Chasing the moon

Chapter 1

Camilla Moretti;

"Sign the goddamn papers, Camilla."

The words hit me like a slap. Nikolai stood across from me, his expression colder than the winter air seeping through the open window.

"What?" My voice trembled as I clutched the chair for support. "Nik, it's late. We need to leave for your mom's birthday." I forced a smile, desperate for normalcy, even as my hands shook.

He didn't blink. "I won't repeat myself. Sign the papers." A lump rose in my throat. "Why? What did I do?" My voice cracked. "I've done nothing wrong."

"That's the problem," he said flatly. "You've done nothing, Camilla. And I'm done. I want you out by tomorrow. "Each word was a dagger. "You're... leaving me?" My knees buckled, but I clung to the chair, refusing to fall. "After everything-"

"Enough." His tone was sharp, final. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be."I searched his face for any sign of the man I loved, but he was gone. The man standing before me was a stranger, and his indifference stung more than his words.

"Nik, please..." The plea slipped from my lips before I could stop it.

He turned, walking away without another word, leaving me standing in the ruins of our marriage.

The buzz of my phone startled me. I wiped my tears and glanced at the screen-Mother-in-law. The name alone made my stomach twist.

I answered quickly, forcing my voice to steady.

"Hello, Mother. I saw your missed call."

Her sharp voice sliced through the line. "Where's Nikolai? Where the hell are you two? Why aren't you here yet?" I clenched the phone tightly, her impatience grating against my already fragile nerves. She didn't care how I was or even bothered to ask. All she wanted was Nikolai-like always.

"Ma, the thing is-"

"Enough of your excuses, Camilla! Be here in the next few minutes!" she snapped, cutting me off before I could explain. The line went dead before I even had a chance to breathe.

I lowered the phone, staring blankly at the screen. Her voice still echoed in my mind, sharp and impatient, as if I were nothing but a nuisance. My chest tightened, and I released a shaky sigh.

God... what on earth have I done to deserve this?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. The memories rushed in, uninvited. It wasn't the first time Nikolai's mother treated me this way. Her disdain had been clear from the moment I entered their lives.

"You'll never be good enough for my son," she had said to me on the day Nikolai brought me home to meet her. Her words had been like a dagger to the heart, but Nikolai's arm around my waist had given me a sliver of hope. It'll get better, I had told myself back then. She just needs time to know me. But she never did. Every family dinner, every gathering, every interaction-it was always the same. Her icy stares, her passive-aggressive remarks, her constant reminders that I didn't belong. And now, here I was, forced to endure yet another gathering after being blindsided by divorce papers.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the bitter memories. There was no time to dwell. If I didn't show up, she'd find another way to punish me. I had no choice but to face her. And maybe, just maybe, I'd get a chance to confront Nikolai about everything. Dragging myself to the bathroom, I stepped under the shower, the hot water cascading over me. My tears fell freely, mingling with the water, but I didn't bother wiping them away. The weight of Nikolai's coldness, the divorce papers, and his mother's never-ending disdain pressed down on me.

After what felt like an eternity, I forced myself to get ready. I chose a simple dress and dabbed on the barest hint of makeup, hoping it would conceal the puffiness around my eyes.