Beyond the Divorce

"Look at you, getting more radiant every day. I heard you just got a divorce. People were talking about it recently. Did you or did you not?

"You know, when you hooked up with Matthew, everyone said it was because he's handsome. What good is that? Looks don't pay bills. And lo and behold, you couldn't hold onto him in the end." Michelle's words made me embarrassed. I did not dare analyze whether what she said was praise or criticism. She had not changed one bit, and her true colors were showing.

Old habits truly died hard.

I could only force out a smile and ask, "By the way, have you been in touch with Beatrice?"

She shook her head. "I can't reach her. Did she go back to her hometown? You two were so close. Why haven't you been in touch? You have to stop thinking about making money all the time. You should think of your friends as well."

"Right. The kids were small then, and I was busy caring for them. I lost touch with everyone." I chuckled.

"How about I arrange a little reunion? It's been a long time, and we should catch up." Michelle patted me again. "Look at you, striking it rich and forgetting about us!"

"No, no! I haven't," I responded helplessly.

Lauren, who was sitting in the car, was a sharp one. From the short conversation, she knew what kind of person Michelle was. She spoke up, "Let's go, Chlo! I got a call!"

I seized the opportunity and quickly told Michelle, "Hey, I gotta get going. We'll catch up when we have time."

"Sure thing. We'll plan a reunion. Don't forget to show up when the time comes." Michelle grabbed me and insisted on organizing an event.

"Okay," I replied, shaking her hand off and quickly getting back into the car.

"Hey, what's the rush? You haven't given me your number." Michelle quickly took out her phone.

I had no choice but to exchange numbers with her.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

"I'll call you. Don't ignore my calls!" Michelle said.

I smiled and nodded. "I won't. See you later." I started the engine, honked at her, and swiftly drove away.

In the rearview mirror, I saw Michelle staring in the direction of my vehicle.

Lauren asked with disdain, "Who was that?"

"My college classmate. Roommate, to be precise," I said with a wry smile.

"Haha! I know she's a bad influence in just one glance." Lauren expressed her contempt.

I smiled wryly "Back in college, we

stayed in rooms of six, and she was the most ambitious one in our room. At that time, I had a best friend named Beatrice. Unfortunately we lost touch after college. She was my best friend during those four years. We were even closer than Ivanna."

Thinking of Beatrice, I felt a bit resentful. So many years had passed, yet I did not know where she was.

"That one just now definitely isn't a good

gum. She'll stick to you if s

about your current state

Be careful. She's l

As both of us laughed heartily, I did not hesitate to praise, "You've always been spot on with people, Lauren!"

Upon noticing me driving aimlessly, Lauren asked, "Where are we going?"

"I can't go back to the office right

now. I just can't stand Melvern. How

about we go see the little boy?

could also ask Myra if Johnson has

asked for Matthew's opinion."

I had wanted to ask about this two days ago when Matthew had an accident, but it did not seem appropriate to bring it up at the time.

Myra was overjoyed to see us, and so was the little one in her arms. He stared at me, grinning and revealing his tiny teeth.

I extended my hand to him, and he eagerly reached out toward me.