The rich aroma of sizzling spices filled the air as Megan carefully set the table. A perfectly roasted chicken, a cocktail, and all of David’s favorite dishes were arranged beautifully. She took a deep breath, smiling to herself. “Perfect,” she whispered. Tonight was special—her fifth wedding anniversary.
Just then, she heard the front door creak open. “David, you’re back!” she exclaimed, turning toward him with excitement.
But instead of greeting her warmly, David’s face twisted with disgust. His eyes raked over her body before he sneered, “What the hell are you even wearing? You look fat in this!”
Megan’s smile faltered. “Oh, why? Don’t you like this dress, honey? It’s our anniversary today,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “Did you forget?”
David clenched his jaw. “Of course not.”
Hope flickered in Megan’s eyes. She had been dropping hints about wanting to visit Paris for Christmas. Maybe, just maybe, he had remembered.
“I have something for you,” he said, pulling an envelope from his pocket.
With teary eyes, Megan reached for it. Her fingers trembled as she opened it, but instead of plane tickets, the cruel word inside burned her eyes—DIVORCE.
She gasped. “Tell me it’s a joke…”
David threw his head back and laughed, a harsh, cold sound. “I don’t have time for jokes. Because I hate you.”
Megan’s heart shattered. “Why?” she choked out.
David scoffed. “Just look at yourself in the mirror, and you’ll know why.”
“We can fix this,” she pleaded, voice cracking. “Please, David. Let’s go to therapy, talk things through. I love you.”
David rolled his eyes. “Therapy? Let me remind you—you’re the one who’s sick, not me!” He snatched his suitcase and stomped toward the door.
“David, please don’t leave me!” Megan cried, running after him.
“No time for your stupid games, alright?” he snapped, yanking the door open. “Besides, someone’s waiting for me in the car.”
Megan’s breath caught. “Who?” she whispered. “Why are you doing this to me?”
David smirked. “Jessica.”
Megan felt like the air had been punched from her lungs. “Jessica? Your secretary?”
“Bingo!” David grinned. “Young, fit, sexy… everything you’re not.”
Tears poured down Megan’s cheeks as David grabbed his suitcase and stepped out. He turned back one last time. “Oh, and don’t forget to sign the papers.” With that, he slammed the door shut, leaving Megan in a suffocating silence.
But this wasn’t the end.
A few days later, Megan sat staring at her wedding photos. With trembling hands, she tossed them into a metal bucket. She doused them with gasoline and watched as the flames consumed the memories.
A sharp knock startled her. It was her best friend, Veronica. “Meg! What’s wrong with you? I’ve been calling you all week!”
Megan’s voice was hollow. “He’s gone, Veronica. He left me for another woman.”
Veronica crossed her arms. “David? Well, not surprised. He’s a jerk! I warned you, didn’t I?”
“You may be right,” Megan sighed. “But how do I move on?”
Veronica gave her a knowing smile. “Sweetheart, you need to stop mourning that cheater. It’s time to move forward.”
Megan let out a weak chuckle. “How am I gonna do that?”
Veronica snatched Megan’s phone and smirked. “High time you boarded a new ship, girl!” With a few quick taps, she downloaded a dating app and set up a profile.
Megan gawked. “Veronica, what are you doing?”
“Helping you,” Veronica grinned. “You deserve to be happy.”
That night, as Megan lay on the couch, her phone buzzed. A message popped up.
Hi, you look gorgeous!
Megan nearly dropped the phone. She was fresh out of the shower, wrapped in a towel with under-eye patches still on. With a panicked swipe, she shut the app.
But then, another message came in. Did I scare you off?
Taking a deep breath, she replied, It’s… okay. I’m just not used to this.
Neither am I, he replied with a laughing emoji. But maybe we can get used to it together?
The man introduced himself as Robert. “Call me Rob,” he said warmly.
“Megan,” she replied. “Friends call me Meg.”
“Nice to meet you, Meg,” Robert said, his voice kind. “You have such a beautiful smile.”
A warmth Megan hadn’t felt in years bloomed inside her. “First time using this… accidentally clicked a button, and now I’m live!” she laughed.
“How about I make it up to you?” Rob asked. “Dinner tonight?”
Megan hesitated, then took a deep breath. “Yes.”
That evening, Megan stood before her closet, her heart pounding. She chose a simple yet elegant dress, applied light makeup, and took one final deep breath before stepping out.
Just as she reached the door, a shadow loomed.
David.
His eyes flickered with disbelief. “Going somewhere?” he asked, voice laced with irritation.
“Just… out,” Megan replied coolly.
David smirked. “Moving on already?”
Her phone buzzed—a message from Robert. Want me to pick you up?
David leaned in. “You think I wouldn’t notice this makeover?” He grabbed her necklace, snapping the chain. “That was my wedding gift.”
Megan’s eyes flashed with anger. “Consider it rent,” she shot back. “Like our marriage—paid for, used, and discarded.”
David’s face darkened, but she didn’t care. She picked up her purse and stepped outside, walking away from him and toward something new.
At La Café Bean, Megan’s heart raced when she saw the empty table. Panic clawed at her throat. Had Robert stood her up?
Just then, a voice came from behind her. “Sorry I’m late.”
Megan turned, and there stood Robert, holding a bouquet of lilies.
“I wanted to surprise you,” he said sheepishly. “But… wait, are you sneezing?”
Megan tried to hold it in, but the sneezes kept coming.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were allergic to flowers?” Robert laughed, signaling a waiter to take them away.
Megan wiped her watery eyes, giggling. “It’s okay. I appreciate the gesture.”
Robert smiled. “Tell me everything about you, Meg. Your dreams, your fears. I want to know it all.”
And for the first time in years, Megan let someone in.
Months later, Megan sat in a luxurious restaurant, sipping wine. Suddenly, a voice sent chills down her spine.
“Megan?”
She turned. David stood before her, his face filled with regret. “You look… great.”
“I’m doing well,” she said, voice steady. “And you?”
“Jessica left me,” David confessed. “Megan, leaving you was the biggest mistake of my life. Please, give me another chance.”
Before Megan could reply, a deep voice cut in. “Excuse me, may I help you?”
David’s head snapped up. “Who the hell are you?”
“I’m Rob,” Robert said, slipping his arm around Megan. “Megan’s fiancé.”
David’s face drained of color as Megan smiled. “Actually, David, Rob and I are getting married soon.”
Hand in hand, Megan and Robert walked away, leaving David to drown in his own regret.
