An old friend

Lillian's POV

Tears clogged my throat and blurred my vision as I packed my belongings into the same small suitcase that had accompanied me to Stefano's mansion on our wedding night.

Darting one final look at the burgundy dress I wore last night, I heaved a shaky sign before closing the wardrobe.

Zipping my old suitcase, which had belonged to my mum, I wiped my tears off, inwardly chiding myself for crying over an asshole like Stefano.

Yesterday, after getting back from Stefano and Meryl's engagement party, the scales of idiocy fell down from my eyes and I realized just how stupid I had been for the past three years.

If only I had never agreed to marry Stefano in the first place and had stood my ground, I would have graduated culinary school and would probably be living the life of my dreams.

Cooking for people and making a living while at it.

But like the spineless people pleaser that I was, I had done everything my father wanted, without thinking of my own happiness.

Well, there was no use crying over spilt milk now. The main thing I had to figure out now was how I was going to earn a living to take care of my baby.

As if sensing the emotional distress their sperm donor was putting me through, the baby hadn't even bothered me by making me nauseous or ill.

It was as if they knew they were the only one I had.

Grabbing the divorce paper and the pen beside it from the nightstand, I read through it and sighed heavily before inscribing my signature on it.

It was official. I was no longer Stefano's wife.

I was now Lillian Baker, the emotionally abused ex-wife of Stefano Rodriguez.

Inhaling shakily, I hoisted my suitcase, took one final look at the room that had been my comfort place for three years.

The room that had witnessed every single series of crying that I had done during my marriage.

Walking out of the room, I made my way downstairs and my heart scudded when I saw Beatrice arranging the dining table.

It was barely seven in the morning, so I had thought she wouldn't see me leave because I had no idea how I was going to explain my sudden divorce to her.

She soon noticed my presence and turned around to face me. On seeing my suitcase, a frown cinched her forehead as she walked up to me.

“Good morning, ma'am. Are you going on a trip?” Beatrice asked, and I shook my head in negation, a tight smile sealed to my lips.

“Stefano and I are divorced, so I'm starting a new life,” I replied, and Beatrice's eyes gaped in astonishment.

Inwardly, I thanked my stars for not letting me burst into tears as I told her the truth.

“If I say it hasn't been a long time coming, I would be lying,” Beatrice finally said. “And if I say, I didn't expect something like this would eventually happen, then I would be telling a bigger lie.”

The corners of my lips shook as tears welled up in my eyes.

Wordlessly, Beatrice pulled me into a warm embrace. She rubbed soothing circles at my back while I wept silently in her hold, for a love so tragic and painful.

Soon enough, I stepped away from the hug and cleaned my tears with the back of my hands.

“So what are you going to do now?” She asked.

“I will probably go to my dad's house and explain everything to him,” I fibbed, to which she nodded.

“That would be better,” She replied. “I wish you the very best, ma'am and I hope everything goes well for you.”

“Thank you, Beatrice.” I managed a smile which she mirrored.

“You are welcome, ma'am. Always,” She said.”Let me switch off the gas and escort you to the b-”

“There's no need for that,” I turned down her offer. “Thanks for everything. I'll be on my way now.”

Beatrice's eyes turned misty with tears as she nodded. Smiling again, I trekked out of Stefano's mansion.

The thought of how pathetic I truly was made me want to cry for the umpteenth time that morning, but I repressed it and swallowed the heavy knot of tears.

Last night, I had badly wanted to shove the money in Stefano's face but I couldn't because I had none.

If I had done so, I would have had to walk home and I couldn't do that.

Not in my condition at least.

I had made a firm resolve to myself that I'd never accept even the tiniest form of help from Niccolo ever again.

I would rather beg for money on the streets than accept his money.

Thankfully, I still had about seventy dollars left from the money he gave me, so I used some of it to board a cab to the nearest hotel.

My plan was to get any type of job that would pay me there, and if I couldn't, I would try other hotels then restaurants.

I may not have finished culinary school but I could at least help them in the kitchen, as I wasn't a certified chef yet.

Walking through the glass doors of the hotel, I clutched my suitcase tighter as I made my way to the receptionist's desk.

“Lillian Baker, is that you?” A woman's voice wafted into my ears from behind causing me to halt my steps.

Spinning around, I saw a suit-clad woman in dark shades walking up to me. On a closer look, I realized that the woman seemed familiar.

And when she took off her shades, my eyes gaped in shock because the woman happened to be no one other than my best friend since kindergarten, Nora Herbert.

She had left the country immediately after our high school graduation, as she had gotten a full ride to a college in London.

“Oh my goodness, it's really you,” Nora shrieked, and before I could respond, she embraced me.

Pulling away, she regarded me pitifully. “What happened? You look so stressed.”

“I-It's a long story,” I muttered, suddenly feeling ashamed in my faded sundress and my worn-out sandals in the presence of my expensively-dressed friend.

Who would ever believe that I used to be married to a wealthy man?

“Come on, let's go to my hotel room,” She offered. “I'm ready to listen.”

“Okay,” I replied. “How have you been?”

“I've been good,” She replied. “I lost my mum to cancer about three years ago but regardless, I've been well.”

“Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks, babes.”

Growing up, Nora's mum was the only maternal figure I had, as my evil stepmother couldn't even be bothered to care about me. Her father passed away in junior high school.

Nora's mum would buy me things, advice me, and even give me money.

When we got to her hotel room, I was mesmerized by the exquisite space. I could only imagine the huge f*e Nora must have paid to stay there.

“I'm actually here for work,” Nora said, pouring me a glass of juice which I drank in eager gulps after thanking her. “I work as a web developer.”

“Wow, that's huge. I'm so happy for you, Nora.” I replied, and she smiled before sitting beside me on the bed.

“Now tell me everything that has happened to you in the past seven years of my absence,” She said, and I heaved a huge exhale as cold shivers raced down my spine.

I then proceeded to tell her about everything, from how I had dropped out of school to follow my father's orders and had gotten married to a cold-hearted monster like Stefano, how he had asked for a divorce to how he had taken me to his and his fiancée's engagement party to ridicule me.

“What a heartless scumbag,” Nora spat. “And he has the guts to leave you empty-handed. You know what, we can push for an objection to the divorce. I will speak to my lawyer and we will have him pay you an alimony.”

“There's no need for that. I don't want his money,’’ I countered. “I want to work for mine. I don't want him to think I can't live without his wealth. He called me a liability already.”

“Oh, my poor girl,” Nora sighed and that triggered the waterworks.

I shed bitter tears as she held me close. Her warm embrace gentle and reassuring.

“Don’t worry about a thing, Lillian. I am here for you.” Nora assured me, and I could only nod as I clung tightly to her.