It's been two months, sixteen hours, and countless sleepless nights since Ian's words shattered Diane's world: 'I want a divorce.' The revelation still lingered, a festering wound that refused to heal.
Diane's emotions seesawed between numbness and debilitating grief. One moment, she felt hollow, like a shell of her former self; the next, tears ravaged her face, and anguish suffocated her.
Friends and family tried to offer solace, but their words of comfort felt hollow.
"Diane, you're strong, you'll get through this," her best friend, Alana, said over coffee.
Diane forced a smile, unable to express the turmoil brewing inside. "I appreciate that, Lana, but it's hard to see a way forward right now."
Sarah's concerned expression mirrored Diane's inner turmoil. "Did he give any reason for...?"
Diane's thoughts drifted back to Ian's silence, his refusal to acknowledge her question about someone else. A nagging voice whispered that he was already gone, emotionally checked out.
"No," Diane lied, avoiding Sarah's probing gaze. "The long and short of it is that we just grew apart and there was nothing that could be done to save us."
As the conversation continued, Diane's mask began to slip. Her thoughts swirled with accusations and what-ifs.
Why didn't I see this coming? Was I blind to the signs? Did he ever truly love me?
The questions haunted her, refusing to let her grasp onto any semblance of peace.
As Diane navigated her new reality, memories of her life with Ian flooded her mind. She recalled laughter-filled nights, lazy Sundays, and whispered promises. But now, those moments seemed tainted, like faded photographs.
"Diane, you need to take care of yourself," Alana urged, breaking the spell of nostalgia.
"I agree." Sarah chimed in.
Diane nodded, knowing her friends were right. But simple tasks now felt like insurmountable challenges. Grocery shopping, cooking, and even showering had become daunting ordeals.
To cope, Diane created a rigid routine:
6:00 AM - Wake up, journal
7:00 AM - Yoga
8:00 AM - Breakfast
9:00 AM - Work
Structure brought a semblance of control, but the emptiness lingered, and any thought of moving forward, of rebuilding, felt disloyal to the life she once shared with Ian.
"Have you considered maybe going to therapy?" Alana said softly. "I think you really need someone else to speak with, preferably someone unbiased and who has the relevant skill set and expertise to help you with processing this new normal."
Diane felt a twinge of defensiveness, a mix of relief and trepidation swirling inside. She knew Alana was right; she just wasn't sure if she was ready to confront her emotions head-on.
"Okay," Diane said finally, her voice still rather uncertain. "I'll look into it."
Alana's face lit up with encouragement. "I'll support you every step of the way. You're not alone in this."
"And you know I'm here for you too." Sarah reminded her. "Only ever a phone call away."
Diane smiled weakly, feeling a glimmer of hope.
The next day, Diane began her search online for therapists specializing in divorce recovery. She scrolled through numerous profiles, reading countless testimonials and reviewing all the relevant qualifications.
YOU ARE READING
Scorned
ChickLitDiane's world came crashing down around her after nine blissful years of marriage. The devastating discovery that her husband, Ian, was having an affair with his secretary, Lauren, was only the beginning. The betrayal cut deeper when Ian callously a...
