don't want to chain him with me.

You're so annoying! Just do what you want! Why do you always do stuff for the best of other people!?

Because I'm ME, dammit! 

Sad, but true. Whenever I did something, I always went through the pros and cons that affected not only me but the others as well. It wasn't a bad thing, but it got annoying at times.

Like now.

I steadied myself with a deep breath and smiled at Jiyong like there was nothing wrong with the two of us, "Welcome home."

Placing his briefcase on the floor, his hand reached out to pull his tie free, only to tighten it instead. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. He was always such a klutz around ties. When we were closer, I used to help him with his tie every morning before we went for work. But I didn't anymore. He always rushed out before Jirin and I were awake.

A vision of another woman tying his tie for him made my heart thud painfully.

Turning my back to him, I went back to the kitchen and resumed my dinner warily as Jiyong took the seat next to me. He took the fork and spoon from me and brought my hands to his chest, leaving them to lie there innocently. I could feel his heart beat pick up quickly beneath my hands, as they touched the hard contours of his chest gingerly. My own heartbeat accelerated as well, and I sighed internally, enjoying this short moment of intimacy with him. My brain screamed as it called me 'pabo' over and over again.

"Help me," He cleared his thoat gruffly and spoke again, his voice husky. "Help me untie it."

With shaking hands, I undid his tie. It might as well be my last time doing this. The heat radiating from his body soothed me and I relaxed, my hands resting against his body slightly. I could hear his slight intake of air before a sigh came.

Taking my hands in his, he gazed into my eyes steadily, dark against light. "I want a divorce," he stated calmly. Though I was expecting him to dish out the news sooner or later, it still shocked me, nonetheless. My face remained expressionless as I tried to retrieve my hands to place them in my lap.

He gripped them tightly, not letting go.

Even though I had managed to keep my face neutral, my voice stlil shook with unshed tears. "Why?"

Staring back at me with an expression similar to my own, he replied softly. "You know why."

"Just tell me. Face to face. Tell me." I wanted to hear him say it.

"I have already drafted the divorce agreement," he continued in the cold, formal tone he used when talking to his clients as he secured their deal, as if she hadn't spoken at all. I didn't like the sound of it. "It shall be sent to you via email the next morning.

Keeping silent as I absorbed the information- which wasn't much- I pondered over what had changed so much between us. We were in love, had a child, vowed to be together for the rest of our lives. Yet, here he was, filing for a divorce. If he thought I would just accept his money and keep silent like a 'lil meek wife, he had another thing coming. I was never submissive. And he knew that crystal clear.

Besides... One lone tear made its way to my skirt, the fabric soaking up my sadness. Its not like I have much time left... My time left is limited. So I had to make myself clear.

"I don't want your goddamn money, or house, or car. You can bloody take it back."

"What is it with the sudden use of vulgarities?" Jiyong pinched the bridge of nose. I pulled my hands back and this time, he didn't stop me. My hands felt strangely cold when they left him. "Don't make this more difficult for the both of us."

"It's her, isn't it?" I bit out the name, hating it as soon as it left my tongue. "Sohee."

The woman who took my husband away from me.

Did he think I wouldn't notice when he came home late at night to pick up some clothes, only to go out again with Sohee in his car? Probably to a hotel nearby? Or her house? I felt disgusted by the very thought.

Did he think I wouldn't notice her perfume clinging onto his jacket when I put in in the wash?

Did he think I didn't notice the lipstick stain on his neck when he came home earlier on rare occassions at about ten o'clock? Even though it wasn't very early to begin with anyway...

"Don't get her involved in this," he rushed to defend Sohee, like how he used to defend me when I was in trouble. I hated that he seemed to forget me so easily and replaced me with a plastic barbie doll, like the fifteen years we spent together meant nothing at all.

"Well, I don't want your stupid house! Or car! Dammit Jiyong, I just want you!" The floodgates opened, my tears flowing freely down my face as I gripped the lapels of his jacket. "Why do you have to do this to me?" I fisted my hands and hit him angrily. Over and over again till I felt tired and worn out. "Why..." My voice trailed off. "Why? What does she have that I don't?" When his eyes roved up and down my body, I felt the urge to scream and claw his eyes out.

His mouth opened, and I had this sudden hope, thinking that he would say, 'Nah. just kidding with you baby,' to me with his eyes twinkling brightly, sculptured lips curled into a beautiful smirk.

Instead, he said, "I'm sorry."

My hands dropped to my sides and hanged there as I turned my head to the side, embarraassed about crying in front of him. Dammit, what did I say about crying?! There should be absolutely NO crying!

"Dara, I'm-"

"Just go Jiyong, just go." Waving at him, I trudged back to my bed and laid there, thinking about how messed up my love life was. And I thought these things only happened in dramas... I chuckled bitterly. Guess not.

There was a lot of other things to consider before agreeing to divorce him. Jirin's exams were coming up in less than two week, and I didn't want him to involved in this drama and lag behind his studies.

And then... Time is running out for me too...

*** ***

[3rd Person's POV]

Jiyong sighed as he sat on an armchair, watching Dara sleep fitfully. I'm sorry... I really am... As much as I want to love you again, all I feel is pity. I feel sorry for wasting your time with me, but I no longer love you. I only pity you right now, for being stuck with me.

He shuddered as he remembered Dara's skin against his earlier, her hand brushing against his neck innocently as she unravelled the tie. Her feather-light brushes had turned him on more than he wanted to admit, and he mentally punched himself for that. I love Sohee now... I can't mess this up.

I feel this chapter was kind of a fail OTL

OMG, thanks for all the comments! :) And thanks for subscribing to this!

Since my attempt at a one-shot failed, I feel kinda stupid.

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xoxo.

To love is nothing,

To be loved is something,

To love and be loved,

Is everything.