Bethany


    POV


    Theo had left for work, and I would head out shopping.


    The picture Dad sent me cut me deep. Thement that my sister was expecting my ex''s baby told me he was not leaving our lives anytime soon. He had told me he did not want children any time soon, and that seemed to be a lie. He did not want to have them with me, and I am unsure whether it hurt more than catching them together.


    I had not heard anything about him having to pay for the wedding himself, and mywyer had not contacted me since I sent him the information on the bill and that they had married while still married to me. Thest thing mywyer had said was to leave it with him. However, I was curious about what he could do.


    I was not worried; I had a new life to start.


    My phone rang, and I looked down, talking of the devil.


    ''Bethany speaking! My usual answer to the phone was that it sounded more professional.


    ''Hi Bethany, giving you a heads-up, the judge has ordered the bailiff to collect all the items that are listed on the bank statement. They should be collecting them today and asking Bret to pay the difference for any item that is no longer in their possession. Regarding the wedding, the marriage registration was not sent in by the justice of the peace or celebrant, so it was not a real wedding, and it is still under investigation to see if all the other times they pretended to get married were the same. This may take a little time, as this has been happening for several years. The judge has ordered the police to do a thorough investigation before any charges areid, and don''t be surprised if they call you in for more information and copies of statements. If you are ufortable with the police interviewing you, we can do things through my office''


    ''Will the hotels be pushing forpensation?'' I hoped they would be taken through the ringer.


    ''Once the investigation is over and charges are made, the hotels might look at what damage they may have caused. Mind you, I doubt it. You are the one who has been harmed the most.


    ''Oh, by the way, my Father sent me a picture and said that they have announced that my sister is with a child.


    ''Really? That is interesting news. We can use this to support any future im you wish to make against your sister or ex if you want to go down that track. Could you send me a copy, and I will put it in the file?'' ''Thank you for all your help on this.''


    ''That is what you are paying me for,'' he chuckled at the other end of the phone. I have always liked thiswyer. I chose him against my mother''s wishes and am d I did.


    ''You have done more for me than what I paid you for, and you know it. I giggled back at him, feeling in a very good mood


    now.


    ''Wow, it has been long since I heard youugh. He sounded shocked at my giggle.


    ''Yeah, it has, but I have a new life, and I am going to change my looks, too; I am going to learn who I am again!


    ''Good for you; I look forward to seeing the new you. When do you start your new job?''


    ''Next week, I have had myst week off, getting my life sorted. This week is getting a new me in ce, and start next Monday as a new life with a new me!


    ''It sounds like a good n, remember, to put you first for a change; good luck with your new job.


    There was a hairdresser at the bottom of this building, and they could fit me in tomorrow morning, so I spent the morning clearing out my closet, bagging up all the dresses that I had never liked, but Bret chose the ones he did. I know now he was trying to make me look ugly so he would not feel bad when he was with my sister. I had four bags, and I walked them downstairs and ced them in the boot of my car. I googled where the nearest thrift shop was and drove over to them. Walking into the shop, I looked around and found ady who could assist me.


    ''Hello, can I ask where I should put my donations?'' thedy smiled sweetly at me.


    ''We have a littlene way out back; you can drive down and take them that way!


    Thene was clean, better than I had expected; most were filled with rubbish bins, and thedy was standing outside her door, waiting for me to arrive. I wondered if this was how they met others who donated or wanted me out of the back because she did not know me or what I had brought.


    I opened the trunk, and thedy grabbed and opened one of the bags.


    ''Wow, these are almost brand new?''


    ''There are some new ones in there, but they still have old price tags on them. I just never liked them, and they were gifts!


    ''Jo,e help with these bags, she called out, and a young man came out, grabbed the bags, rushed back inside, and returned for the others.


    ''Thank you, youngdy, we needed some new clothes, more stylish than we normally get. The local school has a dance soon, and I will be getting a number ofdies looking for something different!''


    ''My pleasure. I hope they find a good home. I shut the boot and drove down thene and off to find new clothes.


    I prefer to avoid shopping in the shops. I prefer to shop online rather than in crowds, but I made myself go out and shop. I didn''t need much, just a few dresses for work and maybe a couple of going-out ones; I could get the rest onler.


    By the time I had tried on dresses, cks, and shoes, I was tired. I carried three bags to my room and flopped down on the bed. Exhausted, I nced at the time and was shocked to see it was nearly six o''clock at night. I had no idea shopping was so time- consuming.


    Just as I hung up thest dress in my wardrobe, I heard Theo calling out that he had brought pizza and that I shoulde to the kitchen. I cannot remember thest time I had pizza. Bret always said it was the peasant''s food.


    On the table was coffee from the coffee shop at the bottom of the building and two pizzas, each with two different toppings.


    ''I was not sure what sort of pizza you liked, so I got two with different toppings, thinking I might get at least one part right! Theo said as he ced the tes and napkins on the table.


    ''I love most pizza as long as there are no anchovies. I am not fond of fish on my pizza.


    ''Noted. I prefer something other than pineapple on my pizza.


    ''Noted.'' Iughed at him as I took a meat-lover slice, ced it on my te, and opened the lid of the coffee. Theo was digging in, too, and it did not feel ufortable having him at my table, eating with me. I had been worried what we didst night was going to spoil our growing friendship.


    I was sure we might need to address it at some point, but he seemed as reluctant as me to open up that can of worms. Maybe he was happy enough with what we did not tobel it or taint it anyway.