Bookish Society-ct Facebook ad: “one click to continue reading”

About this ad

Meta Ad Library ID

1674844340430148

Platforms

Facebook, Instagram, Audience Network, Messenger and Threads

Relaunches

0

Niche

Gifts & Crafts

How we count

Ad text

Chapter 1 I stumbled upon a video from a street interview blogger. "What advice would you give to your past self from five years ago?" In the video, Corbin Murray was holding his young girlfriend close. His voice was calm and affectionate. "I wish the Corbin Murray from five years ago could have met Arianna Anderson sooner." The young woman in his arms blushed, covering her mouth as she echoed him. "I feel the same way." The viewers were delighted, showering them with blessings. No one knew that five years ago was the day Corbin and I got married. Even he had forgotten. Until a week later. The blogger released another street interview video. In the footage, I looked straight into the camera and said seriously, "Zainab West, don't marry Corbin Murray. You will regret it." This time, Corbin saw it. --- The day I agreed to the divorce was ordinary. I dialed Corbin's number, but Arianna answered instead. "Hello?" "I'm looking for Corbin." "He’s in the shower. What’s up? You can tell me." Her voice was as charming and confident as always, with just a hint of possessiveness and bravado. In the past, I would have yelled and screamed, hysterically demanding Arianna leave because I wanted to talk to Corbin. But now, I understood that only Arianna could reach Corbin. I couldn’t let her hang up, leaving me isolated like before. "He brought up divorce before, right? I agree to it." I conveyed my message calmly. Arianna was silent for a moment, then repeated in disbelief, "You agreed to the divorce?" "Yeah." No sooner had the words left my mouth than I heard shuffling sounds. The phone was handed to Corbin. Soon, his deep yet indifferent voice came through. "It’s me." I knew. Hearing his voice left me a bit dazed. After all, since he moved out six months ago to live with Arianna, we hadn’t been in contact. The last thing he said to me back then was: "Zainab, we're divorcing. If you don’t agree, I’ll separate from you and take legal action." Now, half a year later, I’ve conceded. "Did Arianna say you want to divorce me?" Seeing my silence, Corbin spoke first. He must have furrowed his brow, his tone carrying a hint of confusion. I didn’t understand where his confusion stemmed from. Wasn’t he the one who mentioned divorce? But I wasn’t interested in arguing about who proposed it. I responded with a simple "Yeah." "If you’re available, let’s meet to sign the divorce papers." With that, I hung up. Chapter 2 Discovering Corbin's infidelity, I hung up on him for the first time. Before this, it was always me flooding him with calls and messages. I used the harshest language to curse him and pleaded with him through tearful pleas. But each time, Corbin would say irritably, "Can you stop being a drama queen and talk to me when you've calmed down?" Then, he'd abruptly end the call. No matter how many times I tried to reach out afterward, he simply ignored me. I wanted to reach out, but every time I thought about the years we'd spent together ending like this, I couldn't help myself. I wanted to confront Corbin, to ask why he betrayed me. I also wanted to beg him to come back, promising that I'd forgive him. But despite all the heartache and waiting, Corbin remained unchanged. Meanwhile, I became increasingly anxious, truly as he said, a madwoman. I wandered aimlessly for a long time, trapped in this painful relationship. Until three days ago. I stumbled upon a street interview video by a blogger named Walker Dunn. He posed the question, "What would you say to yourself five years ago?" Some spoke of hard work. Others wished they had spent more time with family. Some talked about how the future version of themselves would be awesome and not let themselves down. Amid these responses, I saw Corbin and his young girlfriend, Arianna Anderson. This convinced me it wasn't staged. Given Corbin’s current status, even the most successful writers would need an appointment to see him. Yet this blogger seemed to pull people off the street for impromptu interviews and just happened to catch Corbin. The video started with Corbin looking unhappy about the interview. Next to him, Arianna was bubbling with excitement. "This sounds so fun, Corbin, let’s give it a go," she said, tugging on his arm and playfully pouting. Corbin, looking frustrated but indulgent, agreed. Walker briefly introduced himself and explained his purpose, then asked the usual question. Arianna hesitated, and seeing her struggle, Corbin answered for her. "If I could, I'd wish for the Corbin from five years ago to meet Arianna Anderson first." As he said this, he held her close. His voice was calm, yet he couldn't hide the protective tone towards the girl. Arianna looked at him in surprise and then, with a shy smile, covered her mouth and echoed, "Me too." Chapter 3 By the time I stumbled upon the video, it already had tens of thousands of likes, with comments flooding in beneath it. "Wow! This couple looks incredible! I'm hooked!" "Oh my gosh, they're so genuine! This is beautiful, gives us all hope!" "So adorable! You two have to stay happy! Sending love your way!" I stared at the video, lost in thought. Had Corbin really fallen for Arianna this deeply? Had he forgotten? Five years ago, at the start of our marriage. That was when we were truly happy. Even though we were financially struggling, we felt unbelievably content. And now, in the video, he expressed a wish. That he’d met Arianna instead of me five years ago. I expected my usual reaction—furious, blood boiling. Ready to grab my phone and bombard Corbin with calls, demanding explanations. If I couldn’t reach him, I'd likely smash everything in our house and scream to vent my anger. But oddly enough, this time, I just sat there, unmoving. The comments, which should have provoked emotions in me, scrolled past like lines of code on a screen. Then, it felt as if something in my mind had loosened and unraveled. To my surprise, Corbin’s behavior no longer affected me. Holding on is fleeting, and understanding hits in a moment. That's why I made that call earlier. Chapter 4 Corbin sent me a message, standing out among the flood of email notifications on my phone. The black text on the glowing screen couldn't be missed, signaling that Corbin had removed me from his block list. I couldn't help but think, somewhat sarcastically. Corbin wanted me to come to his office the next day, Monday. He mentioned that the lawyers would finalize the agreement terms, and once both parties were satisfied, we would sign and then wait for the mandatory cooling-off period before the divorce was completed. [Okay.] On Monday, I arrived at Corbin's company as planned. I didn't have an appointment, so the receptionist made a call to confirm my arrival. "A woman named West," she said. After hanging up, she directed me to the CEO's floor, adding that a secretary would be ready to meet me. I thanked her and headed up to Corbin's office floor. A young woman I didn't recognize greeted me. That was no surprise; I hadn't visited the office in over six months, not since Corbin and I separated. She must be new. "Ms. West, please wait here. Mr. Murray is currently in a meeting," she informed me. She clearly didn't know me, calling me Ms. West, and led me to a nearby reception area. In the past, I would have waited right in Corbin's office. His meetings often lasted at least an hour, and he knew I hated waiting, so he'd always make sure there were plenty of books and DVDs available for me. "You can read or watch a movie, and if you're tired, you can rest in the lounge," he used to say. But the last time I visited, everything of mine in Corbin's office had been replaced. Someone else now had access to his private lounge. Now, I found myself waiting in a generic reception room. At this point, I didn't have the energy or the inclination to fuss over such petty matters. So I waited patiently. I had plenty of time, after all. What caught me off guard was waiting for two hours without anyone letting me know when I could see Corbin. "Excuse me, is Mr. Murray still in his meeting?" I finally asked the young woman who had initially led me to the reception area. She hesitated, seemingly unsure, "Mr. Murray is still in the meeting..." I frowned and was about to say something when I overheard laughter and conversation nearby. "Let's hit that café for lunch." "Sounds good." Chapter 5 These voices felt all too familiar, given that I'd heard them over the phone just last night. Arianna was skipping along, holding a folder tight, and trailing closely beside Corbin. Her vivacity was palpable; she glowed with beauty and carried herself with an air of confidence and zest. Corbin inclined his head slightly, engrossed in whatever she was chattering about. I couldn't catch Arianna's words, but they must have been amusing, as Corbin’s smile widened noticeably. “Hey…” The young woman noticed me heading straight toward Corbin but didn't have the chance to stop me. “Corbin.” My voice drew their attention, and both turned to face me. I clearly saw surprise flit across Corbin’s face. I asked whether Corbin had wrapped up his meeting. If he had, it was time to hash out our issues. “I arrived at ten and have been waiting for you for two hours.” “Who told you I was in a meeting?” To my surprise, Corbin frowned and shot back a question. I was caught off guard and instinctively looked at him. The confusion in Corbin’s eyes seemed genuine, not an act. We both realized the misunderstanding almost simultaneously. I stayed quiet as Corbin scanned the office with a serious look. Everyone kept their heads down, avoiding eye contact. The young woman who had led me in shrank further, lowering her head. She quickly glanced at Arianna before dropping her gaze again. Of course. Only someone like Arianna would dare pull such tricks in the office. “I forgot to inform everyone that the meeting was canceled. It wasn’t intentional. I apologize, Mr. Murray.” Arianna puckered her lips, giving Corbin an innocent look. Corbin, ever lenient towards her antics, chose not to reprimand her this time. “Come in.” He invited me, dismissing the incident. As I walked past Arianna, I noticed the pride and challenge shimmering in her eyes. Chapter 6 "Please, have a seat." Entering the office, Corbin Murray greeted me as if I were a guest of honor. My eyes drifted to the sofa, which was overflowing with plush toys. The bookshelves had transformed into snack storage, and the door to the private lounge stood slightly ajar, revealing some disheveled women's clothing strewn across the floor. Corbin’s gaze, impossible to decipher, met mine, prompting me to avert my eyes, feeling somewhat out of place. "Here's the paperwork." Corbin handed me the divorce papers, watching intently as I went through them. "We've shared a long history; you won't be lacking. You can pick any of the cars or houses you prefer. If there's anything else on your mind, just say." Was this meant to be some kind of recompense? That was the only thought that flashed through my mind, yet it didn’t affect my pace in reading. The agreement offered more than enough for a lifetime. Corbin had always been generous, never miserly in such matters. "No need. Just this," I replied, "and the house I've been living in—that should suffice." I signed the papers smoothly and handed them back to Corbin. He seemed ready to say more, his mouth opening only to shut again upon seeing my actions. He seemed shocked that we were done in less than five minutes. I stood up. "The divorce has a one-month grace period before it's final. I'll be in touch then." With that, I turned to leave. "Zainab." "Yes?" "Is that really all you have to say to me?" Corbin's brow furrowed, disbelief coloring his voice. I looked at him, confused by the sincerity of his question. After a pause, I genuinely asked, "At this point, are you expecting me to wish you and Arianna a blissful and fulfilling life together?" I've moved on, but not quite to that level. "..." Corbin was silent, his eyes revealing a depth of emotion. As I reached for the door handle, his voice found me once more. "Zainab, in the end, I'm the one who failed you. I'll continue to take care of your mom's medical expenses." Chapter 7 Mentioning my mom stopped me in my tracks. If anyone wanted me to stay with Corbin Murray more than anyone else, it was certainly her. Corbin and I started building our lives together when we were seventeen. In those tough days, we would share a single meal, and Corbin always made sure I got the roast beef. In the bitter cold of winter, he worked as a bicycle messenger, saving every penny. He wouldn’t spend a cent on himself but once managed to buy me a ring. "Even though it's just a simple band now, one day I'll give you a bigger, brighter diamond," he promised. We lived in a tiny basement apartment, barely a few hundred square feet. With no heat in winter, we kept warm by holding each other close. When summer came, it got so hot that Corbin took me to sleep in the park. My mom saw all this, and it broke her heart. She sold everything she had to help Corbin start his business. When he earned his first fortune, he bought a luxurious condo downtown, with perfect climate control all year round. In front of my mom, he vowed to always take care of me. My mom was moved to tears, managing to say only, "You two must look after each other." I was hopeful then, thinking the future was full of promise. But in just a few short years, everything changed beyond recognition. Corbin cheated. My mom was diagnosed with cancer. Her treatment costs tens of thousands each year. If it weren’t for Corbin covering the expenses, I might have lost her long ago. But now... "No need to trouble yourself. Thanks." I concluded the meeting politely, opened the door, and left. Chapter 8 As I stepped out of Corbin Murray's office building, I heard Arianna Anderson call my name. "Zainab." She quickly closed the distance between us, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear with a graceful motion. "Thank you for stepping aside and letting us be together, for giving Corbin up," she said. Her smile was bright and triumphant, as if she were a victor showcasing her prize. "You're welcome," I replied with a faint smile, wishing she wouldn't end up in my shoes someday. A little piece of wisdom from someone who’d been there before. Arianna's smile wavered for a moment but then returned to its radiant form. "How could I end up like you? You've already seen how Corbin feels about me, haven't you?" she asserted confidently. She was referencing something from the past. Back then, Corbin had brought Arianna to one of his friends’ parties. During the gathering, one of Corbin’s friends inadvertently mentioned my history with Corbin. He blurted out, "Once Corbin came back late from a business trip, and Zainab was waiting for him outside, asleep on a garden bench, when a homeless guy bothered her." Arianna, nestled in Corbin’s arms at the time, frowned in distaste and uttered, “Isn't that just pathetic?” I couldn't tell if she was referring to my sleeping in the garden or the incident with the homeless man. Regardless, the room erupted in mocking laughter. That night, I was standing right outside the door. I had intended to catch them in the act. Unexpectedly, those words struck me like a cold blast, leaving me feeling both icy and fiercely burning, torn apart by my emotions. But what truly stunned me was Corbin’s reaction. He sat on the couch, holding Arianna, and amidst the careless jokes and laughter, he remained silent, his expression nonchalant. As if they were mocking a stranger. And not someone he had once cared for and protected. And during the final game of the evening, Corbin happily took a drink from Arianna’s lips. At her playful urging, he repeated the words, "Zainab, dirty."

Where the ad sends people

h5.snack-read.com

💖😍one click to continue reading👉