Chapter One - The Divorce

I thought I'd start something a little different as we close out this year. In 2024, I'll be continuing a monthly newsletter exclusive story that is based on this image.'

If you've not run across it before, it's an image of a man on his knees, begging for his wife's forgiveness outside a divorce court. He's in a suit, while she is looking fabulous in a fur coat, and sunglasses with a jaunty hat. 

 

Chapter One 

The Divorce

I stepped into the courtroom dressed in a fake mink fur coat, blood-red skin-tight wiggle dress, and Louboutin heels.

At thirty-two I never thought I'd been asking for a divorce. I never thought I'd be the scorned woman.

But such is the luck of a woman who falls in love with a toad masquerading as a prince.

My heels clicked on the hardwood floor as I approached the table where my lawyer sat. My steps didn't falter as I saw John, my soon-to-be ex, rise from his seat on the opposite side of the courtroom.

I narrowed my gaze on the worm. 

Not today, Satan. 

Lifting my head, I strode to the table, smiling a thank you when my lawyer helped me into my seat.

Crossing my legs, I noted that the skirt of my dress fell open just so, revealing a length of thigh toward John's side of the room.

Good. Let him see what he threw away. 

Perhaps it was petty. Perhaps it was juvenile. But the dress and heels sure were cheaper than the lawyer fees defending a murder charge would bring. 

And don't get me wrong, I'd contemplated his murder more times than I'd ever admit.

The proceedings were surprisingly quick despite the objections John's lawyer raised. Hard to defend the viability of a marriage when you have proof of adultery with more than one woman.

Rising from my seat, I moved to leave the courtroom only to be accosted by John.

"Darling." He dropped to his knees, his hands reaching out to me. "Please, don't do this."

I drew back, brushing my coat away from his clutching hands.

Horror and delight mingled into some grim sense of justice.

"It's done, John. Move out of my way."

"No. I want another chance."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "No."

"Please, Darling. You can't just throw ten years away. What about our love? What about until death do us part?"

"I believe that promise died the moment you slipped and your penis fell into another woman's vagina."

I stepped around him, tossing my hair over my shoulder. "Goodbye, John."

In my mind, the click of my heels sounded like a million women screaming their delight at my escape.

"Yes, Queen," they called. "You deserve better."

Yes. I deserved the world. 

"What will you do now?" My lawyer asked as we stood loitering on the curb outside the courthouse.

I tilted my head back, staring up at the pale blue sky.

"Whatever I want."