Divorced From Him. Reborn as Myself.

After the divorce, he barged into my home with a knife in his hand.

He said, You think getting divorced means you can get rid of me?

Im telling you right nowyoull never escape me for the rest of your life.

In that moment, I finally realized

he had never seen me as a person.

I was nothing more than something he had lost control of and was determined to take back.

What he didnt know was this:

it was nothing but a trap I had set,

meant to get rid of him once and for all.

0

Lucas and I had fallen in love naturally.

We worked for the same company but in different departments.

One day, we met while collaborating on the same project. That was when Lucas fell for me, head over heels.

He went out of his way to win my affection.

At 28, I wasnt getting any younger, and my parents were pressing me to settle down. They even threatened to set me up with someone if I didnt bring home a boyfriend for the holidays.

Lucas, tall and broad-shouldered with a bright, charming demeanor, had exactly the look that melted my heart.

It didnt take long for me to agree to date him.

We dated for two years, meeting each others families during that time.

Eventually, under pressure from both sides, we tied the knot.

This year marked our first New Years as a married couple.

As a daughter living away from home, I couldnt help but yearn to spend the holidays with my parents.

So I suggested to Lucas that we visit his family first, then head to my parents place in Oakridge on December 31.

Initially, Lucas wasnt thrilled with the idea, but my persistent coaxing won him over.

To sweeten the deal, I bought him the gaming console hed been eyeing for months but had been too frugal to buy.

Once he had that console, a grin never left his face.

With the plans finalized, I threw myself into getting everything ready for the trip.

Finally, on December 24, we packed up the car and drove to Dry Creek, KY, where Lucass family lived.

His parents and sisters were delighted to see us, especially since I had thoughtfully prepared expensive gifts for everyone.

The first few days at their house were pleasant.

Then came December 31.

I didnt want to risk getting stuck in a traffic jam, so on December 30, I loaded everything wed need for my parents house into the car.

That night, I encouraged Lucas to get a good nights rest so we could hit the road early.

The thought of reuniting with my family after six months filled me with so much joy that I couldnt sleep.

The alarm rang early, and I sprang out of bed.

Lucas was still asleep, so I gently woke him up.

Babe, Im going to wash up. You should get up too, freshen up, and well grab a quick bite before heading out.

I was too excited to notice the odd expression flickering across his face.

After washing up and getting dressed, I waited for a long while, but Lucas didnt come out.

By the time I checked the clock, it was already 9:30 a.m.

Worried about holiday traffic, I went back to the bedroom to wake him.

When I opened the door, I found Lucas burrowed under the covers, snoring so loudly it could shake the walls.

Peeling back the blanket, I saw the dark circles under his eyes and remembered how hard hed worked preparing for the holidays.

Feeling a twinge of guilt, I decided we could leave after lunch. Quietly, I tucked him back in and left the room.

In the yard, I called my parents to let them know wed be late and went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

After lunch, I began urging Lucas to start driving me back to my parents place.

Everythings packed. You just need to drive, I said, grabbing his arm and leading him toward the car.

Its a long trip, but you can drive the first leg. When we get to a rest area, well swap, and Ill take over. That way, we wont get too tired, and we might even make it in time for dinner!

I was so caught up in my excitement that I didnt notice the growing irritation on Lucass face.

As we approached the yard gate, he suddenly pulled his arm away and bellowed, Im not going!

The force of his words stunned me. I froze for a moment, staring at him in disbelief.

What did you say? I stammered.

His face was etched with frustration. Without sparing me a glance, he repeated, I said, Im not going, and turned to walk back into the house.

I hurried after him, grabbing his arm again.

Lucas Mills! What do you mean, youre not going? You promised wed spend New Years at my parents house! Whats this all about?

He yanked his arm free and snapped, I said Im not going because I dont feel like it. Cant you understand that?

He stormed off, leaving me standing there, stunned by his blunt dismissal.

As I watched him walk away, realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

The promise to spend New Years Eve with my family had been a lie.

He had lured me to Dry Creek, far from my parents in Oakridge, knowing Id be trapped. Without the car keys, and with the holiday rush making it impossible to buy a bus ticket, I had no way of leaving.

It was all a calculated move to ensure that I had no choice but to stay here for New Years.

Fury welled up inside me. I charged toward him and kicked him hard in the leg.

Lucas Mills! You planned this, didnt you? You never intended to visit my parents, did you? You lied to me!

Lucas winced but quickly switched tactics, his tone softening as he tried to pacify me.

Maya, think about it. Youre my wife now. You do as I say. Were staying here.

I let out a bitter laugh. Thats not how my family works! My parents, my brother, and my sister all want me to come home. Just because your family doesnt want their daughters back doesnt mean mine feels the same way!

Seeing that I wasnt backing down, Lucas tried again, his voice turning cold. Maya, if you leave, what will people here think? What will they say about me? About my parents? Cant you just give me this one year? Stay here, for my sake.

Your sake? I snapped, glaring at him. Your reputation? Thats what this is about? You agreed to go, and now youre backing out. Youre disgusting!

Lucass expression darkened, but he admitted, If I hadnt agreed, you wouldve argued endlessly. So yeah, I said yes to keep you quiet.

I stared at him, dumbfounded.

Are you seriously trying to pin this on me?! I demanded.

To my shock, he nodded. Well, yeah. Who else am I supposed to blame, Maya?

A laugh bubbled out of me, bitter and furious. Lucas Mills, you have the nerve to blame me for your lies? Youre unbelievable!

Before I could say more, a commotion drew my attention.

Lucass parents, Patricia and Robert, along with his sisters, Chloe and Hailey, poured out of the house.

Their expressions ranged from smug satisfaction to thinly veiled disdain.

Clearly, theyd overheard the argument.

Lucass ego couldnt take the hit. His face twisted in anger, and before I could react, he slapped me across the face.

The force of the blow left me reeling, tears springing to my eyes.

You coward! I yelled, clutching my stinging cheek.

Furious, I raised my hand to strike back, but he grabbed my wrist and twisted it sharply. Pain shot through my arm.

Before I could cry out, a heavy blow landed on my head.

The world spun, and my vision blurred. The fireplace poker hed swung at me clattered to the ground as I crumpled.

The moment I hit the dirt, his kicks and punches started raining down.

You dont listen! he shouted. You had to keep pushing me!

Youre desperate to go back to Oakridge? Why? Got a lover waiting for you?

Youre nothing but trouble!

I curled into a ball, shielding my head with my hands, trying to endure the relentless assault.

Amid the chaos, I heard his familys voices, loud and gleeful.

Teach her a lesson, Lucas! She needs to learn to obey! Patricia crowed.

Dont hit her too hard, son. You dont want her too bruised for tonight, Robert added, laughing cruelly.

She needs this, Chloe chimed in. Who does she think she is, trying to go back to her parents house?

Hit her harder, Lucas! Hailey yelled. If shes still moving, youre not doing it right!

Their taunts echoed around me as I lay there, battered and broken.

It was in that moment I realized the full extent of the nightmare Id walked into.

This family wasnt just cruelthey were monsters.

I tried to push myself up, to fight back, but the dizziness overwhelmed me.

The first blow to my head must have caused a concussion. My vision swam, and darkness crept in.

As my consciousness slipped away, I heard their laughter, loud and unrelenting, as they returned to the house.

I was left alone in the yard, discarded like trash.

The winter wind bit into my skin like icy needles, making every part of me ache.

The cold night air howled through the yard as I slowly opened my eyes.

It was a moonless, star-filled night. I was still lying in the corner of the Mills yard, abandoned and forgotten.

Inside the house, Lucass family was gathered, enjoying their New Years Eve dinner and watching the ball drop on TV.

The pain radiating from my body brought me fully back to my senses.

I tried to move, wincing as I propped myself up against the corner of the wall.

The sting in my head and the bruises on my body were made worse by the bitter wind cutting through my clothes.

I was cold to my coreinside and out.

Thats when everything became clear.

The Mills werent just cruel. They were monsters.

They had stood by as Lucas beat me, egging him on, as if my suffering were a spectator sport.

This was their way of showing me my place. In their eyes, now that I was married to Lucas, I belonged to himand by extension, to them.

If I dared to resist their rules, theyd punish me however they wanted. I wasnt a wife to them. I was their servant, their obedient daughter-in-law, their personal ATM.

I looked through the window at their cheerful gathering. Holding onto the wall for support, I moved as silently as possible.

Fortunately, Lucass bedroom was far enough from the dining room that they couldnt hear me.

I crept into his room, my fingers trembling as I rummaged through his clothes. Finally, I felt the cold metal of the car keys in his pocket.

With the keys secured, I grabbed my phone and purse.

In the dark, I slipped back out of the bedroom and toward the main gate.

Luckily, the gate wasnt fully shut, just left slightly ajar.

I nudged it open just enough to squeeze through, keeping as quiet as possible.

Once outside, I ran. I ran as fast as my battered body would allow, heading for the community parking lot where all the neighbors parked their cars.

The moonlight guided me, and the pain in my body spurred me on.

When I finally reached the car, I climbed in and locked the doors. My hands shook as I inserted the key into the ignition.

For the first time all night, I allowed myself a small sigh of relief.

I pulled myself together and started driving, leaving Dry Creek and the Mills far behind.

On the way, I called my parents.

Through tears and sobs, I recounted everything that had happened.

On the other end of the line, my dads furious voice shouted curses while my mom and siblings exclaimed in outrage.

They told me to head straight for my house in Knoxville, where Id be safe, and assured me theyd come the next day with the whole family to confront the Mills.

By the time I reached my house, I was emotionally and physically drained.

I barely managed to crawl into bed before sleep claimed me, the tension finally leaving my body.

I woke up to the smell of fooda warm, comforting scent that coaxed me from sleep.

When I opened my eyes, my mom was sitting by my bedside, holding a bowl of my favorite chicken and rice soup.

Maya, youre awake, she said gently, setting the bowl on the nightstand and helping me sit up.

Her eyes filled with worry as she brushed a hand over my forehead.

Eat a little, sweetie, and then get some more rest, she said softly.

I nodded, taking the bowl and sipping the soup. Its warmth spread through me, easing the chill in my soul.

I had just finished eating when a loud shout echoed from the living room.

Ill kill his sorry ass!

It was my dad. A loud slap of a hand hitting the table followed.

I quickly got dressed and went downstairs with my mom.

The living room was packed with family members, all of whom had rushed over after hearing what happened.

My dad, his temper blazing as usual, had already been yelling for a solid ten minutes, supported by my uncles.

When I entered the room, everyone turned to look at me, their faces filled with anger and concern.

My uncles pulled out their phones, calling their kids and urging them to bring more people over for support.

My sister and cousins hurried over to help me to the couch.

As women, they understood my pain on a deeper level, and their expressions mirrored my own outrage and sorrow.

Soon, the house was overflowing with family members, especially my brothers and male cousins, who came ready to back me up.

Everyone turned to me, asking what I wanted to do next.

Maya, whatever you decide, were with you, my cousin Ryan said firmly.

Yeah, Maya! This is outrageous! Who just beats someone like that? another chimed in.

The room buzzed with voices, all discussing how to handle the Mills and get justice for me.

My parents were the most decisive of all.

Maya, you need to divorce that bastard, my dad said firmly.

Well support you, my mom added. Were not too old to work, and weve got good pensions. We can take care of you, no problem.

My siblings chimed in, agreeing wholeheartedly.

Maya, Ill send you money every month if it comes to that, Nathan promised.

Same here, Chloe added. Whatever you need, well make it happen.

Divorce him, Maya, they said in unison.

They handed me their credit cards without hesitation.

Here, use these. Buy whatever you need, Chloe insisted.

I leaned back on the couch, their unwavering support filling me with newfound resolve.

You dont need to worry. Im divorcing him, no question about it. And Ill make sure to get every cent I deserve from that scumbag!

My determination reassured them, and they began making plans to confront Lucass family.

Just as we were about to leave, my phone rang.

It was Lucas.

I smirked, put him on speaker, and answered.

What do you want, Lucas?

Maya Reyes! Where the hell are you?! he bellowed.

Where are my car keys? Wheres the car? Did you seriously steal my car? Youd better get your ass back here, or Ill break your legs!

Everyone in the room fell silent, listening as he ranted.

Its just New Years! Youre throwing a fit because I wouldnt take you home? You know wives are supposed to stay with their husbands family for the holidays!

And dont make a big deal about me hitting you. Thats just how things are! A wife needs to be taught a lesson now and then!

You didnt die, did you? Didnt break any bones? So whats the problem? You should be thanking me for teaching you a lesson!

Get your ass back here and start cooking dinner. Everyones waiting for you!

Before he could hang up, my dad snatched the phone.

So hitting my daughter was for her own good, huh? Should I come over and teach you a lesson by breaking a few bones?

Why dont you go clean a toilet with that dirty mouth of yours instead of talking about my daughter?

Though I suppose its hard for you to tell the difference between your brain and your gut. Theyre both full of crap!

Lucas was left stammering, completely out of comebacks.

D-Dad, its not like that Maya mustve exaggerated. Youre misunderstanding the situation

Before he could continue, my mom grabbed the phone.

My daughter doesnt lie, you spineless coward. Youd better prepare yourself!

She slammed the phone down and pulled us all toward the door.