Chapter 2

Sign the Divorce

“You and I know this sham of a marriage isn’t working, Sylvia. And I’m tired of trying to make it work, and…”

“What are you saying, Jasper? I’ve been the one working my ass work up for the past four years, trying to fix our marriage. You can’t call for divorce out of the blue, not for everything I’ve done for this family, for this marriage to make it work.”  Sylvia explained, hoping he had got a clear picture of her sacrifices, but his expression was far from it.

He stared at her, his face contorting into a stern frown. “What did you just say? I have tried. How dare you tell me you are the only one making an effort? I still kept you under my roof after you ruined me, my company went down in shambles because I married you, yet I put that behind me and tolerated you for four fucking years. What more do you want from me?” His yelling drew the attention of his mother and Thomas, his younger brother.

Out of their rooms, they came upon me like swarms of locusts.

“What in God’s name is going on here?” Elena asked, turning her son. “I’m sure Sylvia is responsible for your outburst.”

“You’re right, mother. I want a divorce,” he announced, and Sylvia’s heart broke at the smiles that spread across Elena’s slips.

“Hallelujah! I thought this day would never come. Oh, dear son, you’ve done well. Our family needs peace.” Elena hovered in jubilation and tears rolled down Sylvia’s cheeks.

Jasper turned to Sylvia, smirking. “You see? Nobody wants you here. You are no longer needed, so sign the goddamn papers and leave already. As you can see, I need some quality time with my girlfriend here.”

Sylvia broke down in tears, and down to her knees, she cried. “Please, Jasper…”

“Sign the papers, you devil!” Elena interrupted with a curse. “We do not need you here anymore!”

Sylvia’s eyes flew to Amanda who stood up and walked towards her, lifting her from the floor. “Don’t you think you’re being too cheap? He said he doesn’t want, girl. Let me be and get out!” Amanda snapped.

“Hold your tongue, woman!” Sylvia fired back. “He is my husband.”

“Not anymore, woman!” She poured and Sylvia gasped. Little did Sylvia know what Amanda was up to. How could she come into another woman’s house and claim her husband? “He is mine now. You’re a broke-ass bitch with nothing to bring to the table. You better leave while I’m still nice.” Amanda’s eyes grew with anger and murderous intent.

“Jasper,” Sylvia called and held his trousers, but he yanked her hands away. “Jasper, please. We can make this work. Don’t push me away, Jasper.” She held him tight, but he pushed her away from him, leaving her on the floor in the pool of her tears.

She tried to get back close to him again, but this time, Amanda blocked her path. Amanda pulled her up, and in a twinkle of an eye, she felt Amanda's palms on her cheek, leaving a thunderous slap that sent stars emitting from her eyes.

When she managed to clear her vision, she met with the thunderous eyes of Amanda, staring at her.

“Your husband told me a lot about you, bitch! You made him go bankrupt and couldn’t keep the family together. He wants a divorce, and you have the nerve to resist? How dare you?”

Sylvia was dumbfounded. It was not what she was expecting, and the fact that Amanda had the temerity to slap her and her husband doing nothing, sent a wave of shock in her nerves.

“I planned to be nice to you, but now, you’ve left me with no choice but to act otherwise. Boys!” Amanda called, and two men ran into the living room. They were so huge with their big chests bulging out of their hugged shirts. Sylvia felt like an ant before them.

“Throw this bitch out of this house; beat the hell out of her if she dares resists!” Amanda commanded. They grabbed her and dragged her out of the house.

“Put me down! Let me go! Jasper!” Sylvia cried, looking at Jasper for help but he folded his arms and just watched her dragged away like a thief.

“Don’t worry about Jasper. My wealth will take care of him and his family.” Amanda said, beaming a mocking smile. Sylvia looked at her mother-in-law and Thomas as they smiled and walked away.

She pleaded but to no avail. The door opened only to reveal Thomas and before she could utter a word, he threw her clothes at her and chuckled.

“You came with nothing, you leave with nothing!” Thomas exclaimed. “I never knew getting rid of you would be this heartwarming.” He slammed the door before her, and in a split second, the door opened again and the divorce papers were thrown at her.

Sylvia wiped her tears, stood up from the ground picked up only her handbag, and walked away from the premises. She should’ve listened to her parents’ advice. One thing became clear to her.

There was never love for her from Jasper. He just loved money and had shown her the monster he was. Sylvia was so raged thinking about the slap from Amanda and Jasper doing nothing. And the trauma he made her go through all these years. She vowed never to let him go scot-free.

Sylvia vowed to make Jasper pay for causing her such amount of pain. She signed the divorce papers but promised to make him regret it. Time to return home – her parents’ house, where she was truly valued and loved.

She reached for her handbag, brought out her phone, and dialed some digits.

“Hey, Syl!” A gentle voice called out at the other end. “You finally called!” Allison’s voice boomed through the phone and smiled. Sylvia just realized how much she’d missed her younger sister.

“Allison, tell Mum and Dad that I’m coming home,” Sylvia said almost like a whisper.

“Finally!” Allison exclaimed, beaming with a smile. “I’ll definitely do that. They’ll be so happy to see you.”

“And please, tell the driver to come pick me up. I’ll text you the address,” Sylvia added.

“But why are you coming back all of a sudden though?” Allison asked with concern. Sylvia's breath caught in her throat.

“I need to make amends to my path and kick some goddamn asses while at it!”