Right Man, Wrong Time

Breaking Free

I walked to the guest washroom to ease myself before leaving. Unknown to me, Canna followed me.

“Why did you vanish like that?” His voice startled me, and I almost fainted. I panicked at how quietly he had appeared.

“You left no trace, no contact, nothing. I’ve been looking for you for the past two weeks.”

I cleared my throat, wiping my hands with the paper towel.

“I’m sorry, but I had to do that. Whatever happened that night wouldn’t happen again. Now you know who I am, your brother’s soon-to-be ex-wife. Don’t ever bring this up again.” I walked out, leaving him behind.

I got to my car and saw Jeffery leaning on it, arms crossed.

“What do you think you’re doing? Get off my car,” I said, trying to stay calm.

“Shina, Shina, Shina… I’ve tried to beg you several times, but you seem very stubborn,” he said, walking closer. “This isn’t something to ask for a divorce. Look at what you’re losing. I never gave you a reason to complain. It’s rather unfortunate you came home earlier than expected.”

I stumbled backward. “Oh, so that wasn’t the first time this has happened. You disgust me, Jeff.”

“Come on, Shina, other wealthy men do more than this. Look at the brighter side, so we can move on. I won’t beg you again if you walk out without giving me the answer I want.”

I froze. I was speechless. “You can go to hell for all I care,” I said without thinking twice, walked to my car, and drove off.

Maya was still home when I got back. I walked to her, lay my head on her lap, and cried bitterly for the last time, explaining the vile words Jeffery had said to me.

I had to start working on my divorce papers. I called a colleague who is a divorce lawyer so she could help me finalize everything. I was also working on a house I wanted to buy, and luckily, I got it. Maya helped me handle all the property documents.

After a week, I moved out. I prepared a van to help move my things from Jeffery’s house.

As I walked to the front door to ring the doorbell, I heard my name.

“Bro, Shina has been good to you,” Zayden’s voice called out. A childhood friend of Jeffery’s, his father owns one of the biggest oil companies in the city.

“You should have taken this woman to your penthouse like you always do, not your matrimonial bed,” he continued. “All the women you’ve had, including your cousin, didn’t you take them to your penthouse? I blame you for this. Losing Shina was a no-no.”

I almost peed myself. “What? His cousin?” I whispered. I cleared my throat and knocked.

The door was already open, so I walked in.

“Hi Shina, how are you?” Zayden greeted me warmly. I smiled and returned his greeting. I announced why I was there and went ahead to pack all my things with the help of the boys I brought. I made sure to leave nothing behind.

I didn’t even look at their faces when we were done. I walked out quietly and left. I reached my beautiful new house, unpacked, and arranged everything. By the end of the week, it felt like home..

During the next week, my divorce papers were ready and delivered to Jeffery. He didn’t hesitate to sign them. The court went smoothly because we all agreed to a divorce, and no children were involved. Maya, Canna, and Mr. Frank were present, supporting me through it all.

I stepped outside for fresh air and saw my mother approaching. “What are you doing here?” I asked sharply.

“Shina, I’m really sorry for putting you through all this. I’m so ashamed. Please forgive me,” she said.

I couldn’t stand her. Her presence irritated me.

“Woman, this is what you wanted. You were never sorry when you opened your old, loose legs to him whenever I wasn’t around. You are only sorry because you were caught,” I said, exhaling deeply. “Don’t ever come near me, call me, or see me as a daughter. You are nothing to me.”

I walked in to continue what I was there for. After finishing, I needed time to rest. I booked a flight to the Maldives to spend a week or two, just to chill and relax from all the stress and drama.

At one of the pubs there, a beautiful karaoke night was happening. That’s when I spotted Canna.

“Are you following me?” I asked, surprised he was there too.

“No, I’m surprised to see you here as well. I just came for a business meeting. My dad wants to expand our business here, so I came to meet some investors,” he said.

I nodded, impressed by how hardworking he was. Charming, handsome, and devoted to his work.

“But since you’re here, why don’t we enjoy the night together?”

His words made my heart race. We enjoyed the music, food, and drinks. Time slipped by effortlessly, and I realized that whenever I was with him, I felt alive.

It was around 1 a.m. “Uhhhh! Not again,” Canna said, frustrated.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I tried booking three hotels today, but they all canceled on me. I don’t know what to do now.”

I couldn’t leave him behind. My apartment had two bedrooms; he could use the other one.

“You can come with me if you don’t mind. My place is a two-bedroom.”

He hesitated, but considering the time, he had no choice. Throughout the ride back to my apartment, nobody spoke.

I showed him to his room and left for mine, freshened up, and changed into a comfortable nightgown. I wasn’t sleepy, so I made popcorn and turned on a show.

“Are you not sleeping?” he asked. I panicked again.

“You always have a way to scare me. You don’t announce your presence before speaking.”

He sat beside me. The atmosphere felt heavy and awkward.

Mmmm… mmmm… mmmm. He cleared his throat. “So tell me, how have you been coping after the divorce?”

I turned my head toward him, then back to the TV. “Well, I am doing well. I was emotionally and mentally ready before I asked for a divorce, so this wasn’t hard at all.”

The room fell quiet again. As I chewed my popcorn, I felt a warm palm on my thigh.

“What are you doing?”

He ignored me, his hand lingering. My heart raced. “Shina, ever since you left my hotel room that night, I haven’t been able to get you off my mind,” he said, looking straight into my eyes, sending shivers down my body.

“But you know I just got divorced… with your brother,” my voice shook.

“I don’t care. He messed up,” he said simply.

I widened my eyes. “You don’t care? I guess you just want… something physical then.”

He ignored me and leaned in for a kiss. I couldn’t resist, and I gave in.

“No Shina, I love you. I don’t mind having you as my wife,” he whispered.

“Your wife!” I screamed. “That’s impossible. It’s forbidden!”

“I said I don’t care. My father will support any decision I make. Besides, he loves you. Bringing you back into the family would make him happy,” he said convincingly.

I froze. How could I trust him? He was my ex’s brother, the man who betrayed me. I stood up, left the show and my popcorn, and went to my room.

The next morning, I woke up hoping he would be around. But he had left and placed a note on the table.

“Hi Shina, good morning. By the time you see this, I’ll be gone to my apartment. I’m sorry about how awkward last night ended, but I’ll be back home in a month, and we’ll definitely revisit what I spoke to you about. Have a nice time here. Canna”

I exhaled deeply, took a bath, and later prepared breakfast. During my stay, I decided not to go out again. I would stay indoors, eat, sleep, and enjoy myself.

All I did was try new food, drink till I couldn't walk, watch lots of movies, and learn lots of new things.