The Secret The Cheerleader Doesn't... - Chapter 55: Chapter 55

Ani POV
The last two weeks of Cassie's hiatus was the same as usual. We didn't speak, Jennifer came over to help with dinners then left, I took care of the kids, and during the day I was either helping Jennifer or I was cleaning... doing what I could to not think about Cassie.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Jennifer said, making a face at my zoodles, "I get you want the kids to eat a bit healthier, but you have no idea how to make zucchini pasta."
"Cassie made it all the time, it can't be that hard," I huffed, struggling a bit.
"She also took classes on how to cook and spent her days cooking," she said, making me sigh in defeat. I put the knife on the board and just stared at the wall. Everything Cassie did in this house... how the fuck did she do it? Before it seemed as if it was nothing. Effortless tasks that I gave her to busy herself with... yet... I, a brilliant person that got her PhD at 24, am a failure in the kitchen. I felt Jennifer wrap her arms around my torso and place her chin on my shoulder, "What's wrong? I know this isn't about cooking."
Using my index finger, I traced up and down her arms and mumbled, "I'm just pissed."
"At her asking for a divorce?"
"Not even asking... demanding," I moved around in her arms, wrapping my arms around her neck and staring up at her, "who does she think she is now? She thinks she can do anything and everything, yet she doesn't even understand basic concepts about life." Jennifer nodded, not even listening. "If you weren't going to listen, why did you ask?" I rolled my eyes.
She grinned, "I can't help but admire the beauty of the person I love." I slightly blushed, twisting my lip. She leaned a bit closer and whispered, "May I kiss you?"
"Stupid," I giggled and kissed her.
She pushed me into the counter a bit, placing her arms on both sides of me - locking me in. I felt her pick me up, making me yelp a little but giggle at it too. Her hands slid up my shirt, unbuttoning it one by one.
"Ahem," we both stopped and looked over to my horror... Cassie was standing in the doorway, "I don't mean to interrupt your moment... but... well... if I had known I would have came back tomorrow."
Nudging Jennifer back a little, I fixed myself, "Why didn't you call or text?"
"I thought I made it perfectly clear that I would return in one month... not sooner or later," she said. We stared at one another, tension building... but hurt was floating about. "Well it doesn't matter. Since I have your attention, I wanted to speak to you about our living arrangement."
"You aren't getting the kids."
"Since I know you're stubborn and won't back down until a judge tells you to, I have decided that everyday I will return back to this house to cook dinner and eat with the kids. I'll stay to clean up but then take my leave," she took a deep breath, "since you're always busy with work, if you aren't back by the time I'm don cleaning, I'll stay until you do... unless you have babysitter come by, Jaelynn come, or... if you send Jennifer."
"Jennifer doesn't interact with the kids," I said, feeling this need to make that clear, "she is aware of that."
"Well that's your call," she shrugged, "I don't control you... anyway, the only thing I will not tolerate about Jennifer's and the kids interactions is decision making. All important and life impacting decisions will not be made by her or by her opinions. If issues arise while the kids are with you, you will call me and we will handle the situation together. This isn't a request, this is a demand."
"You do not get to demand anything from me," I hissed.
She chuckled, "When comes to you personally, no. However, the twins are also my children... so yes, I get to make that demand." My hands bundled into a ball which Jennifer took into her own hands. She intertwined our fingers, smiling at me.
Looking up at Cassie, she asked, "Anything else?"
Cassie examined our hands for a moment... and for a split second, I could see her breaking apart. She quickly covered it up though and placed down a paper, "This is the address I will be staying at. Do not call me or text me unless it is about the twins and the twins alone. We have nothing to say to one another or know about each other - unless it's about the kids. If you want to contact me outside of those conditions, the number of my attorney is on the paper as well. She will relay the message to me if it is needed." I watched as she back into the living room. Panic settled over me and I followed her. She was going upstairs with bags.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Taking my things," she said nonchalantly, "don't worry... I'm only taking my clothes, bathroom necessities, and personal belongings. Anything you use that was 'mine' will remain."
I watched her pack her things, this feeling of guilt and worry rising, "Take some sheets."
"I'll buy some."
"Take a pack of toilet paper then."
"I already got some."
"You'll need kitchen supplies."
"Elena is letting me use her old set."
"Then take some towels."
"Antonia," I stopped, our backs facing one another. Tears were falling down my cheeks and my throat swelling up. Neither of us turned to see the other... both knowing we would fall apart and call it off... I wish she'd turn around... I would. "I am no longer your responsibility... worry about yourself, the twins, Jaelynn.... and Jennifer," the last part was so quiet that I had to put a hand over my mouth to stop from sobbing. My knees were shaking as I heard her zip up the last bag.
It felt as if I was losing a piece of myself... the piece that made me... me.
"I don't regret anything," she said, "I don't regret loving you... hurting myself or getting help. Everything I have done has led me to this exact moment. How lucky I am... we both are. We have so many good memories in this house... remember when Jessika tied a string to the door and onto Jakob's tooth so they capture the tooth fairy. How the doorway in our bathroom has all the kids heights marked on it... The time we slept together again... on your birthday. When we were so exhausted from taking the kids to Disneyland that we fell asleep on their floor and woke up to Jaelynn poking our cheeks. When Jaelynn brought her first boyfriend over and you threatened to fabricate evidence and throw his ass in jail if he hurt her... all those memories... we created those. We raised three loving children. Jaelynn is going to better this world, Jakob is going to rock it with his abilities, and Jessika... Jessika is going to be an inspiration to many. We did that Antonia... these walls have seen it all. Our ugly and beauty... you may not believe me, but I still love you... I always will... because I love you, I won't ruin you anymore. I won't stop you from obtaining your happiness and breathing in the first breath of life after so many years of suffocation... I love you more than I can possibly fathom and nothing makes me happier than seeing you be loved by the kids... and Jennifer... thank you Antonia... thank you for giving me all of this and so many years of love."
She walked out the door and down the hall. Down the stairs and out the front door... while I screamed my heart out. Clutching my chest I felt it... I felt my heart just stop... I felt it die and crumble...
I felt pain with every step she took... as she walked out of our marriage... out of my life...
But never out of my love.