Chloe sat in a daze in the taxi, her mind consumed by thoughts of Vincent and their daughter, Mackenzie. She was crafting a plan to minimize the shock of her daughter learning that her parents would be splitting up.
As the true victim in every separation, Chloe knew that the child would suffer the most. Drawing from her own experiences of being 15 when her parents divorced, she understood the pain well.
'Vincent was my safe haven when my parents divorced.' Chloe thought. 'I found solace in him, and I'm at peace, but now-'
"Ma'am, this is the nearest motel. Quite far from your expensive gated neighborhood if I have to be honest," the taxi driver said, turning left to stop in front of the motel lobby.
"Ah, thank you," Chloe paid the driver and grabbed her bag. She stood for a while, gazing at the shabby motel. While she wasn't scared of what lay ahead, she was worried about her daughter's adjustment to their new, humble surroundings.
She checked in for a week, hoping to secure a job within three days, as her savings were running low. Chloe unlocked the room door and sat on the bed, staring at the wall. She stood up and checked her reflection in the mirror.
She wasn't fat – at least, not anymore. Pregnancy and post-birth weight issues had taken a toll on her body. However, as Mackenzie grew older and her marriage crumbled, depression and an eating disorder led to her weight loss.
She couldn't eat because Vincent ridiculed her for being fat whenever she ate. She developed an eating disorder, which further drained her energy and affected her mental well-being.
Chloe chuckled mirthlessly, "What's the point of losing weight when Vincent still refused to touch me?" It had been a while since she paid attention to herself in the mirror, afraid of what she might see.
As she walked closer to the mirror, she examined her reflection. Her sadness, baggy eyes, and downturned face stood out. She attempted to perk up her lips, hoping to brighten her face.
"It's been a while since I've seen myself smile," Chloe mumbled. While she might not be the most beautiful woman, she wasn't bad-looking either. Her sadness and impoverished appearance made her look unkempt.
"I might wear make-up to conceal the dark spots and tired eyes, and ask Allie about good skincare products if I can afford it later. Maybe that'll help me get a good job – along with my university degree, of course."
Chloe sighed, contemplating her future. As much as she hated it, Vincent was right – she had given up her career after graduation to marry him. Without him and his wealth, nothing would come easily.
She had a job at 24, but Vincent's proposal came soon after graduation, and she had foolishly accepted. That's tragic; she could have worked on her dream job as a teacher.
…
"Anyway, I can't stay like this for too long. I need to get a job for me and Mackenzie's future. Hopefully, that bastard has signed the papers, and I can just move on. Since I won't take a dime from him, the court process will be faster," Chloe said. "Right, time to check on Mackenzie."She pulled out her phone, a pricey model she couldn't afford, and dialed her mom's number. When her mom answered:
—
"Chloe?"
"Hi, mom. Is Mackie still at your house?"
"Slow down, dear. You sound worried. Is everything okay?" Judith asked.
Chloe hesitated before speaking, not wanting to shock her mother too quickly.
"Nothing's wrong, mom. I just...need a breather, that's all."
"I see."
"Mom, Mackenzie is still with you, right? Can she stay for a sleepover? I can't take her home. I have a little trouble right now," Chloe said.
"Ah, Vincent picked her up about 10 minutes ago," Judith replied. "I thought you were the one asking Vincent to pick her up. He said they were going to the mall to buy Mackenzie a birthday gift."
