Chapter 3 - The divorce

"A duchess accused of theft? Disgraceful." Emrys' mother, Duchess Victoria, swept into the dining hall where Emrys and Ruth sat with an air of indignation. Her presence commanded attention, and the room seemed to tense at her arrival. The fine china and silverware on the table glinted in the soft candlelight, casting a contrasting image to the storm that had just entered.

"I leave Baeyafor estate for a few days and this is what this wife of yours had done to the family name?" Victoria nagged.

Emrys looked up from his meal, his expression a mix of resignation and frustration. He had grown accustomed to his mother's dramatic entrances, each one more extravagant than the last. Beside him, Ruth maintained a composed exterior, though her heart raced with a mix of anxiety and apprehension.

"Mother," Emrys began, his tone measured but weary, "there's no need to make a scene."

Victoria's eyes bore into Ruth, a coldness in her gaze that sent a shiver down her spine. "No need to make a scene, you say? When our family name is being dragged through the mud by accusations of theft?"

Ruth's grip tightened around the delicate stem of her wineglass. She had hoped that the truth would have reached Victoria by now and that the cloud of suspicion over her would finally lift. But it seemed that the accusations still lingered in the minds of those who refused to see reason.

"The charges against Ruth were proven false," Emrys interjected, his voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and protectiveness. "The necklace was found, and it wasn't in her possession."

Victoria's gaze remained fixed on Ruth, unyielding. "Found or not, the fact that such a scandal tainted our family's reputation is enough to raise eyebrows. Our family accused of common thievery? Do you understand the humiliation?"

Ruth held her mother-in-law's gaze, her expression calm but determined. "Duchess Victoria, I understand the gravity of the situation. But I assure you, I had no involvement in the theft of Lady Eleanor's necklace."

A dismissive wave of Victoria's hand accompanied her next words. "Assurances can only do so much, my dear. We live in a world of appearances, and the damage has been done."

Emrys sighed. "Mother, you're being unfair. The truth is out there, and it's time to move past this."

Victoria's gaze shifted to her son, her expression softening slightly. "Emrys, you are my heir. Our family's reputation is your responsibility. You must consider the consequences of your actions and alliances."

Ruth felt a pang of frustration at Victoria's words. It was as if she was implying that Ruth's very presence was a liability to their family's reputation. She had endured enough doubt and judgment, and she wouldn't let Victoria's assumptions define her any longer.

Years of pent-up frustration and the façade of compliance had finally reached a breaking point for Ruth. Victoria's relentless onslaught of biting remarks had shattered her patience, and the carefully constructed mask of politeness was now crumbling, revealing the raw emotions beneath.

With a voice that trembled only slightly, Ruth's response cut through the oppressive tension in the room. "You speak of family reputation, you old hag, but it seems you prioritize appearances over the truth. You accuse me even after all this because you had it out for me since the very beginning!"

A heavy silence descended upon the room, Ruth's words hanging in the air like an unspoken challenge. Lady Victoria's expression shifted from indignation to a mix of shock and anger, her composure reaching its boiling point.

"How dare you?!" Lady Victoria's voice quivered with a blend of fury and disbelief. "You, an outsider, have the audacity to address me in such a manner?"

Ruth couldn't care less. After all this time, she felt a sense of freedom in saying what she wanted. "Outsider or not, I refuse to stand by while my character is bashed without reason after four damn years of sitting at this table and taking your crap."

Lady Victoria's response was swift, her words laced with venom. "Such nasty words from an unworthy duchess! You, who has only ever clung to my son's title for validation?"

Throughout the exchange, Emrys had maintained a relative silence, his gaze alternating between his mother and his wife. As the tension escalated, Emrys recognized the urgent need to intervene before the situation spiraled further out of control. However, he found himself taken aback by the words that were coming out of his usually docile and polite wife. The transformation was striking, a glimpse of the inner turmoil she had concealed for so long.

"That's enough!" Emrys's voice cut through the charged atmosphere, his tone a mix of command and weariness.

Ruth's anger could not be quelled. She interpreted his response as indifference, a stark reminder that her struggles and attempts to defend herself were ultimately inconsequential to him.

Emrys's eyes shifted between the two women, his expression revealing a mixture of frustration and exhaustion. "This argument is fruitless. Our family's reputation has already taken a hit. Let's put an end to this."

In a hushed tone, he turned his attention to Ruth. "Ruth. You've overstepped with your words."

Ruth's eyes widened at his request, the sting of his words catching her off guard. It was a directive that felt like a betrayal, a demand to submit to Lady Victoria's authority even in the face of her unjust accusations.

With a heavy heart, Ruth rose from her seat and glanced briefly at Emrys before leaving the room. The mixture of emotions within her was overwhelming — frustration, hurt, and a deep sense of isolation. She couldn't shake off the feeling that her attempts to assert herself were met with indifference, leaving her grappling with a sense of powerlessness that seemed insurmountable.

That night, Emrys retreated to his office hoping to finish up the final tasks of the day. The dim glow of candlelight cast intricate patterns on the walls, and a heavy silence hung in the air. His steps were measured, each one accompanied by the weight of his thoughts.

As he entered the office, his gaze fell upon a figure standing near his desk. It was Ruth, her presence unexpected yet not entirely surprising given the events of the evening. Her silhouette was illuminated by the soft light, her features carrying a mix of determination and vulnerability.

He saw in her hand a familiar document; the contract that had bound them together in marriage.

"Ruth," Emrys's voice was a soft murmur, carrying a blend of weariness and curiosity. "What are you doing here?"

"Do you still remember the date we agreed upon for the end of this contract? I had forgotten it so I checked it again. Turns out its tomorrow." Ruth said softly with a small smile.

Emrys looked at Ruth, surprise evident in his eyes at her sudden mention of the contract's expiration date. It was a date that had once marked the distant future, a time they had both anticipated without dwelling on its significance.

"Tomorrow," he echoed softly, his thoughts racing as he considered the implications of those words. The contract that had been the foundation of their marriage was set to end, a fact that suddenly felt weightier than he had anticipated.

Ruth's gaze was steady, a mix of determination and vulnerability in her eyes. "Emrys, I've thought long and hard about our situation. The truth is, this marriage, this contract, has served its purpose. We both entered into it with a certain understanding, a mutual benefit. But as time went on, I realized that we've both changed."

She took a breath, her voice steady. "I believe that it's best for both of us to part ways. This divorce, Emrys, it's not about blame or fault. We deserve the chance to find happiness on our own terms."

He remained silent. He had never seen her so resolute, her words carrying a sincerity that he couldn't ignore. In that moment, he understood that it was about their well-being, about allowing each other the freedom to be who they are.

Emrys met her gaze, his voice gentle as he spoke. "I won't deny that this marriage has brought its share of challenges. I've watched you face situations that were never meant to be a part of your life. And I've seen you grow, seen you adapt in ways I couldn't have imagined."

Ruth's eyes glistened, a reflection of the bittersweet nature of their conversation. "Emrys, I'm not asking for your permission or your agreement. I'm asking for the chance to move forward, to find a path that feels right for me."

Emrys nodded, his voice soft yet filled with understanding. "I respect your decision."

A mixture of relief and sadness washed over Ruth. Emrys's acceptance of her decision was a bittersweet confirmation that their marriage had run its course. She knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to take control of her own destiny.

___

Morning arrived once more on the grounds of the Baeyafor estate. Emrys and Victoria had already left on their separate schedules. Only she remained within the walls of the Duchess' room. With a determined spirit, she packed her bags, carefully choosing only the essentials she would need for her journey.

As the sun began to cast its warm glow across the estate, Ruth stood at the threshold of her room and reflected. The room, once a haven and a prison, held memories that now seemed both distant and achingly close. She took a deep breath, her fingers curling around the handle of her suitcase.

Emrys's absence was a palpable ache within her, a reminder of the connection they had shared, no matter how complex it had become. She knew that her decision was a necessary step for her own growth and happiness, but it was also tinged with a sense of loss.

With a final sweep of her gaze around the room, Ruth gently closed the door behind her, the soft click of the latch echoing like a resolute declaration of her newfound freedom. She exhaled slowly, her fingers lingering on the doorknob before she turned away.

Descending the staircase, Ruth was met with the familiar hum of the estate's daily activities. The servants moved about with practiced efficiency, their actions uninterrupted by the changing tides of her choice. It was a stark reminder that in the grand scheme of things, her departure was merely an unworthy ripple in the vast ocean of their lives.

In the grand foyer, she was met by the curious glances of the staff, who whispered to one another. Ruth paid them no mind and counted their hushed words as the final farewells that this estate had for her. Ruth's steps were resolute as she walked past the portraits of her and Emrys that adorned the walls, a reminder of the legacy she was leaving behind.

The journey to the train station was marred with an ache in her heart. The wind whispered promises of new beginnings, and Ruth clung to that sense of hope as she boarded the train. The countryside passed by in a blur of green and blue, a reflection of the unknown path that lay ahead.

As the train chugged along, Ruth's thoughts drifted between the life she had known and the possibilities that stretched before her. The noble title that had once defined her identity now felt like a distant memory, a chapter she had closed to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

When she reached quaint town called 'Ark Springs', Ruth stepped off the train onto the platform, her suitcase in hand. The air was crisp, and the sounds of the town were a gentle melody that welcomed her.

Ruth walked on, her steps guided by the winds of change. In the distance, a hill rose against the sky, its slopes covered with verdant grass and dotted with wildflowers. With each step, the hill grew closer, and Ruth's determination grew stronger. She longed to stand atop that hill, to take in the sweeping view that awaited her, a metaphor for the panoramic perspective she was gaining on her own life.

Finally reaching the foot of the hill, Ruth paused for a moment, catching her breath and allowing the breeze to cool her flushed cheeks. With a steadying breath, she began the ascent, her feet carrying her upward with a newfound energy. The incline was gentle, and with each step, she left behind a bit more of the weight that had anchored her for so long.

The view at the summit before her was breathtaking – rolling landscapes stretched out as far as the eye could see, a tapestry of greens and blues punctuated by the vibrant hues of wildflowers. The wind whispered through the grass, a soothing melody that seemed to echo within her.

In that moment, a surge of something powerful coursed through her veins and without a second thought, she threw back her head and let out a raw, primal scream.

The sound tore through the air, a release of everything she had carried within her for so long – the doubts, the judgments and the expectations. Her voice blended with the wind, becoming a part of the very melody that had enveloped her, and for that brief instant, Ruth felt like she was in perfect harmony with the world.

Breathing heavily, Ruth lowered her gaze from the sky to the world stretching out before her. With a contented sigh, Ruth sank onto the grass, her fingers brushing against the delicate petals of a nearby wildflower and couldn't help but smile. The future was uncertain, and challenges undoubtedly lay ahead, but she was free.