Once Divorced Twice Desired: Back and better for Christmas

Chapter 5

The cool breeze swept through my freshly dyed blonde hair as I stepped out of the salon, the crisp winter air waking me up like a splash of icy water.

Running my fingers through the silky strands, I couldn’t help but smile at my reflection in the glass door. It had been so long since I’d seen myself as a blonde.

For years, Greg had convinced me to dye my hair brunette. “Brunettes are more sophisticated,” he’d said, as if that somehow defined my worth.

For too long, I let his preferences dictate my choices, my identity. But not anymore. Blonde felt like me, the real me, and seeing it again made me feel like I was finally stepping back into my own skin.

My wardrobe had been another recent change. I glanced down at my outfit, a navy coat that cinched perfectly at the waist, skinny jeans, and tan ankle boots. I felt a flicker of pride. Gone were the muted clothes Greg had chosen. Now, I was dressing for me, choosing pieces that made me feel bold and confident, not invisible.

The past few months had been rough, no doubt about it. Living in a hotel with Theo while waiting for the house to sell had been chaotic, and far from ideal. I craved my own space and belongings. But when I signed the final sale papers last week, it was like cutting the last tie to my old life. And securing full custody of Theo? That had been the real win.

Greg hadn’t even bothered to contest it. Not that I was surprised. He didn’t request visitation rights, either. Some father he turned out to be.

“So much for fighting for his family,” I muttered as I slid into the car.

Theo was better off without him, though I knew it would take time for him to understand that. Greg had always been more focused on himself, and it showed. My job now was to give Theo all the love and stability he deserved, and I was doing just that.

I had plans for us. Big plans. With school out for the holiday break, I wanted to make this Christmas unforgettable.

First stop: the mall. I wandered through the bustling shops, dodging harried parents and starry-eyed kids as I picked out stocking fillers, gifts for Theo and Luke, new snow gear and some festive outfits for Theo and me. Standing in front of a store mirror, I caught a glimpse of myself and paused.

Was that really me? The woman staring back looked radiant. Confident. Self-assured. I barely recognized her. For so long, I’d been surviving, but now... now I was starting to thrive.

Sure, losing Greg and Meghan had been devastating. A double betrayal that had knocked me flat. Losing a husband and a best friend in one blow isn’t something you just bounce back from. But now? Now, I was beginning to see the light. I was starting to enjoy life again.

I loaded the shopping bags into the trunk and looked at the time. I realized I still had a few hours before I had to pick up Theo so I decided that was plenty of time for some coffee and a quick check of my emails.

Standing in line at the coffee shop, I absently scanned the menu while my thoughts wandered. Shopping had been a welcome distraction, but reality always crept back in. Selling the house was the easy part; figuring out where to go next was another story. Starting over felt exciting and terrifying in equal measure.

Then I heard a voice behind me, smooth and confident, laced with unmistakable amusement.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Anna Hall.”

I froze, the voice unfamiliar yet familiar. Turning, I found myself face-to-face with Max Mason, Meghan’s ex. Tall, sharply dressed, and exuding effortless charisma, he stood there like he owned the room. His smile was wicked, as though he already knew all my secrets.

“Max,” I said, surprised, offering a small, polite smile. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Neither did I,” he replied, his tone teasing. “Though I have to say, running into you is quite the upgrade to my day.”

I rolled my eyes at his charm, though I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped. “I’m just here for coffee.”

“Then it’s my lucky day,” he said, stepping forward. “I’m buying. Call it a thank-you.”

Before I could protest, he’d already placed our order, and moments later, we were seated by the window. Max leaned back in his chair, his green eyes sparkling with mischief as he studied me, his expression turning mock-serious. “Anna, I need to thank you again. Truly, you saved me. I don’t know what I was thinking with Meghan. Honestly, I don’t even know what that woman had over me. Was it her love of self-tanner and botox? Or her obsession with posting inspirational quotes she clearly didn’t live by?”

I burst out laughing, nearly choking on my coffee.

“I mean, did she ever stop talking about her 'manifesting journal'? The one where she ‘manifested’ my credit card limit?”

I couldn’t hold back my laughter. “Okay, that’s enough I cant breathe.” I said grasping my stomach.

"You can't breathe?" Max raised an incredulous eyebrow. “I’m the one who almost bought her a $10,000 purse because she claimed it was an ‘investment.’ An investment, Anna. Like it was going to earn interest and pay dividends.”

I shook my head, still laughing. “Well, I guess I did save you.”

“You absolutely did,” he said, leaning back in his chair with a dramatic sigh. “That woman was like a walking red flag factory, and I was too blind—or too stupid—to notice. Honestly, Anna, what was I thinking?”

I tilted my head thoughtfully. “Maybe you liked the drama. Some people find it exciting.”

Max snorted. “Drama? That woman was the drama. She couldn’t order a coffee without turning it into a full-blown performance. One time, she sent back a latte three times because the foam ‘lacked personality.’ I should’ve run then.”

I shook my head, still laughing. “You’re hilarious.”

“Hilarious and free,” Max said with a grin, raising his cup in a mock toast. “And it’s all thanks to you. So, really, I owe you more than just coffee.”

“Well, you’re welcome,” I said, smiling despite myself. “Though I think you’d have figured it out eventually.”

Max leaned forward, his expression turning slightly more serious. “Maybe. But you sped up the process. And for that, I’ll always be grateful. No more plastic fantastic for me!" he boasted proudly.

I couldn’t stop laughing as he leaned back with a triumphant grin, clearly pleased with himself.

“I still can’t believe it,” he said, shaking his head. “Greg. Cheating on you. The man must be out of his mind. Honestly, you’re way out of his league.”

I let out a soft laugh, unsure how to respond. “Well, apparently, Greg and Meghan didn’t think so.”

Max’s smirk widened. “Oh, Meghan. Let’s not pretend she went after Greg because she actually wanted him. No, no she was jealous of you. Always was. I mean, look at you. Smart, gorgeous, successful. Of course, she’d try to take something of yours just to feel powerful.”

I blinked at him, taken aback by his bluntness. “That’s… an interesting theory.”

“It’s not a theory; it’s a fact,” Max said, leaning forward. “Meghan thrives on competition. She saw you as a threat because, let’s face it, Anna, you outshine her in every way. And Greg? Please. He was just the easiest way for her to try to feel like she had something over you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re not exactly holding back, are you?”

“Why would I? You deserve honesty after everything,” he replied smoothly, taking a sip of his coffee. “Besides, I’ve got my own score to settle with those two. Did I mention I blocked Greg’s book deal?”

My eyes widened. “You what?”

Max grinned, clearly proud of himself. “Oh, yeah. Made a few calls. Let’s just say his manuscript won’t see the light of day anytime soon. Petty? Maybe. Satisfying? Definitely.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. " I must say Max you are a truly resourceful man. Well done." I clapped my hands quietly in glee.

“Thank you,” he said, feigning a bow from his seat. “But enough about them. What about you? How are you holding up?”

I hesitated, caught off guard by the genuine concern in his voice. “I’m… figuring things out. I sold the house, looking for a new place. Starting over.”

Max nodded, his expression softening. “Good. You deserve a fresh start. Leaning back in his chair with a glint of mischief in his eyes, he continued. “I’m actually glad I bumped into you because, well…”

He paused, letting the anticipation build before delivering the punchline with a smirk. “I need a lawyer. A sharp one. Someone who can make my problems disappear—and look at that, one just magically appeared in front of me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Magically? I think you mean coincidentally. And I’m not sure I’m what you’re looking for.”

Max’s grin widened, his confidence practically radiating across the table. “Oh, Anna, you’re exactly what I need. Smart, Quick thinking, capable, and already proven at taking down trash like Greg and Meghan. Besides,” he added with a playful wink, “I hear working for me is a dream. I pay well, I’m charming, and I always return calls—sometimes even within the hour.”

I let out a short laugh, leaning back in my chair. “That’s a tempting pitch, Max, but I wasn’t exactly looking for more work. Especially not during the holidays.”

“Come on,” he said, tilting his head, feigning a pout. “You prioritize my cases, I’ll prioritize making it worth your while. Seriously—think rates that’ll make you consider naming your next kid after me.”

I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress a grin. “I don’t think Theo would appreciate a brother or sister named Max Junior.”

Max laughed, a genuine, warm sound. “Touché. Okay, no pressure. But I would rather have a lawyer I know that I can trust handling my legal matters.

I sighed, glancing at my coffee. The promise of an overly generous paycheck—and possibly a few entertaining stories from Max—was tempting. Besides, I had the time.

“Fine,” I said, pointing a finger at him. “But don’t expect me to be available 24/7. I have a son, and he comes first.”

Max held up his hands in mock surrender, his grin still firmly in place. “Deal. But trust me, you won’t regret this.”

As we wrapped up the conversation, I still wasn’t sure if I’d made the right decision, but I had to admit—working with Max would certainly make things interesting.

“By the way,” he said, his voice lower, more intimate. “You look incredible with blonde hair. Suits you.”

Before I could respond, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. The gesture was so unexpected, so disarming, that it left me momentarily speechless.

“See you soon, Anna,” he said with a wink, leaving me standing there, heart racing, as he disappeared into the crowd.

As I made my way to my car, I shook my head, trying to make sense of the encounter. Max Mason was like a whirlwind—charming, confident, and utterly impossible to ignore. I wasn’t sure what to make of him, but one thing was certain: he had a way of making me feel seen in a way I hadn’t in years.

I stepped into my car and flicked on the radio the perfect song was playing I began to sing along as I peeled my car out of the carpark heading towards Theo's school

Oh, I’ll rise again,

Through the fire, through the pain.

With my heart, my soul, my pride,

I’ll keep moving, I won’t hide.

I’ve got dreams to chase,

And battles to face,

I’ll rise again,

Oh, I’ll rise again.

My tune was completely off-beat but I felt great as I pulled up in front of the school.

“Mom!” Theo’s voice rang out as he ran toward the car, his backpack bouncing on his shoulders.

I grinned, as he opened the car door to jump in “Hey, kiddo! How was your last day?”

“It was awesome!” he beamed. “We watched movies and had snacks. What did you do?”

“Oh, nothing much,” I said, winking “Just a little shopping. Thought we might need some new winter gear for the trip.”

Theo’s eyes lit up, and his grin grew even wider. “Are we really going to play in the snow?”

“You bet we are,” I said, ruffling his hair once he climbed into the back seat. “This Christmas is going to be one to remember just you me and uncle Luke.”

As I drove us back to the hotel, I couldn’t help the swirl of emotions building inside me. I was going back. Back to the mountains. Back to the place I’d once sworn I’d never return to.

Would anyone remember me? Would they still look at me the way they used to—with pity and disdain? And what about Ethan...

I shook the thought away. It didn’t matter. He would not be there anyway he was a big shot now he wouldn't even remember that place.

This time, I wasn’t returning as the timid, broken girl they once knew. No, this time, I was coming back as someone unrecognizable. Someone who had clawed her way out of the darkness, fought for her place, and built something better for herself and my son. We weren’t the same people anymore, and I couldn’t wait to show them.

I could already hear their whispers, those judgments they had cast on me, on us. They thought we were nothing—just a couple of hillbillies stuck in a run-down cabin, destined to never escape the small town life. But what they didn’t know was that the children they once looked down on had risen. We were thriving, stronger than they'd ever imagined, and probably better off than half the people still stuck in that place.

And when Luke and I faced them again, they would see. They would finally understand how wrong they had been about us.