Chapter Three
1222 Words
Ava's POV
The rain fell in unyielding torrents as I stood outside the building, soaked to the bone and trembling.
I could hardly process what had just transpired. It felt as if my heart had been wrenched from my chest, and the cold rain mixed with my tears, blurring the lines between my sorrow and the storm.
Just when I thought despair would consume me, headlights pierced the darkness.
A familiar vehicle approached, and Lauren emerged, her hair clinging to her face like a wet curtain.
As soon as she caught sight of me, her confusion morphed into anger.
“Ava!” she yelled, sprinting toward me. “What on earth happened?”
I collapsed into her arms, the warmth of her hug a sharp contrast to the frigid rain. “Julian… he kicked me out. He locked me out of my accounts. He… is a monster. It feels like I married my enemy. I just want to disappear, Lauren.”
“I swear I’m going to make him pay!” she seethed, pulling back to meet my gaze. “What kind of man does that to his wife?”
“The type who doesn’t care at all,” I said, my voice shaking. “He made me sign the divorce papers.”
“Are you kidding me?” Lauren’s eyes grew wide with shock. “He can’t just do that! Did you have any issues? Why would he act like that, especially knowing you’re unwell?”
I nodded, my heart heavy. “He said if I didn’t sign…he threatened me…he threatened to do something really terrible.”
Her face transformed from anger to worry. “Ava, you should never have signed those papers. You don’t have to let him dictate your life like this.”
“I felt like I had no choice,” I murmured, tears streaming down my face. “I was terrified.”
“I can’t stand him! I’ll make sure he pays for this!” Lauren declared fiercely. “You can stay with me for as long as you need. We’ll figure this out together.”
“What if he comes after me? What if he tries to destroy my life?”
“He won’t,” she assured me, determination shining in her eyes. “We’ll make sure of that. You deserve so much more than this. You made him who he is, and you can get it all back.”
As we approached her car, I hesitated. “Lauren, I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re my best friend. That’s what I’m here for,” she replied, her tone softening. “And I have some news that might lift your spirits.”
“What is it?” I asked, trying to focus on her words instead of my turmoil.
“I just got engaged today!” she said, her face lighting up with a smile that chased away her earlier anger. “We have a wedding to plan!”
I blinked, momentarily taken aback. “You’re engaged? That’s incredible!”
Wow, what an irony; my best friend got engaged on the day my marriage crashed.
“I know! But first, let’s get you home, I'll make that soup that you like okay?” She helped me into the car, and I sank into the seat, grateful for her unwavering support.
“Tell me everything about the engagement,” I said, eager to distract myself from the chaos inside.
“It was completely unexpected…” she started, her voice lighting up as she shared the story. “He took me to our favorite little Italian restaurant, and right after we finished dessert, he revealed the ring. I thought I might faint!”
Tears of joy filled my eyes as I smiled, feeling uplifted by her enthusiasm. “I’m so thrilled for you, Lauren. You truly deserve all the joy in the world. Can I take a look at your ring?”
When she held it out for me, my eyes nearly popped out in disbelief.
This was my ring, the very one that had been lost for months. Julian had even promised to get me a new one.
“Lauren… this looks just like my ring—the one I mentioned that went missing.”
“Oh wow, it really does!” she exclaimed, examining her ring again. “I thought the same thing when my fiancé proposed. We are best friends after all, and honestly, you don’t need a ring anymore.”
“Perhaps it’s just a strange coincidence,” I said, forcing a smile, but inside, I felt a swell of confusion.
“Coincidence or not, it’s a sign you should reclaim your life, Ava,” she said, her tone shifting to something more serious. “You need to fight back.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you should consider suing him for everything he’s done. He can’t just treat you like that and get away with it!”
Sitting in the car, rain pattering against the windows, I pondered her words. “But... where would I even start?”
“Get a lawyer, gather evidence, and hold him accountable for the emotional and financial damage he’s caused you. You have rights!”
“I don’t know, Lauren. It feels so daunting,” I replied, my heart sinking at the thought of the legal battle.
“Don’t you have health insurance?” she asked, her brow furrowing in concern.
I sighed, looking out at the rain. “My sickness came unexpectedly, and I didn’t plan for it. I thought I had a safety net, but Julian controlled everything. I don’t even know if I can afford a lawyer right now.”
“That’s exactly why you should fight him! He took advantage of you when you were vulnerable,” Lauren insisted, her voice filled with conviction. “You deserve to get what’s rightfully yours.”
“What if he retaliates?” I whispered, my anxiety creeping back in.
“He won’t. And even if he tries, we’ll stand together. You’re not alone in this,” she said, her eyes fierce with determination. “You have me. We can figure out the legal stuff together. I’ll help you research lawyers.”
I nodded slowly, feeling a flicker of hope ignite within me. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should stand up for myself.”
“Of course you should! You’re stronger than you think, Ava,” she encouraged. “You’ve been through so much already; you can get through this too.”
As we drove through the rain, I felt a sense of camaraderie growing between us. “Thank you for believing in me, Lauren. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” she promised, her hand resting comfortingly on my shoulder. “We’re in this together.”
The conversation shifted back to her engagement, and I found solace in hearing about her plans. “What about the venue? Do you have any ideas?” I asked, genuinely intrigued.
“Oh, I have a few places in mind. I want it to be intimate but beautiful”
As she excitedly recounted her ideas, I allowed myself to dream along with her, momentarily pushing aside the weight of my own troubles.
- Writer
