Entering the lounge, she took a deep breath in order to calm herself and made her way to the couch where Mark sat still watching rebroadcast of some sports game which she saw him watching an hour ago when they had returned. Standing near the couch she called him, but he was very much engrossed that he didn’t even looked her way.

“Mark, we need to talk.” She called again waiting patiently but he pretended he didn’t hear.

“Mark I am talking to you?” Raising her voice, a little, she said trying her hardest to conceal her irritation but when he turned the volume up instead of giving her an answer, she snatched the remote control from his hand and turned off the TV.

“What the hell is your problem!” He shouted glaring daggers at her.

“Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?” She said glaring back at him. However, taking another deep breath, she spoke.

“I want to discuss about Gwen’s..

“Oh, so now you want to talk to a petty and disgusting person? Wouldn’t it ruin you “good mood” and “precious time?” He said mockingly cutting her off.

“I need to have a proper discussion with you, because I don’t want what happened today to repeat itself, I will no longer stand you speaking ill about Gwen or your insults towards me.” She said firmly, seeing her not affected by his taunts enraged him.

“Well I am not free, nor I want to talk about anything now, so can you leave?” Despite his inner thoughts, he said very calmly occupying himself in his phone. Clenching her hand, she tried to tolerate his impudence. At that moment, she didn’t know she had to go through this for the whole next week. Whenever she tried to bring up the topic, he would always change the subject or would coldly end the conversation, since they were also sleeping in separate rooms their daily conversation was only limited to few words, either way it seemed impossible to have discussion with him.

Tonight, as usual, he went straight to his office upstairs after dinner. “I have to talk to him today no matter what.” Affirming inwardly, she quickened her cleaning activity. After completing her chores and putting Jace to sleep, she came upstairs and opening the door of his office, she asked.

"Can I book your calendar?"

He glanced briefly at her taking his eye off the laptop screen for few seconds then focused on it again saying coldly.

"If it's going to be another one of your lectures about how I should interact with your precious daughter then spare me I have more important things to do.”

Inhaling deeply, she tried to keep her composure knowing it will end up unsettled if she didn't hence very calmly, she spoke.

"Then what you are suggesting is that we either fight daily and be cold to each other or live like strangers minding our own business for the rest of life?”

"And whose fault do you think that is? " looking sharply, he sneered.

"It would be less stressful and easier if you would listen to me leaving aside your ego for a while." Ignoring his mockery, she said nonchalantly.

"Talk" replying bitterly he closed his laptop and leaned back on his chair arm crossed.

“I want to take full custody of Gwen and I am applying for it after discussing it with her Father.”And She informed him decisively.

“And you're just here to informed me, right ? if you don’t need my approval, why bother?  and if need one, what if I don’t agree? ” He said in acidic tone and a sharp piercing glare.

"Mark you do remember what I told you before we got married right?” she asked directly looking into his eyes. Of course, he remembered it, she had asked him that he would never interfere or object about anything related to Gwen.

“I never asked you to be her Father, but I also never said that you have act like her stepfather. Gwen is my child, and that is an unchangeable fact which you must accept. I also get it that you can't love her like your own, but it certainly doesn't mean that you have you hate her and to the extent you will shout at her and tyrannize her? I had tolerated your incredulousness about my loyalty towards you and our marriage, however, this is something I can not let pass, I need your sincere words this time, that you would will change your behavior and such incident would not be repeated in future." She paused for a few secodns, sighed inwardly and spoke again.

"Otherwise, I would have to reconsider our relationship” she ended, each and every word was firm and unwavering. Glancing at her determined form, the familiar distress of losing her crept into his heart, brushing aside the discomfort that came with it, he interrogated her.

"Reconsidering our relationship, huh? In other words, divorce, right? Because she’s someone you can’t leave, and if it comes to that, I’m the one you’ll discard, just like when you chose her father.” His words dripped with venom.

“Bringing up our past would only complicate things.” Keeping her calms, she interjected.

“But it’s the truth and you can’t deny it” His words were bitter and sharp, she sighed helplessly.

"Mark, this time it's entirely your decision. You're the one who will make the choice. Gwen is a part of me, and I just want you to accept her as you have accepted me. Trust me, I don't want to end our marriage or regret my decision again. Please, think about it positively for Jace and me, and for the love you have for me." Her words turned to a whisper at the end, but he could still hear her plea. As she left the room, he pressed his lips together.

Returning to her room, she checked her phone and saw Alex’s reply. She had texted him earlier to arrange a meeting. Hesitantly, she read the brief response silently. The thought of facing him sent a sudden sharp pang through her chest, leaving her breathless. Clenching her lips tightly, she typed her reply, detailing the time and place for their meeting. Then, she lay down on the bed, closed her eyes, and put the phone away.