Chapter 7
At nine in the morning, I arrived at the courthouse right on time, with Fawzaan following behind me.
I hadn’t planned on him coming along, but he was worried I might be bullied, so he insisted on driving me here. Knowing Hiral’s tendencies, I figured she would surely be here with Teon to flaunt the fact that she had won him over, so I agreed.
But I underestimated Hiral. Not only did she show up, but her entire family came as well. The place was crowded like a busy marketplace, and even my former mother–in–law looked annoyed.
“Lyn, you’re here,” Teon greeted me immediately as he saw me.
1/7
Chapter 7
+ 5 Points
Hiral, standing beside him, gave him a hard tug, shot him a glare, and then smugly stood with their child in her arms, flaunting the baby as if to say, “I have a child, and you don’t.””
I found her arrogance amusing. But really, I was grateful to her for taking Teon off my hands.
“Let’s proceed with the divorce.”
The divorce process was quick–it was just a matter of swapping one red certificate for another, from a marriage license to a divorce certificate.
The moment I held it, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders, freeing me from the burden that had pressed on my heart.
2/7
Chapter 7
– 5 Points
Humming a tune, I cheerfully headed out, but some people never want to let you leave in peace.
“Imagine being so happy about a divorce. That woman’s no good.”
I wasn’t sure which of Hiral’s oblivious relatives said that. I didn’t want to ruin my good mood or the last shred of dignity for everyone involved, but some people just couldn’t let me be.
“I can’t say about myself, but a woman who pursues a married man isn’t exactly a saint.”
I knew how to be sarcastic when needed. Before, I endured for Teon’s sake and out of respect for my former in–laws, but today, now that I’m divorced, I had no reason to hold back.
3/7
Chapter 7
5 Points
“Who are you calling a homewrecker?”
I hadn’t even named Hiral or used that term, yet she jumped to claim it, her shrill voice echoing through the hall.
My mother–in–law’s face darkened even
more.
“Whoever responds to it.”
I turned to face Hiral as she flailed her arms, trying to hit me, tossing the child onto a nearby chair, where it started crying.
Teon pulled her back, his face flushed, whether from embarrassment or anger, I couldn’t tell.
Her whole family crowded around, pointing fingers and spewing nasty remarks.
4/7
Chapter 7
+ 5 Points
“A woman nobody wants, what’s there to be smug about?”
“A barren belly, no wonder no one wants her.”
“Saying such nasty things in public, where’s her shame?”
“You are really vicious.”
But before I could respond, Fawzaan jumped into the fray, verbally firing back like an automatic gun, leaving them speechless.
They turned blue and purple with anger as embarrassment washed over Teon and my mother–in–law, since they knew they were in the wrong.
“Lyn, maybe you should leave. Staying here won’t do your reputation any good,” my mother–in–law said, forcing a smile.
5/7
Chapter 7
+ 5 Points
“I’m not leaving. I want to see what more they have to say. Why try to protect my reputation by leaving when their actions will hurt it more?”
Once, I respected her, but ever since I discovered her complicity in hiding Teon’s cheating and Hiral’s pregnancy, and secretly caring for Hiral, whatever respect I had left vanished. Her later actions only worsened the situation.
To me now, she’s as good as a stranger on the street, and in no position to advise me on what to do.
“I’ve seen plenty of women like you, alone until the end, with no one to tend to your funeral.”
“I wish you a miserable life.”
6/7
Chapter 7
6 Points
They kept repeating the same insults: “unwanted, “vicious” “crazy woman,” “unchaste,… It all started to feel stale.
Fed up, I turned to Fawzaan and asked, “Would you marry me?”
At that moment, Fawzaan was incredibly supportive. He took my hand, and we headed to the registry, leaving everyone shocked.
It wasn’t until we were taking our photos that I noticed Fawzaan was wearing a suit.
“I’m always ready!”
Fawzaan whispered in my ear, making me smile, and I ended up with a photo which was more beautiful than the one from my wedding with Teon.
