MY BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND DIVORCED ME. HE ATONED.

Chapter 2

Brianna promised herself she wouldn’t cry again.

Not for him.

Not after what he did to her in that restaurant.

Not after the way he looked at Dolly like Brianna was nothing.

So she didn’t cry.

She just went numb.

---

The mirror showed a girl she didn’t know.

Soft makeup. Glossy lips. Hair perfect.

But her eyes were dead.

"You look hot," Zara said from the doorway. "Like I’m sad but also I’ll ruin your life hot."

Brianna didn’t smile.

"I’m not going out to look hot."

"Yeah you are," Zara waved her hand. "I dragged you out."

"You didn’t drag me. I said yes."

"After I begged you for half an hour."

"Details."

Zara came closer, looking at her hard. "You okay?"

Brianna met her eyes. Then looked away.

"I’m fine."

"Bullshit."

"I’m not lying," Brianna said quietly. "I just don’t care anymore."

Zara didn’t buy it.

But she let it go.

"Good," she said, forcing a grin. "Cause tonight we drink, we sing, and we pretend Blake doesn’t exist."

Brianna let out a breath. "We’ll see."

The karaoke bar was loud. Too loud.

Music everywhere. People shouting. Glasses clinking.

Brianna stood at the door for a second.

It felt weird. Like she didn’t fit here anymore.

"Come on," Zara grabbed her hand. "Stop thinking. Sit. Drink."

Brianna sat. Dropped her bag on the table.

A waiter came over.

"Two cocktails," Zara said. "Strong ones."

Brianna looked at her. "I’m not trying to get wasted."

"Great," Zara grinned. "Cause we’re getting wasted anyway."

Brianna didn’t argue. She was too tired.

Drinks came.

She stared at hers.

Took a sip.

Then another.

It burned. In a good way.

The tightness in her chest eased a little.

"Better?" Zara asked.

Brianna nodded. "Better."

---

An hour went by.

Then another.

Music got louder.

Drinks kept coming.

And Brianna started to feel things again.

Not everything. But something.

Zara was on stage now, screaming a song, totally off-key. People were clapping and laughing.

Brianna watched her and actually smiled. A real one.

For a second she forgot.

Forgot the restaurant.

Forgot the bracelet.

Forgot him.

Then she saw it.

Across the bar.

Blake.

And Dolly.

Again.

Brianna froze. Her grip on the glass got tight.

Zara got off stage, still laughing. "Wasn’t I great—"

She stopped when she saw where Brianna was looking.

"...are you serious right now?"

Brianna didn’t answer.

Because there he was.

Laughing with Dolly.

Relaxed.

Like he hadn’t just destroyed her 3 days ago.

"They really can’t stay home, huh?" Zara muttered.

Brianna took a breath.

"I’m not leaving."

"What?"

"I’m not leaving because of him."

Zara stared at her.

"...okay. I like this."

Brianna didn’t say anything.

She looked at Blake for one more second.

Then looked away.

"Another drink," she told the waiter.

Zara raised an eyebrow. "Careful."

"I’m fine."

"You’re gonna be not fine."

Brianna picked up the glass. "I said I’m fine."

---

She wasn’t fine.

After drink three the room felt hot.

After four everything was blurry.

After five she lost count.

Zara leaned in. "That’s enough."

"No," Brianna laughed. "I’m good."

"You’re not even talking right."

"I am."

"You literally said ‘talking’ wrong."

Brianna giggled, resting her head on her hand.

"See? I’m happy."

"You’re drunk."

"Maybe."

Her eyes wandered.

Back to him.

Blake.

And this time he was looking too.

Their eyes met.

The whole bar went quiet for her.

His face changed.

Not cold.

Not nothing.

Something else.

Brianna smiled.

Slow.

Reckless.

Then she turned.

"Let’s go outside," she said, standing up.

Zara grabbed her arm. "Slow down."

"I need air."

"I’m coming."

"No. Stay. Go sing again."

"Brianna"

"I’ll be fine," she said, already walking away.

Zara sighed. "I’m right behind you."

---

The alley behind the bar was quiet.

Cold air.

Still.

Brianna leaned on the wall, eyes closed.

Her head was spinning.

"Why does it still hurt," she whispered.

Even now.

Even after deciding not to care.

A tear fell.

Then another.

She wiped them fast.

"No crying. No crying."

"Brianna."

She went still.

That voice.

She turned slowly.

Blake was standing there. A few steps away.

Of course he followed.

"What do you want?" Her voice came out sharp. Too sharp.

"You’re drunk."

"Wow. Good job noticing."

He stepped closer. "This isn’t you."

"And bringing your ex everywhere is you?"

He didn’t answer.

"You shouldn’t be here," he said.

"Excuse me?"

"You’re making a scene."

"A scene?" She laughed. "You humiliated me in public, Blake."

"That’s different."

"How?"

He didn’t have an answer.

Brianna shook her head and tried to walk past him.

Her foot slipped.

He caught her arm.

"Careful."

"Don’t touch me," she snapped, yanking away.

But she wobbled.

He didn’t let go.

"Stop doing this."

"Stop acting like you care!"

His jaw ticked.

"I don’t care."

"Good. Then leave me alone."

He didn’t.

He just stared at her.

"You’ve changed."

Brianna smiled. Tired.

"Had to."

Her voice cracked a little.

"I loved you. And you treated me like trash."

Silence.

"But it’s fine," she said, wiping her face. "I’m done."

"Done?"

"Done loving you. Done waiting. Done being the girl you throw away."

The words hung there.

Blake looked at her like he didn’t recognize her.

Too late.

Brianna pulled her arm free.

This time she didn’t fall.

Didn’t look back.

She walked past him.

And for once

He was the one left standing there alone.

Watching her go.