248 Divorce Is Unacceptable!

Before leaving Doctor Julie, Ella promised her that she wouldn’t cry anymore, irrespective of Leon’s decision.

She concluded that Leon’s decision to have her abort her babies was both wicked and selfish. So she made up her mind that she would no longer feel sorry for herself or even cajole him into accepting the pregnancy.

—

“Leon,” Ella called softly, “I am done crying or pleading for you to accept my pregnancy. As a matter of fact, I should be made mad at you. It was wrong of you to go behind my back and make a decision to terminate my pregnancy without my consent. This is my body and my life! I alone can choose what I want, and how I want it.” Ella was emphatic on the word, ‘my’.

“Really!” Leon said between clenched jaw.

“Yes! You being my husband doesn’t give you absolute right over my existence. I still have a say especially when it concerns my body. I have decided not to go through with the pregnancy termination procedure. I want this baby and I intend to carry this pregnancy except death comes calling.” Ella said firmly while avoiding Leon’s deadly gaze.

Leon was both infuriated and perplexed at Ella’s mention of the word, death.

‘Where did she get the notion that I would harm her if she refused my request? Does she think I’m capable of hurting her? Why would she even consider death as an option? Does that mean she is willing to die to keep her pregnancy?’ Leon’s head throbbed with heart devastating questions.

Although Ella caught the astonishment and hurt in Leon’s eyes, she continued her speech without any atom of empathy.

.....

She wanted Leon to feel and critically think about his selfish action. She wanted him to know that loving him doesn’t mean she was a fool. She wanted him to experience what it felt like for someone to challenge his authority without fear or favor.

“By this statement...” Ella’s tone was both intrepid and determined, “...I do not in any way choose this baby over you. I choose to have you and my babies as part of my life if you still want me. Also for the duration of this pregnancy, the only doctor permitted to attend to me till I give birth is Dr. Julie. If you hurt her or any member of her family, I will hurt myself and make you suffer for it.”

Ella slowly turned her head and met Leon’s chilly gaze. “This is my final decision! It’s either you accept my conditions if you still want me as your wife or you can go ahead and divorce me. I will have this baby with or without you.”

Leon held Ella’s fierce gaze for a while in bewilderment. He was shocked to the bone by her threats and conditions. He found it difficult to believe that his once gentle and loving wife could be this hardened and fearless.

‘Is this her true nature that she had successfully kept hidden for the past months or has her pregnancy emboldened her to challenge me? Did she just threaten me with divorce?’ Leon quizzed his thoughts in alarm. ‘This can’t be happening!’

Leon shut his eyes temporarily to placate his awakening demons. He inhaled and exhaled to steady his heavy breathing before opening his eyes.

“Congratulation! You have made your choice! At least, now I know where I stand in your life. I am the second or probably the third choice in your life. Your pregnancy and probably Dr. Julie are more important to you than me, your husband.”

“I never said that!” Ella held her ground. She was amazed at her boldness and feared that her liver was about to fail her due to the heartbreaking hurt in Leon’s eyes.

“You, Leon, are the number one love of my life. Even when our child or children arrives, my love for you will never change.” Ella said calmly.

Leon slowly stood, trembling with enormous fury and heartache. He placed his trembling hands into his sweatpants pocket and walked towards the window. His eyes were darkened and his stares had turned deadly as Ella’s words kept torturing him.

It felt as though Ella was jabbing at his heart with a million acupuncture needles while reeling in pleasure at his pain.

Not only did she audaciously threaten him with divorce, but she also threatened to hurt herself for the sake of someone else. The same person who was responsible for his current misery.

Leon wished he could go back in time and put a bullet through Dr. Julie’s head for convincing his precious wife to disregard him. He wished he could wipe out everyone that kept Ella’s pregnancy a secret from him.

‘But that would include Ivory, his darling baby sister!’ he faced palmed his forehead severally until it turned red and began to bang.

Although Leon’s action frightened Ella, she remained unwavering in her decision.

“Are you certain that you still love me?” Leon asked in a calm but dreadful tone while backing Ella. He didn’t want her to see his eyes and he didn’t want her to be extra frightened by his demonic rage.

“Yes!” Ella said reassuringly. “No matter what is happening between us, you are the only man I would ever love until I die.”

Ella felt hurt seeing Leon wallow in anger because of her decision but she remained seated on the bed and didn’t make any move to comfort him.

“Good! Divorce is unacceptable! You remain, my legitimate wife, until death do us part. You can do as you please with your pregnancy and you have my word, I won’t do anything to doctor Julie or her family.”

Although Ella was inwardly thrilled by Leon’s statement, she knew that there would be repercussions. So, she patiently waited for him to finish his statement.

“But remember this, your action is going to attract dire consequences and you’re going to live with the burden of it for the rest of your life. Henceforth, if you need to communicate with me, do so through text messages only. For the time being, I would need my space.” Leon breathed out his frustration and stormed out of the room while avoiding Ella’s gaze.historical