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.
For a while, I was certain I had achieved everything I could in life and was happy. I had a husband who I thought loved and adored me and my own firm in addition to working for my family. Ha! I should have known it was all too good to be true.
I can’t help but wonder if Derrick is still with her or if a bit or part of him still thinks of me. Does he love her enough to throw away all that we had? Did he ever love me?
My thoughts over the month make me feel so foolish. I can’t believe I missed the signs. He was always busy whenever I had free time and claimed I was the busy one. He kept talking on the phone late hours, claiming it was work and every single time I believed him. I’m supposed to be a human lie detector yet here I am.
My family and friends pointed it out but I made excuses time and time again for his absence during family dinners or gatherings.
My eyes flutter close as my thoughts keep swirling around in my mind. Continuous messages bring a stop to my internal and pathetic mulling. Stirring from the bed, I sit with my head relaxing on the headboard and pick up my phone. Scrolling, I realize I have messages from my parents and sisters. I decided to check the sister one first since they’ve tried reaching me several times.
I’ve ignored them for a while because my sisters are too nosy and it seems they won’t take my silence and one-line answers this time. The usual intervention, I guess. Seeing an incoming video call from my sister’s only page again, I sigh and decline it.
I move to sit and relax on the bed; after that, I check the group and as usual, there is an ongoing conversation.
Lauren : You better pick up the phone, Law, or I’m showing up at your door! Don’t test me…
Aria : Lau, back off. She needs time. Stop trying to be the bossy older sister.
My elder sister’s response makes me smirk. I am the second daughter of the in-famed Dua family. My family owns the largest market share in the textile industry globally and lately, we’ve dubbed into other industries. Growing up, our parents gave us the freedom to live and choose our careers and also made it clear we all had shares and positions in the company so we were required to do whatever we wanted with the information we had. You can delegate or do whatever; just know you are the future. My father had said to us.
I’m in charge of the Legal Department. My elder sister, Aria, studied nursing because she had an interest in the area, then went ahead to study design when she decided to take over the company after our grandfather’s death while Mom remains the chairwoman.
Aria is the C.E.O. of the company, and my twin, Lauren, who studied communications, is in the Head of Media Department. My youngest sister, Elisa on the other hand, is head of the International Department dealing with acquisitions abroad. Where my elder sister is the voice of reason, my youngest sister is the voice and life of the party. My siblings and I have always been close and it’s a love-hate relationship with us.
Elisa : Please tell me you’re not just lying around or crying, making that cheating asshole happy. Get up and hit a bar or something!
Lauren : YES! Elisa gets it. You’re stronger than this, Law! I’m supposed to be the dramatic one in the family.
Lawliss : Who said I’m crying?
Lauren : Finally, proof of life! We thought you went off the grid. Dead possible… Oh, by the way, your divorce is finalized. You’re officially a free woman!
Aria : Lauren! Seriously? That’s not how you break that news.
Lawliss : Wait—what?
Aria : Are you okay, Law?
Divorce? The word feels heavy, even though I thought I was prepared for it. I had left the draft alongside the evidence and assigned my assistant to speed up the process and I guess she did since I didn’t receive any hearing notice. She sure moved fast on this one.
Officially a free woman, Lauren says. But instead of freedom, all I feel is a dull ache—a reminder of everything I’ve lost. Not just Derrick, but the life I thought we were building together.
I should be relieved. Maybe even happy. But all I can think is, how the hell did I get here? Before my thoughts can take a turn for the worse, the sound of incest ringing brings me back. Sighing, I pick up the video call and position the phone on the bedside table as I stand from the bed to get ready for the day. I don’t even know what time it is now, but one thing I’m sure of is that my sisters will keep calling until they hear my voice.
“You look like shit!” Elisa exclaimed. I ignore her and walk to the vanity table to grab my toothbrush and toothpaste.
“No kidding, Sherlock,” Aria replied to her. I shake my head, toothbrush in hand, and saunter towards the sink to brush my teeth. The truth is, I don’t care about how I look right now. I just want to disappear or get my life back.
“What do you guys want? I know you didn’t call to talk about my appearance.” I carry the phone, placing it on the vanity before turning on the tap to brush my teeth.
“Are you ready to move on yet?” I open my mouth to answer, but of course, Lauren barrels on.
“Come home, Law. We miss you. It’s been what? A month? You’ve had your space, but maybe it’s time to face things head-on. Not the media, but… you know, put yourself back out there.”
“Or! You could put yourself out there right where you are. How’s the beach? Any hot guys yet?” Elisa interjected.
“Ignore them. You deserve a break. Take your time, Law. The company’s running fine. We’ve got everything under control.” Aria, the voice of reason says.
“What? You don’t need me anymore?” I tease, glancing at the screen to see their shocked faces before they all respond in unison, “No!”
I snicker at their reaction “Kidding. Seriously, I’m fine.”
They all chuckle and after a moment of silence, Aria says softly, “Babe, do what you need to do. There’s no rush. What’s the point of everything if you’re not okay?” Her voice is as though she’s trying to coax me to agree to something.
Just then, I hear my niece whining in the background, “Mommy!!!" pulling Aria’s attention away. I smile, genuinely for the first time in a long while .
“ Go take care of her. Go on.” I shoo at her.
She gives me the eye that says, “I don’t believe anything you say but you are off the hook for now." My sisters know that look too and they burst out laughing.
“Will talk to you girls later. I have to attend to this Princessa over here.”
“Sure”, I responded.
“Kiss Janette for me,” Elisa said.
“Tell Jeannie I love her,” Laurel added, all bidding her bye.
“Okay. Call me.” She hangs up leaving my other two sisters and me.
“I’m going to take my bath now.” I glance at the clock on the wall before turning back to my sisters. “It’s 7pm here” I add. I rinse my mouth and finish brushing my teeth, then I carry my phone back to the bedroom and place it on the bed.
“Are you okay? With the divorce and everything? I mean, I know you are strong and all that but I have to confirm.” Lauren’s voice boomed over again softly this time.
“To be honest, I don’t know how I feel about the whole thing. I’m trying to reason logically rather than emotionally. It’s been a battle between my heart and mind.” They both nod. My sisters and I are tightly knit so telling them how I feel is a relief in its own way.
“Why don’t you make a reckless decision for once? Let loose. I know that’s a me thing but try something new and let’s see how it works.” Of course, Elisa will suggest something like this. I roll my eyes.
“You know we are here for you, right?” Lauren says massaging the right side of her head. A tell, she is really worried about this and me.
“Yeah right. Let me freshen up and decide which advice I will take. Talk to your girls later.”
"Sure,” they respond. After we have spoken for a while we say our goodbyes and end the call. Scrolling through the messaging app, I click on my parents’ messages and then realize it’s the same, if not similar message.
Sweet Papa: Hey, baby girl, just checking up on you. How’s the weather there today? Just know that you have us, okay? Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. wink emoji
Stern Mama Mia: You good? Do I need to find that cheating ex-husband of yours and destroy him to hear from my daughter? Get in touch!
Smiling to myself, I reply to their messages and then toss my phone on the bed, sighing.
Maybe my sisters are right. Perhaps it’s time to at least step outside to take my life back. I’ve been hiding for weeks, and it’s not helping.
I sit on the bed, staring at the covers, tempted to crawl back under them, but instead, I push myself up, freshen up, and walk over to my closet. I stand there, eyeing the pile of clothes draped over the place, debating whether to change out of the night wear I’m wearing.
My phone buzzes, breaking my thoughts. Dzifa’s name flashes on the screen. I sigh but answer it anyway. If anyone can talk me into leaving this room, it’s her.
“Please tell me you’re not still lying in bed after you promised me you would do something.” Her voice travels over. I roll my eyes even though she can’t see it.
“Hello to you too, and No to your question, but I’m sort of closer to my bed.” I tease.
“Girl, it’s been a month. Get your butt out there! You didn’t fly all the way to Florida just to sulk. At least pretend you’re enjoying that sunshine for me.” I can almost hear the exasperation in her voice, probably shaking her head as she says it.
“Seriously, Law, it’s time. You’ve been hiding long enough. Go out, get a drink, and remember that you’re a catch. You’re not letting that cheating asshole win, are you?”
I put the phone on speaker and set it on the table, then picked up a dress from the pile, laying it on the bed, still undecided. A catch? I don’t exactly feel like one right now.
“It’s not that easy, Dzifa. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
“That’s why you need to go out. Find out. You don’t need to know everything right now. Just start somewhere. And maybe starting with a cute dress and a margarita wouldn’t hurt.”
I hold the dress up to the mirror, not fully convinced, but Dzifa’s voice in my ear keeps me going.
“I’m telling you, a night out will change everything. You don’t even have to talk to anyone. Just sit at the bar, order a drink, and pretend you’re enjoying life. Fake it till you make it, right?”
I grab my comb and run it through my hair, half listening, half wondering if Dzifa and everyone are right. Maybe I could fake it for a few hours. Just pretend I’m the old Lawliss again—confident, carefree, untouched by heartbreak.
“You really think it’ll help?”
“I know it will. And if you don’t go, I’m flying down there and dragging you out myself and please tell me you’re not putting on that ‘I’m sad and single’ outfit. Go for something hot. Show the world what Derrick threw away.”
“I wasn’t planning on looking sad, but thanks for the vote of confidence.” I stomp my foot playfully, like a child, and she must hear it because she immediately says,
“You know what I mean. You’ve got that off-the-shoulder neckline black dress, The one above the knee, right? Wear that. Make people wonder who the hell let you get away.”
I glance at the black dress hanging in the closet. I hadn’t realized I had packed it. It’s been ages since I wore it, and right now it feels like it belongs to someone else—someone who had their life together.
“So… are you going or not?” Dzifa ask and I take a deep breath. I’m scared. I don’t know why, but the thought of stepping outside this room this evening feels like too much. But if I don’t, I know I’ll regret it. Dzifa’s still on the other end, waiting for my answer.
“Yeah. I’m going.” I finally say.
“That’s my girl! And hey, send me a selfie before you go. I need proof that you’re not hiding in sweats.” I roll my eyes but smile anyway.
“Fine. Talk to you later.”
“Later, babe. And don’t forget one drink. That’s all it takes to start feeling like yourself again.” I hang up and toss my phone into my bag. I grab the black dress Dzifa suggested, then zip up the dress and sit back down on the edge of the bed. I check myself in the mirror one last time. It’s strange seeing myself like this again, dressed up for the first time in weeks.
“One drink,” I whisper to myself as I walk out the door.