Chapter 41

As I got in my car, Joshua pulled up beside me.

"Do you need anything?" He asked.

"Look, today is not my day. Don't go starting anything." I shut the door and started my car.

"I'm just asking, because you are on my property."

"Really?" I looked at his house. "I didn't notice."

"Did you talk to Victoria?"

"Stay out of my business."

"It's my business when you're on my property."

"Whatever." I sped off. What's going to happen next? I can only hope that Victoria comes home soon.

As soon as I got home, Camille was serving the boys breakfast, "thanks, Camille." I said as I locked the door.

"Daddy!" Michael and Prince raced to hug me. I managed a smile for them.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked.

"Yep!" They nodded and began to tell me what they dreamed of.

"Where is Mommy?" Michael asked.

"Oh, um..." I couldn't lie. They probably already guessed she was still with Joshua. "She's with Joshua."

"Did you see her?"

"Yeah," I sighed. "I saw her. She misses you."

"Then why isn't she home with us?" Prince asked me. How could I answer this one? Kids are smart.

"She needs her alone time right now."

"With Uncle Josh?"

I cringed, "she's just staying with him right now. She's not having alone time with Joshua."

"Oh." The boys said in unison.

"When is she coming home?" Michael finally asked.

"Soon." I sighed.

"Did she say that?" Prince pressed.

"Not really..."

"Then how do you know she's coming soon?" At that, I decided to stop answering their questions. After the arguing, the "threats" and being called a nympho all at the same time this morning. I just can't answer any more questions.

"Camille?" I stood up.

"Yes, Monsieur?" She asked.

"Could you watch the boys for a while longer? I'm kind of-"

"Of course. Mrs. Jackson told me everything. I understand. Go on, Monsieur. Do whatever you need to."

"Thank you so much." I went outside and walked out to the studio. Maybe a song could help right now.

~ ~ ~

(Victoria's P.O.V.)

"Victoria?" Joshua called as he walked in the house.

"Yeah?" I replied, wiping my face of any tears.

"Are you okay? I saw Michael outside. Did he touch you?"

"No."

"Why are you crying?"

I sighed, "my life is over."

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is. My husband fell out of love with me months ago and my dumb ass still loves him. He could have given me something...and I still love him. How crazy is that?"

"It's not crazy at all."

"Yes, it is."

"It's not. He was your first love. It's only normal."

"Michael is different, Joshua. You don't understand."

"Help me understand then, V. I'm open to listen." I sighed heavily and pressed my lips together. I can feel myself about to cry again. "It's okay." He rubbed my back. "Whenever you're ready."

"Michael and I have been dating since college." I finally said. "There was always something different about him that separated him from all the other guys. I would say it was love at first sight, but that's wishful thinking. Michael was out of my league."

"Why do you say that?"

I smiled at the memory, "with the looks he had, all the girls dreamed of being with him. Michael was out of my league. He had too many girls after him."

Joshua made a face, "what made him different from all these other men?"

"Michael was interesting... He was quiet. He stayed to himself. Stayed on top of his work. He was different."

"Oh..."

"You don't get it, do you?"

"No."

"You wouldn't. Anyway, fast forward, he eventually became a best friend of mine. I'll never forget when he told me he had feelings for me. It shocked the hell out of me, because I swore he was out of my league. While we were at the park, Michael stopped me in the middle of a rant I was going on about and told me I was beautiful. Now, you have to understand, Michael is a man of many compliments, so I just shrugged it off. I said thank you, blushed and went about my way, but then he said, 'Victoria, I'm serious. You're stunning. You're gorgeous!' Gorgeous caught me off guard, I have to admit. Then he said, 'Victoria, ever since I met you, I knew you were special. There's something about you that just draws me to you.' Then he paused and said, 'I like you and I want you to be my girl.'"

"He demanded it?"

I blushed, "pretty much. I admired his aggressiveness about it though."

"So, let me guess, you said yes."

"Do I look like a fool? Of course I did and from that day on, I was his woman. I was the one he'd whisper, 'I love you' to before he went to bed. It was me who he beat a guy up for. And it was me he ended up running back to when he realized no one else measured up." I bit my lip, "but I guess those years are long gone now..." Joshua held me. "It was all a waste."

"Even your children?"

"No! Never! They are my babies. That is the one benefit from our relationship." I took a deep breath and wiped my cheeks, "I'm divorcing Michael and I'm going to get full custody of my children. Watch me. Michael won't know what hit him."