From Heartache to Hope: Your Guide to Surviving Divorce

After handling Isabella's funeral, I felt like my soul had been taken away. The only thing echoing in my ears was Isabella calling Jasper's name.

The year I graduated from high school, I finally met Isabella's brother, the popular handsome guy at Arizona State University.

That glance changed my whole youth. I fell in love with Jasper at first sight and carefully hid my feelings for him deep inside.

I started to intentionally or unintentionally go home with Isabella and peek at Jasper.

But he was far beyond my reach, just the moon in the sky.

I changed my mind and went to Arizona State University for his sake, but we only met a few times. Every time, he nodded to me and gave me a faint smile.

I knew it was out of affection for Isabella.

My fate with Jasper began eight years ago at the European Championships. On a late night in a foreign country's street, I bumped into a man covered in blood.

He held me tightly, pressed me against the wall, and kissed me. He said, "Lydia, don't say anything. Help me."

The group of people behind us looked fierce, but when they saw us kissing, they whistled at us and left.

After they left, I saw the bruises on Jasper's handsome face and blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. The smell of blood filled my nostrils.

"Do you think I look good, Lydia?" Jasper's eyes were bright and particularly captivating.

I blushed and wanted to run, but he held my hand and put a ring on my finger. In a foreign country, Jasper revealed my secret crush that had lasted for many years.

He proposed to me and asked if I would be his wife.

I squatted on the floor, my mind numb with memories. But when the image of Isabella's bright smile appeared, I couldn't hold back anymore.

I hugged myself and started crying. I'm so useless. I can't even protect my best friend.

My phone vibrated twice. It was a message from Jasper. He finished watching the game and removed me from his blacklist.

[Don't be angry, Lydia. I brought gifts for you and Isabella. Don't make a fuss anymore.]

After a while, I still didn't reply to him. If it were before, I would be so happy that I could roll on the bed with my phone.

I liked Jasper even though I knew that I was not his first choice!

"Wait for me. I'll make it up to you when I go back, honey."

"No need, Jasper, let's get a divorce." I was tired. These eight years had been like shackles. The ring he gave me when he proposed was too small. I knew it was prepared for someone else.

"There you go again. You want a divorce whenever we argue."

"Jasper, get me the towel."

I immediately hung up the phone when I heard Gianna's sweet and delicate voice, but then I accidentally clicked on Instagram.

Gianna posted an intimate photo of her and Jasper as if making an official announcement that they were together.

The photo was captioned.

[I have come to fulfill our eight-year promise, and there are no regrets in life anymore.]

In the eight years, I was the only clown. I cherished Jasper's love, but that was something Gianna despised.