ONCE DIVORCED, TWICE MARRIED

Divorced

“Congratulations, Mrs. Don. You’re pregnant.”

For a heartbeat, the words didn’t register. They floated in the air, gentle and unreal, before finally crashing into Katrina’s chest. She blinked, her lips parting. “I’m pregnant?” she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. The doctor smiled, sliding a paper across the desk. “Yes. The tests confirmed it this morning. Everything looks healthy so far.”

Katrina stared at the result sheet like it was made of gold. Her fingers trembled as she reached for it, and for the first time in years, her heart swelled with relief, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. "I” Her throat closed. Tears stung her eyes. “You’re sure? There’s no mistake?” The doctor chuckled softly. “Positive, Mrs. Don. I understand this must be emotional for you.”

Katrina nodded rapidly, pressing the paper to her chest. “You have no idea,” she breathed, a tear slipping down. “Thank you, doctor. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” he said warmly. “But please, take care of yourself. No stress, no arguments.”

She let out a shaky laugh. “No arguments,” she repeated, almost to herself. “Yes. I can do that.”

She didn’t wait for more. She gathered her purse, clutching the letter like a lifeline, and hurried out of the office. Her heels echoed against the white tiles, each step fueled by something electric, hope.

Outside, the air was bright, the sun dazzling. She didn’t even notice the heat as she rushed toward her car. Her pink Ferrari gleamed, but it wasn’t the luxury that made her smile; it was the thought that for once, life had given her something back. She slid into the driver’s seat, still shaking with disbelief. “Pregnant,” she whispered again, laughing through tears. “They were wrong. Every single one of them.”

The voices from the past echoed. Barren, curse, disappointment. Don’s friends had made sure those words stuck to her like a stain. Even Don himself, silent at first, had slowly begun to believe them. But not anymore. She gripped the steering wheel tighter. Now he’ll see. Now they’ll all see.

By the time Katrina reached the mansion, her heartbeat was fluttering like wings. She stepped out, clutching her purse close, her heels clicking with nervous excitement. “Ma’am, welcome,” the guard greeted, but she barely heard him. She could hardly wait to tell Don. He’d look at her differently now. He’d have to. She walked into the sitting room, smiling. “Don?” she called softly. “Are you home?” No answer. She walked further in, setting her purse on the counter. “Don,” she tried again, a laugh in her voice. “I have something to tell you.” Still nothing.

A faint sound drifted from upstairs, muffled noise, followed by a low moan. She froze, her smile faltering. No. It can’t be.

Her mind tried to dismiss it. Maybe he was watching something on TV. Maybe he had guests over. Anything but what her instincts whispered. Her feet moved before she could stop them. Step by step, she climbed the stairs, her pulse thundering in her ears. “Don?” she called again, her voice trembling. “Are you”. Another sound cut her off, a woman’s voice this time. Soft. Breathless. Familiar. Her stomach twisted. She knew that voice. She’d heard it countless times in Don’s office. His business partner.

Katrina stopped at the bedroom door. For a long moment, she couldn’t move. Her hand hovered over the handle. Her heart screamed for her to turn back, just to walk away and protect whatever was left of her dignity.

But something inside her refused.

She turned the knob. The door creaked open. And her world shattered.

Don was there half-naked, his body pressed against the woman she had seen just days ago laughing in his office. The sheets tangled around them, their movements urgent and unashamed. Katrina’s breath hitched. “Don?” Her voice cracked. He froze, looking over his shoulder not startled, not guilty, just irritated.

“Katrina,” he said flatly. “What are you doing here?” Her body went cold. “What am I doing here?” she echoed. “This is my house!”

The woman on the bed gave a mocking laugh. “Oh, so this is the wife,” she said, running her fingers through her hair. “You didn’t say she was dramatic.” “Get out,” Katrina snapped. “Get out of my house now!” But the woman only smirked. “Relax. You’ll strain yourself, and from what I’ve heard, stress isn’t good for barren women.”

Katrina’s throat tightened. The word hit her like a slap. “What did you just say?”

Don sighed, standing from the bed, his tone icy. “Enough. I’m not doing this today.”

“Doing what?” she demanded, stepping forward. “Catching you in our bed with your ‘business partner’? Or listening to you insult me again?” His eyes flickered with irritation. “You always twist things. You’ve been impossible lately, Katrina. I’m tired.”

“Tired?” She laughed, the sound sharp and broken. “You’re tired? You’ve been cheating on me, and you’re the one who’s tired?” “Don’t make a scene,” he warned. “It’s embarrassing.”

“For who? You?” she shot back. “Do you even realize what you’ve done?”

He turned away, rummaging through a drawer. “You talk too much,” he muttered.

“Don, look at me!” she shouted. “After everything I’ve given you”

He spun around, cutting her off. “What have you given me, Katrina? Headaches? Public embarrassment? A marriage everyone laughs at?”

Her voice shook. “Love, Don. I gave you love.”

“Love?” His laugh was cold. “You call this love? You can’t even give me a child.”

The words hung in the air like poison. Katrina flinched as if struck. “You” Her lips quivered. “You think that’s love’s measure?”

“That’s reality,” he snapped. “I’m done pretending.”

He pulled out a folded document from the drawer and tossed it at her. The papers fluttered to the floor.

Katrina bent to pick it up, her vision swimming. Her heart stopped when she saw the bold title.

DIVORCE AGREEMENT.

“No” Her voice broke. “Don, please. You can’t possibly do this”

“I already did.” He pointed to his signature at the bottom. “Sign it and leave.” “Don, listen to me,” she pleaded, her hands trembling. “You’re making a mistake.”

“I’ve made plenty,” he said coldly. “Marrying you was the biggest one.” The woman behind him chuckled. “He’s right. You should let him go, honey. It’s pathetic to beg.”

Katrina’s eyes burned. She reached into her purse, gripping the folded paper, the pregnancy result. She wanted to scream it at them. I’m pregnant! You’re wrong!

But she stopped herself. Looking at Don, seeing the hardness in his eyes, she realized it wouldn’t matter. Not anymore. She drew a shaky breath. “Get me a pen,” she said quietly.

Don’s brow furrowed. “What?”

“I said, get me a pen.” Her voice didn’t waver this time. He tossed one across the room. It hit the floor and rolled toward her. She picked it up, uncapped it, and stared at the signature line. Her hand trembled, but she signed.

Don crossed his arms. “Good. Now get the hell out of my house.”

Katrina lifted her gaze to him, the man she had once believed was her destiny. There was no warmth in his face, no trace of the man she had fallen for. Only contempt. She nodded slowly. “You’ll regret this one day.” He didn’t respond.

The woman laughed again. “Somehow, I doubt that.”

Katrina turned away, her eyes burning. She slipped the pregnancy letter from her purse, looked at it one last time and began to tear it apart. The pieces fluttered down like dying snowflakes.

“Congratulations,” she whispered bitterly. “You finally broke me.” And without another glance, she walked out.

Down the stairs. Past the photos that once meant something. Through the doors that

had witnessed her happiest and darkest moments. Her heels clicked rhythmically, the sound steady, resolute.

Outside, the air hit her face like a slap. She didn’t cry. Not yet. She simply stood there, breathing, her hand still clutching the shredded paper.

“There was nothing for me to do here in the first place,” she murmured. “I would move to a new town and start a new life.”