On the day of Josie's wedding, she hadn't known then that she would be passing through the gates of hell instead of a new home.
She sacrificed everything she possibly could for Mark, all in hopes that one day, hopefully, her love would be reciprocated. Her family — the Harris— had tried to persuade her to change her mind and not be involved with Mark and his family. They had warned her that she was only going to be hurt by him.
It was true. Even before their wedding, Josie had caught signs of her fiancé's nonchalant behaviors. At that time, Josie had not listened to her family for love they say, was blind. She believed that if she loved him enough, Mark would change for her.
On the day of their wedding, her soon-to-be husband was almost an hour late. She could never forget the odd stares the guests gave her, nor the low murmurs between they shared among themselves. Josie's wedding was indeed the talk of the town, but it wasn't for the reason she had hoped for.
It was because she was a laughing stock.
They hadn't openly mocked her probably because they pitied her. Even at that, their hushed gossip and subtle laughter could still be caught by the keen eye.
When Mark had finally arrived, he strode to the altar coldly. He barely even looked at her throughout the ceremony, and in less than two minutes, Josie was officially Mrs Peterson.
Mark left immediately afterwards, leaving the same way he entered— coldly and quickly as though Josie carried a contagious disease. Only her family and friends had congratulated her while the other members of the family — and even the guests — snorted and left.
With the way things went, they knew that the marriage wouldn't last. There was no point in staying to celebrate a loveless union. If anything, the moment Mark and Josie were pronounced husband and wife, they were already eagerly awaiting the day of their divorce.
The Peterson family was one of the biggest and wealthiest families in Georgia. With their strong influences in the business and political world, many businessmen could only hope that their daughters could marry into the family so as to help progress their own businesses. As such, Josie's marriage to Mark was seen as nothing more than a thorn in their sides.
Josie laid on the bed as she remembered those awful memories. Her wedding day had been so long ago, and back then, she had been so hopeful. Now, all that those memories left was a bitter taste in her mouth and a cold, empty feeling in her heart.
All the torture that she had experienced in that god-forsaken house had all felt like salt rubbed into her wounds.
She regretted it. She regretted not listening to her family back then when they told her to stay away from Mark.
She abruptly sat up and shook her head. Her marriage was a nightmare and there was only way to wake up, and that was the step she had already taken …and that was the divorce.
She had made up her mind.
Sharon knocked on her bedroom door and before waiting for a reply, she let herself in. "I see you're getting settled in your old room. It's been a while, and I'm sure the bed must miss you a lot."
Josie smiled at her, before she got married, she used to spend most of her time at Sharon's mansion, people even use to think they were siblings. "I missed my bed as well. And we're going to have more than enough time to catch up on old times because I'll be staying here for a while before I go back to my parent's home."
"You're going back home?"
"Yes. It's been so long since I've seen my parents and well… Mark and I are getting a divorce."
Sharon didn't say anything because she already suspected something like that had happened. Deciding it was best to ignore the divorce issue completely, she said. "They're going to be so happy to see you."
"I hope so."
"Josie, they are your parents. Of course they're going to be happy to see you."
"But first, Mark and I have to meet up at the agency tomorrow to finalize our divorce."
"I'll drop you off."
"Thank you."
They spent the night talking– well Sharon was doing most of the talking while Josie mostly listened– though that was how their friendship had always been. Sharon was a chatterbox, she could talk from morning till night and not get tired.
While Josie was always ready to listen to her. They were the perfect duo.
That night, they both slept in Josie's room and she was glad to have her best friend's company after so long.
Josie had to wake up extra early to prepare for her meeting with Mark and Sharon had insisted on dressing her.
They arrived at the agency at eight twenty five AM and after begging Sharon not to go in with her, Josie went on alone. She loved Sharon but she also knew the kind of person she was, as caring as she was, Sharon was also the type to cause a scene whenever she was angry and Josie just wanted to complete thir divorce process quickly and quietly.
She didn't want to reveal her identity to him just yet so she asked her to park her Mercedes Benz somewhere else. That way, she could go in under the pretext that she had hailed a taxi.
When she arrived at the department for divorce, Josie was surprised to find Mark already waiting. Guess he was that eager to end his marriage with her.
Mark on the other hand, didn't feel that way. Deep in his heart, he had been hoping that she would not show up, that way he would be rest assured that she still loved him the way she did.
But not only did she show up early, but she was nicely dressed too.
When she was still with him, Josie always held her hair up and she was always dressed a little too casual for his liking. But now, her strawberry blonde hair was let loose and she was putting on a blue, mini sundress that made her look much younger and prettier.
"Let's get this over with, shall we?" She said coldly and she walked into the office, with Mark following behind.
They were each given a form to fill out and sign, then the documents were stamped by the officer in charge. During the process, Mark was expecting Josie to stop and beg him to take her back, but it never happened.
And so, just like that Josie was no longer Mrs Peterson.
"Well, I hope you're happy now." She said after they were done. "You're now a free man, free to do whatever you want with your life, and be with whoever you want.
Thank you… very much, for the pain and suffering you caused me.
But know this Mark Peterson, I will have my revenge."
There was an evil glint in her eyes as she turned her heels and walked away from him, leaving Mark more confused than ever.