Chapter Three
794 Words
"Nothing prepared me for this moment… my own husband divorcing me," Lisa whispered as she stirred the chocolate batter in silence. "All I ever needed was his warmth, his embrace, a family. We made promises of forever. And now—it's all going down the drain."
"Lisa, snap out of it! Check the oven before the cake burns!" Alice called out from the counter.
Lisa blinked. "Oh, right… sorry. I was just… thinking." She forced a smile, but Alice wasn’t fooled.
Alice stared at her best friend, now a shadow of the vibrant woman she once was. She set the pans down with a sigh.
"Lisa," Alice began cautiously, "I need to tell you something. It’s going to hurt… but I love you, and you deserve the truth."
Lisa looked up. "What is it?"
Alice hesitated. "My sister… Melanie. She’s having an affair with Tony. They dated in high school. She's the woman you saw."
Lisa’s eyes widened. "What?! How… how long have you known?"
"I just found out," Alice said quickly. "She called earlier. They’re together at a hotel right now. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I swear."
Lisa’s face dropped, but she stayed quiet. As much as it hurt, she could see the sadness in Alice’s eyes.
"I think… you shouldn’t sign the papers," Alice said softly. "Fight for your marriage. At least try. I’ll talk to Melanie. Maybe she doesn’t know he’s still married—"
"No." Lisa’s voice was quiet but firm. "It’s over. If Tony wants a divorce, he’ll get it."
THE NEXT DAY
Lisa sat quietly, nursing a cup of tea when Alice rushed in. "Tony’s calling," she said, showing the phone screen.
Lisa hesitated. "Maybe he changed his mind."
She answered.
"Lisa," Tony said coldly. "I don’t have time for this. Did you sign the papers?"
"I haven’t," she replied softly.
"You’re pathetic," he snapped. "I’m coming over with my lawyers. I want those papers signed. Don’t waste my time."
He hung up.
Tears pricked her eyes, but Lisa stood up, walked to her drawer, and pulled out the envelope.
Alice watched nervously. "Are you sure?"
Lisa opened her phone. Photos of Tony and Melanie flooded her screen—smiling, hugging, announcing their wedding.
With a heavy sigh, she grabbed a pen. "Yes. He wants freedom? He’ll get it."
She signed. And wept.
LATER THAT EVENING
Tony arrived with his lawyers. Melanie was on his arm, wearing a red dress, her signature perfume wafting through the air like poison. Her lips were painted blood-red, her smirk devilish.
They sat in Tony’s office—Lisa’s home now turned battleground.
"Now that the papers are signed, the divorce is officially in process," the lawyer declared.
Tony sneered at Lisa. "Finally. I can be with someone who can give me children. Not some barren, selfish woman."
Melanie giggled.
Lisa remained stoic.
Why doesn’t she look broken? Tony thought. He hated that she didn’t cry.
Melanie leaned forward, her tone laced with venom. "Thank you, ex-Mrs. Williams. Or should I say, Lisa Young. You’ve done the world a favor."
Alice stood, fuming. "Melanie. A word. Now."
The sisters stepped outside.
***
Alice turned on her sister. "What the hell is wrong with you? Lisa is like our sister!"
Melanie rolled her eyes. "Please. He’s rich, hot, and he wants me. I don’t even love him—but I’ll live like a queen. A girl has needs."
"You’re disgusting."
Melanie smirked. "I’m also probably pregnant with his baby. So… get used to it."
"You’ll regret this," Alice hissed. "Karma is watching."
Melanie laughed. "Only thing I see is my designer future. You? Washed up and bitter."
Alice walked away, disgusted.
BACK IN THE OFFICE
Lisa stood like a statue. The lawyer handed over the final documents.
"All done?" Alice asked bitterly.
"Yes," Tony said smugly.
"My love, let’s go," Melanie purred. "We have a Louis Vuitton stop, remember?"
Tony wrapped an arm around her waist. He kissed her lips, shooting a smug glance at Lisa. "I want to see you suffer. You’ll be homeless soon—this house belongs to Melanie now."
Lisa finally snapped. "You bastard! I helped build this home!"
Tony chuckled. "Funny. All the paperwork in my name. You have nothing."
He dropped the final blow. "You have till the end of the week to leave. My bride moves in tomorrow."
Alice was seething. "Let’s go, Lisa. He’s not worth the dirt on your shoes."
Lisa didn’t flinch. She turned to him with a chilling calmness.
"You’ll regret this."
Tony laughed. "Make sure you don’t steal anything on your way out. You’re good at taking what’s not yours."
Alice pulled Lisa away before she could lunge. Lisa kept her head high.
But inside, her fire had been lit.
- Writer
