Chapter 4
2681 Words
After spending a day doing nothing but wallow in self pity I decided I had to get myself straight back into my normal routine.
I pulled into the school parking lot, glancing at Theo in the rearview mirror. His small hands clutched his lunchbox, and he was humming some tune only he could hear. It was moments like this that kept me grounded, reminded me why I was doing all of this.
“Alright, kiddo,” I said as I parked. “You have a great day, okay? And when I pick you up, we’re getting ice cream.”
“Can I get chocolate with sprinkles?” he asked, his face lighting up.
“Absolutely.” I leaned back to kiss his forehead, inhaling the sweet scent of his recently shampood hair.
"yes, this has been the best adventure ever momma." He said excitedly.
"Theres plenty more adventure to come. Have a good day squirt."
Theo hopped out of the car, his backpack bouncing as he ran toward the entrance. I watched him until he disappeared through the doors, my smile fading as the reality of my situation settled on my shoulders.
With a sigh, I started the car and drove to the office, already bracing myself for what was to come.
---
The moment I stepped into my office, Amy appeared at my side with a coffee in hand.
“Morning, Anna,” she said cheerfully. “How’s Theo?”
“Excited for chocolate and sprinkles,” I said, managing a faint smile.
Amy grinned. “I’ll bet.”
“Listen, I need you to book an appointment with Harris Realty. I want the agent who handled my house when I bought it. Top priority. Today, if possible.”
Amy nodded, already making notes. “On it.”
"And can you please have my divorce papers ready to be served to Greg."
" They are already in your top drawer waiting to be served." Amy said proudly.
“What would I do without you? I praised genuinely. "Thanks.”
Amy smiled "Oh I'm sure you would be fine. Let me get onto that appointment for you. I will let you know as soon as I've secured a time."
I nodded and walked into my office, shutting the door behind me.
For the next hour, I buried myself in emails and reports, letting the rhythm of work distract me. My phone buzzed on the desk, Greg’s name flashing on the screen.
I rolled my eyes and declined the call, flipping the phone face down. The audacity of this guy thinking I would waste another moment of my time even taking his calls. I silently fumed to myself.
---
By mid-morning, Amy's voice crackled over the intercom. “Your appointment with Mr. Harris is set for 11:30.”
“Perfect,” I said.
I grabbed my blazer, checked my reflection in the office window, and headed out.
---
Harris Realty was sleek and modern, just like I remembered. Peter Harris greeted me warmly in his glass-walled office.
“Anna,” he said, shaking my hand. “It’s been a while.”
“Too long,” I replied, sitting across from him.
“So,” Peter said, flipping open a leather binder. “Selling the house, huh? I have to admit, I’m surprised.”
“Things change,” I said, my tone steady. “I’ve filed for divorce. It’s time for a fresh start for me and Theo.”
Peter’s expression softened. “I’m sorry to hear that. Let’s make this as smooth as possible. Tell me about any updates or renovations since the purchase.”
I rattled off a list, keeping my tone businesslike.
Peter nodded as he jotted down notes. “You’ve kept the house in excellent shape. I already have a few clients looking for something like this. We should get a strong offer quickly.”
“That’s good to hear,” I said, some of the tension in my shoulders easing.
Peter hesitated, then leaned back. “I wasn’t going to say this, but… I saw Greg with a woman a few months ago. At a restaurant. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now…”
The familiar twist of anger and hurt curled in my stomach, but I kept my face neutral. “He has been having an affair with my ex best friend,” I said, not a tracecof emotion in my voice.
“I’m really sorry,” Peter said. “You deserve better. I’ll do everything I can to help you move forward.”
“Thank you, Peter,” I said, my voice steady but flippant. I had enough of thinking of 'Lazy the Leech' for one day...
---
I barely had time to settle back into my office when the door burst open, slamming against the wall with a loud bang. Greg stormed in, his face red with fury, Meghan hot on his heels. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor, the sound grating on my already frayed nerves.
Greg looked furious, his face flushed, while Meghan’s exaggerated pout made her look more duck than human as they entered my office.
"Anna!" Greg snapped, his voice sharp. "We need to talk!"
I leaned back in my chair, barely glancing up. "Oh, look. Lazy the Leech and his treachorous, two faced mistress, gracing me with their presence. How delightful."
Meghan gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like she’d been mortally wounded. "Excuse me?!"
Greg ignored her, leaning over the desk in a poor attempt to look intimidating. "You had no right to kick me out or block my accounts! The house and money is mine too we are married don't forget!"
I smirked, tilting my head. "Yours? That’s adorable. Remind me, Greg. Was it your money paying the mortgage? Or was it your dazzling charm that kept the lights on? Oh wait, no, that was me."
Meghan stepped forward, her pout more exaggerated than her sincerity. "You’re being unreasonable, Anna. Greg deserves better than this. You can’t just throw him out like he’s nothing."
I let out a loud laugh. "Nothing? Oh, Meghan, he is nothing. And you? You’re just a walking, homewrecking, Snapchat filter gone wrong. My brother was spot-on when he called you Duck Lips."
Her jaw dropped, her face flushing with anger and embarrassment. She touched her over inflated lips self conciously before shooting back as she quickly dropped her hands "You’re just... just bitter because Greg found someone who actually makes him happy!"
"Happy?" I crossed my arms, smirking. "If Greg’s idea of happiness is sneaking around with someone as two faced as you than by all means, live your best life. But don’t come crying to me when he starts leeching off your credit cards next."
Greg turned an impressive shade of red. "This isn’t about us and your conspiracies, Anna. You think you can just cut me off like this!"
I smiled sweetly. "You’re absolutely right, Greg. I should’ve sent a breakup card. Something like, ‘Dear Lazy the Leech, your freeloading privileges have been revoked. Enjoy life with Duck Lips.’ There. Better?"
Meghan sneered, fed up with being called by her new nickname my brother had named her. She attempted to hurt me back with an even lower blow. "You’re just mad because Greg upgraded to someone better."
I snorted, giving her a slow once-over. "Better? Sweetheart, the only thing upgraded is the amount of plastic in the room when you walked in. And let’s be real, Greg isn’t an upgrade for anyone. He’s more like... a tissue."
Greg blinked. "A tissue? What’s that supposed to mean?"
I leaned forward, grinning. "You know—a tissue. Convenient, disposable, only good for one use before getting tossed in the trash. Meghan’s already got you pegged for the recycling bin, hasn’t she?"
Meghan sputtered. "Excuse me?!"
"Don’t act surprised." I waved dismissively. "It’s your whole MO, isn’t it? Use a guy, squeeze out whatever you can, then toss him aside. Greg’s just your latest Kleenex. But for the life of me, I can't understand what you think he can even offer you."
Greg slammed his hands on the desk. "You have no idea what you’re talking about!"
"Oh, don’t I?" I tilted my head mockingly. "How’s Jake doing these days, Meghan? Or was it Ryan? Or Tom? and let's not forget your meal ticket Max and all the rest! honestly, I lose track of all the tissues you’ve balled up and tossed away. But don’t worry, Greg—you’re definitely two-ply material. Top of the line."
Meghan’s nostrils flared. "You think you are just so smart don't you Miss perfect, Anna! But really, you are just jealous of me!"
"Jealous?" I laughed, pulling out a manila envelope and sliding it across the desk. "Not even close. Consider yourself served Greg."
Greg snatched the envelope, glaring. "What’s this?"
"Divorce papers," I said, my tone gleeful. "Congratulations, you’re now officially free to ride off into the trash can with Meghan."
Greg’s face darkened as he scanned the documents. Meghan peeked over his shoulder, her face twisting in indignation.
"You can’t do this!" Greg shouted. "You think you can just cut me off and toss me aside like this?"
I stood, leaning over the desk. "Oh, I can. And I have. This is my house, my money, my son, and my future. You two can figure out your own mess from here."
Greg slammed his hands down again. "You’ll regret this, Anna."
I smirked. "The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner.
Meghan stepped forward, jabbing her finger in the air between us. “You think you’re so clever,” she hissed. “You think you can just humiliate us, take everything from Greg and get away with it? I’ll make sure everyone knows what a bitter, nasty and vengeful woman you are.”
I let out a dry laugh, crossing my arms. “Please do. Make sure they know I didn’t waste another second on a man who doesn’t respect me, or the fake ass b***h he cheated on me with. You are nothing but a homewrecking, cheap, plastic freakshow. Ive got an idea" I continued my voice mocking as I pretended to tap my temple thoughtfully "Maybe you can use some of your ex-husband’s money that I helped you win to buy some dignity, wouldn't that be something.”
Meghan’s face contorted with even more fury. Her entire face turning red as a tomatoe. But unable to think of a single thing to retort with.
Greg interjected trying to get the upper hand in the situation "I’m going to have you charged with domestic assault.”
I raised an eyebrow, unphased. “Oh really? And how’s that going to work?”
Greg then tried to make his point more dramatic, holding out his arm with a small scratch barely visible. “You threw that frame at me! See this? You cut my arm with it. Meghan witnessed it too.”
Meghan vehemently nodded her head in agreement.
I let out a laugh, sitting back in my chair with a calm, almost amused expression. “ Is that the best you have got? Go ahead. Waste the court’s time. I’m sure the judge will appreciate it.” I shook my head a look of sheer amusement on my face.
Greg looked frustrated but didn't know how to respond. Meghan’s angry glare matched his, but I wasn’t backing down.
"You are wasting your time, Greg. Now get out of my office."
Greg grabbed his wallet and the papers, muttering under his breath. Meghan stormed toward the door, turning to yell, "Come on, Greg!" Who followed her like a lap dog.
As they stomped out, I called after them, "Bye, Tissue Boy! Don’t let her blow through you too quickly!"
Best roast of my life. I chuckled to myself. Satisfied with how that ended.
I could hear Amy's footsteps click down the hallway, followed by a sharp, surprised yelp.
“Oh! Sorry, Meghan, I didn’t see you there,” Amy said, her voice light and insincere.
Meghan’s huffy response was muffled, but I caught enough to know she was seething. Amy's heels clicked past again, the distinct sound of triumph in her stride.
Moments later, Amy reappeared in my office doorway, a broad grin on her face and a tray she was holding up with one hand.
On it sat a beautifully arranged gourmet platter—and a chilled bottle of champagne in an ice bucket.
She set the tray down on my desk
“Well,” she announced “I thought we might as well celebrate the back of Greg. That was a performance worthy of an ovation, Anna. Truly.” she said as she placed the tray down on my desk.
She then held up the tennis bracelet triumphantly that Meghan had been wearing. I had completely forgotten about it in all the drama, but Amy hadn’t.
I burst out laughing, shaking my head. “You’re the best! Truly. I don’t know what I would do without you.” I praised a broad grin on my face.
Amy gave me a wink “Well, I figured you could use a little backup.” She said as she attempted to hand me the bracelet.
But I waved her off. “You keep it.”
Amy's face lit up, her eyes sparkling as she realized what I meant. “Really?” she asked, her voice filled with excitement.
I nodded, smiling. “It suits you more than it ever did her. Besides however you got the thing off her was truly creative. You deserve it.”
Amy was over the moon. She practically jumped up out of her chair, twirling in excitement as she slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. “Oh my God, thank you, Anna!” she gushed. “This is incredible! And just another reason to celebrate.” she announced as she expertly popped the champagne cork, pouring two glasses with a flourish.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Amy, you’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous and the best assistant you ever had” she gloated, handing me a glass. “Come on, raise your glass. To kicking that deadweight to the curb.”
I lifted my glass with a small smile. “To new beginnings.”
We clinked glasses, the sound satisfying, I took a sip, savouring the crisp, bubbly taste. Claire plopped into the chair opposite me, reaching for a slice of cheese.
“Anna, I mean it you should’ve done this years ago,” she said. “You’ve been miserable, and for what? Greg was a drain on you, on everything. You deserve better.”
Her words were meant to be kind, but they stirred something in me. I set my glass down, my smile fading slightly. “You’re not wrong,” I said, more to myself than to Amy. “I hadn’t been happy with Greg for years, but... I kept clinging to the marriage. I was scared, I guess. Scared of failing, scared of starting over.”
Amy tilted her head, her expression softening. “Failing? Anna, that marriage wasn’t a failure—it was a lesson. A crappy one, sure, but a lesson all the same.”
I nodded, but the doubts still lingered. “Maybe Greg was right about one thing, though,” I said quietly. “Maybe I was too focused on trying to build this... perfect life. Trying to make everything look good from the outside instead of actually being happy.”
Amy reached across the desk, placing her hand over mine. “You were trying to create stability for Theo. There’s nothing wrong with that. But now, you’ve got a clean slate. You can focus on what you want for once.”
Her words hit me in the best way. I raised my glass again, a newfound determination taking root. “To starting over.”
Amy smiled, lifting her own glass. “To finding your happiness.”
The glasses clinked again, and I couldn't help but smile at her words.
- Writer
