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Chapter 197

Chapter 197: Surprised, Belinda instinctively touched her face. “What is it? Did I smudge ink on myself signing those divorce papers at the courthouse?”’ “No,”’ Allen chuckled. “It’s the glow of freedom. The sheer joy of escaping the confines of a stifling marriage.”’ Belinda paused, then erupted in laughter. “You’re absolutely right,”’ she agreed, sinking into the leather of the car seat. “Stepping away from a doomed relationship does wonders for one’s spirits.”’ Her newfound freedom and joy lifted Allen’s mood as well. “So tell me, why did you decide to marry Kristopher in the first place?”’ “I can’t believe I was so blinded by my own foolishness,”’ Belinda replied. Allen watched her with palpable relief. He was grateful for her divorce from Kristopher””otherwise, he would have seen Belinda only as a graceful ornament beside Kristopher, not the vibrant, spirited woman she’d become. “Is there something on my face?”’ she asked, catching the sharpness of his gaze and offering a playful smile. “Indeed there is,”’ he said gravely, his eyes still fixed on her. Surprised, Belinda touched her cheek. “What is it? Did I smudge ink signing those divorce papers at the courthouse?”’ “No,”’ Allen chuckled. “It’s the glow of freedom. The sheer joy of escaping a stifling marriage.”’ Belinda paused, then laughed. “You’re absolutely right. Stepping away from a doomed relationship does wonders for one’s spirits.”’ She closed her eyes, savoring the gentle sea breeze, when suddenly she remembered something important. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her divorce papers. Holding them against the backdrop of sky and sea, she snapped a photo and shared it on social media with the caption, “Free at last, no regrets.”’ Just then, the roar of a sports car engine caught her attention. She turned to see a red Ferrari pulling up alongside Allen’s car. The convertible roof folded back, revealing Madisyn wearing sunglasses. Grinning, Madisyn removed her shades and tapped on the door. “I borrowed this flashy Ferrari just to celebrate your successful divorce. How’s that for flair?”’ Fresh chapters are live at gα’„“ησvð’‘’’„“s”¤com Belinda laughed, pocketed her phone, and stepped out of the car. Allen’s car. “It’s perfect!”’ Madisyn grinned as she spoke. She turned to Allen with a playful look. “Madisyn’s here to pick me up. I’m going with her now. I owe you a meal sometime soon!”’ Allen, momentarily taken aback, paused, rubbing his forehead. A hint of helplessness crossed his face. “Did you two arrange to meet here?”’ he asked, assuming Belinda had chosen this spot to enjoy the ocean views with him. “Of course,”’ Madisyn chuckled, clearly amused. “I don’t have superpowers, you know, so we planned to meet here.”’ She gracefully slid from the driver’s seat and into the passenger side. “Mr. Wilde, you were so attentive to Belinda today. I owe you a proper thank you.”’ Belinda slipped into the driver’s seat of Madisyn’s car, casually pulling the sunglasses off Madisyn’s forehead and wearing them herself. “We should treat him to a meal sometime.”’ Listening to their easy banter, Allen couldn’t help but grin. “Why not make it today?”’ “I wish we could,”’ Madisyn replied with a playful sigh, propping her chin on her hand. “But you’re booked up.”’…