Beyond the Divorce

"Chlo, this is reality. It's too late, even if he stands by me or even promises to marry me now. That one sentence, that one action, represents everything. It hurts my pride." "I understand," I said calmly.

"Taking him back will mean that I choose to discard my dignity. Therefore, I must climb out of his hell. Only then can I truly be myself. I'll no longer be that lowly woman clinging to him." "I'm here for you," I told her seriously.

"So, you get me. Please help me. There's no turning back for me. It's not that I want to hurt Oliver, retaliate against him, or abandon him..." Lauren seemed to be explaining herself to me, afraid I wouldn't understand.

She was very anxious, looking at me with splayed hands. "He pushed me into an abyss, took away my dignity, and left me stranded on the moral high ground. Then he could casually say, without hesitation, that he wouldn't marry me!"

She burst into laughter suddenly, an unsettling laughter.

"Oh damn! What the hell am I? It feels like I've been taken advantage of!"

She leaned against the back of the sofa, unable to contain her sobs. After a while, she steadied her emotions and spoke slowly.

"I won't compete with a dead person anymore. She's quite a skilled player. I admire her."

go this way, just keep going. You've already started facing it. I'll be by your side. It will get better. Everything will get better," I

long time. Then, she finally lifted her head. She took a deep breath

me. If he wants

for me to jump into willingly. She's the truly clever one Even until her death, she didn't forget to bury me. I didn't die. If I had died, Oliver would

accomplice."

clear-headed. I secretly felt relieved, but I didn't know if this was

young girl accompanying him to almost middle age, battered and

of Lauren's life was truly wasted. However, I didn't know

my own! I have a notorious reputation. He took away too much from me. He's not qualified.

it was as if I understood her, yet I didn't at all. It felt

a true gentleman, and you

time still have work in the future. I'll just treat all of this as