Chapter 0018 Caroline’s POV : As the days passed and chemo began to zap away my strength , I gradually began to grow weaker and more gaunt . With each glance in the mirror , I felt like a little more of me was being drained away by the day . I looked awful , and it would only be a matter of time before my hair would eventually fall away . I withdrew from the outside world . I didn’t want anyone to see me like this : withered and slowly fading away . My body felt ugly and weald , and it didn’t help that I was now famous for being the divorced wife of a famous billionaire CEO . My only solace were Martin and Cindy , who were there for me every step of the way , holding my hand when I needed it the most . They were lights in my life that filled me with warmth and reassurance , and I was so happy to have friends like them . Cindy was especially involved in my post – divorce life . She lined my closet with beautiful clothes , constantly stocked up my makeup supply , and even took me out to my favorite places to help me feel better . Even when I could hardly recognize myself in the mirror , she always knew how to make me look beautiful . She always knew a way to help me forget about my problems . When Cindy suggested I go out with her to a bar , however , I was a little hesitant . “ I don’t know if I’m ready for something like that , ” I replied honestly , allowing Cindy to do my makeup as we spoke . “ I feel like it would be too much for me . She paused in layering my foundation to place a hand on mine . “ Caroline , what you need is a night out , ” she tried to convince me . “ Maybe you’ll meet a guy ! If you ask me , the best way to heal from your divorce is to start a new relationship . My face reflexively scrunched up at the suggestion . Just the idea of starting a new relationship so soon after my divorce made my skin crawl . “ A new relationship ? Cindy , I don’t even know how long I’m going to live . I’m not exactly in the mood for a new relationship . Cindy pouted , but thankfully didn’t push the idea . “ Well , we should still go out tonight . I think a few drinks at the bar would really do you some good ! ” After considering her words a moment longer , I finally decided to throw caution to the wind . “ Alright , I’ll go , but only for a few drinks !! Cindy was giddy just hearing my response . “ Great ! We’re going to have so much fun . By the end of the night , you’re going to forget about all the trouble William put you through . Later that evening , she would take me out to a nice little bar on the south side of the city . It was a busy little club with thumping music and a thriving dance floor . Normally it wouldn’t +25 BONUS Chapter 0018 be my scene , but I endeavored to have fun . Cindy and I laughed and joked about William over a few drinks . As painful as it was to finally be divorced , I was glad I was separated from him . Being controlled by him had been torture , but now I was free to live my life . A few more drinks passed and I could feel myself tipping over from buzzed to sufficiently drunk . I was enjoying the atmosphere and the alcohol had my nerves a little excited , so I got up to dance . Cindy grinned with girlish excitement as I approached the dance floor , urging me forward with a wave of her hand . Once on the dance floor , I moved smoothly to the rhythm of the beat . It had been so long since I’d been dancing , but from the impressed gazes of onlookers , it was clear I still had it in me . I was having more fun than I’d had since before I met William , and it was just the distraction I needed from everything as of late . As I enjoyed myself on the dance floor , the occasional handsome man would come to strike up a conversation . As flattering as it was , I always rejected them . It was clear exactly what they wanted , but I was never interested . Cindy somehow managed to snag the microphone away from the DJ , grabbing the room’s attention with a quick “ Hey ! ” Everyone on the dance floor glanced up at Cindy , giving their attention as they indulged in the thumping of the music in the background . “ My best friend just got divorced ! Let’s celebrate my dear friend Caroline being single again ! ” Whistles and shouts sounded from all around me . People congratulated me on my divorce . and clapped me on the back with wide grins . I could only laugh at my friend’s antics , as it was clear she’d had a few too many drinks . I was having the time of my life , though , so I wasn’t going to get on her case for putting me on the spot like that . My smile fell instantly when I felt someone grabbing my waist . I shot a sour look back at the offender , a strange man I didn’t know . “ Get off of me , ” I demanded , attempting to pry his hands away , but he just laughed wickedly and grabbed my hips instead . The sounds of shattering glass bottles were heard over the music and the noise of the crowd died away in an instant . All eyes turned towards the perpetrator . It was William , standing at the bar with fury scrawled over his face . I yelped and pulled away as William : approached . He kicked the man who was harassing me straight in the stomach . There was no warning before William seized me by my wrist , causing pain to shoot up my arm . My struggles were in vain as he dragged me out of the bar . Fear and anger shot up my spine at the fact that he thought he could just come into my life again . “ What’s wrong with you ? ” he exclaimed , as if I was the unreasonable one . “ Why would you ever go to a trashy place like this ? Is this who you really are , Caroline ? ” “ That’s none of your business , ” I shouted back , weakly hitting his arm . “ We’re divorced , remember ? Let go of me ! ” Chapter 0010 Fear struck my nerves when William wrenched open the passenger car door. Why was he bringing me to his car ? Was he trying to take me somewhere ? I struggled to get away , but William was too strong . With a mighty shove , he forced me into the vehicle , locking the door to keep me from escaping . Within seconds , William was in the front seat and speeding out of the parking lot , muttering something under his breath about me , but I didn’t care to hear it . I just needed to get away from him before we got too far . In a stroke of luck , I saw a very familiar car on the road . It was a black Mercedes – Benz , one that I recognized instantly to be Martin’s . My heart pounded with hope that I could be saved . “ Martin ! ” I cried , waving frantically to get his attention . My ruckus paid off , because Martin saw me and immediately began to drive towards us . William – swore under his breath and swerved to deliberately hit Martin’s car , causing it to suddenly lose control and hit a traffic pole . My heart leapt in terror as I beat at the car window helplessly . “ Martin ! ” I screamed , now knowing I was at William’s mercy .