My ex-husband was ready to start a new chapter, but something about his engagement didn’t sit right with me. A casual conversation at work turned into a revelation I couldn’t ignore. He refused to believe me, so I had to show him the truth—no matter how much it would hurt.
I was sitting at work, though working as a restaurant administrator didn’t leave much time for sitting. This was one of those rare moments when the dining area was quiet—no guests asking for special requests, no complaints from the kitchen, no servers rushing over with last-minute problems. I took a deep breath, savoring the short-lived peace, knowing it wouldn’t last.
My phone buzzed on the counter. I glanced at the screen—Aaron. My ex-husband.
Curious, I picked it up and tapped the message. A photo loaded. It was David, our son, grinning from ear to ear, holding a giant stuffed animal.
The bright lights of an amusement park sparkled behind him. A warmth spread through me. I was glad Aaron and David were having fun.
Nearby, two waitresses chatted, their voices light and excited. Lindsey held out her hand, her fingers stretched to display a massive diamond ring. Claire grabbed Lindsey’s hand, her eyes wide.
“That stone is huge! Probably visible from space.”
Lindsey laughed, tilting her hand to catch the light. “I know, right?
I got so lucky.”
Claire raised an eyebrow. “Is he rich or something?”
Lindsey smirked. “He’s not a millionaire, but he has money.
Enough to buy this, at least.”
I frowned. Lindsey had been dating Leo, one of our kitchen staff, for over a year. “Aren’t you with Leo?” I asked.
“I am,” Lindsey said, still admiring the ring. I stared at her. “Since when was Leo rich?”
Lindsey finally looked at me.
“Leo isn’t. But my fiancé is. That was Leo’s idea, actually.”
I blinked.
“What?”
“The plan was simple,” Lindsey said. “Find a rich guy, marry him, divorce him in a few months, take the money. Then Leo and I live the good life.” She twirled the ring on her finger.
“Halfway there.”
My stomach twisted. “Don’t you think that’s… cruel?”
Lindsey shrugged. “I don’t love my fiancé, so no.”
“But he might love you,” I said.
“He proposed, didn’t he?”
Lindsey waved me off. “That’s his problem. He fell for the fact that I’m younger.”
I stared at her, unable to believe what I was hearing.
I had married young and for love. Back then, Aaron and I believed love was enough. But as the years passed, we realized we were too different.
We wanted different things, handled problems in opposite ways, and saw the world through separate lenses. Letting go had been painful, but we knew it was the right decision. Even now, I had no regrets.
Aaron was still a good friend, and most importantly, he was a wonderful father to David. That evening, when I got home, Aaron was already at the door with David. My son bounced inside, his face glowing with excitement.
“Mom! We went on the biggest roller coaster! I wasn’t even scared!” he said, barely pausing for breath.
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