My Husband Chose His Ex I Became His Regret novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Lala

:.

The woman who is visually examming me as if I am an extremely failed science experiment charges live thousand dollars an hour

84

Her name is Simone Theroux, she is walking around me slowly while her high heels make a distinct sound on the marble floor of the suite. She is 60-ish years old but has the timeless quality of only French women. heavy silver bob haircut, bright red lips, and a Chanel suit that cost more than my entire old wardrobe Her eyes are very cold and critical of me, and I believe she sees every detail.

“Take off the cardigan,” she states, not asks.

My hands are pushed toward the buttons by instinct, but now I have stopped. “I…”

“Maintenant.”

I slip it off. Stand there in my basic black dress, the one I thought was appropriate, professional, good enough. and feel naked under her scrutiny.

She makes a noise in her throat. Disgust? Pity? I can’t tell.

“Turn”

I do only to hear Simone say “Mon Dieu” and hold her fingers to her temples as if I had given her a migraine. “Aidan told me you were in need of work, but this… this is a reconstruction. It’s a reconstruction.”

I feel the warmth flow into my cheeks as I hear: “I know I don’t look so good…”

“Do not say anything further.” Simone holds up her hand with manicured nails and says “Do not apologize, do not demean yourself, do not…” she waves her hands at me, now encompassing everything about my being that she currently sees. “these clothes scream “don’t look at me,” this hair needs vitality, what are you hiding from, Lila Stark?”

When Simone said this, it felt as if she had slapped my face very hard.

“I am not hiding from anything,” I say very softly.

“Liar!” Simone strides to the windows and gestures to the city below. “Do you want to know what I see when I look at you?A stunning individual who has become invisible. Shoulders curved inward – a protective posture. indicative of abuse either emotional or physical. Always with your chin down. When you talk your voice gets smaller. You wear dull colors to blend in with the walls. Even in a thousand-dollar-per-night hotel room, you are taking up as little space as possible.

My throat begins to constrict. “That’s not…”

“When was the last time you looked into a mirror and did not find something to criticize?”

I open and close my mouth. I cannot remember,

Chapter 15

May

84

& vermchala

Simone’s expression softens some. She takes out her cellphone, swipes the screen, hands it to me “This is you. Two years ago. Your wedding announcement.”

The picture downloads and it is difficult to tell who she is or I should say who I am. my hair is shiny and styled, my makeup enhances not hides. I have a genuine smile that reaches my eyes. I’m wearing a simple white dress but I still appear radiant, in the moment, and alive.

“Now look at yourself in that mirror,” She motions me to the full length mirror next to the closet

I look into the mirror and the contrast of what I see is heart breaking.

Two years ago and now I look like I aged ten years. My light is no longer there. My confidence is no longer there Everything that made me me….is no longer there.

“He did this,” I whisper.

“No. You allowed this,” Simone responds with a sharp tone. “There is a difference.”

Anger rises.

“Don’t pretend that you know what I went through.”

“I could tell you in vivid detail.” She placed her cellphone down, removing her focus away from it and making eye contact with me. “My first husband was an incredible man who was extremely wealthy and powerful. Each day I would get smaller due to him; he would belittle me for my outfit choices, appearance, and thoughts, and would always tell me I was fortunate to have him choose me, otherwise, no other man would want me as a wife or even as a girlfriend.” She was quiet for a moment before continuing. “I believed his words for five years.”

“What made you see differently?”

“One day, I looked in the mirror, and I didn’t even recognize myself; just like what I see in you today.” She closed the distance between us to where I could smell her jasmine perfume and another floral scent. “From that moment, I knew I had a decision to make; either continue to get smaller until I disappeared completely or to rebuild myself. For two years I slowly rebuilt myself through work, pain, and by confronting all the ways I allowed him to define who I was. But I did it.”

“And now you’re… this.” I gesture at her, immaculate, powerful, untouchable.

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