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.

off and quickly getting back into

rush? You haven't given me your number."

no choice but to exchange numbers with

ignore my

you later." I started the engine, honked at

Michelle staring in the direction of my

asked with disdain, "Who was

be precise," I said

bad influence in just one glance."

wryly "Back

had a best friend named Beatrice. Unfortunately we lost touch

resentful. So many years had passed, yet I did not know where she

one just now definitely isn't

to you

about your current state

Be careful. She's l