YOURS IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT

Lila's POV

I clutched the hem of my dress, my heart pounding in my chest as I presented Adrian with the divorce papers.

His eyes scanned the documents with an unreadable expression. For a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of emotion. But it was quickly extinguished, replaced by his usual indifference.

“Are you serious?” He asked, his voice sounding amused.

“Yes, I am. I want a divorce, Adrian.” I nodded, giving a firm response.

He reclined back in his chair as a smirk spread across his face. “Why?” He asked in one word.

“I know,” A knot formed in my throat as I struggled to find the words. “I know about her. Your secretary.”

For a moment, there was silence. Then he smiled, leaning forward slightly. “And?”

I felt a chill run through me at his cold response.

I had prepared myself for denial, maybe even anger, but not this.

“And?” I repeated, my voice cracking. “That's all you have to say?”

He shrugged, picking up his fork and stabbing the food on his plate. “What do you want me to say? You found out. Good for you. What now?”

Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “How long have you been together?”

He didn’t bother to look up from his plate. “Does it matter?”

“It matters to me,” I said, my hands trembling as I gripped the edge of the table. “It matters because I gave you everything. It matters because you are my husband, Adrian!”

He finally looked up, his expression cold and detached. “Look, I didn’t ask you to give me anything. You chose this life, not me.”

I stared at him, shocked at how the man I had loved for years could say something like that.

"How can you say that?" I whispered, my voice trembling with anger and hurt.

Adrian shrugged, his expression almost bored. "It's the truth. You knew what you were getting into when you married me. I never promised you a fairy tale."

I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. At least not here. I took a deep breath and pushed the papers across the table.

"Sign them," I said, my voice firm.

He glanced at me then picked up the pen and signed the papers without hesitation.

As he handed the papers back to me, our eyes met, and for a moment, I thought I saw something there, something that looked almost like regret. But it was quickly gone as he blinked.

It was over.

I spent the rest of the night packing my belongings. I paused for a moment, staring at the photo frame on the dresser. It was a picture of us on our wedding day. He had worn a charming smile, but now I wondered if it had ever been genuine.

I took the frame, hesitated, then set it face down on the dresser. I didn’t need to carry that memory with me.

As I stepped outside, dragging my suitcase behind me, I glanced up instinctively. Adrian was standing by the window, watching me.

I forced myself to look away, refusing to let him see the tears pooling in my eyes.

By the time I arrived at my bestie Sophie’s apartment, I was emotionally drained. She opened the door and pulled me into a tight hug before I could say a word.

“You did it,” she whispered, her voice laced with pride. “You finally left him.”

I nodded, unable to speak as tears spilled down my cheeks. Sophie guided me to the couch, handing me a glass of wine. “You can stay here as long as you need,” she said firmly. “No arguments.”

“Thank you,” I managed to choke out.

She studied me for a moment, then a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. “You know what? Enough of this pity party. You’re going to a real party with me tonight.”

I groaned, shaking my head. “Sophie, I just got divorced. I’m not in the mood—”

“That’s exactly why you need this,” she interrupted, her hands on her hips. “You need to get out, let loose, and remember that there’s more to life than that heartless bastard. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

I tried to protest, but Sophie wasn’t having it. Before I knew it, she was rummaging through her closet, tossing dresses onto the bed.

“Wear this,” she said, holding up a stunning black dress. “It’s perfect. And trust me, you’re going to look so good that Adrian will regret ever letting you go.”

An hour later, I was standing in front of a mirror, barely recognizing myself. The dress hugged my figure perfectly, and Sophie had worked her magic with my makeup.

“See? You’re a knockout,” Sophie said with a grin as she dragged me toward the door.

The party was already in full swing by the time we arrived.

Sophie handed me a drink and nudged me toward the dance floor. “Go have fun,” she said with a wink. “You deserve it.”

I hesitated, feeling out of place.

The bass of the music pulsed through the room as I sat at a corner table, clutching the drink Sophie had forced into my hand. I swirled the brown colored liquid, the neon lights making me dizzy.

“You look like someone who doesn’t want to be here,” a smooth, deep voice said, breaking my thoughts.

I glanced up to see a man standing beside my table, holding a drink of his own. He was tall, with a confident, easy smile that most women would find disarming.

“It’s that obvious, huh?” I replied, forcing a small smile.

He gestured to the empty chair across from me. “Mind if I join you?”

I hesitated but eventually nodded. “Go ahead.”

He slid into the chair, setting his drink down. “The name’s Ryan,” he said, extending a hand.

“Lila,” I replied, shaking his hand briefly.

Ryan leaned back in his chair, studying me with curious eyes. “So, Lila, what’s got a pretty lady like you looking so bothered?”

I let out a bitter laugh, taking a sip of my drink. “Let’s just say it’s been a rough day.”

“A rough day that brought you to a party? That’s an interesting choice.”

“My best friend’s idea,” I admitted, gesturing toward Sophie, who was busy dancing like she owned the floor. “She thought it would cheer me up.”

“And is it working?”

I met his gaze, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Not yet,” I said honestly.

“Well, let’s see if we can change that.” He raised his glass to me. “To better days ahead.”

I hesitated but clinked my glass against his. “To better days.”

He had a way of putting me at ease. We talked about everything: his work, my favorite books, his funny stories about traveling. For a moment, I forgot about Adrian, about the divorce, about everything.

But then the room seemed to tilt slightly. I blinked, trying to focus, but the dizziness only worsened.

“Are you okay?” Ryan asked, his voice suddenly closer.

“I—I think I need some air,” I said, pushing back my chair and rising unsteadily to my feet.

“Let me help you,” he offered, standing as well.

“No, I’m fine,” I insisted, waving him off.

I made my way toward the restroom, the walls blurring as I walked. My heart pounded faster. What’s wrong with me?

I barely made it inside before Ryan followed, shutting the door behind him.

“Ryan, what are you doing?” I asked, backing away.

He smirked, his face shifting from friendly to pure evil in an instant. “Come on, Lila. Let me help you relax.”

“Get away from me!” I snapped, but my voice lacked strength. My legs felt weak, and I stumbled backward, hitting the wall.

Ryan was on me in a second, pressing me against the cold tiles. “Don’t play hard to get. You’ve been enjoying my company all night.” He whispered fiercely in my face.

“Stop it!” I struggled, but my body felt heavy.

Before I could scream, the door slammed open.

“Let her go,” a low voice growled.

Ryan froze, and I turned my head, my vision blurry but clear enough to see the hooded figure standing in the doorway.

“Who the hell are you?” Ryan demanded, his voice shaking slightly.

The hooded man didn’t answer. Instead, he stormed forward, grabbing Ryan by the collar and yanking him away from me with ease.

“Don’t fucking touch her,” he snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

Ryan tried to fight back, but the hooded man was faster. His fists connected with Ryan’s face in a brutal series of punches, sending blood and teeth flying.

“Stop!” I cried out weakly, but the man didn’t stop until Ryan was slumped on the floor, groaning in pain.

The hooded man turned to me, his face partially hidden by shadows. His eyes, though, were an intense pair I could recognise even in darkness.

“Adrian?” I whispered, barely able to believe it.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he took a step closer, his hands still clenched into fists.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Adrian’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn’t respond. Then, in a voice low and edged with anger, he said, “Protecting what’s mine.”

I stared at him, my heart racing for an entirely different reason now.

“I’m not yours anymore,” I said, my voice barely audible.

His lips pressed into a thin line, his dark gaze locking onto mine. “You always will be.”