Divorce Day

I cried after Lucas left.

Not because I wanted him back.

Because five years of feeling had been fed to a dog.

No.

Even dogs are more loyal.

My mother came to the hospital.

“My daughter,” she said, holding my hand, “I don’t want you suffering. Lucas Lu is not worth it.”

“I’m fine,” I said. “There are plenty of men in the world. I’ve decided to divorce him.”

My father’s business had been poor recently, and he was ill.

My miscarriage was another blow.

But women must become strong when life tears them open.

I hugged my mother.

“Thank you for supporting me.”

“Divorce is good,” she said. “There are better men waiting.”

I kissed her through tears.

How lucky I was.

Some parents would force a daughter to stay with a rich husband, no matter how he hurt her.

My family stood behind me.

That was why I could leave.

On divorce day, Lucas brought Sophie.

She held his arm like a victorious little bird.

“Sister,” she said softly, “thank you for letting us be together.”

I slapped her.

Then slapped him.

“Bitch and dog,” I said. “May you last forever.”

Sophie immediately hid in Lucas’s arms, eyes wet.

“How can you say that?”

Lucas raised his hand to hit me.

A man caught his wrist.

Then kicked him aside.

“Don’t touch Mia.”

I looked up.

The man was tall, broad-shouldered, and devastatingly handsome.

Something about him felt familiar.

He turned to me, running a hand over his styled hair.

“Long time no see, Mia. I’m Adrian Gu.”

Adrian Gu.

The name struck memory.

“My old neighbor?”

He smiled.

“You remember.”

I blinked.

“You used to be a little chubby.”

He laughed, eyes bright.

“And now?”

“Now you’re unfairly handsome.”

His smile turned almost boyish.

Lucas clutched his stomach and roared,

“You’re flirting in front of me? So you cheated long ago?”

My heart was dead to him.

His accusations no longer hurt.

I kicked his thigh.

“You cheated and still dare accuse me? Do you want to die?”

The divorce papers were signed.

The marriage ended.

I walked out of the courthouse free.

Not happy yet.

But free.

That was enough.