Love Like You Never Loved Before

My lips curled into a smile. Divorce was not really a cause for celebration in most cases for women. However, I begged to differ. I thought this divorce was one of the best things to happen as it finally freed me from the shackles that had bound me for two years. It was liberating, to say the least.

I could almost taste the sweet scent of freedom which was enough to make me drown in them.

“It doesn’t matter whether I believe you or not. I wish your family nothing but happiness.” It was not entirely a heartfelt wish. I had a hunch that Crystal would not stay meek for long. It was possible that she had a bigger plan in motion.

However, I was not that dumb to tell Lyle that. Besides, he wouldn’t believe me either.

He believed in Crystal wholeheartedly, as I once did in him.

“Thank you, Yvonne. Truly.” His voice was a bit hoarse. “What are your plans for the future?”

“I don’t think it concerns you, ex-husband.” I rose from my chair and put down a bill on the table before turning around to leave. The sunshine felt warm and reassuring against my skin as I made my way out of the cafe, warding off any lurking gloominess over my head.

Right then, I could feel weights lifted off my chest as I raised my hands triumphantly, cheering at passersby and cars along the road, “I’m finally free!”

Paying no heed to the mocking glances of the people, I beamed with delight as I skipped in the direction of the sun like a child.

Finally, the depressing marriage between me and Lyle was over.

With the heavy weight lifted off my chest, I was almost skipping as I strode down the road. I even found myself whistling.

Some people would say to grit one’s teeth and get through to the end after one had chosen a particular path.

I could not resonate with that statement. One of the worst things that could happen to a woman was to marry the wrong man. Why can’t we choose for a second time if our first choice turns out to be the wrong one? I’m the only one to suffer if I give a dime about what others think.

With the phone in my hand, I could not wait to share the good news with Christopher and Sabrina.

Even though a divorce could not strictly be construed as a cause for celebration to most people, it was for me. My ego wouldn’t have let me stay together with Lyle even if Christopher had not appeared in my life.

A car stopped by my side, and it was Lyle’s Porsche. He wound down the car window and said, “Where are you going? I could drop you off.”

“No need. I can just walk even if I don’t have the money to hail a cab,” I smiled and winked at him.

Lyle’s face sank in response, perhaps from thinking that I was too cheery. He stared at me and said coldly, “Are you that happy that we’re finally divorced? Are you that desperate to get another man?”

“Of course, I’m happy!” I had no idea about what was on his mind since he knew I would spare him no niceties if he tried to talk me up again. However, I was too happy to squander my time with him. Just one little retort will do.

“I married you for two years, being the haggard wife as I was, you dumped me in a hotel to let another man sleep with me. We haven’t even slept together before you sent me off to a bunch of kidnappers and I was nearly raped by them. So, do you think I should be happy that I’m finally free from you?”

I noticed all colors drained from his face, then it slowly turned red from embarrassment. To be honest, I was starting to feel bad.

“Do you think I should walk alone along the road, sobbing as I go? Or do you think I should be crying out loud in a corner, and wait for you to come to comfort me? Then, you will say something along the line that you still have feelings for me, turning me into the third wheel between you and Crystal instead?”

I swore the man appeared guilty at my remark. It was as if I was spot on, and that he truly had the intention in mind. Then, I thought I was going too easy on him.

“Tanner, do you really want to be my enemy? I was just caring about you seeing that we had been married for two years after all, and yet you’re thinking that you’re some hotshot,” Lyle berated me.