2: Back To Square One

Anna

“A divorce…” My voice sounded distant, but they were mine. “Are you kidding me?”

Monalisse, realizing that she had overstayed her visit, dared to kiss Marcus on the lips before leaving his office.

At this point, I wanted to wake up from this bad dream and start today all over again, but this was my reality and what was happening was not a dream.

“After all our years of hard work and dedication, you want to throw it away for someone who is willing to bolt at the slightest inconvenience?”

I found out on time that my marriage to Marcus was not one borne out of love. He needed my expertise to build him up, and I didn't mind being his ladder to success because I was hooked on the belief that he would end up loving me in the long run.

Well, I was so wrong about it. His heart still belonged to someone else, and I was the one falling into the grave that I had dug.

“Come on Anna. Stop playing the victim here. I told you from the very beginning that my heart belonged to another.”

He was right, Marcus was right. Prior to our engagement, he had made mention to me of his inability to love again.

I was way too young back then and full of optimism that I had failed to acknowledge that I was being a second fiddle in an unrequited relationship.

Standing before him, pained by his confession, I shook my head disappointed as a clear picture of my parents laughing at me with an “I told you so,” falling from their lips traumatized me, even more than the divorce.

“So what happens to the company after the divorce?” The company was literally my baby, after accepting that I could not have one of my own, I dedicated my time, effort, and blood to the growth of what it was today.

Marcus chuckled lightly at my question, his face making a comical expression.

“What company?”

Marcus's question struck me like lightning, paralyzing me as I gawked at him, fully aware that he was about to sideline me.

“Don't you dare play those theatrics on me. I am co-founder of this empire, I worked my ass into the making of Everything Sow.” I raised my voice a pitch higher, and dared Marcus to say otherwise.

“I have always given you credit for work well done and even got you a nice cozy office. I also pay you a nice fat salary on a weekly basis. Haven't I done enough?”

Marcus shamelessly asked, his words aggravating me as I shook angrily, unable to contain the feeling of betrayal that overwhelmed me.

“I signed the documents which makes me a legit owner of the company.” I responded in my defense, refusing to back down in this fight.

“You mean this document?” Marcus gently placed the binding papers I had signed in my palms which I had failed to read back then because I trusted him enough to not read the content of the file. “You signed an NDA, and if you read it through, it legally binds you to 0% of the company's shares.”

Without reading the file, I tossed it to the side and walked out of his office.

I had been played by the man that I loved and the thought of spending another second working with him, killed me.

I ended up packing my things and doing the walk of shame out of the company building.

I had no one to turn to, I could not call my parents for help because I had long cut them off, and I was, in a nutshell, stranded.

The home which I shared with Marcus no longer felt like my safe space. It was cold like my heart and every nook and cranny reminded me of who I was with him.

I gently rubbed on my stomach and smiled at the life that I was creating.

“Don't worry baby, I promise to protect you with all that I've got.” I spoke to my unborn child, as I began packing my things before Marcus returned.

The buzz from the intercom jolted me from my thoughts. Marcus's secretary had come with the divorce papers and, as directed by her boss, I was to sign it.

“I know that I am in no position to interfere, but what happens to fighting for your marriage? I have always looked up to you and Mr. Marcus as my role model. Can't something be done?”

I smiled sadly at her admission and wished it was as easy as she said it.

“Nothing can be done to salvage my marriage. Marcus made sure of that the moment he broke my trust.” I choked out my words, defeated by the sad reality of what was indeed happening to me.

My hands shook, as I firmed it while signing the divorce papers.

Instead of feeling relieved, a fresh batch of tears fell off my cheeks in fat droplets, and I was comforted by the female secretary who empathized with me.

After emptying the Kleenex box, I bade the woman farewell and completed with getting rid of whatever belonged to me in the house.

I had served my purpose, now it was time for me to return back to my life before I met Marcus.

I managed to get a feasible apartment at a cheaper price. While I tried to adjust to my new life, I got robbed in the middle of the night at the apartment and ripped off all my belongings including my last savings.

Broke and stranded with nowhere to go, I reached out to the last friend who sucked up to me back in College, and on the first ring, she picked, her voice high-pitched with excitement.

“Hello Jayla, I'm stranded, please I need your help. Can I come stay with you for some days?” I pleaded with Jayla whose voice dropped to one of fake sympathy.

“I am so sorry Anna, but I am currently out of town and my boyfriend has some friends over.” She lied through her teeth.

Jayla was not into men and as far as my knowledge of her went, she was currently single.

After her blatant refusal to help me, I exhaled sharply, and without giving it a second thought, like a prodigal daughter, I swallowed what was left of my pride as the caller on the other end picked on the second ring.

“Hi Mom, it’s me Anna…”