Beyond the Divorce

Unexpected Company

I forced myself out of bed the following day. The dark circles around my eyes were horrible, and Matthew noticed them. He asked in surprise, “

The following day, I forced myself out of bed. My dark circles were horrible.

Matthew saw my haggard face and asked in surprise, “Are you sick, Coco? Why do you look so pale?”

“You kept me up all night,” I retorted, not in the mood for pleasantries. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

He was stunned but hugged me with a shy grin. “No more drinking for you. Exercise is better instead since it helps with sleep.”

I didn’t know why, but my stomach churned when I heard his words. I rushed to the bathroom, vomiting and crying.

Matthew rushed in behind me and patted my back. “What’s wrong with you? Maybe I should take you to the hospital.”

I pushed him away and lied, “It’s nothing. I just didn’t sleep well. You should take Ava to kindergarten. I’ll be fine once I rest a bit more.”

He lifted and laid me back on the bed, pulling the blanket over me. “Then get some sleep while I send Ava to school. If you don’t feel well, just call me, okay?”

I nodded and listened to my husband and daughter’s chatter get softer as they left. Finally, they closed the door behind them, and I left the bed to run to the window. I watched Matthew enter the car with my excited daughter.

I didn’t look away until Matthew drove out of the gated community. My eyes teared up as I wondered if only everything could return to how it was before. Afterward, I changed into my jeans and t-shirt and tied my hair into a ponytail before slipping on a cap.

Then I went to the cafe across from Galar Tower and found the most strategic spot facing the entrance. I knew it was foolish, but I thought it was the most efficient way.

However, I returned home empty-handed for three consecutive days. I couldn’t even see Matthew because I overlooked one crucial detail. He often used the underground parking, which had a direct passage to the lobby.

I only realized this on the fourth day.

Just as I thought I was at a loss, I saw Matthew hurrying out of the building with his phone. He seemed to be talking on the phone as he headed toward Crowne Square. My heart raced as I got up and followed him from a distance.

It was not lunchtime, and he didn’t leave in his car, so I knew he wasn’t going far. He crossed the road at an intersection ahead and entered a cafe with quaint decorations and an elegant environment.

It was the perfect palace for elites in the surrounding commercial district to hang out and discuss business here.

I guessed Matthew was meeting someone there and glanced at the floor-to-ceiling windows, wondering if I should follow him inside.

Just then, I saw someone sitting by the window on the second floor. The person wore a stunning rose- pink professional pantsuit, looking bold and graceful. It was Ivanna. She looked more beautiful than usual today.

I chuckled and thought it was a coincidence that she was there too. It meant I wouldn’t have to put in much effort since Ivanna could see who Matthew was with. With that thought in mind, I picked up my phone and called her.

I saw Ivanna pick up the phone, but I was surprised to see Matthew at the window. I watched as Ivanna signaled Matthew to stay quiet before her voice came through the phone, “Are you bored or something?”

Those words struck my nerves. If this had happened in the past, I might’ve considered it playful teasing between friends and would’ve readily responded, but now I detected mockery behind her words.

It hurt more than seeing her with Matthew.

I asked, “Where are you?”

“I’m in a meeting at the office. I’ll call you back later.” I saw Ivanna gazing at Matthew as she spoke. Her answer left me speechless. After all, I never expected my best friend to do this to me.