Love Lost, Love Found

I stared at the news show on TV and listened to the reporter speak about her recent findings somewhere in Pakistan, and I couldn’t help but wallow in self-pity at how I had abandoned all my goals and dreams of acing and making it big as a journalist because of my family and this godforsaken sham of a marriage.As I continued to listen, nostalgia hit me hard, and I was plunged into deep misery as I reminisced on how much I must have lost. It had been barely two years since we got married, and it already seemed like there was some sort of invisible hand grappling at my neck and snuffing the life out of me.You know, I initially thought having separate rooms as a couple was a bad idea when we first got married. I only needed less than six months to realize that it was one of the best decisions I have been forced to make. I couldn’t imagine how I’d have protected myself from Isak whenever he got home wasted and horny, or times when he was in his right senses but wanted to flex his muscles

As we drove back to our base in Liverpool, I couldn’t help but notice the intermittent skipping of my heartbeats when I glanced at Ian. I knew it was unhealthy to get involved with anyone when I was still legally married to Isak, but it felt good to feel those butterflies again like I used to with Arthur. Something about Ian had me drawn to him even though I didn’t want to. He was the complete opposite of Isak—soft-spoken, kind, courteous, and younger—and it was something that I considered before getting involved with anyone. And it was the reason I had loved and enjoyed his company all through my week-long stay at the resort. I was beginning to miss him the night before since we were slated to leave the next day. My lips broke into a smile when he was there at the parking lot, ready to chauffeur me back to Liverpool, even though he looked like he could afford to fly anywhere. I had chipped it into a couple of our conversations about how much I loved road trips, and he had thought t

The door to my room banged shut, and in the next minute, I was down on the floor, squatting against the door with my feet on the cold tiled floor and my hands hugging tightly around my knees.All of those things had just ended a few minutes ago, and I just needed time to think right now.All I felt was weak. And tired. And disappointed.I was so disappointed in how things were turning out.This was not the plan at all when I left Isak's house and bought this apartment.I had planned to stay here and remain hidden for as long as it'd take until he finally agreed to sign the divorce papers.How did he find me so easily?Why was Isak constantly such a thorn in my life, even in the process of trying to finally be free from him?Just to confirm everything I already knew, I slid out my phone and opened up the pictures once again, and it all came back into view on the screen, as clear as the moment it had occurred. His retreating figure. His clothes. His car and plate number. Everything.It

"Are you okay? Be calm. We're safe."It was Ian speaking. His hands were rubbing firmly over mine in my panic attack as he hurriedly started the car with his other hand while I watched through my ragged breathing as the men from the fire service continued to arrive in their trucks, trying to put out the fire from the house.It felt like a dream.Like a goddamn hallucination.All that reflected in my eyes from my new apartment was now a tall fire. Razing down every single thing all up to the roof.Soon, I found myself whimpering, and then, as soon as Ian's car swerved and finally started to move out of the driveway, I burst into tears.Ian tried his hardest to keep me calm, rubbing consistently over my hands until his car was finally out on the road, leaving it all behind with each distance covered.My apartment.The entire last of my savings was used to purchase that house for my escape.Everything gone.Razed down to the ground.I really couldn't control my cries at this point, and I

"You look great, Miss.""Uh, Thankyou." I chuckled, sending a thankful smile to the older lady, who was simply one of the many other dozens of staff in the house.I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that I hadn't even seen them all. This house was literally so big, it would need a lot of housekeeping in all of the corners."I think they fit great," I said too, adjusting my suit jacket as I turned side to side while beaming at the mirror.Ian had burst into my room earlier this morning while I was still in bed to tell me that he had something that may interest me for today if I wanted to join.He had work today, and his offer was that I could join him at one of his companies that he was headed to.Somehow, that had brightened up my entire morning in anticipation for the rest of the day.If someone had told me any day that I would be this happy just to go see some company and return, I would have rolled lazy, bored-looking eyes at the person and gone back to whatever imaginary thin