She refused to listen. When she got to the bottom floor, her eyes blurred by the flow of her tears. People stared at her. She didn’t care.
“Opal,” he shouted, catching everyone’s attention.
“I don’t want to know,” she said.
A taxi was waiting at the bottom. She opened the door but Tony stopped her from getting in. “Don’t leave. It’s not what it looks like.”
“I don’t care. I gave you everything, and you’ve given me nothing. You couldn’t even tell me you loved me until seconds ago. It’s over, Tony. No more hiding. You did me a favour, and now you’re free.”
“I don’t want to be free. I love you.”
“I don’t believe you. I’ll get Richard to start the divorce proceedings. You won’t have to worry about your annulment.”
****
Tony watched her get in the car and drive off. The pain he’d seen in her face had killed him inside. He noticed the odd stares, and he walked back to his suite. Rita stood in his shirt, with a smile and a bottle of champagne.
“Thank the Lord she’s gone. How about we celebrate getting rid of fatty?” she said.
He saw red. The events of the night before were a little hazy, but he was sure he had gone to bed on his own. He would never break his vow to Opal. The love he felt for her wasn’t something that could be broken by a quick fuck.
Walking to where she stood, he took the bottle from her hand and threw it against the wall. Using the force of his body, he pressed her against the wall, putting a hand around her throat. He didn’t tighten his hold even though he wanted to.
“I hate violence against women. I would rather fucking kill myself before I hurt a woman, but the way I’m feeling right now, for you, I’d make an exception. What the fuck are you doing here?” he growled.
“Baby, you invited me.”
His fist slammed against the wall. “Answer me. The person whom I love more than anything in this world is gone. Answer my question, or I will hurt you.” Tony wouldn’t have hurt her. But he knew how much she liked to manipulate a situation. He needed to show her the threat. The whole sorry tale was brought out.
Tony hung his head and ordered her out of his hotel room with a warning. By the end of the day, divorce papers had been served to him on the basis of adultery. Opal refused to speak to him. Richard wouldn’t help him.
The one person he loved was gone.