Divorced in the Morning. Engaged by Noon. In Love by Surprise

In front of the courthouse, I had just picked up the divorce certificate.

My ex-husband, Percival Thatcher, called out to me, warning me to move my things out by the end of the day, or else he would make me pay. His mistress, Stancy Voss, stood beside him, her smile smug and arrogant.

I couldn't be bothered to acknowledge them and turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, Percival's true nature revealed itself fully in that moment. He strode over and shoved me without a word, "Hazel Farrar, I'm talking to you! Didn't you hear me?"

Behind me were the steps. I stumbled and fell straight down.

Just then, a strong hand reached out to steady me, “Be careful.”

The man's voice was gentle.

I didn't look up but thanked him repeatedly.

Percival, however, was infuriated beyond belief, “Hazel Farrar, now it makes sense why you agreed to the divorce so readily. Now I understand that you've been cheating on me and are having an extramarital affair with another man...”

His voice was so loud that several people turned to look.

Furious, I retorted, “You brought your mistress to get our divorce certificate. Do you expect me to refuse the divorce and live harmoniously with the two of you? And don't accuse me out of thin air, I don't even know this gentleman…”

Percival didn't listen to me at all and, in a fit of rage like a cuckolded husband, rushed forward intending to slap me.

For a moment, I froze, unable to react.

At that moment, the man who had saved me earlier reached out and grabbed Percival's hand, “Sir, mind your language. I don’t know your…” He glanced at my divorce certificate and paused before continuing, “I don’t know your ex-wife at all. But as a man, I know better than to hit a woman. As for you, even if you’re divorced, a day as a couple means a lifetime of affection. Why would you resort to violence?”

Seizing the chance, I slapped Percival twice and sneered, “Percival, I agreed to the divorce to avoid further entanglement with you. If you think that after the divorce you can act without consequences, I'll take the evidence of your infidelity over the years to your workplace and ask your superiors…”

Percival's face changed; he struggled free from the man’s grasp, said nothing, and walked away.

Only then did I turn to thank the man.

I found myself staring into a pair of familiar eyes.

I was stunned.

“No need to thank me. My name is Robert Colton...”

Before he could finish, a woman walked over and extended her hand toward him, “Where’s the card?”

Robert smiled and pulled a card from his pocket, handing it to her, “The one hundred thousand is all there.”

“One hundred thousand? I said two hundred thousand,” the woman raised an eyebrow at Robert.

Robert frowned slightly and pondered for a moment, “But you initially said the bride price was one hundred thousand. Why the sudden increase? This... this isn't right.”

“I’m raising the price now. If you can pay, then we can proceed with the marriage certificate. If not, don’t waste my time. There are plenty of men willing to pay two hundred thousand. Do you really believe that at nearly fifty, you’re still as appealing or in demand?” The woman’s demeanor was arrogant.

“I... then I'll go gather the money...”

“Ah, pfft! Robert, you’re almost fifty and you don't even have two hundred thousand? Why would I marry you? This marriage is off.” The woman threw the card back at Robert and turned to leave.

Not far from us, she linked arms with another man who had been watching the scene quietly and walked into the courthouse with him.