"Let's raise a toast to our love life" The ladies jeered, but Caroline was raising hers to the end of her marriage with that arrogant man.
She looked irritatedly at the restaurant as she gulped down her drink. It was dark, dreamy and screamed perfection, all of which she had had to deal with for the last four years and she heaved a sigh of relief because the divorce meant she won't have to see them again, but sadly, it also meant she won't have to see him again.
She caught sight of Marcus playing pool on the other side of the clubhouse and her gaze lingered before reluctantly focusing her attention on the women in front of her.
The group of two women were her husband's friends' wives. They were supposedly society's role models and image wives, all except for Caroline. The rejected stone.
"Listen, the latest fashion is by kelvin lamont and I already told Danny to get it for me, he has even agreed! I am so happy that we'll have an upgraded wardrobe." Lisa Von said to her other friend and they giggled, Caroline was ignored as usual but she was also used to that.
"The queen of fashion is definitely Ashley Brown. She will always remain on top and we all know it's only one person that may compare to her." Meredith added, she was another Nepo baby and her husband Jake Thomas doted on her like she was a precious stone, maybe she was to him.
They all turned to look at Caroline at the same time and she stilled, becoming uncomfortable under their scrutiny.
"Yeah, how are you doing Caroline? I heard your marriage is hanging more on a loose thread now, gossip has it that it may become worse" Lisa said again, feigning sympathy and Caroline cringed.
She hated when the topic shifted to her and she was mostly the common target of their vile mouths.
"Ermm, Marcus and I are doing alright. If there's anything off you would be the first to know." Caroline murmured under my breath and they scoffed, it seemed planned and automated.
"Yeah surely, you think you would be the first to know? I am sure you don't know the latest gossip flying around!" Meredith asked her and immediately her curiosity was piqued, she looked from one friend to the other both they were not saying anything again.
She didn't know the latest gossip that was going around!
"Oh she doesn't know!" Lisa hushed to her friend and Caroline was even more irritated.
"If you know anything would you please tell me?" She asked, desperately just as the men joined them again. Caroline watched with jealousy as the other husbands kissed their wives passionately before settling down.
Marcus was cold as usual and didn't even spare her a glance.
"She is not here yet," Danny, Lisa's husband said as he settled down next to his wife.
"Who is not here yet?" A new voice purred and all heads shot up as a beautiful lady walked in.
Nina Lionel, fashion model, former beauty queen and Marcus ex fiancée. The only woman that could compare to the legendary Ashley Brown. So this is what the ladies were talking about!
"Nina!!!! You made it!" Lisa screeched standing up to hug the new arrival. Caroline watched with disgust at the bright look that entered her husband and all the other's faces, they all took turns hugging her. Marcus stood up and gave her a hug, much longer than the others.
"Oh my Gosh! Little Caroline! You're so big now" Nina said to a timid Caroline who could only look at her with daggers in her eyes.
"Hello," she muttered and just like that they all refocused their attention on the new arrival.
"So, how was your tour around the world? We have been so bored and Jake doesn't want to take us on the boat cruise he promised." Meredith whined and the perfect Nina let out a soft laugh.
"You have to understand that he's busy, making the money so you can go on your shopping sprees" Nina said and Caroline rolled her eyes. She was the perfect definition of a pick me, always wanting to be on the adored side.
Why was she in their lives again now?
"I have come to stay." Nina announced, answering her quiet question. Caroline paused and stared at her with horror. Just when their contract was supposed to end.
"That's excellent! We can have more cocktails and tell us about your last movie role!" Lisa said and Meredith seconded her.
"They wanted me to be their lead so badly, their pay was ridiculous so I threatened to resign….."
Marcus watched them, he was bored and a little
Uncomfortable with the arrival of his ex wife. Caroline tapped him and he turned to look at her, she was pale and squirmy. She never liked the triple dates, lucky for her it was finally going to end.
"Can we leave now?" She whispered and he nodded, he stretched out his hand and picked up his coat.
"Are you thinking of leaving Marc?" Nina suddenly asked, noticing his movements, her eyes had been on him throughout the evening.
"Actually, we are leaving." He told her and stood up, Caroline followed suit, she patted Lisa and Meredith and smiled graciously at their husbands. That was the only communication she had with them that evening.
"Well I'm coming with you! I have no place to stay for the night and my chauffeur already took my things there" she pouted, pulling at his hands as she followed them out of the restaurant.
"That's fine, let's go." He responded coolly as they got to the car, and Nina hurried to sit at the front seat, next to Marcus. Caroline rolled her eyes in irritation as she settled at the back seat.
It was going to be a long night.
***********
Caroline was settling in her room when the door opened and Marcus walked in, he looked handsome in all his six two glory. She had always had that large crush on him even though he never smiled at her or looked at her.
"Hi, I hope your friend has settled down." She said as she fidgeted with the pillow, avoiding his eyes. He was hardly in her room, why was he in her room?
"We're four years in, and Nina is back. I hope you know what that means?" He asked and she stilled, turning to look at him in unreserved horror.
He was really going to do this?
"I do" she mumbled, the divorce had come quicker than she thought it would.
"The forms would be prepared soon, there's no need to continue the facade" he announced and turned around to leave the room.
Caroline sat down on the bed and clung to the sheets, she knew this day would come, she was finally getting her freedom! A divorce! But why did it hurt her so much?