Page 31 of Breaking
"Jenna, please." Troy had been soaked, his hair plastered to his forehead. "I know I messed up."
She had turned away from him, wrapping her arms around herself. "You left." Her voice had been small, broken. "You found out I was pregnant and you left to marry that Lila person."
He had stepped inside then, hesitant, dripping onto the threadbare carpet. "I was scared." He swallowed hard. "But I came back. I want to do the right thing."
She had let out a shaky breath, wiping at her tears. "I'm not getting an abortion."
"I don't want you to," he had said quickly. "I never wanted that."
She had finally looked at him then, searching his face for any sign of hesitation. "Then what do you want, Troy?"
He had reached for her hand, his grip warm and certain. "I want to take care of you. Of the baby. I want to make this work."
There had been so many reasons not to trust him, so many fears still tangled between them. But in that moment, when he had said, "Marry me, Jenna," she had seen something real in his eyes.
And she had said yes.
The memory faded, leaving a hollow ache in its place. She touched the photograph once more before setting it aside. That girl in the picture had been hopeful, full of dreams. She wasn't sure who she was now, but she knew she wasn't that girl anymore.
She could hear Troy moving around downstairs. He was always an early bird. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the master bedroom. Everything was as she had left it. She took a moment to close her eyes and relaxed her shoulders consciously. Then, she went in to the walk-in closet to start packing a suitcase with essentials-clothes, toiletries, and some inexpensive jewellery she had collected over the years. Her laptop, and her art supplies were already packed. She left everything else behind, including the expensive baubles and the rest of her designer clothes.
She turned to see Troy standing by the doorframe, his expression was a calm as usual but she could see his white knuckles as he gripped the door frame.
The sound of footsteps in the hallway snapped her back to the present. Troy stood in the doorway, watching her.
"You're really going back to Chester," he said, his voice thick.
Jenna straightened. "Yes."
He stepped further into the room, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "Can we at least talk about this?"
"We talked last night," she said, not unkindly. "You just didn't like what you heard."
Troy exhaled sharply. "This isn't just about us, Jenna. The kids-"
Jenna didn't answer, looking down at her ringless fingers, at the pale mark left by the rings she hadn't taken off in years. Instead, she opened the side cupboard and began pulling out a few more jeans, tops, a coat, and her most comfortable shoes. She folded each item neatly and placed them into a suitcase. She always did like travelling light.
Jenna finally looked up at Troy. "I would like to keep this separation as amicable as possible. I will come back in a few days to tell the kids, but right now."
Troy blinked, the words taking a moment to sink in. "What do you mean, separation? Leaving where?"
"Here," Jenna said. "This house. This marriage."
He stared at her, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find a response. "You can't just-Jenna, what are you talking about? Let’s talk about this!"
Jenna didn't respond. She zipped up the suitcase and reached for her laptop bag, slipping her tablet and a few more art supplies inside. "Ineed my car," she said quietly, ignoring his outburst. "I'll pay you back for it in instalments if that's what it takes."
"You're overreacting," Troy said, his tone hardening as panic set in. "We can fix this. You're just tired, or upset, or-"
"Is this a multiple-choice question? I'm done," Jenna interrupted, her voice firm but quiet. "I've been done for a long time, Troy. I just didn't realize it until now."
She picked up the suitcase and her bag, brushing past him without another word. As she walked out the door, Troy followed her to the top of the stairs, his voice rising in desperation. "Jenna! Jenna! You can't just leave like this!"
"I know a lot is unsettled. I will be back." she cut in. "Sasha's kids need me. And right now, I need them more than I need whatever this is." She gestured vaguely between them.
Troy ran a hand through his hair, frustration and sadness warring in his eyes. "I don't know how to fix this."
"Then figure it out if you can, Troy. Because I'm not waiting anymore. But I wouldn’t try too hard. Why don’t you make your entire family happy and just marry Lila once the divorce comes through. I am sure Max will applaud your good taste."
