Divorced! Now what?
Chapter 17

Bethany POV

Sun streamed through the open window. I failed to close the curtains last night; the light filled my room. I huffed as I dragged myself out of bed, put on a swimming suit, used the bathroom, and headed up to do some laps in the pool. I was a little disappointed that there was no sign of Theo. I guess he was busy today and skipped time in the pool. I understand he had said something about being on call and refused to have wine along with dinner. It's not that I often drink wine, but I offered the wine to be polite. After a quick shower and a small breakfast, just some cereals, I was not in the mood to cook, and by the time I was organized, it was time to head to the beauty salon. I was going to have a spa, have a massage, get my nails cut and shaped, my toes too, and then my hair. The first was easy to do. I lay down and enjoyed my body getting a complete rub down, and the nails were easy, too. As I am a surgeon, I did not want them polished, as nail polish was not something you can have in surgery.

'Morning Bethany, what would you like to do to your hair?' My hair was long, very long, and it was time for a complete change.

'Please, can you cut and style it?' I said vaguely as I flicked through the magazine she had me looking through to get an idea of a particular style I might like to try out.

'I think you will need to give me a little more idea of the result you have in mind. Like, how short would you like to go, and do you wish for a color?' she prompted me as she ran her fingers through my hair, looking at its condition. My hair may be long, but it was in excellent condition, with no split ends.

'Short, off the shoulder, maybe some highlights and soft curls. Still trying to figure out what I wanted to look like. It is not that easy to make up my mind, which is part of why getting my hair cut has always been put off. I had no idea who I was anymore and had been that way for a while now.

'Any one of those pictures catch your fancy?'

'No, I want a complete change, so I give you full power to change my hair to what you think would suit me, something that is less maintenance, a sort of wash-and-wear hairstyle! I really did not care at that moment, and I needed the hair gone and less time to brush.

Three hours later, I was looking in the mirror at a different person; my hairstyle suited my facial shape, and I loved what the girl had done. I felt the new me transforming; even the subtle highlights shined in the light. It was well worth the money I paid to have a new

me.

With a spring in my step and a smile on my face, I headed into the café and grabbed a coffee and a sandwich, thinking about what I would do next and what I would change in my life to make a difference. I don't think I need to change anything else. Just as I made it home, my mobile rang. Glancing down at the screen, I saw that it was my Dad calling.

'Good afternoon, Bethany speaking. I chirped happily into the phone.

'Hello, Bethany'

'Hi Dad, how are things with you?' I asked, feeling nothing could bring me down.

'Did you get my picture?'

'Yeah, is she really pregnant?'

'I am not sure. They are acting like she is, and your mother is acting like it was okay for her to be bedding your husband.

'How do you feel about that?' I was worried about my Dad; he had to put up with a lot of things.

'That is why I am calling. I have left your Mother. I cannot live like this any longer. I have taken a leaf from your book and moved house, jobs, and state. I have seen my lawyer and got a divorce underway, and as we had a prenup, your Mother will get almost nothing; the house is on the market, and the auctioneers have cleared it out; your Mother moved in with your sister and ex, and is making a scene. I just wanted to warn you that I am not going to go back to her, so don't try to talk me into changing my mind!

'Dad, I am the last person she will call. She is with her only daughter, she has recognized, having never really seen me as anything more than a waste of space. Good on you, Dad, for leaving. I knew you had not been happy for a long time. Those two only see things for themselves. Don't cave and give her anything to get her out of our hair; stick to your guns!'

'Seeing that recording you showed us opened my eyes; how your mother could defend that behavior made me think that. Maybe she is also having an affair, and I put a PI on her. She has got herself a boyfriend, a married boyfriend. How long? I do not know, and I should have known.'

'Don't beat yourself up on it, Dad. I was lucky to catch my ex in the act; otherwise, I could have gone much longer before suspecting something was off.

'Anyway, I am in your state. I transferred over a few days ago. The department was eager to take on someone of my expertise. I am going back to detective work. It was something I used to enjoy before things changed. I am not even sure when it all started to change. It was small things over a long period of time till I was the mold of someone your mother created. Well, I am going to be me again. Thank you, sweetheart, for opening my eyes!

'We can meet up for dinner if you like, that is if you have no plans.

'Tonight?'

'Yeah.'

'I would like that. Where? There is a restaurant called Sammy's, and we can meet and chat!' 'Seven o'clock?'

'Sounds like a plan. I'll see you then, and I'll be sure to fill you in with the latest news!

I dressed in a smart casual pantsuit and caught a taxi to Sammy's. As I was unfamiliar with the area, a taxi was better than driving around looking for parking.

The restaurant was very busy. Dad had ordered a table at the back, away from the noise of the main restaurant. 'Wow, you look so different and beautiful. I love what you have done to your hair!' Dad gushed over me. He looked like he had lost a bit of weight, but that was a good thing; he had been slowly sneaking a few pounds here and there.

I hugged Dad, and he pulled out a chair for me to sit on. Once settled and the order given, Dad started to fill me in on what had happened since I had left, and my sister and ex came out of hiding. My mother was all for this new arrangement but was shocked to come home for a day away with her daughter to replace her key did not open the house and a for-sale sign on the front. Her bags were sent to my sister's home, like I had with Bret, and it was like everything I had done, Dad copied, even using my lawyer. I was so proud of my Dad. He was like a new man.

'Don't let Mum win, Dad. Get back out there and replace a nice woman to keep your bed warm! I encouraged.

'Maybe I am not in a hurry. What about you?'

'I have a neighbor that I like, but as you say, I am not in a hurry. I want a friendship first and won't say no to a quick romp in bed. Bret was my one and only time to see what else was out there.

'Good girl, I always knew you were the smart one. I hope we can get closer together again. I have missed our time together. Let's go bowling.

'I would like that, Dad!'