I Hate the Way...

Part 73: "Our Divorce"

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Josie stood in front of the bathroom mirror, with the door locked, her hands braced on the sink as she stared at her reflection.

Her expression was tense. She could almost make out the black veins under her eyes that threatened to consume her earlier.

They were gone now.

But the memory of it all wasn't.

That surge of magic still lingered like an ache. And beneath the ache, there was seething anger. At her father. At herself. At Hope.

All of the party guests had pretty much left already, most having no clue what happened down on that beach, about Alaric showing up unannounced, about him conspiring with Dana, the rumor that Josie and Hope were having a baby, the arguing, her father's confession about Caroline, the black magic. The murder.

Fortunately, they hadn't completely ruined the engagement party for Raf and Ethan.

But the night had definitely been tarnished for Josie.

A shaky breath slipped past her lips, the words she said before echoing in her mind over and over. 'I will never forgive you,' and, 'I'm done.'

Those were words that came from the heat of the moment, from the dark magic, and from shock really. But she said them. Those words hung in the air, and she thinks they hurt her just as much as she knows they stung for Hope.

But she knew she couldn't take them back. Even if she wanted to.

Because saying she was done made her realize something.

She would never be done with Hope Mikaelson.

But she needs to be. After all, their marriage was only supposed to last until Raf and Ethan's wedding.

She doesn't want to wait a few more weeks to get her heart broken. Might as well let it break now.

And her anger now makes pushing Hope away easier.

A soft knock at the door broke her out of her thoughts. Josie flinched, her pulse quickening as she wiped at her damp cheeks. She didn't even realize she'd started crying.

"Josie?"

The brunette let out a small breath of relief. It was only Lizzie. "I'm fine," she lied, and her voice betrayed her with a crack.

"No you're not. Come on, let me in."

Josie exhaled shakily. She didn't want to face anyone right now. Now when she still felt the lingering feeling left behind by the darkness in her veins. Not when Hope's name still made her heart clench.

But she knew Lizzie wouldn't leave. She knew Josie was upset from everything that happened tonight.

So Josie finally unlocked the door, stepping back as Lizzie slipped inside and closed the door back behind her. She took one look at Josie and pulled her into a hug without saying a word.

Josie sank into her embrace, and Lizzie whispered soft, "I'm so sorry, Josie. I had no idea about Alaric. About his deal with Dana or what he did to Mom."

Lizzie heard Josie sniffle, "I know." Her voice was barely audible.

The blonde tightened her arms around her twin, "As awful as he was, I can't believe he did this. To Mom. To you. To all of us. He should've–" her voice faltered, her anger flaring. "He should've been better."

Josie nodded against her, her tears dampening Lizzie's shoulder. "I know he was awful, and I didn't want him in our lives anymore, but..." Josie pulled away, her eyes showing her disbelief, "I can't believe I almost killed him. I can't believe he's dead–Hope murdered him so I wouldn't do it myself. I just...I don't know what to do, Lizzie." She ran her hands through her hair, "I'm so angry, and it's like I can't turn it off. The magic's gone, I know it is, but I still feel it. And then there's Hope, and I'm pissed at her, and it's just..." Her voice cracked, breaking into a sob.