Chapter 1 THE DIVORCE

Allis's POV

“He signed the divorce papers,” the lawyer said, wiping the sweat on his top lip. I exhaled sharply, holding Olivia's hand tighter.

“The marriage is over?” I asked him, just to make sure. He nodded, and I felt like I could finally breathe.

I snatched the papers from the table, taking in the familiar sight of my husband's signature. Oops. Ex-husband.

“You're finally free from this bondage of a marriage,” Olivia, my best friend, almost screamed.

My whole body was shaking. I had already been through three years of abuse. Succumbing to every of Will's needs. Bending like hot iron every single time he complained. And now that it was finally over, I felt free again.

I had to run away from the house, only serving him the divorce papers about a month later. And he signed. Just like that.

I guess it showed how little I mattered to him. He probably didn't even notice that I was gone until he saw the papers.

“Thank you so much,” I whispered, almost holding on to the lawyer's hands. Tears were pricking the back of my eyes.

He gave me a polite smile, standing up. “I'll be available any time you need my service, ma'am.”

I grinned. “I’m definitely won't be getting divorced anymore.” With that, he headed out of the house.

My eyes were fixed to the ceiling as I tried to blink the tears back. It was finally over. I couldn't stop saying the words in my head.

“I'm glad you took the bold step,” Olivia whispered, and I was glad that she was there. “Will you be going back to your parents?”

I swallowed hard. They had warned me about marrying Will. And now that I was going home with fading bruises, I knew that they weren't going to take it easy.

“I'd probably start packing tomorrow.” I whispered, and Olivia shook her head.

“You don't have to. Your things can remain here. You can visit anytime you want.” She quickly wrapped her arms around me again. “That being said, you're coming with me to the club.”

I quickly shook my head. “It's been so long. I don't want to get out there again just yet.”

She tipped her chin, obviously not taking my word for it. “Allis,” she whined. “Whatever just happened needs to be celebrated. You're definitely coming with me to the club, and getting drunk until you forget that you wasted three years of your life.”

I bit my lower lip, nodding. She was right. The last thing I needed was a tub of ice cream, while I cry myself to sleep.

“I'll come,” I finally whispered, and Olivia barely allowed me to breathe as she dragged me with her upstairs, already going through the clothes that I had brought to stay with her.

She finally settled for a black dress with a high slit. “This is perfect. I can give you a pair of black heels to go with it.”

I grinned, already imagining the dress on my body. I allowed Olivia get to bringing the shoes, while I headed into the bathroom. The cold water drummed against my skin, calming my tense nerves.

I headed out of the bathroom, wiping my body dry, as I slipped the dress on. It clung to my curves like a second skin. It showed off everything that Will never wanted people to see. I feel slightly guilty, but I didn't care anymore. He didn't have a right to decide what I wanted to do.

“You look so fucking gorgeous!” Olivia gushed, mock fainting.

“Stop it, Oli,” I said, blushing as I applied as much make-up as possible. As much as I could to cover the bruises and puffy eyelids. I put on the heels that she brought, and they complimented the dress.

She put her hand over my shoulder. “Do anything you feel like. No one's stopping you from doing anything.”

With that, we both grabbed our bags, heading to the car, as Olivia drove us to the club. The ground was vibrating with the bass, and I could feel my stomach clench.

I didn't want to be here. But that was out of habit. A few people waved at Olivia, and I couldn't help but be slightly jealous of her. She was the courageous one of the both of us.

Olivia pulled me over to the counter, where we both sat on one of the high chairs. “Wine on the table for the both of us,” she ordered, batting her eyelashes at the waiter in a seductive way.

He blushed slightly as he started pouring our drinks. Another man quickly wrapped an arm around Olivia's waist.

“Are you up for a dance?” He asked, and she quickly shook her head, looking over at me.

“Not interested.”

I bit my lower lip. The last thing I wanted to do was be the reason why she didn't get to enjoy her evening. “You can go, Oli,” I quickly said. “I can take care of myself.”

“Are you sure?” She asked, and I nodded. I watched her as she reluctantly followed the guy. I took a sip of the sweet drink that the waiter placed in front of me.

Before I knew it, I was having my fourth glass.

“Slightly getting drunk.

“Are you considering taking some men home tonight?” The waiter asked, and I grinned.

“Where are they?”

“Upstairs,” he said, and I nodded, getting down from the chair, with another glass of the same drink. I noticed that the first floor was divided into two, and I was too tired to go back downstairs to ask the waiter which part I was supposed to be on.

I walked into the red colored one either way. My head was already spinning, and the alcohol was swimming in my stomach.

“What do you want?” One of the guards blocking the door asked, frowning.

“I'm here for the men,” I answered, with my voice slightly slurred. I tried to peek inside, but there was just one man on the chair. He seemed to be watching the strippers in front of him.

It was weird that a male escort got to watch strippers, but I didn't even care.

“You're not allowed in here,” the guards said, holding me off as I still tried to walk in.

“Let me in!” I argued, causing my drink to spill from the sides of my glass.

The man in the room looked over in our direction. I could feel the heat of his gaze on my skin immediately. His eyes seemed to narrow at the both of us.

“What's wrong?” He asked, and I felt a shiver run through my spine at the sound of his voice. It was something deep. Throaty.

The guard opened his mouth to speak, but I wasn't even letting him.

“He doesn't want me to get any of the male escorts. Isn't that who you are?” My eyelids were starting to feel heavy.

The sides of his lips quirked up. He looked at me from head to toe, then he leaned back in his seat. “Let her in.”