Letting Him Go Novel – When the door opened, I wasn’t surprised to see my husband’s mistress hanging onto his arm tightly as usual. As I walked past his room I could not help but to freeze in place when I overheard their conversation. “I really hate that Jessica. She took you away from me and now we cannot marry.” she whined. “Baby, no one can take you away from me. You’re here now, aren’t you? Just wait a couple more years and then I’ll divorce her and we will finally marry each other.” Tears filled my eyes. The heart break that he has caused me is starting to become unbearable. I won’t handle it any more.
I stared at myself in the huge mirror with a big smile on my face. Today was my wedding day and I am about to marry Ryder Fitzgerald, one of the most wealthy business man in America. I met Ryder about 7 months ago when his parents, as well as himself, showed up at my house. That’s when both my father and Mr. Fitzgerald dropped the bomb about how they arranged a marriage for both Ryder and myself when we were born. My father and Mr. Fitzgerald were very close ever since they were younger. Ryder was born almost 3 years before me, but when my parents found out that they were having a baby girl, they automatically told the Fitzgerald’s and that’s when they made their little promise to set up the arranged marriage.
I only turned 20 two months ago and now I’m getting married. To say I was not upset when my parents told me that Ryder and I would be married, would be a lie. I mean, who wouldn’t? I just graduated Stanford, majoring in Business. My entire high school life was me studying 24/7. I was extremely focused on my studies and graduated with 15 college credits my senior year. I was finally able to rest and have a little bit of fun with my life. I did not want to rush into marriage, but when Ryder walked through my front door, I was so captivated by his big brown eyes and pearly-white smile. Unfortunately, after about 3 months into meeting Ryder and preparing for our forced marriage I found out that Ryder has been seeing a girl by the name of Stephanie and they loathed me for ruining their chances of getting married to each other.
My heart was torn in two when I found out the truth and whenever Ryder and I were alone together he’d ignore me and when he did talk to me, his tone told me that he hated my guts. Of course, when we were in front of friends and family, Ryder treated me like a princess which definitely ruined any progress that I had to get over him. There was a sudden knock that took me away from my thoughts and I quickly composed my self and plastered a fake smile back onto my face. “Come in!” My mom and dad walked in with grins on their faces. “Oh honey! Look at how beautiful you are!” My mother stated with tears in her eyes. “You are the most beautiful girl in the world Jess. We are so proud of you.” My dad said as he hugged me tightly.
“Thanks mom and dad. You both look amazing.” “Oh please sweetie, this is your day. It does not matter how we look.” My mom said as she grabbed my hands. Another knock was heard and all pairs of eyes turned to the new visitor. At the door stood my future in-laws. “Oh Matthew! Look at how beautiful our daughter-in-law is!” Mrs. Fitzgerald whispered with tears in her eyes. “Ryder is truly lucky to have you as his wife Jessica. You are breathtaking.” My smile fell just a bit when Ryder’s father said that. I knew I wasn’t the girl that Ryder wanted to be marrying today and my heart pained with just that thought but I instantly hid that to the best of my ability and smiled in appreciation to Ryder’s parents.
“Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald. You are both too kind.” “Oh please darling, we are practically family now. Call us mom and dad.” “Of course, mom.” I replied as I hugged her tightly. “Excuse me Jessica. The ceremony is about to start.” My wedding planner said at the door way. My parents and soon-to-be in-laws wished me words of luck and took their seats. I took a deep breath and walked out of the room and in front of the doors to the chapel. “Are you ready honey?” My father asked as I linked my arm with his. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” The music started and the doors opened and I shivered as all eyes were on me. This was it. I was finally marrying the man I loved but who did not return that love back to me.
This is my new life. ~ Jessica ~ “Mrs. Fitzgerald? Would you like a cup of tea?” Linda, our housekeeper asked. I was currently sitting in the living area on the window seal reading a book that I randomly grabbed from the shelf in my study. “That would be lovely. Thank you Linda.” Linda nodded and walked back into the kitchen. I sighed and looked out the window. It was just about 2 in the afternoon and Ryder has been gone since 4 in the morning. I remember that it was Saturday and that Ryder didn’t work today which pained my heart because I knew he was spending the day with her. Some nights he would bring her here and they’d walk right past me and stumble up the stairs in each others arms laughing. I envied Stephanie because I knew that Ryder loved her whole heartedly and all I ever wanted was for Ryder look at me with the so much love just liked he looked at her.
“Here is your tea, Mrs. Fitzgerald.” “Thank you Linda and please call me Jess. Mrs. Fitzgerald is too formal.” “As you please Jess. Is there anything else you need?” “No thank you. I’m fine.” Linda nodded and walked out of the room. *9 hours later – 11pm* The house was empty now as all the housekeepers left back to their families 4 hours ago. Just like most evenings for the past year, I walked to the back to the huge garden that I started filled with roses and lilies and many other types or flowers and made sure they were still properly developing. Although we had our own garden man, Richard, I asked him if he could leave this part of the yard alone and told him that I would take care of it. Richard kindly agreed. I walked back into the house and washed my hands. I heard keys jingling and rushed to the door like I did every night. Of course when the door opened, I wasn’t surprised to see Stephanie hanging onto his arm tightly. Ryder took off his coat and grabbed Stephanie’s and threw it at me just like always.
It was as if I was just another house maid to him. Unfortunately I got used to it months ago. Without saying a word to me, Ryder led Stephanie up the stairs and to his room. I jumped a little when I heard the door slam and the giggling began. Hanging up their coats in the closet, I began to make my way up to my own room. As I walked past Ryder’s room I could not help but to freeze in place when I overheard their conversation. “I really hate that Jessica. She took you away from me and now we cannot marry.” Stephanie whined. “Baby, no one can take you away from me. You’re here now, aren’t you? Jessica means nothing to me. Just wait a couple more years and then I’ll divorce her and we will finally marry each other.” After hearing what Ryder just said, tears filled my eyes and I ran towards my room and slammed the door shut. The heart break that Ryder has caused me the past two years is starting to become unbearable and I’m afraid that I won’t be handle it any more.
There was a slight pain in my back which caused me to wake up. I noticed that I was still curled up in a ball right beside my bedroom door. I pulled myself off the floor and stretched a bit. There was a loud cracking noise that my back made when I stretched back. I walked to my bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. There were dark circles under my eyes and my eyes were bloodshot. I quickly took off all my clothing and took a nice and hot shower. I sighed as the hot water poured down on my body. I scrubbed my body thoroughly and washed my hair with my strawberry shampoo and condition. After 20 minutes in the shower, I decided it was time to get out and get dressed. I turned off the shower faucet and opened the shower door. I tightly wrapped my towel around my body. I stepped out into my room and took out a beige lace panty and a matching bra.
Dropping my towel on the floor, I slipped on my bra and underwear. I then walked into my walk-in closet and slipped on a white summer dress that was decorated in small pink flowers. Today Ryder and I are suppose to meet attend a little brunch at Ryder’s parents house. I dried my hair with the blow dryer and curled my hair into long loose curls that flowed past my shoulders. I put a little bit of make-up on since I wanted to be a bit more natural. The circles under my eyes were still visible so I put a bit more concealer on. After I finished getting ready I walked out of my room and down the huge grande stairway. I walked into the kitchen, surprised to see Ryder and Stephanie there. On most days Stephanie would leave before I even woke up, but here she was in nothing but one of Ryder’s shirts. Ryder was at the stove whistling and making some food.
Ryder never cooked. I didn’t even know he knew how. It pained me to know that I didn’t even know who he really was. Neither Stephanie nor Ryder even noticed me. Feeling like a nuisance, I walked into the sitting room and patiently waited. ~ 3 hours later ~ I paced around the room looking at the time. We were suppose to be at Ryder’s parents house an hour ago. I picked up my phone again and dialed Trisha, Ryder’s mother. “Hello?” “Hi mom, it’s Jess. Ryder is still busy with his work so we may not be able to make it. I’m really sorry.” I felt guilty for lying to Trisha, but I couldn’t possibly tell them that Ryder was seeing Stephanie. Ryder’s parents adored him, if they found out that Ryder was seeing someone else while married to me it would break their hearts and I would not be able to handle that. “Oh dear, do not worry. I’ll see you both this weekend at the banquet right?” “Of course, we wouldn’t miss it.” “Okay dear. Tell Ryder to not over work himself. Love you Jess, see you later.”
“Love you too mom.” I put my phone back into my purse and decided to go find Ryder. I walked around the whole house but could not find Ryder. “Linda, have you seen Ryder?” “Mr. Fitzgerald and Miss Smith left a while ago. He did not tell you?” Linda asked sympathetically. “Oh no, it must have just slipped my mind. Thank you.” Linda looked at me suspiciously but nodded and walked away. I could not help the pain that I felt in my heart knowing that Ryder could not even let me know he was leaving. I suppose he really did love Stephanie that much to the point he could not even remember having lunch with his own family. I could not handle being left alone with my own thoughts so I grabbed my phone and called the only person who knew everything about Ryder and Stephanie, the only person I really trusted. My best friend since I was younger and the only person I could really talk to. “Drew? It’s me. Do you think you can pick me up?”