CHAPTER 7: Preparing for Life Alone
Victoria’s POV
The echo of silence in my new apartment was deafening.
I had never lived anywhere like this before–barely a hundred square feet, with peeling paint on the walls and a persistent draft that seeped through the windows. The single bed was lumpy, the kitchen a mere corner with outdated appliances, and the bathroom barely fit a shower stall. It wasn’t home, not yet, but it was mine.
I sank onto the bed, staring at the cardboard boxes stacked in the corner. They contained the remnants of my old life–a few clothes, sentimental keepsakes, and one framed photo of my parents I couldn’t bear to leave behind. Everything else had been stripped away, either sold to pay legal fees or claimed by Ethan as part of the divorce settlement.
Ethan…..
The thought of him still made my blood boil. His smug expression when the judge finalized the divorce was seared into my memory. He hadn’t even looked at me when I signed the papers, too busy scrolling through his phone, likely texting Lily.
I gripped the edge of the mattress, fighting the tears threatening to spill. No. I wouldn’t cry for him anymore. He didn’t deserve my tears.
But despite my resolve, the weight of my situation pressed down on me. How had it come to this? How had I gone from living in a luxurious home, hosting glamorous parties, and wearing designer gowns to sleeping in a dingy apartment and budgeting for groceries?
My parents would’ve been heartbroken to see me like this.
The thought of them made the tears finally spill over. I clutched the framed photo of them, my fingers tracing their smiling faces. They had worked so hard to give me a good life, to ensure I never wanted for anything. And I had let Ethan take it all away.
I spent the rest of the day unpacking, trying to distract myself from the ache in my chest. By evening, the apartment looked slightly more livable. I had arranged my clothes in the tiny closet, set up my parents‘ photo on the nightstand, and even hung a few scarves over the windows to make them less depressing.
But the emptiness remained.
Feeling restless, I decided to head out for groceries. The nearest store was a ten–minute walk, and the crisp night air did little to lift my spirits. The fluorescent lights of the store were harsh, but I welcomed the distraction as I pushed a cart down the aisles, selecting the bare essentials.
As I stood in the checkout line, counting out cash, a voice called out behind me.
‘Victoria? Is that you?”
I turned, startled. A familiar face beamed at me–a classmate from college. Emma, her name was. She looked just as polished as I remembered, with her designer coat and impeccable makeup.
“Emma,” I said, forcing a smile. “Hi.”
Of all the times to meet an old acquaintance, it just had to when I was a complete wreck and a shadow of who I used to be.
“It’s been ages!” she gushed, pulling me into a hug. “How have you been? I heard about Ethan’s company; it’s doing so well!”
Of course he was doing well, how could he not? He had stolen millions from me.
“Uh, thank you.” I replied quietly.
Girl I’m so happy for you‘ Emma continued, oblivious to my discomfort. “Did you see the latest issue of Entrepreneur Weekly? Ethan’s in it. He looks incredible–so successful and powerful. You must be so proud.”
I froze, the words hitting me like a slap.
‘I have a copy here.” she said, digging into her oversized bag. She pulled out a glossy magazine and handed it to me. ‘Here. You can have my copy. It’s such a great article about him and his company. And they even mention you!”
My stomach churned as I stared at the cover; the man on it distracting me briefly. He looked familiar, so very familiar; his dark hair, his eyes, he definitely looked like someone I had met before. But I just couldn’t place where I had seen him.
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