Love is Like the Wind, Love is Gone Without a Trace

"Archie, just think about it. Where can you go now?"

I paid her no attention.

Claudine shattered her phone because she was so furious. "I'm sure you'll return in a few days with a dirty face after making such a fuss!" she scoffed. “I want to see how long you can hold out and return to make peace with me! Edgar, let's go back!"

On the way, the mover looked at me sympathetically and asked, "Did you and your wife argue?"

I shook my head.

"No." The man was taken aback, so I grinned and told him, "We are getting divorced."

The man let out a long sigh, looked empathetic and reassured me.

"It makes sense; take a look at the man standing behind her. He isn’t a good man. Believe me, you deserve more than to have such a woman in your life.”

He made me laugh.

All the way to my lawyer friend's place, we joked and chatted.

Paula had been waiting for me nearby and she smiled and waved at me as I approached.

"Archie, here."

I had intended to request that the moving company transport the items straight to the hotel. However, Paula urged me to move in with her after telling me that it would not be wise to reside at the hotel all the time.

Just like Claudine had a childhood sweetheart. Paula was my childhood sweetheart.

Simply put, I had been married for six years, had never been alone with a friend of the opposite sex and had always avoided close contact with them. There would have to be a third party if I went out to eat. I assumed that everyone kind of embraced this idea of boundaries. Unexpectedly, Claudine had broken it long ago.

Now I took a deep breath and got out of the car.

With a kind expression, Paula thanked the mover and assisted me in leaving a second-floor bedroom that had great lighting.

"Archie, you can live here without worry, as long as you want."

"Thank you," I said, looking at Paula with gratitude, "I will pay you the rent according to the market price."

Paula gave me a fierce look and said, "What are you paying for? Divorce that scumbag as soon as possible, that's the right thing to do."

Since Paula lived in a little villa, the bedroom's lighting was naturally quite cozy. I slept till I awoke on my own.

When I walked downstairs after waking up the following day, I saw that Paula had made breakfast.

She grinned broadly as she gazed up at me.

"Are you awake? Come and take a look."

She handed me the divorce papers.

"Tell me if there is anything you need to add or delete."

"I believe in your ability, it is already very complete," I said, taking a quick look at it and nodding gratifyingly. “Doesn't the property partition ought to be split in half? How come it's 20% for her and 80% for me?”

"Claudine cheated on you during marriage and it's already good that she didn't leave the house empty-handed," Paula added, grinning as she sliced steak.

I thought she was a great buddy and gave her a thumbs up.

I went to the grocery store with Paula after supper. Paula was assisting me in selecting new bedding and everyday essentials.

A person suddenly rushed over with aggression.

"Archie, no wonder you want to move out, it turns out that you hooked up with another woman?"

Claudine's face was filled with fury and her eyes were crimson. She reached up to give me a cheek smack.

Paula swiftly took hold of her arm before she reached me and whispered icily, "Calm down, ma’am. It is not a good idea to fight in front of a lawyer.”

Claudine looked at me angrily, knowing she couldn't win the fight with Paula. Edgar was behind her, pointing at the items in the shopping cart with a startled expression.

"Hey, Archie, you bought new bedding? You can be upset, but you can't live with other women and hook up with them that quickly. Isn't this a direct insult to Claudine?

Claudine's eyes were as icy as death as she heard this. Her countenance abruptly shifted as her gaze paused on the unsightly scar my car accident left on my chest.

"Archie! What caused your injuries?”