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GLENDA'S POV

I struggled to recover from the numbing shock. I bowed my head to look away from him. It was at that moment he saw me. His eyes grew wide with surprise, confusion and disgust etched on his face.

Nana beamed at Brian, taking his attention away from me for a split second and they said their hellos.

"Your father's wife." Nana offered, noticing the way he was staring me down.

Maurice had continued his feasting a little over naturally. He swallowed his food and wiped at the corners of his mouth before speaking.

"It's nice of you to join us for dinner after, how long has it been?"

"It's nice to see you too, Dad," Brian replied, returning his father's indifferent attitude. His eyes remained on me even while he spoke to his father.

"You got married."

"Isn't she beautiful?"

"Isn't she too young for you?"

"Makes it all the more better, wouldn't you agree?"

"You're a pathetic old man."

"I don't see why you're so upset about my marriage. You should grow up."

"And be like you? I'll pass."

"And why did you return?"

"It's none of your business!"

"You want money, don't you?"

"Stop it you two!" Nana's small voice chided them to silence.

They were talking about me like I wasn't there. I felt a torrent of mixed emotions. How did this happen? How did I get here? It was all too surreal.

I ran away from the father, then I ran away from the son. But here I was, back to the nemesis. Caught between two men, a father and a son. One, I married. The other I love. Both want nothing to do with me. This was torture.

The room suddenly became too small. I couldn't breathe. I needed to breathe. I pulled back my seat and did what I did best; run.

I ran out of the dining room into the only available exit nearest to me.

"You've upset the young girl!" I heard Nana query behind me.

I stood panting at the balcony and the tears flowed involuntarily. Thankfully, no one came after me. I was left alone.

Memories of Brian's betrayal flood my mind again. The hurt still fresh tugged at my heart. Placing a hand over my mouth, I choked on my sobs.

Staled tears lined my face. My body still quivered from all the crying. I remained standing on the balcony staring into the dark night, lost in my own darkness.

The air got cooler. I figured it was almost midnight but I didn't have it in me to go back inside. I wanted to be far from here. Could I? Life always dealt with me differently.

"I never thought you had it in you to be vindictive."

The voice was as cold as the night's air. I stirred and came face to face with Brian. His eyes returned my gaze with every ounce of hatred in them. I shifted my gaze, stared back into the darkness. Else I would drown in his hate.

"So this had been your plan all along. All the sweetness and this was your ultimate goal. You always acted so sweet and kind. I never knew underlying that facade lies the devil's daughter!"

I close my eyes to shut out his words. They aimed at me like fiery coal, searing my being. But he was hardly done.

"You did it for the money, didn't you? It's all about the money, always has been. When you saw that I wasn't as rich as my father. You dumped me for the bigger catch!"

My pain was becoming anger. Deep raging anger! How dare he question my character? How dare he say these words to me. He knew what had happened. He knew why I ran away with him. He knew I was arranged to be married. He knew all of these and yet he questioned my character.

The mind of him to even blame me for the breakup. He cheated! If I hadn't caught him cheating, I'd probably still be with his lying ass.

"You know that's not true."

The calm with which I spoke surprised me. I guess I was all too tired. My essence was fatigued.

"Don't play dumb with me!"

He was trying hard to keep his voice down. Why was he so angry? He told me he was tired of us. He told me he wanted out. He even moved on before informing me about his decision, he cheated.

"You cheated Brian, need I remind you? You told me you wanted out. Did you forget?" My voice was weighty with pain as I recall what he did.

"That's why you married my father to get back at me?" He retorted obliviously to my hurt.

It was all about him. He had always been like this. Thinking about only himself and I was too blinded by love to see it.

"No Brian. I never knew he was your father." I tried to explain earnestly.

"You've always known about the strained relationship between me and my father. You knew how much I wanted his approval, up until I didn't care anymore and he became my enemy. You knew all of it! And yet, you married him. This is your sweet revenge, isn't it?"

"How do I make you see? I never knew he was your father. Everything happened so fast." I pleaded.

"I don't want to see anything. I don't want to look at you while you cold-heartedly lie to my face!"

I couldn't take more. I was done with him. Enough of his lashing. I did nothing wrong. I was the victim. I was the cheated one. Yet, he stood before me, accusing, playing victim, and painting me the villain. I've had it with Brian! I no longer cared what he thought.

"True! Your father is more of a man than you'll ever be!" I spat at him.

I knew my words were venomous to him and the effect of the poison was quick to spread.

He was livid! His lips twitched with anger as he fought for restraint. His eyes glared daggers at me. His breath was ragged.

For a moment, I got scared. I feared what he would do to me at that moment.

He matched towards me in quick steps. I moved backward but was stopped by the balustrade, I couldn't escape. He grabbed my neck, pressing it painfully and pushing me back.

I was scared to the marrow. I thought he would push me over. I braced myself for the worst. Maybe this was it for me; the end, my end.

He held me there, his angry weight pushing against me, his angry stare searching to destroy my soul.

"Don't ever compare me to my father!" He gritted through his teeth, spraying droplets of saliva on my face.

“You’re hurting me, Brian,” I cried, my words breathless as he choked the air out of my lungs.

Was this the man I fell in love with? When did he become so violent?

“Whatever your plan is, I promise you it’s not going to work,” he spat out with so much venom before he let me go roughly.

He let me go roughly and I coughed, gasping for breath when Maurice suddenly appeared.

“What’s going on here?”