CHAPTER 3

EDWINA"Thank you for meeting me, Harriet." I smiled fondly at my best friend as she alighted from her extravagant car. She rolled her eyes as she slammed the door, glaring at the formality.But I really was appreciative that she had come. After the way I'd walked away, cutting our lunch short a few days ago, any other person would be right not to talk to me or agree to meet with me without plan."We've been friends for how long now?" Harriet asked, clutching her which chic bag. I recognized the label and I didn't know why I was surprised to see her carrying the exclusive channel bag.Harriet dressed in golds and diamonds right from time especially as she was the daughter of one of the wealthiest man in London. Yet, everytime I saw her donning something expensive, it was a slap back to reality that she had no business being friends with me when she did."Almost seven years," I told her before enveloping her in a hug. She hugged me back even with the deep frown still marrying her face."Good. Remember that the next time you want to thank me for little things. I don't like it." She glared at me when humor lit up my eyes at her grumpy tone."Yes, ma'am." I chuckled.She rolled her eyes and I giggled. I hadn't been able to smile since Kieran handed me the divorce papers but only a few minutes with my best friend and I was already giggling. She also looked very pretty in the tweed dress and pearls adorning her neck and wrist."So, why have you brought me here?" She nudged her head toward the most fashionable store in London which we were standing in front of."Kieran is going to be announced as the CEO of PARAGON PROPERTIES tomorrow as you already know but I just realized that I have nothing to wear." I divulged.Harriet did a double take at my words, her eyes shining with shock. "And you are just telling me now? Edwina, you don't know the things you play with." She grumbled and I fought the urge to laugh.Harriet never joked with appearances. She loved dressing up as much as she loved spending money on new versions of everything. She couldn't be satisfied."I've been pretty preoccupied making sure everything is going to work out tomorrow," I told her but she only ignored me, grabbed my fingers and led me into the exquisite store.After ages of trying on a million outfits, dresses to be exact, Harriet finally snapped my fingers as she screamed at the dress I was donning, declaring it perfect for the important event that was to hold tomorrow. We didn't discuss my apparent divorce or marital issues even when she'd tried to bring it up.I didn't want to talk about it. Maybe if I pretended like it didn't exist, then it wouldn't happen.Only hours later did I sit in front of my mirror at my vanity table, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My hair had been rolled and clipped into a chignon to match my fashionable black dress that clung to my small curves and waist. I had just finished my make up and I was sitting in front of my mirror wondering why I wasn't pretty enough for Kieran to fall in love with me as I'd done with him.After that day which he had handed me the divorce papers, we barely saw each other. I had cried my eyes out and even debated throwing myself at his feet to beg him to not do this to me. To not break my heart by divorcing me.To love me.But I didn't do it."You ready?" Kieran asked as he walked into the room. I nodded and grabbed my clutch purse, admiring the necklace which was around my neck."You look beautiful," Kieran muttered as I walked up to him, a smile plastered on his face.Not beautiful enough for you to fall in love with, I guess.I shrugged and kept my mouth quiet as I started out of the room, my heels giving a click-clack sound against the flooring. We got into the car and I kept to my side of the space, gluing my face to the window so I wouldn't look at him. I knew that if I did, there would be no disputing what would happen.All through the car ride, I felt Kieran's heavy gaze on me but I did well to ignore him. Whatever it was couldn't be more important than the event he had waited five years to acquire. Once he had what he wanted, I would be out of his air without questions.It was what we had both agreed on.As expected, the guests were excited to see us when we walked in. I had a smile plastered on my face, playing the role of the proud wife as I clutched Kieran's strong arms. We went around greeting everybody around and when I saw Harriet with her fiance across the room, I excused myself from my soon to be ex-husband to see my best friend."Girl, you look so stunning." Harriet looked stunned as she blew air kisses at me, not wanting to ruin my makeup."Thank you," I smiled but it didn't reach my eyes and she noticed."Edwina, what's going on?" She pushed.This time, I answered her as I grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. "We are getting divorced as planned. No big deal. This is our last night together. I'm just here to show my support.""Oh, Edwina," Harriet gasped, a hand on her mouth. When she wrapped her hands around me, I almost choked on the sob about to destroy me.Thankfully before any tears could slide down my face, someone had already mounted the stage. The woman was talking but I was barely listening to her. I could barely hear her even when Kieran was declared the CEO and his older sister, Georgina handed him the role. I didn't bother wasting my time saying hello to his family especially as I knew that they had never been a fan of me.Even when Kieran began to speak, I heard nothing. I was only keenly aware when he said something about me that had people turning to look at me with smiles on their faces. And then he raised the half empty glass of champagne toward me."To my beautiful wife, Edwina, for all her support." He raised a toast."To Edwina," the guests chorused in return.I held up my glass of champagne, half a smile on my face as I joined the toast.To me, the woman he had used to achieve his dreams.I finished up my champagne in one gulp and as I placed the glass on the tray of one of the servers, I turned toward Harriet who had concern in her eyes for me."Edwina," she began before I cut her off, shaking my head."I will be fine, Harriet. Maybe if I talk to Kieran, I could convince him not to divorce me. I know I can." I said with conviction and without waiting for her response, sauntered off into the crowd in search of him.I found Kieran as he managed to slide out of the crowd wanting to congratulate him toward the hallway. Picking up my dress, I followed after him, ready to call out to him but stopped short at the sight of him slightly bent over with his lips pressed with another woman's.My whole world shattered into irredeemable pieces at that moment.Tears stung my eyes as I recognized the woman my husband was boldly kissing. His ex-lover. The woman he was in love with.At once, I knew that I wad fighting a lost battle and as I stormed out of the party and took the ride back to the house, I knew that everything was over.It was over between us.So, I grabbed the divorce folder and appended my signature to the place that was vacant, signing my marriage away as well as all hope of ever having Kieran in love with me.Foolish me for hoping that things could ever be right. Foolish me.