Chapter 2

Adrienne stepped out of the car donning a bikini-like underwear, but immediately made her way to her room to change into a normal bikini before joining the others at the pool.

"Yo, David!" she called to a friend as she arrived at the pool.

"Hey, what's up?" David responded.

"I'm diving in," Adrienne announced, before plunging gracefully into the pool.

Swimming was one of Adrienne's favourite pastimes, and she excelled at it. She was known for hosting lavish pool parties across various states and countries as a way to unwind after a long day.

With music playing and the party in full swing, Adrienne was in high spirits, dancing along with her guests. However, her enjoyment was abruptly cut short when a man in the pool touched her inappropriately.

Adrienne was having a good time, twerking in the pool when suddenly, a man in the pool moved closer to her and grabbed her butt, squeezing it.

"No man is allowed to touch me," Adrienne defended herself, pushing him away.

The man retorted, "Stop acting like you didn't like it. Everyone knows you're a slut."

Unfazed, Adrienne smirked at him before walking back into her house. She headed to the master bedroom and lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling for a few minutes.

Suddenly, Adrienne chuckled before slipping out of her bikini and walking nude into the living room. She knew no one was allowed into the main house, and she relished in the freedom of being alone.

She took a seat on the sofa, crossing her legs and staring at the off television with her head held high. "Jerk," she muttered to herself.

Determined to address the man who had touched her inappropriately earlier, Adrienne called someone on her phone and provided a description of the man.

"Tell him I said it's for fun," she instructed the person.

A few minutes later, the man walked in wearing only his swimwear, convinced of his own prowess.

"I knew you liked it," he said confidently.

Adrienne, cool and composed, gave him a cold stare and beckoned him closer. When they were in close proximity, he leered at her body before attempting to touch her breasts.

Using her quick reflexes, Adrienne slapped him hard across the face, causing him to stumble backwards.

"I said no man is allowed to touch me," she fired.

He retaliated, "You like it aggressive?" and forcefully kissed her.

Adrienne didn't hesitate to slap him again, this time using her hand with rings on her fingers, which cut his face and drew blood. She then delivered two more backhand slaps, feeling a sense of satisfaction in the process.

"Ugh! That felt so good," she exclaimed proudly, before making her way upstairs.

As she walked past the man, he shouted, "Don't you ever make a man horny and leave him wanting!"

"Don't you ever call me a slut," Adrienne shot back firmly.

"And get out of my house!" she ordered before retiring to her room.

"Bitch!" He cursed her.

*

Anabelle's voice quivered as she asked, "You're breaking up with me?"

Ryan's reply was solemn. "Yes."

Anabelle struggled to comprehend. "Is this some kind of joke? A prank? Please tell me it is," she pleaded.

"I'm sorry, but it's not," Ryan stated firmly.

"Why, Ryan?? Please tell me why," Anabelle shouted, tears beginning to stream down her face.

Ryan spoke slowly, with a sense of finality. "I fell out of love. I've tried to revive the feelings, but it just doesn't feel right anymore. I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with you."

Anabelle's anger flared at the sudden reality of their situation. "So you're just going to cancel everything we've planned for the past three months? All the appointments, bookings, and invitations?"

Ryan's voice softened. "I'll pay triple the amount of everything and every cancellation fee attached."

Anabelle shook her head, "It's not only about the money. What about my reputation? My family's reputation? We've built everything over the past two years. How can you simply throw it away?"

"Do you love me?" Ryan asked, seeking a direct answer.

Anabelle remained silent, refusing to answer.

Ryan's voice grew angry. "Answer me!"

Anabelle replied defensively, "What does my love or lack of love have to do with this engagement?"

Frustrated, Ryan confronted her. "You don't love me, do you? Did you ever love me? I even thought your feelings changed because mine changed. You only care about your reputation and showing off your lifestyle to others. You want money? I'll give it to you. But I want you out of my life for good."

"What of Brian?" Annabelle asked and her question melted his anger immediately.

Brian is the couple's son, conceived a month after Ryan ended their five-month relationship. At first, Ryan had his doubts about whether the baby was his, but kept it to himself. Financially strapped, he suggested that Anabelle terminate her pregnancy, but she refused. After much argument, they decided to keep the baby. During the ensuing months, while taking care of Anabelle and accompanying her to doctor visits, Ryan fell for her again and they started dating.

As Ryan's family business began booming, he lost his feelings for Anabelle once more after the birth of Brian. She often rejected his advances -only gave in a few times- and insulted him for not being able to cater to the lavish lifestyle she craved. Anabelle informed Ryan that she was expecting again, but conditions her agreement to another termination upon their marriage.

Ryan accepted, hoping that they would rekindle their love after they married, but he only grew more frustrated and delayed the wedding for over a year. He knew that he had to end the relationship for good, despite his love for his son Brian and Brian's attachment to Anabelle.

Now that Anabelle had demanded marriage, Ryan felt that his son's happiness was at stake. He knew that he couldn't continue in this relationship, especially for his son's sake.

Ryan approached Anabelle in a calm yet determined manner. "I'll hand over the house documents to you. You can continue staying there with Brian, and I'll move out of the house. However, you have to allow me to visit or take him out, whenever and wherever I want," he proposed.

Anabelle replied sarcastically, "Wow, what a sweet dad!"

"You're going to move out, buy a new house and live a free life while I'll be stuck raising our child? You want to go out to parties, sleep with low-class girls, returning home late while I'm having sleepless nights raising Brian? Or do you think I don't know about your affairs?" she fired back.

Ryan defended himself. "What affairs? You're the only girl I've been intimate with for the past three years."

Anabelle then brought up Juliette in the conversation as a potential love interest for Ryan, but he explained that their relationship was purely professional. He also mentioned that Anabelle had been unfaithful in their relationship with several photos as evidence.

Ignoring his allegations, Anabelle was blunt. "Take your sperm and raise it," she said in reference to Brian.

Ryan was flabbergasted by her response. "How could you say that about our innocent child? You were the one who wanted to keep him," he reminded her.

Anabelle broke down and admitted her regret. "I don't want him. You can raise him. I'll visit once in a while," she said, looking away.

Ryan was heartbroken. "Do you know how much he loves you? You are about to hurt an innocent two-year-old!" he exclaimed.

Anabelle remained unyielding, "I want to go out on dates, drink alcohol with my friends, go to strip clubs, and go on vacations - not be stuck raising a child," she said.

Ryan was disappointed in himself for allowing things to come to this point. He knew what he needed to do - take custody of Brian and raise him without Anabelle's involvement.

"How did I end up with a fake girl like her?" he asked himself. Ryan was overcome with a strong sense of disappointment and shock.

"I don't even know how I ended up with someone like you. You're so selfish and insensitive, even towards your own child," he said, standing up and preparing to leave.

Annabelle tried to stop him, "Ryan, let's..." but he walked away without looking back.