Robert Crawley sipped his coffee at his office as he scrolled down his laptop to check if he didn't miss out any important email. This month had been hectic, he had been running back and forth, his company Grantham Holdings had been making profit after profit, nourishing and rising. It still surprised him how much he had gained and how bright the future seemed. He was determined to make it as successful as possible and he knows that he could do it. His Papa must be proud. Robert had always been very passionate about his grandfathers and then fathers business and he was making sure to not let it be anything other than how he had always wanted and thankfully maintained. He had been working for his father and after his sudden death in a plane crash, he alone had been supervising everything. It had been tough and trying but he had managed, thanks to his supportive wife, Cora. And now he was gaining clients after clients for the business. That too, for two reasons. First, that he wanted to make it as efficient and as successful as possible and second, it kept him busy.

He wanted to be busy, he liked being busy because if he wasn't working nine to five, even late sometimes, he would have no other option than to go home alone. Sure, he had friends and children but they had their own lives, he couldn't very well barge in on them anytime he wished. So he had to go home. Home. What a peculiar word it sounded because it didn't feel like home. Not anymore. It was a house with memories that break his heart more times that he'd like. The woman who made it home, wasn't there to greet him like she used to.

Cora had left him. They had been separated for almost four years now. It's never one sided, both parties were at fault but he takes most of the blame. He had been busy, super busy with the work and Cora had felt neglected. She told him that and he tried, he really did try to manage as well possible but balance was one thing he sucked at. But he missed her too and understood her so he suggested her to take a course in the art institution to pass her time. She had always wanted to but never found the time. Course turned into internships then part time employment then full time job. They had never had money issues but she enjoyed it and before they knew what happened, this routine of theirs poisoned their relationships. Sometimes days passed by where they didn't exchanged more than an 'I'll be late' or 'Get the grocery'. Cora enjoyed her work and Robert was proud of her but then she started travelling.

A gallery here, a painting there, a study at some place or a library somewhere. But he wasn't as patient as Cora had been. He tried; he really did to cope up with her to support her, like she had always, especially when his father died and the work burden was too high but he felt alone and didn't feel like he had a wife at all. Alas, bad decisions come with drastic consequences, he slept with his secretary. He didn't want to, but she was eager and he was handsome as well as desperate. He missed Cora but he was just too stupid. Eventually Cora found out. It was horrible and he didn't deny it. He had never been a liar so she left him. It had been bloody and ghastly but she did.

Then a year after their separation, he found out that she had been dating some guy named Simon Bricker who had been working with her. Then he heard that she had moved in with him and according to the usual updates he heard from Rosamund or Mary, is that they were happy. It had broken his heart but he felt like he deserved it. After what he did to her, to himself, to his marriage, he felt like he deserved to be punished. He had seen the man, tall, brown who grinned like a fool all the time. Robert hated him. Not just because he had in possession the thing most dear to him but something about him gave him a weird feeling. He was just too…slippery. When he told Mary this she just rolled her eyes and told him that he was just jealous so from then he kept his opinions about that stick of a man to himself.

He went into depression. Cora was his everything, he should have treated her better, she deserved better and he should have given her the best life. Didn't he promise himself that? To keep her priority? One night almost two years ago he had drink too much, he had been crying because he missed her so much. Till then he had kept things bottled in, never shared with anyone what pain he was going through but that bubble bursted and the pain oozed out. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know where to turn so he went to Rosamund's. When she opened the door, she didn't say anything, just looked at him and bit her lip and took him into her arms. His eyes and been bloodshot and he looked so broken that it was painful for his ever strong sister to even look at him. He had cried like a baby all night, unusual for him but he did and she understood. He told her everything that had been going in his mind lately.

"I miss her so much, Ros, I don't know what to do. I know it's my fault, I don't deserve her but I love her so much God dammit!" He had smashed his glass of scotch on the floor. Thankfully, Rosamund didn't say anything. Not for at least a few minutes.

"Robert, listen to me. Look at me"

So he did.

"It takes two. It always takes two. It's not just your fault, it takes two"

So from then he just reminded himself of his sister's words and kept himself busy. He didn't have much social life, Cora was his best friend. He didn't just lose his wife; he lost his lover, his best friend, his light in the dark, his heart.

He loved her. He still did. He thought about it as less as possible, but he did and he knew it but apparently she had moved on and if it's true what he had heard second handedly that she was happy then so be it. She deserved that. Although since that awful night with his secretary, he had felt so disgusted with himself that he never slept with anyone. Never even went out on a date. His friend, Bates had tried to set him up even Rosamund did, but everyone knew it was useless because he never went. He did, twice but bored the poor women with his sad life so he never bothered.

Robert rubbed his temple, trying to get rid of the creeping migraine. He had to finish the mails and go through the financial statements one more time. His phone beeped and he swiped it open, taking another sip of his coffee.

Cora had messaged.

"Robert, are you busy? Can I meet you tonight?"

It wasn't something unusual. He had to meet Cora many times over the years, his heart skipped a beat each time she turned up or smiled or tucked a strand of hair behind her ear that he so desperately wanted to do himself. And of course there were always birthdays or anniversaries so they were bound to meet. They both were tired of fighting and arguing so they didn't talk much. They did but always about others in the family. Never about themselves but he knew something was sure to come. And soon.

And that made his heart beat faster. He knew this was it. Probably the finish line.

It had been four years. Four years of ignoring the topic, they were both too wounded to talk. But he did hear from Edith that Simon was planning to propose which meant time had come to make some life changing decisions. And he knew what it was. He knew her too well; she wanted to meet him so that she can talk. Talk about getting a divorce.

Divorce. He hated the word but this was something inevitable in their situation. It won't make much difference because they haven't really acted as husband and wife for years now but the thought still ran shivers down his spine. It would change everything on the whole. It would make it official, it would make it final, she will be no longer his, and they will never get back together. The thought was enough to make him feel claustrophobic; he immediately stood up and went out the balcony of his office. He knew he couldn't ignore it and maybe it was the right time because it's not like he'll be staying here for a year or two. He had to tell her that, obviously so maybe it was the right time. He took a deep breath and replied a quick "Yes, I'm free. Same place?"

Their place. Their bridge.

Before marrying Cora, it was the centre point to his house and her home. Then after their separation it was the midpoint of her new house and his home. There was a restaurant facing the water with the best sandwiches so it was kind of their place.

How odd, he had taken her on a boat one night and proposed. He still remember the number of that boat, boat number 25 C. And today he'll probably face that boat again and talk about their divorce. His heart broke at the thought.

"Mr. Crawley?" his assistant interrupted his painful thoughts.

"Yes?"

"The documents came by fax and the details as well. After your visit next month, I believe you'll have 3 months before your transfer"

"Yes, very well. A year?"

"That's the plan but it may extend."

"It probably will but we don't have another option. I'll have to move for at least a year to at least start it up, make a base of the company abroad. It's a big step but I'm quite positive about it"

"I do hope so, Sir"

Laura gave him a small smile, handed him the papers and exited his office.

Maybe it is better. It'll be hard after the divorce and I certainly don't want to be here when Cora and that scarecrow get married so a change will be good. It should be refreshing. And it's good for the company. It's a great way of expansion!

He thought.

His phone beeped again, "Great, see you at eight and yes, same place"

He sighed and looked at the orange sky slowly turning dark, much like his life.

Hi guys! I'm back haha. I honestly don't know what I am writing here, I have no plans and I haven't thought this trough BUT while laying on my bed I just sort of had a vision of Cobert in modern setting and I started typing without a clue to where it's headed. If it's crap, I apologize. I will think of what to do and if you have any ideas, PM! I hope you at least like the start. Those of you who know me and have read my previous fics they know how horrible I am because I like drama haha! But this could take any turn possible so beware. Please do review and tell me your opinions. Your replies are the honestly the only thing that keeps me motivated. Have a great day! - Zaibi!