Second Light

"There were so many reporters today. You should check it out. It's all over the news."

I answered calmly, "I've seen the news. It's okay. Let it go."

"Don't be upset, Wendy. A few of us already gave her a piece of our mind for you. Honestly, each of us only said one thing, but you should've seen her. She broke down crying like it was the end of the world. Eric looked like he wanted to tear us apart. Tch, what a disgusting pair."

I could not help but laugh, "Thanks, guys. Could you let our other friends know? It's true that Eric and I are divorced."

"What? No way, she really took Eric from you? That's not okay. I need to talk to Daniel. We have to think hard about whether to keep working with Eric or not."

I had worked so hard to help Eric's company by getting in with the wealthy wives' club and bringing in lots of benefits. It was not a club that just anyone could join, and today, just receiving a few harsh words was already being let off easy.

Not long after I hung up, they both came back.

I stepped out of the bedroom to say hello and to tell them I was moving out.

However, before I could get a word out, Eric kicked me in the stomach.

"Did you do this on purpose? You got those women to insult Yvonne, right? That's so low!"

He kicked me so hard that I doubled over in pain, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Yvonne's eyes were puffy from crying, and she ran into Eric's arms.

"I'm sorry, Eric. Wendy doesn't want me around, so I'll just go."

"She's the one who should be leaving! Wendy, I just found out tonight that you were the one who pushed me into the river on purpose!”

"I can't believe how mean and heartless you are! Leave now! I never want to see you again!"

I held back the pain in my belly, struggling to stand up and look him in the eye.

"Eric, you're being so silly. Didn't you ever think that if I really pushed you, why would I almost die trying to save you? You saw me in the hospital, fighting for my life. Who would play a game that could cost them their life?”

"Someone did push you that day, but I was pushed in just like you were!"

With that, I went upstairs and quickly moved my few things, one by one, to the front door of the big house.

Eric looked confused. When I carried out the last suitcase, he finally understood.

He grabbed my arm and asked, "Did you plan to move out all along?"

I pulled away from him. "Isn't this what you wanted? So be it."

My words seemed to make him think twice, and he softened a bit. "Where will you go if you leave? If you say you're sorry to Yvonne for real, I might think about letting you stay."

Before I could answer, Yvonne got upset.

"Eric, she can't take all that! Wasn't she supposed to leave with nothing?"

Right in front of us, Yvonne opened all my suitcases, scattering my things all over the ground.

Eric looked annoyed, but she quickly said, "Eric, I only heard about what happened today. She almost killed you back then. You can't be nice to her and let her take all these valuable things!"

Eric believed her without a doubt, and the next second, he took out a lighter and tossed it onto my pile of stuff.

The flames roared to life in an instant.

"Yvonne has a point, if you're going to leave, then leave everything behind!"

As the fire devoured each item, my heart crumbled into pieces.

'Eric, our decade of love is now just ashes,' I thought.

I climbed into the car by myself, gazing at the house I had called home for so many years as it slowly disappeared from view.

I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Lloyd, I'd like to work for your company."

"I'll come ready with my full commitment, and two of Eric's key clients. Is that enough? I can bring more if needed."

A deep voice answered. "What do you want in return?"

"I have no home and not a single penny to my name."

"Alright. Come to my place."