The End of a Marriage (Colette and Matheo) novel Chapter 7

pter 8

Chapter 7

Matheo’s voice was a low hiss, brimming with barely contained fury. “What do you think you’re doing by wearing THAT in public? His words were sharp but

Colette kept her composure.

“How was Brisbane?” she asked calmly, her eyes meeting his. “You didn’t tell me.”

Matheo flinched, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. Colette saw it and took a grim satisfaction in knowing he still had some conscience left. ‘I was going to

come home tonight,” he muttered defensively.

“Oh, really?‘ Colette’s voice was almost sweet, dripping with sarcasm. “Would that have been before or after you fucked your secretary?”

Matheo’s face darkened, his hands clenching into tight fists. He looked like he might hit her, but he restrained himself, his eyes blazing with anger. “That’s

enough, Colette!” he snapped, his voice a dangerous warning.

Colette knew what he was capable of, but tonight she was beyond caring. “Iris was right,” Matheo continued, his voice like a whip. You’re acting like an

attention–seeking bitch right now. Just because I refuse to stay home with you, you decided to parade yourself half–naked in front of Sydney’s elite. To what

end? To punish me? To humiliate me? Or have you suddenly developed a new voyeurism kink?”

His words cut through her like a knife, but she refused to back down. Not this time. ‘You know why I did it, Matheo?” she asked softly, looking down at her

dress. “It was because when I realized that you had lied to me about coming to this gala, I wondered… wondered what other lies there were that I was too

So for once in my life, I decided to be truthful. This is the truth, isn’t it? My

not even a friend. I am just your f—*

stupid to see. And God, there were plenty. I was sick of it! Sick of all

body was the only thing you ever desired from me. Not a partner, not a

*Colette, I am warning you, don’t use that word.” Matheo’s grip tightened on her shoulders, shaking her hard as if trying to wake her from a delusion. “What

the hell has happened to you?” He meant the meek, naïve woman he was so used to.

“I have had enough!” she muttered, the finality in her voice even surprising her. She looked up and saw Matheo blanch, as if someone had wiped the color

from his face.

“Look, if this is about Iris again- Matheo started, but Colette cut him off.

‘Oh, it’s no longer only about her anymore,” she said sadly, noting how he was still ready to defend his secretary. Whether he was sleeping with that blonde

woman or not, it was clear he cared a great deal about her. It was becoming glaringly evident with each passing day, and maybe it was time Colette accepted

it too.

“Then what is this about?” Matheo asked, still looking pale as he stared at her.

–

“You won’t let me have a baby, your baby. You don’t talk to me. You don’t tell me what’s happening in your life outside of the bedroom. You cut me off as

soon as you cross that threshold. If someone asks me during the day where you are, I have to smile and say you are busy working. When in truth I have no

idea. I have absolutely no idea if you are in your office, or meeting the president, because you don’t tell me! Her voice cracked, the pain and frustration she

had held back for so long finally spilling out.

“Is that what you want, Colette?” Matheo’s voice was tinged with frustration, his eyes boring into hers. “For me to share every little detail with you? To tell

you how many minutes I stared at the computer screen, how many minutes were wasted in the afternoon meeting, and how many minutes I spent in the bathroom? Will that satisfy you? I thought you understood that I didn’t want to bring work home. I wanted that time to be solely for us, I thought you

understood me.”

Colette noticed he had completely avoided addressing the baby issue. No surprise there. She stared grimly at her husband. But Iris knows where you are

4:40 pm P P Pм

Chapter 8

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