ELAINE
Turning on my heel, I marched straight to the closet, yanking open the door so hard it nearly came off its hinges. “What the hell are you doing?” Devin demanded, watching as I grabbed my duffel bag and started pulling my clothes off the hangers. “What does it look like I’m doing?” I shot back, stuffing jeans, shirts, and anything else I could grab into the bag. “I’m leaving, Devin. We’re done.” “Elaine, don’t be ridiculous.” He laughed—actually laughed—as if I’d just told a bad joke. “You’re not going anywhere.” I spun around, my fingers gripping a sweater so tightly my knuckles turned white. “Oh, I’m sorry. Do you think you get a say in this? Because you don’t. Not anymore.” His smug expression faltered. “Elaine—” “No, Devin.” I held up a hand, cutting him off. “I’ve put up with your shit for too long. I worked while you drank. I stayed while you did nothing. And I gave you chance after chance when you didn’t deserve them. This? This was the last straw.” He opened his mouth like he wanted to argue, but I turned away, zipping up my bag with finality. Slinging it over my shoulder, I walked past him, refusing to look at his face. “You’ll regret this, Elaine,” he muttered bitterly as I reached the doorway. I paused, turning just enough to glance over my shoulder. “No, Devin. The only thing I regret is not leaving you sooner.” And with that, I walked out, slamming the door behind me. I didn’t cry. I didn’t look back. For the first time in years, I felt free. **** “I’m just going to say it—I never liked him,” Gigi, my best friend, announced with zero hesitation, tilting her head back as she took a slow sip of her wine, her dark curls bouncing in movement. “Gigi, you never tried to like him.” I snorted, shaking my head. “Because I knew he was trash,” she shot back. “I didn’t need to try. And now that you’ve finally kicked his sorry ass to the curb, I can say it without any guilt.” She raised her glass in a mock toast. “To freedom!” I couldn’t help but laugh, though it came out weaker than I wanted. “To freedom,” I echoed softly, clinking my glass against hers. Gigi studied me for a moment, her hazel eyes sharp. “You don’t look as happy as you should,” she said to me. “You’re free, Elaine. Free of that deadbeat leech and his nonsense. This should be the start of something better.” She encouraged. “I know,” I muttered, setting my glass down on the coffee table. “It’s just… I don’t know. I spent so many years putting up with him. Carrying him. Now that it’s over, it feels—empty.” “Empty?” Gigi scoffed. “Girl, it should feel like you just dropped a thousand-pound weight off your back. Don’t mourn what was never worth it.” Her words stung a little, but only because they were true. Devin hadn’t been worth my tears. I know that now. I have known it for a long time, but I’d let myself believe that things might get better—that he might get better. “Yeah,” I murmured, more to myself than to her. “You’re right.” “Damn straight, I’m right,” Gigi said, shifting closer and poking me in the arm. “Look, Elaine, you’re twenty-seven. You’ve spent the last five years dragging dead weight while working yourself to the bone. It’s about time you started thinking about yourself. What you want.” I let her words sink in as I stared at my glass. What I wanted. I wanted a lot of things, didn’t I? I wanted more than long shifts at the nursing home, where I spent my days caring for others when no one cared for me. I wanted to stop living paycheck to paycheck. I wanted to walk into a room and own it, to feel powerful and confident and completely untouchable. I wanted money. Lots of it. And I wanted to never, ever feel small and helpless again. “I’ll tell you what you’re not gonna do,” Gigi said firmly, snapping me out of my thoughts. “You’re not gonna sit here and mope about that loser. You’re gonna take control of your life, Elaine and go after something better.” “Better,” I repeated quietly, tasting the word. “Better job. Better future. Better men,” Gigi said, ticking off each one on her fingers, smirking at me at the last list. “Because you deserve it. And you know what else? You’re gonna stop settling. For anything.” Her words hit me. Stop settling. I have been settling my entire life—settling for less than I wanted, for less than I deserved, for scraps that Devin couldn’t even bother to appreciate. I gripped my wine glass tighter and looked up at her, something sparking to life inside me. “You’re right.” I said again. “I’m sorry, what?” Gigi blinked. “Did you just admit I’m right twice in one night?” She gasped, feigning shock. I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. “Yeah, I did. Don’t let it go to your head.” “Too late,” she said smugly, but her expression softened as she studied me. “But seriously, babe, you can do this. You’re strong. You’re smart. And you’re a knockout—don’t think I didn’t notice how half the guys in this neighborhood turn their heads when you walk by.” “Gigi,” I said, laughing despite myself. “What? I’m serious!” She grinned and leaned back. “You’ve got everything it takes to go far, Elaine. You just have to stop holding yourself back. No more bending over for men who don’t deserve you. No more settling for crumbs. Go take the whole damn cake.” For the first time in years, I felt like something in me had shifted—like a door had cracked open. I nodded slowly, my resolve solidifying with every beat of my heart. She was right. I was done settling. I’m done bending to anyone’s will. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get myself at the top, to the life I’ve always dreamed of. “Now that’s the Elaine I’ve been waiting for.” Gigi grinned, raising her glass. I picked up my glass and clinked it against hers again.. “To breaking free,” I said. “To taking what’s yours,” Gigi replied, smiling. And as I sipped my wine, I let those words wash over me. I was done being the woman who waited for life to happen to her. I was going to take control.ELAINE The sound of the gavel hitting the block echoed through the courtroom, and I felt like I could finally breathe again. The judge’s words—“The divorce is hereby finalized”—rang in my ears like a sweet melody. I glanced over at Devin, sitting a few feet away from me, looking like someone had just sucker-punched him. His mouth hung open slightly, and his eyes were wide with disbelief. If I didn’t despise him so much, I might’ve laughed. But instead, I just smiled—a real, genuine, ear-to-ear smile. This was it. I was free. As soon as the judge stepped out, I practically skipped out of the courtroom. My heels clicked against the marble floor, my steps light for the first time in years. I felt weightless, like I’d just shed a hundred pounds of dead weight. “Elaine!” Gigi’s voice rang out from the hall. She stood there, leaning against the wall in a bright red jumpsuit, her curls bouncing as she waved at me. She was impossible to miss, radiating confidence like she owned t
ELAINE I turned to face him, and there he was, towering over me, his dark green eyes even more intense up close.Fuck! He is so much hotter up close.“Hi,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.I didn’t respond right away. I couldn’t. I was too busy losing myself in those eyes, in the sheer magnetism of him.But then I smiled, tilting my head slightly. “Hi.”The music thumped around us, a heavy bass that matched the erratic beat of my heart. His arm was still firmly around my waist, pulling me closer until our bodies were flush against each other.“You were dancing for me,” he said, his voice deep and low, like a rough caress against my skin.“And what makes you think that?” I smirked.“Because I couldn’t take my eyes off you—and you knew it,” His eyes glinted, and his hand slid to the small of my back, pressing me even closer. “Every look, every sway of those hips… you wanted my attention.”I let out a soft laugh, leaning in just enough so my lips brushed against
ELAINE The elevator ride to his penthouse had been a blur of heated kisses, roaming hands, and shallow breaths. By the time the door to his penthouse clicked shut behind us, I was already all over him.Damn it, he was such a phenomenal kisser!His lips crashed into mine, rough and hungry, stealing what little breath I had left. He pressed me back against the door, pinning me there as his large hands gripped my waist, his fingers digging in just enough to make my body buzz.“Eager, aren’t you?” I teased between kisses, my voice breathy but still laced with sass.He pulled back just enough to look at me, his dark green eyes burning with desire. “You have no idea.”Before I could respond, he leaned in, capturing my lips again, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that made my knees weak. His dominance was intoxicating, his sheer presence overwhelming, and I loved every second of it.I managed to break the kiss, gasping for air, and smirked up at him. “Is this your best move? Bec
ELAINE I yelped, barely having time to react before he gripped the hem of my dress and tugged it up over my back, exposing my bare skin and my ass still clad in my g-string.I felt his large hand smoothed over the curve of my backside and my breath hitched, the roughness of his palm igniting sparks wherever it touched.“You’ve got such a perfect ass,” he muttered, almost to himself, his voice thick with hunger.Before I could respond, his hand came down in a sharp slap against my skin, the sound echoing in the room.“Ah!” I yelped, my body jerking at the sting, but the heat that followed was intoxicating. The moan that slipped from my lips wasn’t intentional, but I couldn’t stop it.“You like that, don’t you?” he growled, his hand rubbing over the spot, only to smack me again, harder this time.I was about to fire off a sassy comeback, but before I could, I heard the unmistakable rip of fabric. “Impatient, are we?” I gasped, looking over my shoulder at him with a needy smirk. “Those
ELAINE I walked toward the parking lot, my car sitting in the same spot it always did. The old sedan looked like it had been dragged through hell and back—a few dents here, a scratched bumper there, and the occasional puff of smoke from the exhaust. But it was mine, and as much as I hated it, I needed it.I climbed in, gripping the worn leather of the steering wheel, and forced myself to start the engine. The familiar sputter and groan made my stomach twist. I prayed it wouldn’t give out on me—again.The drive home wasn’t long, but it always felt that way. My shift at the nursing home had ended earlier than expected, and while most people would have been excited about the extra time off, I wasn’t.I wasn’t looking forward to going home.My mind wandered to what I’d find when I got there—Devin, my lazy husband, sprawled out on the couch, a half-empty bottle of something cheap at his side, maybe even a second one rolling under the coffee table. Heck, I was sure he was probably sti
ELAINE I yelped, barely having time to react before he gripped the hem of my dress and tugged it up over my back, exposing my bare skin and my ass still clad in my g-string.I felt his large hand smoothed over the curve of my backside and my breath hitched, the roughness of his palm igniting sparks wherever it touched.“You’ve got such a perfect ass,” he muttered, almost to himself, his voice thick with hunger.Before I could respond, his hand came down in a sharp slap against my skin, the sound echoing in the room.“Ah!” I yelped, my body jerking at the sting, but the heat that followed was intoxicating. The moan that slipped from my lips wasn’t intentional, but I couldn’t stop it.“You like that, don’t you?” he growled, his hand rubbing over the spot, only to smack me again, harder this time.I was about to fire off a sassy comeback, but before I could, I heard the unmistakable rip of fabric. “Impatient, are we?” I gasped, looking over my shoulder at him with a needy smirk. “Those
ELAINE The elevator ride to his penthouse had been a blur of heated kisses, roaming hands, and shallow breaths. By the time the door to his penthouse clicked shut behind us, I was already all over him.Damn it, he was such a phenomenal kisser!His lips crashed into mine, rough and hungry, stealing what little breath I had left. He pressed me back against the door, pinning me there as his large hands gripped my waist, his fingers digging in just enough to make my body buzz.“Eager, aren’t you?” I teased between kisses, my voice breathy but still laced with sass.He pulled back just enough to look at me, his dark green eyes burning with desire. “You have no idea.”Before I could respond, he leaned in, capturing my lips again, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that made my knees weak. His dominance was intoxicating, his sheer presence overwhelming, and I loved every second of it.I managed to break the kiss, gasping for air, and smirked up at him. “Is this your best move? Bec
ELAINE I turned to face him, and there he was, towering over me, his dark green eyes even more intense up close.Fuck! He is so much hotter up close.“Hi,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.I didn’t respond right away. I couldn’t. I was too busy losing myself in those eyes, in the sheer magnetism of him.But then I smiled, tilting my head slightly. “Hi.”The music thumped around us, a heavy bass that matched the erratic beat of my heart. His arm was still firmly around my waist, pulling me closer until our bodies were flush against each other.“You were dancing for me,” he said, his voice deep and low, like a rough caress against my skin.“And what makes you think that?” I smirked.“Because I couldn’t take my eyes off you—and you knew it,” His eyes glinted, and his hand slid to the small of my back, pressing me even closer. “Every look, every sway of those hips… you wanted my attention.”I let out a soft laugh, leaning in just enough so my lips brushed against
ELAINE The sound of the gavel hitting the block echoed through the courtroom, and I felt like I could finally breathe again. The judge’s words—“The divorce is hereby finalized”—rang in my ears like a sweet melody. I glanced over at Devin, sitting a few feet away from me, looking like someone had just sucker-punched him. His mouth hung open slightly, and his eyes were wide with disbelief. If I didn’t despise him so much, I might’ve laughed. But instead, I just smiled—a real, genuine, ear-to-ear smile. This was it. I was free. As soon as the judge stepped out, I practically skipped out of the courtroom. My heels clicked against the marble floor, my steps light for the first time in years. I felt weightless, like I’d just shed a hundred pounds of dead weight. “Elaine!” Gigi’s voice rang out from the hall. She stood there, leaning against the wall in a bright red jumpsuit, her curls bouncing as she waved at me. She was impossible to miss, radiating confidence like she owned t
ELAINE Turning on my heel, I marched straight to the closet, yanking open the door so hard it nearly came off its hinges. “What the hell are you doing?” Devin demanded, watching as I grabbed my duffel bag and started pulling my clothes off the hangers. “What does it look like I’m doing?” I shot back, stuffing jeans, shirts, and anything else I could grab into the bag. “I’m leaving, Devin. We’re done.” “Elaine, don’t be ridiculous.” He laughed—actually laughed—as if I’d just told a bad joke. “You’re not going anywhere.” I spun around, my fingers gripping a sweater so tightly my knuckles turned white. “Oh, I’m sorry. Do you think you get a say in this? Because you don’t. Not anymore.” His smug expression faltered. “Elaine—” “No, Devin.” I held up a hand, cutting him off. “I’ve put up with your shit for too long. I worked while you drank. I stayed while you did nothing. And I gave you chance after chance when you didn’t deserve them. This? This was the last straw.” He o
ELAINE I walked toward the parking lot, my car sitting in the same spot it always did. The old sedan looked like it had been dragged through hell and back—a few dents here, a scratched bumper there, and the occasional puff of smoke from the exhaust. But it was mine, and as much as I hated it, I needed it.I climbed in, gripping the worn leather of the steering wheel, and forced myself to start the engine. The familiar sputter and groan made my stomach twist. I prayed it wouldn’t give out on me—again.The drive home wasn’t long, but it always felt that way. My shift at the nursing home had ended earlier than expected, and while most people would have been excited about the extra time off, I wasn’t.I wasn’t looking forward to going home.My mind wandered to what I’d find when I got there—Devin, my lazy husband, sprawled out on the couch, a half-empty bottle of something cheap at his side, maybe even a second one rolling under the coffee table. Heck, I was sure he was probably sti