Chapter 34: The Aftermath
Cassandra’s POV
I texted Stella as I left the boardroom. I wanted to find her ASAP so we could finally get the heck out of there,
‘Where are you?‘ I texted her.
‘Parking lot,‘ she replied.
Oh. She’d already left? Good.
I hurried out of the building, my heart racing. I scuttled across the parking lot as quickly as my high heels would allow. Sure enough, Stella was waiting, her back leaning up against the driver’s door. She saw me and shot me an expectant look.
I couldn’t contain myself. I broke out into a run, almost tripping several times. I waved the divorce papers proudly in my hand I approached the car.
“No!” she said, practically bouncing with anticipation. “Is that what I think it is? Did it…did it ACTUALLY work this time?”
I held out the divorce papers to her with a flourish.
“Take a look for yourself!” I said.
She scanned them, a big smile on her face.
“He signed?” she asked, her eyes bright.
“He signed!!!” I practically shouted.
“Holy shit, Cassandra! I don’t believe it. Congratulations!” She pulled me into a tight embrace. “You’re free!”
She lifted me up and spun me around. I laughed out loud, overcome with happiness.
as
“We have to celebrate,” she said, putting me down. “The shit head is finally out of your life once and for all. If that doesn’t call for celebratory drinks, I don’t know what does!”
“Yes!” I agreed.
“Where should we go?” she asked as we both
Sot into the
car.
“I don’t care. Anywhere. You choose.” I felt elated began to shift.
as we pulled out of the parking lot. But as we drove down the street, my mood
I looked down at my lap. I was clutching the divorce papers. Slightly, my hand began to shake.
What the hell was happening?
I’d wanted this divorce. I’d practically BEGGED Jordyn for it. So naturally, I’d assumed I’d feel light and relieved once he signed. And I had.
But the feeling was fleeting.
And now?
Now I was feeling something I didn’t understand. I should have been excited! But instead, I felt like there was this strange weight still lingering, still pressing down on me
Stella glanced over and saw my trembling hands.
“You okay?” she asked, side–eying me as we drove.
“Yeah,” I said softly. “I mean, I think so. Actually no. Stella, what the hell is
wrong with me?”
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Chapter 34. The Aftermathr
+25.BONUS
“Nothing” Stella said, taking one hand off the wheel and covering mine. “Nothing at all.”
“This wasn’t how I expected to teel,” I told her. “Why don’t I feel Happy?”
“Oh honey,” she said soothingly. “Things like this are complicated. So it’s only natural to have complicated feelings. You loved Jordyn once. You really did. And all that love doesn’t just magically lisappear just because of a signature.”
I thought about that for a moment.
She was right, I had loved Jordyn once. I’d loved him with my whole heart. He’d been the most important person in the world to me. It felt odd to think that the person I’d planned on spending my entire life with would probably be a stranger soon.
“It’s normal for feelings to linger, Cass,” Stella said gently. “Honestly, they’ll probably linger for a while.”
I nodded and looked out the window.
“They will fade though,” she continued. “I’nt sure of it. One day, you’ll wake up and all of this will be over. And you’ll realize, the feelings are all gone.”
“Yeah. You’re right. Thank you,” I sighed.
I was grateful for Stella. And she WAS right. Love is an intense emotion. It doesn’t just vanish – poof – like some sort of bunny in a magician’s hat.
I watched the buildings and people on the streets whirl by from the window. I began to feel more relaxed.
Yes, eventually, the feelings would fade. And then I’d feel REALLY free. I’d feel just like my old self again.
In the meantime, I just had to wait it out.
Jordyn’s POV
I walked back into the boardroom ahead of my next appointment. asked my assistant to delay the meeting just a bit.
It was an important client and I needed a moment to collect myself
Cassandra’s perfume still lingered in the air.
I set out the documents I needed for my presentation, but my mind kept wandering back to the divorce agreement.
A signature and then – poof – just like that, the marriage was over.
Stanley hadn’t objected to the divorce. He’d brought it up yesterday when I’d gone to visit him in the hospital. My skin had prickled when he mentioned the divorce.
“Is it finalized?” he’d asked, pushing away his tray of meatloaf and mashed potatoes in disgust. He despised the hospital food. I handed him a deli sandwich.
“Not yet. We still have to sign the papers,” I told him honestly. Then I held my breath. I was afraid of what he’d say.
Would he chastise me? Tell me I was a disappointment? A disgrace?
Or even worse…
Would he revoke the company from me?
To my surprise, though, he hadn’t. Instead, he’d shrugged and unwrapped his sandwich.
“Be amicable,” was all he said. Then he’d changed the subject.
“Jordyn?” my assistant, I mean Ellie asked, appearing at the door and pulling me from my thoughts. “Shall I send him in now?”
“Yes, yes, of course,” I told her.
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Chapter 34 The Altermuth
+25 BONUS
I fondled my pen in my hand, the same pen I’d used to sign the divorce papers. By all logle, I should have felt relieved. I mean, I’d never really loved Cassandra. My heart had always been with e.
So I should have been happy my marriage to Cassandra was over,
It should have been simple, right?
I was free now to do what I’d always wanted to do: marry Ellie.
“Mr. Smith?” my client asked. He was standing in front of me. Where had he come from? I hadn’t even seen him enter the boardroom. “Is this a bad time?”
“No,” I shook my head. I had to get my shit together.
After all, I should have been happy. Relaxed. Relieved.
But I quickly realized as I started the meeting, I was NONE of those things.
On the contrary, I was anxious.
Tense.
And confused.
