4. CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE

{Scarlett}

~~ Sign the divorce papers now, or face the consequences!.

~~ Consider this your final warning!.

~~ Five minutes more and all your documents will go in flames!.

I brought my car to a halt and the notification chime on my phone rang continuously, as Nana bombarded me with threatening texts. I knew Nana never carried out empty threats, so when I began to receive the messages I walked out of the ward swiftly.

Thankfully, Liam was sleeping but the youngman who had volunteered to help was not around. I realized I might appear ungrateful for leaving the hospital without informing him, but I couldn't risk having my important documents destroyed.

Walking into the estate with unsteady steps, I saw several guests in the family house. A placard placed in the right side of the living room read, 'Happy Birthday Mrs. Celine Dermott,' and soft background music played.

‘Mrs?'

I turned sharply to Richard and Celine, they were dressed in couple outfits. Kayla, a few of Celine's friends and Richard's associates were present, cracking jokes and laughing lightheartedly. Somehow, everyone seemed like they were oblivious of my presence.

“Listen up, listen up please!." Kayla demanded, tapping her manicured nails on the wine flute she held.

“I have lovely presents for our lovey doveys" she continued, and the little crowd cheered.

She placed two wrapped presents on the table, and I saw Celine cover her mouth in surprise. She went ahead to unwrap the gifts and to my wildest shock it was a designer bag and an expensive artwork.

Wasn't that too expensive for someone who had denied having any cash to spare?.

Both women hugged and Richard stared at me menacingly from the wine glass he drank from. A tear dropped from my eyes, and I began to head towards the bedroom, I was here for my documents and I wouldn't allow their deliberate show off get to me.

I was rest assured that Kayla was never the person I thought she was, she had been on their side and I was naive to note that. She was the only one I told about Liam's life insurance, it made a whole lot of sense now.

“When I got married to Celine a month ago" Richard's voice cut in the moment I took a step, and I halted.

“I felt happy, I felt free like I had been redeemed from long years of torture!" He said loudly and then went on to add, “It feels ecstatic to be with your actual soulmate, buddies!"

The little crowd supported, cheering again and clapping.

Why on earth was he acting like the victim? I am the fucking victim!. Richard had claimed to have serious contracts in India that lasted for weeks, it was certain he had wedded Celine during those times.

The cheering increased when he grabbed Celine's waist romantically.

“You are the one for me, babe, and I'd rather be in your arms than the arms of another" He finalized, kissing Celine passionately to spite me.

The crowd screamed and clapped and smiled. Everything played like a daze in my eyes. Quivering with tears, I realized I've been fooled for four whole years, even Richard's associates and friends knew about his affair with Celine all this while.

I have been such a fool!.

The satisfying laughter of Nana filled my ears as I advanced through the hallways, she was clutching Alvan's child Dora in her hands. Dora's elder sister had been born since I was ten, then Alvan was sixteen and she continuously referred to Mrs. Donald as Nana hence the nickname Nana.

“You came right in time" she said with an air of authority.

“I'm glad Richard's eyes are finally opened. He was delusional to pick you as his wife in the first place! What good can come out from a deranged orphan who didn't think twice to kill her own father?"

“Absolutely nothing!" She replied herself, and I tightened my fist controlling the anger and pain that surged through me.

Damning her demeaning words, I walked into the bedroom Richard and I once shared. My clothes were littered on the floor and I noticed a reasonable number of clothes were arranged in the wardrobe my clothes used to be, they were all new and feminine. I could decipher it was Celine's and when my teary eyes roved about them I discovered her nighties were all red; Richard's favorite color for his woman. He had told me a countless number of times how he gets easily turned on by seeing his woman in red.

My heart ached as I recollected the many good memories with Richard. His said marriage to Celine wasn't a façade.

A beautiful picture of the both of them was rested on the cabinet, when I walked closer. I was deeply bruised by the many revelations that night, but I needed to get my stuff and go back to Liam. It was already getting late.

Pulling the cabinet drawer forward, I took all of my documents. My social security card, vehicle documents, my travel passport and lastly my treasured gift from my mother. Some receipts were under them. One bearing the total amount of seventy five thousand dollars, the money Richard had withdrawn from Liam's life insurance, and the other a receipt of a Jaguar F-type Convertible bearing the same price. The date on the receipt showed that he had purchased it a few days ago in Celine's name.

The bastard had bought his mistress a car with my hard earned savings for my son. I clamped my hair vibrating vigorously as the searing pain tore my heart, I had never experienced the kind of torture and pain I did feel this few days.

I let out a loud piercing scream, shutting my mouth from bursting out in tears.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps walking towards the room and when I looked up I met Celine's vicious glare. My scream must have attracted her attention.

She advanced gracefully to where I was seated and spat, “I won't have you disturb my guests, take your filthy things and leave this minute!"

I ignored, trying my best to stop whimpering but I couldn't. She dragged me by my hair out of the door that led to the balcony, before she went on to blurt, “You could sit here and cry as you wish, I want you to do just one thing and that's signing the damn papers!"

With my bloodshot eyes and scattered hair I stared at her shortly and laughed painfully, “What if I refuse to sign that, Celine?! You hurt me so deeply beyond words. I thought you were supposed to be my sister!" I growled.

“Sister?" She asked between clenched teeth.

“You must be out of your mind!" She shrieked.

“Here, sign it and leave us be. Go far away from us, Scarlett, I'd never want to see you again. I wish you were dead!" She said that with so much hate.

“You disgust me and I'd be glad to have you out of my life!" She added.

She forced a pen to my right hand and went further to make me sign the papers. It was merely signed by her, all she had to do was move my hand to create my brief signature. She had been with me for years and could sign most of my documents if she wished to, she just wanted me to get it done by myself willingly or forcefully.

“Now, get out of our lives! Take your damn things and leave!" She howled, moving forward to walk back into the bedroom but I guess my legs were positioned badly, and it made her trip over to the floor.

I let out a loud gasp as she faced me angrily still on the floor. I made to stand by leaning with my guitar I had placed on the floor and scamper for safety, but I was too weakened to get up on time. Before I could make it to my feet, Celine rushed towards me pushing me and my instrument over the balcony.

As I stumbled over, my vision blurred. I felt the cold metal of the balcony railing press against my back. More pain radiated through my body, each breath a struggle as the world spun around me. My heart pounded, not from fear for myself but for my son Liam, if not for him I yearned for an end to the enormous pain I felt.

I landed my head on the floor with a thud, but that instant I felt a warm hand raise my head.

The hands clasped me in a warm embrace and I heard a masculine voice mutter “Scarlett"

I had little hopes that I would survive, but since I did I would make sure I get my revenge from Richard, from Nana, Celine and every one that went ahead to hurt me!.