Beyond the Divorce

"Look at you, getting more radiant every day. I heard you just got a divorce. People were talking about it recently. Did you or did you not?

"You know, when you hooked up with Matthew, everyone said it was because he's handsome. What good is that? Looks don't pay bills. And lo and behold, you couldn't hold onto him in the end." Michelle's words made me embarrassed. I did not dare analyze whether what she said was praise or criticism. She had not changed one bit, and her true colors were showing.

Old habits truly died hard.

I could only force out a smile and ask, "By the way, have you been in touch with Beatrice?"

She shook her head. "I can't reach her. Did she go back to her hometown? You two were so close. Why haven't you been in touch? You have to stop thinking about making money all the time. You should think of your friends as well."

"Right. The kids were small then, and I was busy caring for them. I lost touch with everyone." I chuckled.

"How about I arrange a little reunion? It's been a long time, and we should catch up." Michelle patted me again. "Look at you, striking it rich and forgetting about us!"

"No, no! I haven't," I responded helplessly.

Lauren, who was sitting in the car, was a sharp one. From the short conversation, she knew what kind of person Michelle was. She spoke up, "Let's go, Chlo! I got a call!"

I seized the opportunity and quickly told Michelle, "Hey, I gotta get going. We'll catch up when we have time."

"Sure thing. We'll plan a reunion. Don't forget to show up when the time comes." Michelle grabbed me and insisted on organizing an event.

hand off and quickly getting

what's the rush? You haven't given me your number." Michelle quickly took

choice but

ignore my calls!" Michelle

nodded. "I won't. See you later." I started

I saw Michelle staring in the

with disdain, "Who

classmate. Roommate, to be precise,"

she's a bad influence in just one glance." Lauren expressed her

wryly "Back

rooms of six, and she was the most ambitious one in our room. At that time, I had a best friend named Beatrice. Unfortunately we lost touch after college. She was my best friend during those four years. We were even closer than

many years had passed, yet I did not know

now

stick to you if

about your current state

Be careful. She's l