CHAPTER 3

-AVERY-

"ARE YOU STILL sleeping?" My best friend, Emily, asked, coming into the room.

"Not anymore," I muttered as I sat up and rubbed my face.

"Avery, you can't keep on going like this," Emily said, sitting on the bed. "You have to get your life back. Have you forgotten who you are?"

I answered the question in my heart. I have really forgotten who I am. All I remember is how to break the dutiful wife of billionaire Dante Vale; without him, I don't know who I am. I picked up my phone and saw that I had an unread email. I opened it and saw that it was a letter from Dante's law firm. I have been ordered to show up at the firm in a few hours, or there will be penalties.

"What is it?" Emily asked. She must have noticed the change in my facial expression.

"It's nothing," I muttered, putting the phone aside. She picked it up and glanced at the email. "That bastard," she scowled. "It is not his fault; you indulged him too much. You made him feel more important than he is, and see how he treated you."

"I appreciate you for allowing me to stay with you for the past week, Emily," I said, getting out of bed. "But I don't need you giving me life advice." I went into the bathroom and closed the door behind me.

My nosy best friend came in and leaned against the door. "Men are the absolute scum of the earth!" She said.

"I want to pee, Emily," I said.

"Yeah, go on ahead," she replied, examining her face in the mirror.

"Some privacy might be nice."

She scoffed and walked out. "You still have not told me everything that happened that night... if I remember correctly, you didn't come back with your bra. I find it hard to believe that in your fit of anger, you tossed your bra at Dante's face."

"Emily!" I yelled.

As I cleaned and washed up, my mind went back to the night that had haunted more of my nights ever since. My stomach clenched as I remembered the crazy night of passion and multiple orgasms mixed with the emotional pain and betrayal of Dante and my mother. I dreamt more of the stranger, but I never saw his face in my dream, because I did not remember it, neither did I know his name.

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment. The same embarrassment I had felt when I woke up early the following morning and realized what I had done, and the man snoring lightly beside me. I rushed out of the hotel room half-dressed and boarded the first cab to Emily's before the man could wake up.

I was too ashamed and embarrassed to tell my best friend that I had had a mind-blowing one-night stand on the night of my anniversary with a man whom I did not even know his name.

"Do you need me to come with you?" Emily asked when I was dressed up and ready to go.

I shook my head as I put on my sunshades. "No. Thank you, but this is my struggle. I want to face it head-on."

"That's my girl," she gave me a brief hug and saw me to the door. "Remember not to show them any sign of weakness. No tears." She held up a pinky finger.

"No tears," I nodded, interlocking my pinky with hers and kissing it. It was a small gesture that followed us all through childhood.

***

AN HOUR LATER, my taxi pulled to a stop in front of the large building that housed the law firm. I went up to the main office. Dante was already there, and Laura Hills sat by his side.

"What is she doing here?" I asked.

Dante turned and looked at me. "You are late," he snarled. "Sit down and sign the papers." He pointed at the stack of papers on the table.

I kept my eyes on Laura Hills, who hung on to Dante's arm like a fly. She smirked and winked at me as I sat on the hard vinyl chair. The lawyer came from an adjoining door. "Ah, Mrs Val- i mean, Ms Quinn, you are here."

"I haven't signed the papers yet," I snarled. "I am still Mrs Vale."

He smiled at me cheekily and handed me a pen. "You will be given a sum of 50 million dollars after you sign."

I noticed that it was less than how much it had been before, but I did not care.

"Just in case you didn't hear," Laura Hills said, "I told my baby to slash your money by 50% after you embarrassed us at the hotel."

"I don't care about the money," I muttered. I would not be on the list of women who made their riches from their divorce. I will be putting all the whole money into charity for orphans and homeless women.

I signed my name on all the required places.

"Congratulations, Mr. Vale," the lawyer said to Dante. "Your marriage to Ms Avery Quinn has been successfully annulled, and you are now a single man again." He clapped.

What was there to celebrate? I asked myself as I stood up.

"Ms Quinn -"

It sounded weird to be referred to by my real surname. I had not heard it in over 3 years.

"- Your belongings in the mansion will be sent to the address you provided."

I nodded and turned to hurry out of the office. I gave them Emily's address.

"The past 3 years have been hell and bondage for me," Dante said. I stopped to reply him, but he was not talking to me. His gaze was fixed on Laura Hills as he continued, "But now, that phase of my life is over, and I want to spend the rest with you." He went down on one knee and brought out a large diamond ring. "There is no better time to propose a new marriage than at the end of another. Will you marry me, Laura Hills?"

She clapped happily and accepted the ring, then she pouted and said, "Is the ring more expensive than the 50 million you gave her?"

Dante nodded. "It is. You know I cherish you more than I ever did for her. You are worth more than her."

"Then yes," Laura Hills giggled. "I will marry you."

They could not even wait until I left before doing this. My heart broke even more, but I clenched my jaw, remembering my promise to Emily. No tears.

I walked out of the office and almost collided with my mother. "Mother? I didn't expect to see you here. I -"

"I am not here for you, Avery," she snapped. "I am here to celebrate my other daughter, Laura. I would have invited you to the wedding, but you might upset the bride." She laughed and pushed past me roughly.

I swallowed and ignored the laughs coming from the office as I headed downstairs and took the first cab back to Emily's house.

When I got in, I was still reeling with emotions and unshed tears. All my possessions were in her living room.

"A truck brought them here while you were away," Emily explained to me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't have anywhere else to give," I said. My lips trembled slightly as I sat down heavily on the couch. Emily sat beside me and took my hand, rubbing it gently. "You're fine, babes," she muttered softly. "You're fine."

I unzipped the bag closest to me and saw my folded certificate. I had graduated with a first-class honours, the best in my class in Psychotherapy and Clinical Psychology. I dusted the certificate and held it up. It had been stuffed in my bag all these years because of my marriage. I guess it was time to take control of my life again.

But even as I closed my eyes, I could see and hear the jests and laughter from Dante, Laura and my mother. I could not golf back the sob that racked my entire body as Emily pulled me in a warm embrace, rubbing my back gently. "Look on the bright side, my friend. You are a very rich woman now." She said, trying to make me smile.

I sniffled and shook my head. "I will give away all of the money."

"You are dumber than I thought," she chuckled. "But I am here to support your decision anyway." She rubbed my back in a circular motion, and it soothed me. "Promise me you will make them pay, Avery. Promise me that Dante and your mother will regret all these they put you through."

I nodded weakly against her chest. "I promise."