Page 2 of Always Been You
“It’s not what you think, honey,” he says, inching closer.
“Don’t you dare touch me with your filthy hands,” I say, my voice is low, teeth clenched, and he actually takes a step back, shaken.Good. He should be afraid. No one messes with me and gets away with it. Not even him.
“Honey, listen to me," he tries again, but the secretary’s little scoff pulls my attention. She’s leaning against the wall, arms folded, watching like this is some cheap soap opera.
Anger boils over, my heart racing. If he’s guilty, then so is she for choosing to be with a married man.
“What’s funny, sweetheart?” I turn to face her, my voice sharp. The lawyer in me wants to tear her apart, but the girl inside—the one with a shattered heart—wants to run. My head and heart are at war.
“You… you’re what’s funny,” she sneers. “You don’t give your husband the attention he wants, and when he finds it elsewhere, you get mad and threaten divorce. Because what? You’re richer?”
She bites her lip, a sign that she’s not as confident as she’s trying to seem.
I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Hmm. Let’s see, honey… I am indeed worth more than you, financially speaking. And I’m not just threatening to divorce his ass.” I point loosely in Derrick’s direction. “I’ll make good on that promise. Take him. Oh, and if you haven’t noticed, I have concrete evidence.” I wave my camera at her, smirking, determined not to let her see me break.
“I didn’t make my name as a ruthless lawyer by being lenient. See you around, sweetheart.” I add, smiling.
“You won’t do anything,” she smirks, trying to hold her ground. “Your family and reputation mean too much to you.”
The mention of my family hits like a punch to the gut. I can already hear Lauren saying,I told you so.My hands shake slightly, and she notices, her confidence growing.
“Do you really think getting divorced will change anything? Men don’t go for damaged goods, Lawliss. You’ll end up just like your sister…”
That snaps me back to reality. “Don’t you dare say another word. And if you don’t want a defamation suit on your hands, I suggest you shut your mouth.”
I turn to face Derrick. “I guess you discuss my family with your mistress.”Did he ever love me?The thought aches, but I push it down.We were the perfect couple,I think bitterly.
Shaking my head, I twist the doorknob to leave, then glance back at the two of them. My gaze lingers on the man I used to call mine. “Looks like you’ll need a new office, honey. This one’s on the market.” I wink and tap Bella on the shoulder as I pass, keeping my head high.
Downstairs, I take a shaky breath, my chest tight and heavy, like the air’s too thick to breathe. My legs feel ready to give out, but I force myself forward, one step at a time, until I reach my car. I yank open the door and slam it shut, the sound echoing through the empty lot.
Once inside, I press my forehead to the steering wheel, letting the weight of it all sink in. My world has come crashing down, and I don’t know if I can bear it.
I remember meeting Derrick in that polished conference room, both of us ambitious and eager to leave our mark. His smile had felt like warmth and promise. Back then, I thought we were building something lasting, something real. We both wanted to change the world, to create something meaningful. It was what drew us together; his passion mirrored my own. But now, the memory feels tainted, like a cruel joke.
I start the car, barely aware of the road as I speed home, running red lights and stop signs, uncaring of the consequences. I try not to think as I drive, yet my mind keeps circling back, dragging me through memories I wish I could forget.
When I finally step into the foyer, my knees buckle, and I collapse onto the floor. The tears come hot and uncontrollable, each sob like broken glass scraping my throat. The strong, put-together woman I’ve worked so hard to become… shattered.
It’s over. It’s really over. I let the words sink in as I crumble completely, the tears flowing harder than I knew they could. How I managed to drive home in this state and how I held it together through the humiliation and heartbreak is beyond me. But one thing is clear: something inside me is broken. Maybe beyond repair.
Hours later, when the tears have finally dried, I pull myself off the floor. My legs are weak, but I move on autopilot. I walk to my home office, grab a sheet of paper, and draft the divorce petition. The legal language comes easily yet it’s the emotion that doesn’t. With a deep breath, I send a broadcast message to my family group chat and my best friend:
“I’m leaving town for a while. Don’t know when I’ll be back.”
I pack a suitcase, slipping off my wedding rings and leave them on the bed. There is no way I am staying here for another moment; I have to get out of here.
Chapter Two
Lawliss
1 Month Later
It’s been almost a month since my arrival in Florida, playing the part of a tourist some days and hiding away in my room on others. But no matter how far I try to run, I still carry pieces of that broken office inside me.
I moved out of the hotel to stay in and lodge at my family’s beach resort since I had stayed over the initial two weeks’ vacation. I thought the sun and sand might cleanse me somehow, but I still can’t shake the image of Derrick’s hands all over her. The lies and betrayal cling to me like a second skin.
People say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for me, it’s just made me realize how lost I am. I feel like I don’t belong anywhere and I am suddenly so insecure.
