Georgia’s POVIn private now, Georgia held her hand to her chest and released the breath that she had been holding.“That was freaking close!” Georgia said in shock.While she sat there and watched the banter among Syrus, Nancy and Bonnie, Georgia had been praying that Bonnie wouldn’t be pressured into telling the truth, thereby mentioning her name.She was really smart enough to have told Bonnie to wire it over to her, because she knew without a doubt that Syrus definitely tried to trace that money. “I have to think of something,” Georgia said to herself in thought.She received the mail of her officially approved contract with the TV show, which meant that the money would soon be paid to get. It also meant that she would soon begin her tour. All things seemed to be working well for Georgia. Now, her only problem was Bonnie. Georgia had a deep feeling that if Syrus applied just the right pressure, she would slip. She knew Bonnie and the soil she was made from. Bonnie was too soft at
Georgia’s POVGeorgia stayed hidden in that spot and watched everything play out. She had planned everything with Adrian, but she needed to be sure that nothing was going to go wrong. Georgia watched Bonnie give Adrian a side look, and she raised her nose up.“All of you from wealthy homes are always looking down on people at first look,” Georgia said to herself in disdain.She was familiar with that kind of look all too well, because when she was trying to make her way to the top, she faced a lot of criticism from wealthy and influential people. Georgia also knew that if she wasn’t where she was now, Bonnie would not give her a first look at all.“Well, all that is about to change,” Georgia said as she paid attention to the pair. She arranged it in such a way that made her hear everything they were talking about.“I am waiting on someone, and you are in her seat,” Bonnie said in her rich, proud, and sophisticated voice that made Georgia want to drag off all the wealth and influence
Vivian’s POVI had been fuming with anger since I left my home. How could Manny suggest something as outrageous as that? Why would he even think that I would want to collect such a huge amount of money from Syrus.I got into the apartment and slammed the door angrily. I grabbed a bottle of water from the kitchen first to calm my thirst, but it did nothing to quell the anger deep inside of me. It was bad enough that they were already treating me as the black sheep of the family, and now, they want to guilt-trip me into this.I called Belinda on the phone immediately. I knew she was at work and probably busy, but if I did not talk to anyone, I might explode, and Belinda was the only one I could talk to. Belinda picked at the first ring, making me super relieved.“Girl, you do realize that I am at work, right?” Belinda said in her light nature, as always. “Do you want me to order that breakfast now?” She asked.“I am sorry, Bel, but I just needed to talk to someone,” I said, and now tha
Vivian’s POV“Mrs. Nancy Vale,” I said breathlessly.I wasn’t particularly expecting anyone, but definitely not Syrus’s uptight, sophisticated, condescending and downright blunt mother. Without even asking if she was welcome in or acknowledging that at least I said her name in exchange for a polite greeting, she shoved me off the door and sashayed into the apartment, her exotic and expensive cologne lingering in the air.I stood by the door, frozen in shock, and maybe a little bit of fright. Since I divorced Syrus and moved out of their house, I completely stopped thinking about her and her cruelty and hostility towards me, until now, everything just came rushing back, especially the first day I met her.“Where are you taking me today, Syrus?” I had asked, giggling happily as I rode with Syrus in his brand new car.He had insisted that he wanted to see me, so as usual, I went out of the house with the constant lie that I had something to do at Belinda’s house.“Do you want to guess?”
Vivian's Pov"Bullshit!" I cursed from the bottom of my chest as I watched the TV. The news channel headlined "Top actress and supermodel Goergia see linking arms with CEO of Vale Tech - Syrus Vale." I threw the coffee mug I was holding shattering the television. I had seen these reports before, but this one hurt more.That good for nothing husband promised to come home for my birthday, yet here he was, not just late, but fooling around with another woman, not just any woman but his ex-fiance to boot. I was the one who married him in the end, but it never felt like Syrus left her behind.I looked at the dinner table, still set with candles and the meal I spent hours making. The cake I baked sat there, untouched, its frosting melting. My hand shook as I picked up my phone and saw a message. It was a photo from Georgia. She rested her head on Syrus’s shoulder while he smiled, a smile I hadn’t seen in years.My breath caught in my throat. I felt stupid for holding onto hope. My frie
Vivian's PovI didn’t take a single penny from the divorce settlement. Syrus scoffed as I walked away, probably thinking I was foolish for leaving behind the wealth and status his name came with. What he never understood was that I had never touched the money he gave me. I had supported myself all these years, refusing to depend on him for anything.When I returned to the mansion to collect the last of my things, I heard laughter from the living room. I paused, recognizing the voices of my mother-in-law, Nancy and Georgia.“She said she’s divorcing my son! As if that greedy woman would ever walk away from this family’s wealth,” my mother-in-law cackled.“It’s a shame,” Georgia added, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. “If things had been different, I might have been your daughter-in-law instead.”“Oh, don’t say that, dear. Vivian and Syrus were never a good match. You two would have been perfect together.”I pushed open the front door, and the two women on the couch went silent. A
Vivian's PovI stood there, watching the man I once loved display his blind devotion to Georgia, and I couldn’t help but question how I had been so foolish for so long. I felt no desire to linger in their twisted drama any longer. As I turned to leave with my belongings, Georgia’s voice stopped me.“I would never admit to something I didn’t do! Why can’t you believe me? Do you really think I ruined your marriage out of spite? I’ve barely been around you two. I’m only here to film a movie. Why must you target me?”Though she spoke to the room, her words were clearly aimed at me. I almost laughed at how ridiculous this family had become—one fool blindly in love, another conniving for personal gain, and Syrus, seething with misplaced hatred, ready to lash out at me any second.Syrus turned to me, venom dripping from his voice. “If you didn’t set this up, then who did? Who else would go after Georgia like this, besides you?”I sighed, too tired for this nonsense. I addressed Georgia direct
Vivian's PovTwo hours later, Georgia emerged from surgery, and the doctor’s awkward expression caught my eye.Syrus, absorbed in concern for Georgia, didn’t seem to notice. “How is she? Will she be okay?”The doctor cleared his throat. “Her injuries weren’t severe. We’ve stitched the cuts and are running some tests as a precaution. She should stay overnight for observation, but she’ll be fine.”I couldn’t help but smirk to myself. Just as I suspected, the whole ordeal had been blown out of proportion. The medical staff seemed embarrassed by the fuss, dragging out the process to cover up how minor it really was.Syrus, relieved, hurried after Georgia’s stretcher. He didn’t spare me a single glance. I watched him go, a deep ache spreading through my chest. The man I had loved for so long didn’t even see me anymore. I wanted to scream, but I stayed silent, letting the grief settle over me.My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I froze when I saw the name on the screen. I let it go to voicema
Vivian’s POV“Mrs. Nancy Vale,” I said breathlessly.I wasn’t particularly expecting anyone, but definitely not Syrus’s uptight, sophisticated, condescending and downright blunt mother. Without even asking if she was welcome in or acknowledging that at least I said her name in exchange for a polite greeting, she shoved me off the door and sashayed into the apartment, her exotic and expensive cologne lingering in the air.I stood by the door, frozen in shock, and maybe a little bit of fright. Since I divorced Syrus and moved out of their house, I completely stopped thinking about her and her cruelty and hostility towards me, until now, everything just came rushing back, especially the first day I met her.“Where are you taking me today, Syrus?” I had asked, giggling happily as I rode with Syrus in his brand new car.He had insisted that he wanted to see me, so as usual, I went out of the house with the constant lie that I had something to do at Belinda’s house.“Do you want to guess?”
Vivian’s POVI had been fuming with anger since I left my home. How could Manny suggest something as outrageous as that? Why would he even think that I would want to collect such a huge amount of money from Syrus.I got into the apartment and slammed the door angrily. I grabbed a bottle of water from the kitchen first to calm my thirst, but it did nothing to quell the anger deep inside of me. It was bad enough that they were already treating me as the black sheep of the family, and now, they want to guilt-trip me into this.I called Belinda on the phone immediately. I knew she was at work and probably busy, but if I did not talk to anyone, I might explode, and Belinda was the only one I could talk to. Belinda picked at the first ring, making me super relieved.“Girl, you do realize that I am at work, right?” Belinda said in her light nature, as always. “Do you want me to order that breakfast now?” She asked.“I am sorry, Bel, but I just needed to talk to someone,” I said, and now tha
Georgia’s POVGeorgia stayed hidden in that spot and watched everything play out. She had planned everything with Adrian, but she needed to be sure that nothing was going to go wrong. Georgia watched Bonnie give Adrian a side look, and she raised her nose up.“All of you from wealthy homes are always looking down on people at first look,” Georgia said to herself in disdain.She was familiar with that kind of look all too well, because when she was trying to make her way to the top, she faced a lot of criticism from wealthy and influential people. Georgia also knew that if she wasn’t where she was now, Bonnie would not give her a first look at all.“Well, all that is about to change,” Georgia said as she paid attention to the pair. She arranged it in such a way that made her hear everything they were talking about.“I am waiting on someone, and you are in her seat,” Bonnie said in her rich, proud, and sophisticated voice that made Georgia want to drag off all the wealth and influence
Georgia’s POVIn private now, Georgia held her hand to her chest and released the breath that she had been holding.“That was freaking close!” Georgia said in shock.While she sat there and watched the banter among Syrus, Nancy and Bonnie, Georgia had been praying that Bonnie wouldn’t be pressured into telling the truth, thereby mentioning her name.She was really smart enough to have told Bonnie to wire it over to her, because she knew without a doubt that Syrus definitely tried to trace that money. “I have to think of something,” Georgia said to herself in thought.She received the mail of her officially approved contract with the TV show, which meant that the money would soon be paid to get. It also meant that she would soon begin her tour. All things seemed to be working well for Georgia. Now, her only problem was Bonnie. Georgia had a deep feeling that if Syrus applied just the right pressure, she would slip. She knew Bonnie and the soil she was made from. Bonnie was too soft at
Vivian’s POV“Twenty thousand dollars?!” For a moment, I thought my ears were playing tricks on me, but from the look on Manny’s face, I knew he was not joking. Why would he? Who would joke about something as important as this?Manny took a seat, dejected. He looked like he was dressed for work, but I couldn’t ask him.“Dad’s medical bills certainly shouldn’t have cost that much,” I said with certainty. Not like I had any valid proof, but I just couldn’t believe it at all. “You weren’t here, Vivian, so you have no idea what it was like,” Manny said.There was still the underlying tone of anger and resentment which I just recently figured out, and it really broke my heart. Well, I guess everyone in my family now officially hates me.“I know that, but…” I tried to talk, but Manny interrupted me.“What about that Jane girl?” Manny asked out of the blue. I blinked several times, because for a moment, I could not understand Manny’s question, and he noticed my confusion.“The girl you m
Vivian’s POV“What does that even mean?!” I asked, angrier now.“What doesn’t it mean? Vivian?” Manny responded, equally upset, even though we were both equally trying to keep our voices down so that we would not wake dad up.“He does not want to see you, or speak to you! I wouldn’t even have let you in if he was awake!” Manny spewed.His words hit me like a punch in my guts, making me stagger backwards. So this was what life had become for me. My dad who accepted me when I returned after the divorce no longer accepted me.“This is not fair!” I said as hot, bitter tears began to fall from my eyes. “This is not fair at all.”It was as though my words aroused the anger that Manny had been trying so hard to keep at bay.“It is not fair? Vivian, do you have any idea the pain you have caused us?!” Manny bellowed. “First of all, you ran off with a man that none of us approved of!” Manny said.“I know that. I know that,” I was crying now, in deep regret.“That alone, caused dad to have his f
Vivian’s POVAfter Belinda left for work, I began to contemplate whether or not I should go. I wouldn’t have gone if Ted hadn’t been taken away, which should have given me enough confidence, but now, I just felt horrible going, because all this problem was because of me.I hadn’t spoken to Manny since the last call when he told me to run to safety. Maybe he must have been trying to reach me, but my phone was switched off.“You don’t have all the time in the world to contemplate, Vivian,” I told myself, because if I don’t go now, I might not catch Manny at home before he goes to work.So I got dressed and left the apartment, taking the key with me.On my way there, my heart began to pound heavily, and I wondered why I was feeling this way about visiting my family. I used to be very comfortable around them, and even though we have had our rough patches, we were still a family.Standing in front of the door now, I inhaled and exhaled.“You have got this, Vivian,” I encouraged myself befo
Vivian’s POVI have been reminiscing on the things that Belinda revealed to me, and I could barely make sense of it.I watched Belinda getting dressed for work as I stayed lazily in bed, my mind trying to understand everything.“Vivian!” Belinda practically yelled my name, making me snap out of my reverie. “Jeez, you were lost for a moment,” Belinda said.“No, I have been here,” I lied, and Belinda knew I was lying. I really do not understand why I lie to her when she could read me like a book. “I have been talking for about ten minutes, and you completely zoned out, so stop lying to me,” Belinda said.“Okay, what were you saying?” I asked, somehow sensing that she was yapping about silly things.After talking at length yesterday, I had pleaded with Belinda to spend the night with me. It was my first night in the apartment, and I did not want to sleep alone. Trauma from that small town still haunted me greatly; which was even why I switched off my phone. Thinking about it now, I had
Syrus’s POV“Mum, do you have an idea what Bonnie did? Did she tell you? Are you also in on this?” Syrus asked his mother, fuming.He had gotten a worrisome call from the family’s finance officer who expressed his deep concerns about how huge amounts of money was being withdrawn from the family account. First, it was Bonnie, then Syrus, and now Syrus was requesting for another amount of money.Syrus would be really upset if his mother was in on this.“You can at least start by talking first, Syrus,” Nancy demanded authoritatively.Georgia just sat there watching the family drama, and hoping to God that Bonnie would not be forced into mentioning her name, otherwise she would be doomed. This was the only family that she pitched her tent for now.“Bonnie had five thousand dollars wired out of the account, and I demand to know what she used the money for!” Syrus bellowed.“So you refused to answer mum’s question, but you want to force me into answering yours, right?” Bonnie stated stubbor