Turning Of The Tide (Natalie and Trevon) novel Chapter 74

That evening, Natalie hurriedly made her way to the Wilson's residence, her heart filled with anxiety and anticipation.

As Natalie stepped inside the house, Mary, the friendly housekeeper, welcomed her with a warm smile. "Mrs. Wilson, you're here."

Mary could not help but feel a sense of confusion. Today was not usual for gatherings at the Wilson's residence, and she could not help but notice that Trevon was nowhere to be seen.

Natalie smiled warmly at Mary and replied, "Hello, Mary. Is Mr. Theo in his study? I have something important to discuss with him. Is he available at the moment?"

"Sure, he's upstairs. Just knock on his door," Mary replied. "Mr. Theo has finished dinner and is currently practicing calligraphy in his study."

Natalie went directly to the study and gently knocked on the door. A deep voice resonated from within, saying, "Please, come in."

His lack of surprise was palpable as Theo laid his eyes upon Natalie, who was standing at the door with poise and grace. It was evident that he had anticipated her impending visit.

However, he was caught off guard by the timing of her visit.

A flicker of surprise danced across Theo's face as he greeted Natalie. "My dear, what brings you here?" he exclaimed. "Come in, come in. Have you had dinner?"

Natalie responded politely with a white lie. "Mr. Theo, I've already had dinner," she claimed. Deep down, however, she harbored a greater purpose, knowing that indulging in a substantial meal would only hinder her as she braced herself for the weighty matters ahead.

"Mr. Theo, are you busy? I want to discuss something with you," she expressed, conveying a sense of urgency.

Natalie had always been a person unaccustomed to compromise. She persevered through countless days because of her deep love and loyalty toward Theo. However, amidst her unyielding nature, she found one aspect elusive—her own heart, a force beyond her control, dictating its desires and yearnings.

Instead of offering an immediate response, Theo shifted gears, diverting the conversation to a different topic altogether. A nostalgic smile played on his lips as he suggested, "It's been some time since we last played chess together. How about joining me for a few rounds today?"

Complying with his request, Natalie gracefully sat at the chess table, radiating respect and affection.

After a few minutes of focused play, Mr. Theo broke the silence, his voice gentle yet probing. "Natalie, are you contemplating separating from Trevon? Are you unhappy?"

A quiet astonishment washed over her as Natalie absorbed his astute observation. "Mr. Theo possesses an uncanny ability to perceive the unspoken," she marveled.

As she moved the chess piece, Natalie replied, "Mr. Theo, the truth is that Trevon and I lack compatibility. As you know, our marriage was not born out of Trevon's desire. Despite our efforts to make things work, we have failed to foster any genuine emotions for one another. It wouldn't be fair for him to remain bound in a loveless marriage. I believe we should part ways amicably, preserving a sense of goodwill between us."

In addition to her previous sentiments, Natalie yearned to convey another important aspect of her decision. She wanted to ensure that, despite their incompatibility, their marriage would not descend into a state of mutual animosity and bitterness, which she found distasteful.

"My dear," he sighed, his voice tinged with understanding and concern, "Trevon isn't inherently a bad person. His upbringing and fiercely competitive nature have shaped his worldview. Furthermore, his time serving in the military, where opportunities to form meaningful connections might have been scarce, could have impacted his emotional intelligence. Natalie, I must ask, is it truly that you harbor no fondness for him, or could other underlying reasons contribute to your decision?"

Pausing momentarily, Natalie contemplated her next move. "Mr. Theo," she spoke earnestly, her voice carrying a mix of conviction and empathy, "Regardless of the specific reasons, I firmly believe that forcing two incompatible individuals to remain together is a form of torment for both parties involved. It's not that Trevon lacks exceptional qualities; it's simply that our compatibility is lacking."

Following a brief silence, Natalie pressed on, "Mr. Theo, I want to be transparent with you. I have already completed my application for studying abroad. It's a decision I made carefully, and I believe resolving the matter between Trevon and me before I depart is of utmost importance."

As Natalie's words settled in, a tinge of surprise flickered within Mr. Theo's thoughts. "This child has taken the initiative to prepare to leave," he contemplated inwardly. Recognizing that her decision went beyond the influence of mere trends, he acknowledged that there must be deeper underlying reasons propelling her forward. It became apparent to him that her dissatisfaction had likely been accumulating gradually and that his grandson might have fallen short in various aspects, disappointing Natalie in the process. Mr. Theo couldn't help but perceive the resolute determination in his granddaughter's words, a testament to her unwavering resolve.

In a moment of resignation and support, Mr. Theo slapped his thigh, indicating his willingness to accept Natalie's decision. "Very well, my dear, since you have firmly made up your mind, I will be the one to make the final decision," he declared.

Natalie's astonishment was evident as she registered Theo's swift acceptance of her decision. "Mr. Theo, is tomorrow suitable? If it is, I would appreciate it if Trevon could accompany me to the City Hall," she proposed.

Mr. Theo's expression turned disdainful as he responded firmly, "We don't need to beg him. We can proceed with the divorce without his involvement. We can handle this matter ourselves."

After a brief moment of silence, Natalie found herself taken aback, feeling somewhat uninformed about the possibility of initiating a one-sided divorce. Her mind raced with questions as she pondered the situation. "Is it now possible for divorces to be initiated unilaterally?" she wondered silently. "When did this change occur? Have I missed some recent developments in the legal system?"