Chapter Two

Without uttering a word, I turn and walk out the door. My eyes well up with tears as I struggle to control my emotions. The tears finally break free, and I burst into sobs, my body shaking with anguish. But then I scold myself internally: "What's there to cry about? I've already divorced him." 

I'm crying for the wasted years with him, hoping he would change his ways. The signs were there while we were dating, but I ignored them, all because I loved him. 

I clutch my handbag and make my way to the elevator, pressing the button in a fit of anger. The elevator opens, and I step inside, my heart feeling like it's being squeezed. I open my mouth, breathing heavily, trying to calm myself down.

As I stand in the elevator, I feel a sense of numbness wash over me. The anger and sadness start to give way to a dull ache, like a weight is pressing down on my chest. 

The truth about Maxwell's infidelity is glaring. He knows my vulnerabilities and uses them against me, belittling my achievements. "You should leave your job to stay at home since you're trying to conceive; you don't need much stress." 

And I'm gullible enough to resign from my high-paying job at that time, all for what? A lying, scheming scumbag of a husband! He had made me feel like I was selfish for wanting to pursue my job, like I was putting my own desires above our marriage. But now, I realize that he was just manipulating me, using my vulnerability to control me.

I step out of the building, and the cold night breeze strikes me, making me shiver. I curse myself for not taking a jacket to keep myself warm. With trembling hands, I retrieve my phone from my bag and dial my friend's number. 

Ava and I have been friends since college. I met Maxwell through her, and when he asked me out, I sought Ava's approval because I thought they were in some sort of relationship. But she refuted the claim and encouraged me to go ahead with him. She is a top lawyer in Chicago, and she helped me with the divorce process.

"Ava," I say through the phone, my voice choking out as I struggle to compose myself. The tears won't stop flowing. 

"Jasmine, what's going on? Are you okay?" 

"N-no...I'm not," I stutter, sobbing uncontrollably. "It's over between me and Maxwell. I just walked in on him with a woman in our bed." I answer, hiccuping as I speak. 

"Okay, Jasmine, take a deep breath, take a cab and come to Rockford right away." 

I nod my head, sniffling my nose, forgetting that she can't see me. "Okay," I finally say, my voice barely audible, as I make my way outside the building.

I hail a cab and slide into the back seat, giving the driver Ava's address. The one hour and thirty minutes drive to Rockford feels like the longest I've taken in years, my thoughts in disarray. "Miss, we're here," the driver's voice calls out, bringing me out of the frenzy of thoughts. 

"Oh, thank you," I say as I pay the driver and make my way out of the cab. I notice a figure running towards me, and as I look closer, I realize it's Ava. 

"Oh, my Jasmine!" she exclaims, engulfing me in a hug. 

Another burst of tears flows, but she soothes my back as we make our way inside her apartment.

****

I start my life afresh in Rockford. Ava, my friend, is incredibly supportive. She takes me in without questions, understanding all I've been through. To say the least, it's great having her by my side. 

Sometimes, my thoughts drift to Maxwell - he hasn't called to check on me since I left him. Settling in just fine in Rockford, I feel a sense of relief. Luck is on my side as I land a job in a fancy restaurant frequented by the elite. The pay is good, and I even receive generous tips from time to time. 

Ava and I plan to go out and have fun after my shift tonight. For the first time in a very long time, I want to unwind and enjoy myself.

We both freshen up and carefully select our outfits. We arrive at the club quickly and go inside. The bouncer, a friend of Ava's, makes getting in a breeze. Ava orders the strongest beer, and I follow suit. 

However, as the night goes on, I lose track of how much I've consumed. After a few minutes, I realize I'm alone. When I turn around, my heart skips a beat as I see a handsome stranger across the busy room. 

Tall and confident, he exudes a mysterious aura that draws my attention immediately. A bolt of electricity runs through my veins as our eyes briefly connect. It feels like an unseen link connects us. My heart pounds, and a warm flush spreads across my cheeks. This mystery guy affects me deeply.

The crowd shifts, blurring my vision. When I take a quick look again, the stranger is nowhere to be seen. But I can't shake the impression that someone is watching my every move.