Writer25's Challenge: The Break-Up

"You what?"

"Don't make me repeat it."

"You…" Joe had to physically hold himself down by gripping onto the kitchen counter. "When?"

"Yesterday afternoon."

"Is that why you came home so late? You told me it was because your rehearsal ran longer than you expected."

Sydney bit her lip.

"Answer me!" Joe shouted.

"Joe, please. Jade is-"

"Oh, now you think about Jade? She didn't cross your mind at all yesterday? Our marriage – four years – didn't cross you mind? What the hell were you thinking about then?"

"Nothing. I mean, I-"

"Get out."

"What?"

"You heard me. I want you out of this house. Now." Joe pointed towards the door for emphasis.

"This is my house. I bought it. You can't just-"

"Well I am! I can't look at you right now let alone be in the same house as you."

"But Jade-"

"I don't want you around her either."

Sydney glared at him. "You can't take my daughter away from me because of some mistake I made."

"Some mistake?" Joe clenched his teeth and balled up his fists. He could feel his nails digging into his palms, but he didn't care. "This isn't just some mistake. For the love of God, you cheated on me!"

"Joe, I'm sorry. We can get through this. I can find a marriage counselor and-"

"You're sorry? What's sorry supposed to fix? I told you to leave, now do it before I wake up Jade and take her with me somewhere else."

"Would you please let me explain?"

"Explain what? I don't want to know the details! It happened and there's no way to go back now. For the last time, get out of this house!" Joe stomped to the front door and yanked it open. "Out. Now."

Tears welled up in Sydney's eyes. "Joe, please…"

Joe fought the urge to fall apart and cry with her. "I said, out." He pointed outside.

"Where am I supposed to go?"

"I don't know and I don't care. You're not my wife anymore."

Sydney looked out the door and back at Joe. "You don't have to do this."

"You didn't have to sleep with another man either, but you did! Get out before I physically have to remove you."

"You have a son." Sydney blurted out.

"Don't make up lies to try to get me to change my mind. It won't work." Joe glared at her in disgust.

"I'm not lying, I swear! His name is JJ and he's seven years old. I was pregnant with him back when I was still at Draylon. I never told you because-"

"I'm tired of this." Joe pushed his way past her and started up the stairs.

"Joe, no! Wait!" Sydney followed him up. "Please, don't take her from me. You and Jade are all I have!" She grabbed onto his arm in an attempt to stop him.

Joe shook her off. "What about your friend?"

"It meant nothing! I swear! It was a moment of weakness and we both just got so caught up in it all."

Joe cringed. "I said I didn't want to hear about it." He paused outside of Jade's bedroom door. "I will tell you one final time, get out of this house or I'm taking Jade somewhere else until you pack up and leave."

Sydney froze. She stared at Jade's door, tears streaming down her face. "Can I at least say goodbye?"

"No."

The word hit her like a slap across the face. "But I- I-" Sydney choked back sobs.

Joe looked away, not wanting to pity her. It was cruel to let her cry like this, but he didn't care. She deserved it. "You brought this on yourself."

"I know." She clenched and unclenched her fists. "I just wish…"

"So do I." Joe gave her a long, cold stare. "Are you leaving or not?"

"I'll go." She wiped the tears from her eyes. "What are you going to tell Jade when she wakes up and I'm not here?"

"That her mother had to go away for a little bit. She was clearly not feeling well in the head. And that sometimes parents don't always stay together forever."

"Tell her that I love her."

"You're not in a position to tell me what to do."

Sydney looked up at him and pleaded, "It's my final request. Promise me that Jade will not learn the truth. I didn't do this out of spite. I still love her… and you."

Joe's mouth was set in a hard line. "Is that all?"

Sydney held back more tears. "Yes."

"Then get out."

A/N - so this was a writing challenge given to me by Writer25 a while ago where one of my main couples has a fight and breaks up. I decided to have some fun with it and make it extra nasty. This is obviously not canon to my series however, so just enjoy it for what it is, a random angry one-shot. Sorry it's a little on the short side, but I enjoyed writing it.

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