Chapter 3 DEVIN FREE

ELAINE

The sound of the gavel hitting the block echoed through the courtroom, and I felt like I could finally breathe again.

The judge's words-"The divorce is hereby finalized"-rang in my ears like a sweet melody.

I glanced over at Devin, sitting a few feet away from me, looking like someone had just sucker-punched him. His mouth hung open slightly, and his eyes were wide with disbelief.

If I didn't despise him so much, I might've laughed. But instead, I just smiled, a real, genuine, ear-to-ear smile.

This was it. I was free.

As soon as the judge stepped out, I practically skipped out of the courtroom. My heels clicked against the marble floor, my steps light for the first time in years.

I felt weightless, like I'd just shed a hundred pounds of dead weight.

"Elaine!" Gigi's voice rang out from the hall.

She stood there, leaning against the wall in a bright red jumpsuit, her curls bouncing as she waved at me. She was impossible to miss, radiating confidence like she owned the whole damn building.

I rushed over to her, throwing my arms around her.

"It's done," I said, my voice filled with relief. "It's finally over."

"I knew you'd do it!" Gigi squealed, hugging me back tightly. She pulled away, her brown eyes sparkling. "How does it feel to be officially Devin-free?"

"Like I just got out of prison," I admitted, laughing.

"As you should," she said with a grin. "This calls for a celebration. Something big. Something-"

Before she could finish, I heard his voice behind me, sharp and bitter.

"Elaine!"

I turned to see Devin storming out of the courtroom, his face flushed with anger.

"You're making a huge mistake," he spat, his voice loud enough to draw a few curious stares. "You think you're better off without me? You think you're gonna do better than me?"

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. For someone who couldn't bother to fight for our marriage when it actually mattered, he suddenly had a lot to say now.

"Devin," I said calmly, crossing my arms. "This conversation is over. Just like our marriage."

"You're such a slut," he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "I bet you're pimping yourself out to rich men, just like your little friend here." He jerked his chin toward Gigi, who raised an eyebrow, looking completely unbothered.

"Oh, hell no," Gigi said, stepping forward. "Say one more word, and I swear I'll-"

"It's not worth it, G," I interrupted, holding up a hand. I turned my full attention to Devin, my voice steady and cold. "You can call me whatever you want, but at least I'm not the one who sat on my ass for years, leeching off someone else. You were a loser when I met you, and you're an even bigger loser now. So do me a favor, go back to whatever hole you crawled out of and stay there." I dismissed him with a wave of my hand like a pesky fly he was.

Devin opened his mouth to argue, but Gigi cut him off by flipping him the bird.

"Bye, Devin," she said with a sweet, sarcastic smile.

I grabbed Gigi's arm, pulling her toward the exit.

"Let's go," I said, my voice light.

We stepped out into the bright afternoon sun, and Gigi led me to her convertible parked at the curb. It was bright yellow and obnoxiously flashy, just like her.

She slid into the driver's seat while I climbed into the passenger side, tossing my bag at my feet. As soon as the engine roared to life, she glanced over at me, her grin widening.

"So," she said, putting on her oversized sunglasses. "Where to? Spa? Shopping spree? Fancy dinner?"

I shook my head, laughing.

"Honestly, I just want to let loose. Go somewhere loud, somewhere fun." I said. Her grin turned devilish.

"Oh, honey, say no more. We're going clubbing." She announced.

"Clubbing?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Absolutely," she said, pulling out into the street. "We're gonna dance, we're gonna drink, and we're gonna celebrate your freedom in the best way possible."

I felt a bubble of excitement rise in my chest. It had been so long since I'd done anything just for me-anything fun.

"Okay," I said, nodding. "Let's do it."

"That's my girl!" Gigi cheered, speeding up as we zipped through the city streets.

The wind whipped through my platinum blonde hair, and for the first time in years, I felt alive.

No more Devin. No more misery.

Just me, my best friend, and the start of a brand-new chapter.