Regretful Divorce

The Encounter

BRUNO

Four years had passed since Marion signed the divorce papers. It was the first time I had returned to the city since living in London. It was fortunate to have several branches of law firms in various major cities.

As I got off the private jet, David was waiting for me with a long list of commitments to fulfill. Not even five minutes had passed when I got into the car and started listening to my schedule.

"Mr. Storm, great to see you here," David said as he started the car to leave the airport. "It's been a long time since you left. Mrs. Storm is definitely excited about your return."

I remained silent for a moment. My mother had always been overprotective of me, the proud mom who always spoke well of her children.

"There will be time to greet her. What's on the agenda?" I asked without beating around the bush. My time is valuable.

David smiled. I was always known for my impatience.

"You have an appointment at the courthouse to see Mr. Rossell's case. The client has been asking a lot about you, and that's why you're here."

I began to leaf through the pages of Mr. Rossell's case, and in the blink of an eye, we had arrived at the courthouse.

I got out of the car as soon as David opened the door for me.

"By the way, boss," David said as we started to climb the stairs, "I told Mrs. Storm that you would visit her tomorrow because you have a commitment today. It's the inauguration of the arts palace, and you're invited. The most important personalities from all over the country will be there."

"Of all the things on my list, it had to be a stupid party," I said without enthusiasm. I never liked them, but they were necessary for business.

We entered the building, and David asked for Judge Salomón Fuentes. We were told he was in a trial, and to keep an eye on him, I decided to go to the courtroom.

I entered with David by my side, and we sat in the gallery. Salomon glanced at me and immediately understood that I was there for Mr. Rossell's case. I greeted him with a slight nod.

Suddenly, something caught my attention as I listened to a young lawyer on the other side of the stand begin to speak, defending the accused and presenting compelling evidence of the supposed murderer’s innocence.

I wasn't a man easily dazzled by women; generally, they sought me out, or with a simple call, I had guaranteed dates.

Something about that stranger completely caught my attention. Undoubtedly, the skill with which she conducted herself was fierce. Although I had to admit that a pretty face and that body she carried certainly made her very attractive and desirable. I had never felt such attraction to a woman. I was captivated.

"Do you know who she is?" I asked David quietly, gesturing towards the woman speaking with the judge.

"Her?" David replied quietly. "She's Lawyer López. I've been trying to recruit her ever since I found out about her, but she's flatly refused. What's surprising about her is that she's a recent graduate, and everyone sees her as a young legal prodigy."

"I think we have enough lawyers without needing to hire someone else," I said, without thinking. It was true, or at least it was until the day I left.

"We need some associates, Mr. Storm, and she's a strong candidate," said David. "Besides, she's newly arrived in the city, she's been here for about a week now. She came for a case and apparently plans to stay here."

"You sure are well-informed," was all I said.

The trial ended in favor of the defendant when Lawyer López demonstrated his innocence. I sat for a moment, observing the scene. I saw how the man's family approached the beautiful woman and hugged her in tears for having proven his innocence.

Something I would never let happen to me, being hugged by strangers, but it seemed she enjoyed it. I smiled.

I got up from my seat and walked towards the judge. On the way, our eyes met, and I felt a flutter in my chest. For the first time, I felt completely focused on her, although at that moment the judge was more important than a fleeting attraction. It would pass.

***

MARION

I hadn't even been in the city I hated for two weeks when my first encounter with Bruno happened in the courts. I was handling the case of Mr. Ramirez, who was unjustly accused of murdering a young man. I had been called to finish handling the case that one of my colleagues in this city had abandoned.

I was in the middle of the defense when I felt a gaze on my back, I don't know how I managed it, but I had to use all my concentration not to turn around and continue with my client's defense.

My heart froze as I left the courtroom and saw the person who had been watching me; Bruno Storm. Our eyes met for a moment, and I quickened my step. It was fortunate he hadn't recognized me.

During those four years, I had changed a lot. My acne was gone, and so were the split ends of my hair. With a good cut and treatment, I made it look beautiful. During my depression, I had joined a gym as a form of release. Selene taught me how to apply makeup and got me hooked on browsing outfits on Pinterest and becoming an expert in shopping. Not to mention the eye surgery that meant I no longer needed glasses. I had definitely changed.

"Hey, who's that hottie who just went over to the judge?" Selene asked me. She had become my assistant after quitting university three times.

"I don't know," I lied.

We walked towards the exit. I hated that Selene often knew me so well that she could tell when I was lying.

"There will be time for you to catch me up. By the way, what are you going to wear to the party today? Remember, you're invited to the senator's birthday," my friend asked, and I couldn't be more grateful that she didn't press the issue.

"I don't know, I have an Armani that could work for the occasion," I replied, walking with her towards the exit.

I was holding the papers from my won case and a coffee that Selene had just given me when I ran into Lorna Storm at the building's exit.

"So you really are Marion López," the woman said, blocking my way. Selene just stood by and watched.

"Are you surprised?" I said sarcastically, without stopping.

"Don't think ditching the glasses will make you successful."

"You sound jealous that I won the case."

"I can't believe you won the case," Lorna said through gritted teeth. I smiled at her with a bit of smugness.

I kept walking, completely ignoring her. She had always been a headache since she was a child. Although I learned to care for her over time because she was Bruno's sister. Especially when he was my husband.

"My brother has returned to the city, and I'm sure you won't be able to stand against him," the girl said. "You've made us look foolish this time, but you won't always get away with it."

I wasn't about to let my victory high be ruined by a spoiled girl, although it was ironic to see her that way when we were the same age.

"Justice is justice. And I didn't get away with anything, I simply proved the innocence of an innocent person," I said without further ado. "You should know that. You're a lawyer now too."

"You're going to pay dearly for the damage you're doing to the family." In a fit, she grabbed my coffee and tossed it at me. "Ungrateful," she said, baring her teeth.

My reaction was immediate. I took a coffee from one of the people passing by and poured it over her head. Lorna never thought I could defend myself now.

"Mess with me, and you'll pay the price. Think twice before trying to embarrass yourself, Lorna, I'm no longer that Marion from the past."

I turned around, leaving my ex-sister-in-law fuming and with a burning desire to strangle me.

***

BRUNO

I arrived at the senator's party around nine in the evening. David was by my side, updating me on all the news after four years of absence.

Everyone was dressed in formal attire, the women in their long dresses and the men in their tuxedos. I knew it was necessary to be there, it was true what David had told me. The most important people in the country were gathered there.

I took a glass of champagne and began to walk while old acquaintances greeted me, surprised to see me back in the city. They couldn't believe that Bruno Storm was back.

Suddenly, my gaze stopped at the exact moment when the unfamiliar lawyer I had seen in the courts was right in front of me, taking a snack from the tray that one of the waiters was offering her.

The nagging curiosity I felt for her hadn't gone away. How could I ignore such a beautiful woman? I was compelled to approach her.

She hadn't noticed that I was watching her, but I had to stop my steps as she was approached by a stranger. He seemed to be a friend of hers by the way they greeted each other.

"I see the newcomer to the city has also captivated you," said a female voice behind me.

I turned around and found myself face to face with Brianda, a model, one of my past conquests.

"Being curious doesn't mean I'm interested. I just want to know who she is and why people are talking so much about her," I said. In part, it was true, but on the other hand, I couldn't deny that she was very attractive.

"It's a relief to know, darling," said Brianda with a coquettish smile. It was clear she was interested in me again.

I took a moment to closely observe the profile of the unfamiliar woman. I had seen the shape of that nose somewhere. I paused a moment longer, completely ignoring Brianda's company and her intentions of spending the night with me.

I took two more steps to get a closer look at her. Her large, olive eyes, the voluptuous shape of her lips, everything seemed familiar to me. The surprise began to hit my chest, I told myself it wasn't possible, but for some reason, images of Marion had struck my mind.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. They couldn't see me like this. I couldn't see myself like this. I couldn't feel like this. It wasn't possible that the woman in front of me was Marion.

She was completely changed. She had never worn makeup, much less dressed with a sense of elegance. She had always seemed like a weak woman, but seeing her there in the midst of everyone as another guest of the senator... something had changed in her.

There was no doubt, that woman was my ex-wife. I knew it from the moment our eyes met again, and I could see a glimmer of surprise in her olive eyes. I was truly surprised.