6. Same shit, different day.

“I’ve worked with a lot of wealthy women in the past and most of them got an attitude, but Ms Wyatt takes the cake. Did you see her face when Mr Radcliffe firmly dismissed her?” Macy ranted in between small chuckles as she chewed on her Fiorentina steak.

We were at my favorite Italian restaurant in the city, enjoying dinner while she chattered away, expressing her displeasure about the ugly encounter. And just like her, I was impressed with how Mr Radcliffe managed to drive that little whining princess away with only a few words.

If the old man had not stepped in, I’m certain Lara would have continued harassing the saleslady and might even have gone physical like she had done in the past.

“Lara has been spoiled all her life. The incident must have been a blow to her ego,” I answered with a silly grin playing in the corner of my lips.

Macy paused. She opened and closed her mouth, but no words left them. Her eyes gradually widened as her attention was drawn to something behind me. 

Curiously, I looked over my shoulder to follow her line of sight to get a glimpse of the interesting view.

Standing by the entrance was Edmund and next to him was Violet. One of his arms was wrapped around her tiny waist while she clung to him like a snake. Her wavy hair framed her small face and it tumbled down her shoulders, giving off an innocent vibe. Her eyes crinkled when she looked up at him adoringly. 

I must admit, she was more attractive than the last time I saw her. Perhaps it was that pregnancy glow they called that added allure to her youthful appearance.

Smiling bitterly, I stared at Edmund’s accommodating movements. He lowered his head and leaned closer to the woman, whispering something that made her eyes twinkle in delight. He then gently held her hand in his and led her to a table right across from ours. He was all over Violet that he did not even recognize me, as if I was just one of those insignificant strangers in the room.

He had never looked at me with such admiration and yearning, never held my hand voluntarily, never smiled, never took me on a date, never whispered something sweet, never joked, and never even smiled. Ever.

My heart twisted in pain and jealousy.

For two years I tried so hard just to have him look at me twice. But with Violet, she only had to stand there like a porcelain doll, and he would do anything just to bring out that beautiful smile.

How ironic.

All my life, I have always believed that working hard always pays off. But even though I did my best to show Edmund how much he meant to me, it never turned out well.

“Mrs— Maggie. Should we go to another place?” Macy’s anxious voice pulled me back to the present, her face crumpled with worry.

I shook my head and smiled. But I knew it didn’t reach my eyes.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine. Let’s continue eating,” I said reassuringly even though the prickling pain in my chest was starting to make it harder to breathe.

Fuck.

I thought I would be fine if I saw them together now that we’re officially divorced. 

But it still fucking hurt.

“A-Are you sure?” Macy asked worried, her eyes darting from left to right, unable to meet my gaze. “I-I… I’m sorry.”

I laughed. “Silly. Why are you apologizing? Have you done something wrong?”

Macy took a deep breath. She fisted her hands as if she was mustering the courage to go on an all-out war. But before she could make a move, I quickly grabbed her wrist, signaled to the waiter for the bill, and shot her a warning glare.

“B-But... You can’t just sit here and do nothing! That woman is trying to steal your man! As your friend, if you cannot stand up for yourself, I’d do it for you!” Macy grumbled indignantly.

I fell silent, stunned even. I didn’t expect Macy to take my words seriously. Although I couldn’t tell if she was sincere about it or not, it was enough to warm my heart.

“It’s not stolen if it was never mine,” I remarked meaningfully, dabbing the napkin to my lips. I got up from my seat and stretched out my arm to link it with hers. “Shall we go?”

Macy frowned but followed my lead anyway.

I stole one final glance at Edmund, and a wave of relief washed over me. Divorcing him was the wisest thing I ever did in my whole adult life. And despite the heartache of seeing him happy with someone else, I would never regret it.

So, I see no point in creating drama. We’ve already parted ways and it was no longer my business what he does with his life.

Worried that I might wallow in misery, Macy insisted on staying over at my place. We ordered two buckets of chicken from the nearest fast-food drive-thru, bought canned beers in a convenience store, and gobbled it up as we watched movies.

“Hah… How dare he wrap hish arms on another woman! He did not even recognished you because he was so enamored of that little shit. Honestly, Maggie, were you aware of hish affair? You don’t sheem surprished and you are handling thish too calmly. My heart breaksh for you, girl.”

I remained silent and took one last bite from my chicken thigh.

“You can cry, you know. You rich women are shoo good at pretending that everything ish fine when you’re breaking inside. It’sh not a crime to shed some tearsh.”

I flicked Macy’s forehead, not knowing whether I should be happy that I found someone who would take my side or hurt by the truth in her words.

“Good night, Mace,” I mumbled, tucking my newfound friend into bed.

The following day, Macy rushed back downtown to meet her family while I spent my time planning and researching for plants I’d be growing in my greenhouse. 

On Sunday, Raven picked me up to join him in attending a party.

“If you don’t have a date, you can just bring your secretary with you. Why does it have to be me?” I grumbled sulkily.

“That’s a big no-no, sis. It took me a long time to find a very competent secretary. I don’t want to put Ms Langdon in an awkward position. They might end up teasing us as a couple. I don’t want that. You know I don’t mix business with pleasure,” Raven explained exasperatedly.

I pouted. “But disturbing me is fine? Such a brother you are…”

“Hey, I’m taking you out because I knew you’d rather hole yourself up in your castle. I didn’t choose that place so you can pretend to be Rapunzel, dear sister.”

I winced at the fairy tale reference. 

“Now that you’re divorced, it is only right that I take care of you again. Don’t you dare turn me down. I’ve put up with your recklessness for two years. Let me help you get through this ugly stage and before you know it, that bastard wouldn’t even matter anymore,” he added firmly.

Sighing, I looked outside the window when he pulled over in a public parking lot. The lights illuminating the bridge over Pearl River made a scenic view. 

I must admit, the warm evening breeze brushing against my skin felt like a pair of hands stroking my hair, reassuring me that I would be fine.

“Rave, I can handle myself, okay? I know you’re worried about me but let me take it slow. I’ve gotten burned when I rushed things back then. I just want to take my time to heal. I will be fine… Really.”

“I know you’re strong. But Maggie, how can you find your people if you shut yourself at home? I’m not telling you to date or be in a relationship. I just want you to build genuine relationships with people of your wavelength.”

“Fine. I give up!” I rasped, dodging his gaze when I felt my eyes water. I had no plans of becoming a weeping mess in our first sibling outing after two years.

The gathering Raven had taken me with was surprisingly a children’s party. I heard that the parents decided to hold the event in the evening to make sure all their friends would be able to make it.

It was a simple barbecue party in a rented cottage. A clown was there to entertain the children and good food was served buffet-style. I was even impressed when the celebrant, a ten-year-old girl named Maddison, encouraged the passing children to join us for dinner.

Maddison had dark, curly hair, brushing against her blushing cheeks. Her lovely smile made me wonder if I would ever have children of my own now that I’m no longer married.

Becoming a mother has always been one of my dreams—to build a big, loving family with Edmund. Regrettably, that would remain as nothing but fantasy.

“Ms Maggie, would you like to join us?” Maddison asked sweetly, tugging my sleeve as she pointed at the long table where everyone had gathered.

“Instead of blowing candles, we’ll be making floating lanterns! I’ve seen it in a drama series, and I thought it was beautiful and romantic. Let’s go!”

I giggled and let the girl drag me back to the group. By the time she cut her birthday cake, the river was illuminated by the flickering lanterns. And the scene was breathtakingly magical.

“What did you write?” Raven asked, nudging me from the side. He offered his arm, and I took it as we went for a stroll.

“It’s a secret. It won’t come true if I tell you.”

He pinched the tip of my nose. “In the end, you’re just a child living in an adult’s body, princess.”

I rolled my eyes and yanked his arm. This made him slightly lower his towering figure, and I took the chance to hop on his back so that he was piggybacking me. We laughed so hard when he sprinted along the pathway, holding me firmly as I stretched out my hands screaming like a child.

When we were younger, he used to carry me on his back, running around the front yard of the orphanage we grew up in. He would shout that he was Superman and declare that I was his cape.

“You’re so heavy!” Raven teased when he finally reached his limit, wiping away the beads of sweat from his forehead.

“I am not! I am light as a feather!” I disagreed, reaching out to pat his cheek, and teased, “Rave, your age is catching up to you. Your stamina has dropped. You should exercise more.”

“You—”

Raven’s words were cut off when we heard a whirring sound coming from a flying object. Empty bottles of beer smashed against the cobblestone lane just a few feet away from me. And it would have hit me in the face had I made an unnecessary move earlier.

“What a whore...”

“What the fuck is wrong with you, man?!! You could have killed someone!!” a hoarse voice boomed.

“Let me go or I’ll smash your face!” said another.

I blinked, seeing the familiar faces from a distance.

It was Edmund and his best friend, Zayn Wyatt. The latter wore a helpless expression as he followed my ex-husband staggering to approach us, his piercing gaze holding me in place.

“I’ve always known you’re a cheap woman, Margaret. I didn’t expect you’d actually find a new sponsor this fast,” Edmund remarked in a low growl, his tone dripping with contempt and disdain.

“Stop acting like a sore loser, dude. Let’s go.” Zayn grabbed Edmund’s arm, but the latter forcefully shoved him away.

A shiver ran down my spine when Edmund gripped my wrist and tried to drag me away—not because I was scared but because it was the first time, he had ever touched me in his own accord. His skin burned against mine and my pulse raced. But as I recalled the image of him holding Violet like she was a precious gem, abhorrence bloomed in me.

“Let go,” I said coldly, meeting his gaze with a sharp glare. “Don’t touch me with those filthy hands.”

Edmund didn’t budge.

“You fucking heard her. Let go.” Raven pulled me away, his arm around my shoulder.

“Fuck off. This is between me and this bitch,” Edmund spatted rudely.

I gritted my teeth. It’s the same shit, just a different day.

As I wrack my brain to string out words to say, Raven had already dashed forward, landing a solid punch on Edmund’s face.

“You had two years with Maggie. Two fucking years. I’m warning you, Grant. You are not to lay your hands on Margaret ever again.”

Edmund trudged a few steps back. His mouth was bleeding, but he was smirking sinisterly as if he was possessed by a demon. Wordlessly, he reached out, grabbed Raven by the collar, and returned the favor.

Oh, what the freaking fuck.