Chapter 7
Next day, Ryan and I went to the courthouse.
The whole time, we didn’t say a word.
The moment I got the divorce decree, I glanced at that official document, then slid it into my bag.
“When are we settling the assets?” Ryan asked.
“Within a month. The lawyer will contact you.”
“Jamie…”
“He’s fine. You don’t need to worry about him.”
I turned and left without looking back.
Outside the courthouse, Cassie was waiting outside. Saw me coming, walked over. “It’s done?”
“Yeah.”
“How do you feel?”
“Light.”
Really. So light.
Five years of marriage felt like a rock crushing my chest. Now? Gone. I could finally breathe.
“Come on, I’m buying you a huge meal.” Cassie looped her arm through mine.
“Sounds good.”
We walked down the street, sunlight warm on our skin.
Cassie suddenly asked, “Do you regret it?”
“Regret what?”
“Quitting your job. Trusting him. These five years.”
I thought about it. “Do I regret it? Of course I do. But what’s the point?”
“None.”
“Exactly. No point.” I smiled. “So I’m not going to keep dwelling on it. I’m moving forward.”
“Moving forward?”
“Yeah. Back to work, back to living, back to being myself.”
Cassie nodded. “Right. Being yourself.”
We walked into a restaurant, ordered way too much food, had a great time.
Halfway through the meal, Ryan called.
I glanced at the screen. Declined.
He called again. I turned my phone off.
Cassie asked, “What does he want?”
Ryan tried to claw back some of the assets, but the court shot him down.
The evidence was airtight-adultery, spending marital assets on his mistress. Court awarded me 2.1 million. He got 900k.
House went to me, but I had to pay off the remaining 800k mortgage.
I sold the house, took the money, bought a smaller two-bedroom place. Gave Jamie a fresh start.
Then I started job hunting.
Five years out of the workforce-a lot had changed. But I learned, bit by bit.
Sent out over thirty resumes, interviewed at more than ten companies. Finally, an ad agency was willing to take a chance on me
Position: copywriter. Salary: $3,500 a month. Not much, but enough for Jamie and me to live on.
I took it.
First day on the job, my manager said, “Evelyn, you’re starting from scratch. Can you handle that?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then work hard.”
I nodded, sat at my desk, opened my computer.
On the screen: “A new beginning starts now.”
Yeah. A new beginning.

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