The mouthwatering aroma of sizzling spices filled the air as Megan carefully set the table, arranging every dish with love. A perfectly roasted chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, and a cocktail—David’s favorite—sat waiting. She took a deep breath and smiled. “Perfect!” she sighed, feeling a flicker of hope.
The front door swung open. Megan’s heart leaped. “David, you’re back!” she exclaimed, rushing to greet her husband.
David’s eyes flicked over her appearance, and his expression darkened. “What the hell are you wearing?” he scoffed, his lips curling in disgust. “You look fat in that.”
Megan swallowed hard, blinking away the sting of his words. “Oh… why? Don’t you like this dress, honey?” she asked softly. “It’s our fifth anniversary today.” Her voice wavered. “Did you forget?”
David clenched his jaw. “Of course not.”
Megan’s heart swelled with relief. Maybe she had misunderstood him. Maybe he had a surprise planned. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the envelope he pulled from his pocket.
“I have something for you,” he said.
Tears of excitement blurred her vision. She had dreamed of this moment. Could it be tickets to Paris? She had always wanted to go.
But as she unfolded the papers, her breath caught in her throat. The word ‘DIVORCE’ burned into her eyes like fire.
Her hands shook. “Tell me this is a joke,” she whispered.
David’s cruel laugh echoed through the room. “I don’t have time for jokes, Megan,” he sneered. “Because…I hate you.”
Her heart cracked. “Why?” she choked out.
David scoffed. “Just look at yourself. That’s why.”
Megan felt her world collapsing. “We can fix this,” she begged. “Please. We can go to therapy. We can work it out. I love you, David.”
“Therapy?” He snorted. “You’re the one who’s sick, not me.”
Panic surged through her as she watched him grab his suitcase and head for the door. “David, please! Don’t leave me.”
But he wasn’t listening. He turned back, his face twisted in amusement. “Besides, someone is waiting for me in the car.”
Megan’s stomach dropped. “Who?” she asked, barely able to get the words out.
David smirked. “Jessica. My secretary, remember? Always fit, always sexy.”
Megan’s knees buckled. “You… you were cheating on me?”
“Bingo!” David laughed, swinging open the door. “Oh, and don’t forget to sign those papers.” With a final, heartless chuckle, he slammed the door, leaving Megan drowning in silence.
Megan spent days lost in grief, unable to comprehend how the man she loved had discarded her so easily. But something inside her refused to break. One evening, she gathered their wedding photos and mementos, tossed them into a metal bucket, doused them with gasoline, and watched them burn.
A sharp knock on the door startled her. Veronica, her best friend, stood there, arms crossed. “What’s wrong with you, Meg? I’ve been calling you for days.”
Megan’s voice wavered. “He’s gone, Veronica.”
“David? Good riddance,” Veronica said, rolling her eyes. “He’s a jerk. I told you.”
Megan wiped her tears. “But how do I move on?”
Veronica smirked. “You pick up the pieces, sweetheart. And you find happiness that doesn’t depend on some cheating loser.”
“I don’t even know where to start.”
With a mischievous grin, Veronica grabbed Megan’s phone. “Step one: Stop mourning the Titanic and board a new ship.” With a few quick taps, she downloaded a dating app and handed the phone back. “Welcome to the future, babe.”
Megan stared at the screen, her heart pounding. Was she really ready for this?
That night, as she lay on the couch, her phone buzzed. A message popped up.
“Hi, you look gorgeous.”
Megan gasped. The sender’s name was Robert. With a nervous swipe, she nearly shut the app, but another message appeared.
“Did I scare you off?”
Taking a deep breath, she replied, “No… I’m just not used to this.”
“Neither am I,” he replied. “But hey, maybe we can get used to it together?”
A tiny smile tugged at her lips. “Maybe.”
“Dinner tonight?” he asked. “La Café Bean at eight?”
Before she could overthink it, she typed, “Yes.”
Later, as she stepped into the warm glow of the restaurant, she felt a surge of confidence. A sleek black dress, soft curls, and a touch of her favorite perfume made her feel beautiful for the first time in years.
Just as she was about to walk inside, a familiar voice sent ice down her spine.
“Megan?”
She turned. David stood there, his expression unreadable.
“What do you want?” she asked, her voice steady.
David hesitated. “You…you look great.”
Megan raised an eyebrow. “And?”
He sighed. “Jessica and I… we’re separating.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, though she didn’t mean it.
David’s eyes darkened. “Leaving you… it was the biggest mistake of my life.”
Before Megan could respond, another voice interrupted. “Excuse me, may I help you?”
David turned, glaring at the newcomer. “Who the hell are you?”
Robert smiled, placing a protective hand on Megan’s lower back. “I’m Rob. Megan’s fiancé.”
David’s jaw dropped. “Fiancé?”
Megan laced her fingers through Robert’s. “Yes. We’re getting married soon.”
David’s face paled. “Megan, please… give me another chance.”
Megan held her head high. “Goodbye, David.”
And with that, she walked into the restaurant, leaving David behind with nothing but regret.
