Beyond the Divorce novel Chapter 165

Chapter 165 Each Has Her Pain

I was stunned. Why was Lauren crying?

I handed her some tissues. “What’s the matter? Was it something I said?”

Lauren quickly waved off my concern. It saddened me to see her carefully applied makeup start to run. She had always appeared graceful and friendly, much like a flight attendant. What could cause someone who cared about her looks to cry in front of me?

She took the tissue paper and blotted her face. Her red fingernails were eye–catching, but that didn’t stop

me from noticing ho

shoulders were shaking as she sobbed.

I promised to be a genuine friend to Lauren. Before this, I had resentment toward her and doubted her friendship. Instead of saying anything, I let her vent her frustrations

When she pulled herself together, she dried off her remaining tears. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“Hey, we all have our pain. Some solve them privately, while others must do so publicly–for instance, me. Everyone knows about my goddamn divorce,” I said. “They labeled me an abused wife dumped by a cheater. But life goes on, and if you don’t mind, I’ll be like your sister.”

Lauren looked up at me, dumbstruck.

“We can support each other and deal with problems together,” I said. Her red–rimmed eyes made me feel

bad for her.

Lauren got choked up again, smiling as she wept. She eventually said, “Thank you, Chloe. I appreciate it.”

Seeing her vulnerable side contrasted with the woman who had uncovered Matthew and Melanie’s affair

during the anniversary.

“Chloe… you’re closer to me than my family,” she confessed.

She held my hand and said, “After all these years, no one has understood or cared about me. I know what those men want better than anyone, and I prioritize survival over chastity. But I have my dignity, and I’m

not content with how my life is heading.”