Nora Lawson's Perspective.
I was jamming to my favorite tune, "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran, cranking up the volume when I suddenly slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting a high school kid on a bike.
"What's your problem?" I shouted at the kid, feeling super annoyed. Ugh, driving during rush hour is the worst!
"Don't snap at me, you fat lady!" he shot back with a cheeky grin before pedaling away.
I thought about jumping out of my car to give him a piece of my mind, but then I spotted the colorful gift bag next to me. That made me smile, and I couldn't keep humming the song.
Today marks one year since my husband and I tied the knot, and I'm buzzing with excitement.
"We've been married for a whole year today, babe!" I squealed as I pulled into the driveway and parked.
I had left the house early this morning, sneaking out before my husband woke up, so we didn't really chat much.
As soon as I got out of the car, I noticed the head maid approaching.
"Welcome back, Madam. You're home early today," she said, looking a bit anxious.
"Yes, Anita," I replied, handing my bag to her while clutching a small box.
Walking into the living room, I found it strangely quiet, especially since it was our anniversary.
"Uh, Master is…" Anita started, sensing my confusion, but I cut her off.
"I know he's inside. I called him at work, and they said he came home," I said absentmindedly as I headed for the stairs to our bedroom.
As I got closer, I heard loud moans and groans that piqued my curiosity. I thought it might be some silly prank, but when I opened the door, reality hit me hard.
My husband was in bed with a woman I couldn't recognize, her face hidden from view.
"Aiden!" I yelled, furious, but he just glanced back and kept going.
Not sure what to do, I quietly shut the door, sank down onto the floor, and let the tears flow.
"Not again, Aiden," I whispered to myself, as their moans grew louder, almost reaching a peak.
I had given Aiden Halls my all, even the family inheritance I had, but it felt like nothing I did was ever enough for him.
He constantly brought home different women, completely ignoring how it made me feel.
Back in high school, I was head over heels for Aiden, even though my parents disapproved because of what they had witnessed. But love is blind, right? After my parents tragically passed away, Aiden and my best friend, Glanna Howard, were all I had left. Leaving him never crossed my mind; I just couldn't imagine it.
Lost in my thoughts, I heard the door creak open, revealing my husband in just his boxers.
"What are you doing at home at this hour? Shouldn't you be at work?" he asked, heading to the fridge for a bottle of water.
"Aiden, this isn't right. You could have skipped today; it's our wedding anniversary," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady.
"I know it's our anniversary, babe. Don't you love my surprise?" he replied with a smirk that made my stomach turn.
I was about to respond when I heard footsteps behind me.
"Surprise!" Aiden exclaimed, pointing at the figure behind me. I slowly turned to see who it was.
"Glanna?" I gasped, hoping I was imagining things. She stood there in a tiny towel, her hair a mess, and her expression showed no remorse for what was happening.
"I'm so glad I could finally surprise you," Aiden's mocking voice rang out from behind.
"Why would you do this to me, Glanna? I thought we were best friends?" I asked, tears streaming down my face as I felt a sharp sting of betrayal. Even if Aiden didn't care, shouldn't she?
"No, Nora. You're the one who took my guy. He was mine since high school, but you swooped in even when he clearly wasn't into you. You used your money to lure him in," she scoffed, disgust evident in her voice.
"You're so dumb for that," I snapped, my hand raised, ready to slap her, but it froze in mid-air.
"Don't you dare slap me, you buffalo! You wouldn't!" she shot back, yanking my hand away, making me stumble onto the couch next to me.
"Just don't break that couch with your weight," Aiden joked, half-laughing. "You're like an amoeba—big and shapeless. Don't you ever look in the mirror? That's why I can't find you attractive, and I'll keep cheating on you with those gorgeous, slender girls."
Tears streamed down my face as his words hit me like arrows. "But I told you, I joined a gym last month! It's a process," I defended, hating how desperate I sounded.
"I did everything for you, Aiden. Everything to make you happy, and this is how you repay me?"
"Here we go again with your 'I did everything for you' speech. Was I really happy, huh, buffalo?" he shouted, his cold gaze making me tremble. "You know what? Take this and sign it." He tossed a file at me.
"What's this?" I whispered through my tears, catching the file. As I opened it, disbelief washed over me.
"A divorce paper?" I gasped, reading the bold letters.
"Don't you have eyes?" Glanna replied, arms crossed smugly.
"No, please. Don't do this to me. Remember what we had?" I begged, dropping to my knees.
"Just sign the damn papers and get out of my life!" he shouted again. I sat there, wondering what I had done wrong, when suddenly my phone buzzed with a flood of notifications. Wiping my tears, I opened it, shocked by what I saw.
"What does this even mean?" I shot at Aiden, but he looked totally unfazed.
"You're such an idiot, Nora. You've always been one. Just sign the damn papers and get out of our house, you witch," Glanna chimed in, but I barely registered her words.
"After cheating on me, you really think you can just take 95% of the company shares for yourself?" I yelled, fuming.
"What are you going to do about it? Did you really think I was with you for any other reason? I was only after your money, and now I've got it. You can go to hell," he sneered, grabbing the car keys and storming out.
.......
The loud music thumped through the entire club, but my thoughts were miles away as I downed my tenth tequila shot of the day. All I wanted was to get high, to escape and forget everything Aiden and Glanna had put me through.
At this point, I felt like I was poorer than anyone could imagine, having lost everything I once had.
"Is it a crime to be fat?" I shouted, even though no one could hear me, my eyes heavy with fatigue. All I craved was love, just a little love. Why does the universe have to be so harsh in denying me that?
I had been nothing but loyal to Aiden, giving him everything, only to be betrayed by him and my so-called best friend.
"You're such a fool, Nora Lawson," I yelled, catching a few glances, but honestly, I didn't care because I knew I was being foolish.
After Aiden walked out, I returned to my room to find my things packed into a travel bag, replaced by Glanna's stuff. She had moved into the house I bought with my own money, and I felt powerless because I had been foolish and lost my claim to everything—my construction firm, my parents' company.
What a sad existence!
I left the house after Glanna made sure I signed the divorce papers, and now here I am. Where do I even begin?
Just then, I stood up from my chair, swaying a bit, but I caught myself before I could embarrass myself further.
"Watch where you're going, beautiful lady," I heard a deep voice say, calm yet firm.
Did someone just call me beautiful?
"Excuse me?" I replied, looking up to see a man with striking features. He was older, but that didn't take away from his good looks.
"Why is this lovely young lady all alone in a club?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.
I asked, "So, how much do you charge for a night with someone like you?"
The young guy replied, "Honestly, I don't think you can afford me, my lady."
I shot back, "Hey, I don't like being called broke," even though he was kinda right. I just wanted to have a good time. "I think you're really attractive. Let's just spend the night together," I blurted out.
"Whatever you wish, my lady. We provide top-notch services, so you're in good hands," he said, and just like that, we headed out of the club to his car.