The Queen returns

The soft wind of the night continued to whip my hair to and fro while I stood outside with my suitcase next to me. I was finally out of that house. Not far ahead on the street, I noticed headlights flashing brightly in my direction, and a faint smile crept onto my lips because I recognized who it was instantly.

The flamboyant red sports car pulled up right in front of where I stood, and an even more flamboyant woman sat in the driver's seat, twiddling her fingers at me as she rolled down the window.

It was Nancy.

Nancy was not only my best friend but also my business partner. We had been inseparable since our college days; because we both share a passion for fashion, we decided to turn our dream into reality by co-founding Luxora, a modern, fashion-focused e-commerce site that swiftly rose to popularity among young tastemakers.

Nancy had a keen eye for design, so she took charge of designing a stunning clothes collection, while I took charge of designing jewelry at our equally owned studio, Bright.

Bright was a high-end fashion studio catering to an elite clientele. Our business acumen and creative vision had catapulted us into the world of high-ranking millionaires.

I knew right when I saw the grin on her lips that she was going to tease me next. Playful banter between us was as natural as breathing. I stepped into the passenger seat of Nancy's car, sighed, and immediately clicked my seatbelt.

“Finally willing to leave that bastard and return to work?” Nancy quipped with a mischievous grin.

“I don't really understand why you would waste three years of your life being a housewife, taking care of an asshole who doesn't love you at all.”

I rolled my eyes. “Because I was blind, but now I can see. Heard of that song?”

Nancy chuckled. “Well, I'm glad your eyes are wide open now.”

“You know, Amara, I have to say this again: that whole ‘married’ thing… I hated it on you!” She glanced briefly at the gate of Daniel's house. “Gosh, I have been dying to say that.”

I chuckled, resting my elbow tiredly on the car door. “Oh, please.” From the start, Nancy had hated my marriage to Daniel. She had tried both directly and indirectly to show her disapproval—sometimes openly, other times subtly, like hesitating before congratulating me on another anniversary or changing the subject whenever I mentioned anything about my marriage. I was glad we could finally talk and make jokes about it freely.

“I mean, what was with all those frumpy dresses and sensible shoes? Eww!”

“Nancy,” I laughed again.

“Mr. Wrong really had an influence on your wardrobe? I have never seen you wear so much beige in my life. And the day I saw you in the flat with a cocktail dress, I swear I nearly died.”

I burst out laughing again, shaking my head. “Oh, come on. You know I was trying to fit the ‘perfect wife’ image. Never again.”

“Thank goodness you are out of the hole.”

I still found the teasing funny, so I playfully swatted at Nancy.

“Hey, but I thought I looked pretty good in those dresses, though!”

“Huh?” Nancy raised her upper lip in mock disgust. “Maybe to a blind man.”

This reminded me of a function I attended with Daniel, wearing a dress I’d thought was elegant, which he later called too revealing and promiscuous for a wife. Not only did his insult hurt, but what hurt more was the public humiliation I experienced. It eventually reached my parents, leading to further embarrassment. I think that's when my wardrobe started to change. I had been trying to please everyone, especially Daniel and my parents. What a fool I’d been.

I sighed. “Goodness, I missed us.”

Nancy nodded. “Me too,” she said, stepping on the gas pedal. The engine roared to life as she dashed onto the road and merged into the flow of traffic.

“So, where are we headed now?”

“To the airport, of course. I have got a sudden urge for a short trip.”

“Wow, I thought at least you would come over to my place for the night or something,” Nancy remarked.

I shrugged. “Just want to get away for a bit.”

Nancy leaned back in her seat, resting a hand on the car door while the other stayed on the wheel. “Well, you need it anyway.”

“That reminds me,” Nancy said, “a company is interested in buying the website. And I kid you not, it's an insane offer. I'm tempted.”

“I'm really not in the mood for work right now. We'll talk about it when I return,” I said, glancing at Nancy. She nodded understandingly. “Totally get it.”

I really needed this trip to clear my mind for a bit—to revel in my freedom from Daniel and the suffocating routine I’d fallen into. I knew my parents were going to be mad; they always were when I tried to break free from their demanding decisions. But I couldn't have cared less about whatever was to come. The thought of finally leaving everything behind was liberating.

Nancy pulled into the airport. As the car came to a stop, I unclicked my seatbelt and reached for my handbag, eagerly taking out my phone. I dialed a number and held the phone to my ear.

“I'm here now; where are you?” I spoke first. “Alright, alright,” I added as the receiver responded before ending the call.

Nancy looked at me curiously. “Who was that?” she asked.

“You will see,” I grinned cryptically. She gave me a suspicious look but didn't probe further.

While we waited in the car, a man in a sharp suit approached, carrying a briefcase. Recognizing him immediately, I told Nancy, “Wait here,” before getting out to meet him.

“Good evening,” he greeted me professionally, and I returned the pleasantry with a nod.

He was the lawyer I had called earlier to help draft the divorce papers.

The lawyer opened the briefcase and took out an envelope containing the papers. While he did, I glanced back at the car and saw Nancy watching curiously.

“Here,” he said, handing over the papers. I glanced through them one by one, feeling an overwhelming sense of finality wash over me.

“Do you need more time to review them?” the man asked. I shook my head, determined. “No, where do I sign?”

He pointed to various places in the documents. “Here, here,” flipping through them, “over here and here.” Then he handed me a pen.

I signed every page and spot that required my signature, finally handing the papers and pen back to him.

“I will have Mr. Torres receive a copy as well and will send yours too,” he said, placing the papers back into the briefcase.

“You can send them to my email.”

“Will do,” he said.

I nodded. “Thanks,” shaking his hand.

“It's my job,” he replied with a smile.

As I got back into the car and shut the door behind me, I let out a heavy sigh. I felt warmer in the car compared to outside.

Nancy looked at me and immediately asked, “So, are you going to kill my curiosity now?”

I looked at her and replied, “That was the lawyer I signed the divorce papers with.”

Nancy's eyes widened, and she let out a dramatic scream. “Are you crazy? You are actually giving up asking him for alimony? He's a billionaire; you could get a hundred million in alimony!”

I chuckled bitterly. “It doesn't matter. I just want to divorce him as soon as possible. I am a millionaire on my own. I don't need him to raise my value.”

Nancy shook her head. “But still, a hundred million…” She looked so pained that I almost chuckled.

I shrugged. “Let him keep his money. We're bigger than that anyway. I just want to move on with my life.”

“Awwn, girl. I totally get it.” Nancy reached out and squeezed my hand. “I'm here for you, no matter what.”

“And that is all that matters to me.” I smiled and squeezed her hand in return. We must have looked like two typical best friends in some kind of soap opera for a moment.

Nancy snapped us out of our little emotional moment. “Alright, let's get your things,” she said, getting out of the car to help me pull my suitcase from the back seat and raise the handle.

“Tell the eligible bachelors in town, the Queen is back!” I announced loudly into the wind.

“Woo hoo, the Queen is back, everyone!” Nancy hooted after me.