Hey, stranger

Alice

I wiped away tears, trying to calm myself down. "So, what about us?" I asked, my voice shaking. "Do you think I can just...accept some kind of polyandry relationship? Hell no."

My husband and step-sister exchanged glances, and then burst into laughter. I frowned, feeling more confused than ever. Why were they laughing? Nothing was funny here.

He shook his head, still chuckling. "Wait a minute, did you actually think that I would even want to be with two women at once?"

I raised an eyebrow, my heart racing. "What are you even saying? Isn't that what you wanted? Isn't that what you've been doing!"

I wish I realized that I was talking nonsense, but I was too troubled to accept reality.

He shook his head again, his expression cold. "I'm throwing you away, Alice. Don't you get it? I want your step-sister, not you."

I clenched my teeth, wiping away my tears as I struggled to compose myself. "Don't expect me to leave," I said, my voice firm. "I'm not leaving. That husband snatcher is the one to leave."

He and step-sister exchanged a knowing glance, and she stood up, moving closer to my husband. "I think it's time," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "This is when we pull the last card."

I frowned, confusion and anger swirling inside me. "What the hell are you both talking about? What last card?" I demanded. "And can you please stop murmuring at each other? I'm the wife here, you're just a mistress."

My husband's expression turned cold, and he walked over to his desk, opening a drawer and pulling out a document. "Not anymore," he said, his voice dripping with malice. He walked up to me, holding out the papers. "Sign them now."

As I gazed at the document, my eyes widened in horror. Divorce papers. The words seemed to leap off the page, striking me like a physical blow. I felt like my breath had been knocked out of me.

I shivered, my heart racing.

"Eth… Ethan. What...what is this?" I stuttered, calling out my husband's name for the first time since I'd entered the room. "Please, just tell me this is a prank. I beg you."

But his expression remained cold and unyielding. He pushed me, his hands hard and unforgiving. "Sign these papers quickly, Alice. I need to end things between us, so that I can be with the one I truly love."

He pulled my step-sister closer, his arms wrapping around her like a possessive claim. I felt another fresh wave of tears well up, my heart cracking badly it hurt.

"Please don't do this to me," I begged, my voice cracking. "You know I still love you so much. Remember our promises. Remember–

"And remember those were just lies!" he yelled, his eyes devoid of empathy. "Sign the papers now, Alice. Before it gets any worse."

That was when I realized it was really over. I'd given up. With shivering hands, I picked up the pen, my signature scribbled across the page in a messy, tear-stained scrawl.

I couldn't bear to look at Ethan, but I caught sight of his signature on the page, already signed and dated. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks: he'd really planned this all along.

"I think it's time for you to leave now," Ethan sneered, his eyes glinting with hatred. "Pack your things and leave right now. Get out of my house."

I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes as more tears poured down. "You know I have no place to go and no one to turn to," I said, my voice shaking. "How could you do this to me? I'll make sure that you two regret your actions."

Ethan and my step-sister burst into laughter, mocking me.

"What will you do exactly?" she taunted, a smirk on her lips. "There's nothing you can do. You're useless, and worthless. In fact, you're no one."

Her words cut deep, and I couldn't help but blame myself. I was a housewife, dependent on Ethan for everything. I had no money, no job, and no independence.

I took a deep breath and gathered what little dignity I had left. I packed my bags, my hands shaking as I zipped them up. Then, I took one last look at the home I had shared with Ethan, before walking out the door.

As I stepped out into the cool evening air, I burst into tears. I didn't know what to do or where to go.

However, after much thinking, I decided to go to Naomi, a friend, someone I had known since college. I hailed a taxi and got in, the driver's sympathetic glance in the rearview mirror only making me cry harder. Maybe, my step-sister was right, I was truly worthless.

As the taxi drove away from the only home I had known for years, I felt a sense of loss and despair wash over me. This was really the end of it all.

I finally arrived at Naomi's place, exhausted and emotionally drained. After giving the door a weak knock, Naomi opened the door, and her eyes widened in concern as she took in my appearance.

"Oh my God, what happened?" she asked, rushing to my side. She scanned my pale-looking face, swollen red eyes, and the bag slung over my shoulder.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I tried to speak. Naomi ushered me inside, sat me down, and handed me a glass of water which I sipped.

After composing myself, I started telling Naomi everything that had happened. I told her about Ethan's affair, the divorce, and how he had kicked me out of our home. Naomi listened attentively, and she gave out different expressions; shock, anger, sympathy, and probably more.

As I finished my story, Naomi wrapped her arms around me in a warm hug. "You can stay here with me," she said. "There's no problem at all. I'm managing, but I can help you out for a few months until you get back on your feet."

I felt relieved. Naomi had recently gotten a visa and would be leaving the country soon, but she was willing to let me stay with her until I found a new job and a place to live.

"Thank you, Naomi," I said, my voice choked with emotion.

"It's my pleasure," she replied.

As the night wore on, I turned to Naomi and said, "You know, I really need to get out for a bit. Let me go grab a few drinks outside."

Naomi nodded understandingly. "Okay, go ahead. I should've followed you, but I don't feel like drinking. There's a bar not too far from here."

I thanked Naomi and left, making my way to the bar. Inside, I ordered a drink and took a sip, feeling the cool liquid slide down my throat.

As I drank my second bottle, I noticed a handsome man sitting alone at the bar. He had politely declined the advances of a few women, and I found myself drawn to him.

With a reckless abandon I hadn't felt in years, I walked up to him. "Hey, Mr stranger, do you have a girlfriend?" I asked bluntly and shamelessly.

He looked at me with a mix of surprise and amusement. "No," he replied.

"Are you married?" I asked.

"No," he replied.

"Do you have a guy partner?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me as I thought he might be gay.

He shook his head. "No."

I leaned in, my heart pounding in my chest. "Okay, that's good," I whispered, before pressing my lips to his in a passionate kiss.

As our lips parted, I gazed into his eyes, and felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. His eyes burned with desire, and as he kept staring at me, his pupils dilated.

I thought, if Ethan could do it while we were still married, why can't I do it now? I knew it was a foolish justification, but it felt like a way to get revenge.

I whispered seductively against his ear, "How about we go have sex?" My voice was husky, and I could feel my heart racing with anticipation.

The man's eyes flashed with surprise, but then a slow smile spread across his face. He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine, and took my hand, leading me out of the bar into the night.