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 friends had warned me before I married Syrus, saying his heart was still with Georgia. But I thought I could change that. I gave up my comfortable life and my family’s support, all for him. Now, I realized I’d given up my pride too.
Without thinking, I typed: “I saw the photos. I want a divorce.”
I hesitated for only a second before sending it. Almost right away, Syrus called me, but I ignored it. The weight on my chest lifted a little, but the pain stayed. When the phone rang again, I answered, trying to stay calm.
“What are you doing?” Syrus snapped on the other end. “You’re going to cause a scene over this? I told you I had business with Georgia. I know it’s your birthday, but you need to grow up. Not everything is about you.”
My stomach twisted. “I’m not causing a scene, Syrus. I’m telling you it’s over. I’ll have the papers ready tomorrow. And if you don’t show up, I’ll let everyone know about your affair with Georgia.”
His voice turned cold. “You wouldn’t dare.”
I hung up without saying another word. I stood up, walked to the table, and started clearing away the untouched dinner. There was no point in keeping anything. The house felt empty, just like our marriage. Three years of trying to win his love, of trying to prove I was enough, and it was all for nothing.
I had hoped that by being patient, by loving him enough, Syrus would eventually turn to me. But now I saw that I was fooling myself. The more I gave, the more he took, leaving me with nothing.
I walked through the mansion, my footsteps echoing in the empty rooms. I had tried to make this house a home, but Syrus was never there, always finding reasons to be away. I had built my hopes on something that crumbled beneath my feet.
The next morning, I woke up early and packed my things. As I looked in the mirror, my eyes red from lack of sleep, I wondered how I let myself fall this far. I covered my tired face with makeup and ignored the missed calls from Syrus.
My phone buzzed again. This time, it was Syrus’s mother. My jaw tightened as I picked it up.
“Where are you? You were supposed to be here hours ago! Do you enjoy making our family look bad? You were never right for my son. I warned him about you, but he didn’t listen. Now look at the mess you’ve caused. It’s about time this marriage ended.”
I listened to her harsh words. I had heard it all before. For three years, I blamed myself for how they treated me, believing I wasn’t good enough. I swallowed my pride, followed every demand, and played the role of the perfect wife. But those days were over.
“You’re right,” I said calmly. “I’ve decided to divorce your son.” I ended the call before she could say more.
After gathering my papers and belongings, I left the house. Before heading to the courthouse, I sent Syrus a message: “Meet me in two hours to sign the divorce papers. If you don’t, I’ll release proof of your affair with Georgia.”
I knew he would come. He wouldn’t risk Georgia’s reputation. Sure enough, Syrus showed up at the courthouse an hour later, looking angry. He walked up to me, clearly not used to being challenged. I didn’t back down.
“Do you have the paperwork?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.
His eyes narrowed. “Do you really need to make this public? I told you—no one can replace you as my wife. But there are things I can’t give you. Things you need to accept if you want to stay in this marriage.”
His dismissive tone would have crushed me before, but not anymore. “I’m not interested in your excuses,” I said coldly. “If we don’t finish this divorce today, I’ll make sure everyone knows about Georgia.”
He scoffed, like he didn’t believe me. I pulled a stack of photos from my bag. His eyes widened as he flipped through them. Every photo showed him and Georgia together, in secret moments, kissing, holding hands. If these got out, Georgia’s career would be ruined.
“Where did you get these?” he growled.
“Does it matter? What matters is what’s in them.”
“Yes, it does,” he yelled.
“And why should that bother me?”
“You b*tch!”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine as long as you sign the papers.”
He stayed quiet as I turned and walked into the office. A few minutes later, Syrus followed, still silent. I handed him the papers, already signed by me. He glared at me before signing them, sealing the end of our marriage.
“You’ll come crawling back,” he muttered as he gave the papers back. “You’re throwing everything away for nothing.”
For the first time in years, I smiled. A real smile.
“I don’t need your money or your name. I never did.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“I’d wish you luck, but you’re the worst man I’ve ever known. Goodbye and good riddance.”
Syrus glared at me, but my words hit him hard. He always thought I’d put up with his cheating forever.
He was wrong.
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 “She must be made to face the full wrath of the law!” I kept hearing Nancy’s voice the moment we arrived with the cops at the station. I was right after all.Belinda glared at her, and if looks could kill, Nancy would surely be dead by now. Somehow, I am grateful and relieved that someone who looks out for me is with me to face the sharks in Syrus’s family.“She came into the house and stole from me!” Nancy was yelling at the top of her voice. Belinda made to respond to her, but I grabbed her hand gently and whispered to her, “Don’t pay attention to her now, Bel. We will handle her when the time is right,” and for once, Belinda obeyed me. We maintained our calm and allowed Nancy do all the shouting and raving. Not too long after that, Syrus walked in with Georgia. I didn’t even notice they had come until Belinda drew my attention.“Just take a look at them,” Belinda said. “They look horrible together. I wonder what man in his right senses would ever want to be with a
Vivian’s POVIt has been three weeks since the incident with Syrus and his egoistic and manipulative mother. The nights have become better for me as I now sleep peacefully.“Great job, Vivian, you have made us proud,” my boss, Dan, called out cheerily. Ever since I started working here, he had been showering me with praises. At first I was uncomfortable, because I did not want the old staff to feel jealous or threatened, but then again, I got to realize that he extended the accolades to everyone, which is why everyone loves Dan.“Thank you, Dan,” I responded with the same energy and went on to doing my job, but Dan walked up to me, staring down at me with a scrutinizing gaze. “What is it?” I asked him.But Dan kept staring at me. In fact, as I raised my head to ask him what the problem was, he stared deeply into my eyes, making me a little uncomfortable. “Is there something on my face?” I asked Dan as I used my hand to wipe my face.“Are you unwell?” Dan eventually asked me.His ques
Vivian’s POV“I cannot be pregnant! I cannot be pregnant!” I yelled and cried at the same time in the living room.My dad, Manny and Belinda sat still and watched as I rant and pace about the room. The least thing I was expecting was pregnancy, and to think that it was right after I divorced Syrus.“Don’t you want a baby?” My dad asked gently, not wanting to piss me off further.“You mean babies,” Manny chipped in.The word ‘babies’ rang a loud bell in my ears. Babies! What would I do with triplets as a single mother? I was only beginning to find my bearing after a nasty divorce. How am I supposed to cope without a husband? Fine, I know my family and Belinda will ever be present for me, but this is not how I had hoped to live life for heaven’s sake!“Don’t you want a baby?” My dad asked again, more gently this time around.It was obvious to all of them that I was furious and mad as hell. Unable to respond, I broke down in tears and wept bitterly. My dad and Manny looked at each other
Vivian’s POVI stared at him, dumbfounded. For a moment, we both stared at each other without saying a word, more like taking in each other. The last time we had seen each other had been at the station when Nancy had me arrested.I cannot dispute the fact that Syrus looked extremely good-looking just standing there in his pants that clung to his thighs and leather jacket that held onto his muscles. I would have been swooned by his appearance, but I wasn’t, and it actually made me happy that his presence was not affecting me that much as it used to. “What do you want here?” I asked without bothering to be welcoming. Syrus certainly did not deserve any form of hospitality from me, not after all that he has done.“Can we talk?” He asked me. I was a little taken aback that his tone was very much calm instead of angry and shouting the place down, just like his mother.“Are you here to accuse me of theft again?” I said crossing my hands over my chest as I stared up at him. Our height diff
“Look who is back!” Belinda yelled excitedly as she stepped into the living room. “Oh, you finally got off the floor,” Belinda said as she began to put out all she bought from the restaurant. Syrus left some minutes ago, but I still could not bring myself to stand up from my sitting position. First of all, I had not expect to see him today, much more have that conversation. I had no idea how he knew in the first place. The only persons that knew are Belinda and my family, so how the heck did Syrus come to know about my pregnancy?Another thing that threw me off balance completely was the fact that Syrus’s actions took me by surprise. I had expected that he would flaunt millions of naira on my face and kiss us goodbye. Never did I imagine that I would sense that saw emotion in his eyes and voice as he talked about our babies, and also insisting on being a part of their lives.Our babies.It sounded surreal to me, and it would have been awesome to have us all as a family, but that woul
Vivian’s POV“Today, we have gathered in holy matrimony to join two love birds, whose love could not be altered with the wave of time; Marie and Vale,” the priest started beautifully.I couldn’t stop smiling as I watched Marie and Mr. Vale, dressed to perfection: Marie in a white flowery down and Mr. Vale in black pair suits. Nancy wasn’t present, because she wasn’t invited, which was understandably so, even though they had all resolved things amicably. However, Bonnie, easy to forgive now that her mother had asked her to, was in attendance. Actually, she had flown in some days before, just so that she could have moments with her father too. I noticed that she was nice to me as well, and she even brought gifts for the triplets who would be coming to the world any time soon.Bonnie sat behind Syrus and I, squealing in delight.“This is the most beautiful wedding I have ever attended!” Bonnie whispered happily, but her voice was loud enough for us to hear her.Then Syrus turned to her
Vivian’s POVI sat on the patio just resting and thinking yet again about everything that had happened. This time around, my thoughts weren’t exactly filled with bitterness or anger or sadness. A lot had happened since Diana showed up here and hugged me. She had confessed that she was deeply hurt and begrudged, but after carefully thinking about it, and of course, discussing it with Marie, she had come to the realization that her brother had fooled her for years. While she had struggled and worked hard to achieve everything she had achieved, Leon had chosen to go through the illegal and seemingly wrong path, and she knew that he would have to face the consequences of his actions. Our conversation also brought me to the same resolution with Ted, and the rest of my family.The trial was held about three days ago. I couldn’t attend, because my due date was gradually drawing near, and deep down, I didn’t want to see Ted’s face and break down all over again. The drug lord, his men, along
Vivian’s POVEverything seemed to be happening in such a rush that it was all too much for me to handle. Syrus’s reappearance and his conscious efforts to win back my forgiveness and affection was also overwhelming.He had lived with Mr. Vale and Marie for over a week now, and he had not stopped persisting. Initially, I thought that he would have given up and run back to his company as he always did, but he hadn’t…yet. Syrus kept trying by words and in actions to prove that he was truly sorry, and I maintained the cold shoulders I gave to him, but still, he refused to relent. Syrus had been ordering flowers and notes for me every single day without fail. According to him, he wasn’t trying to buy my love and forgiveness with gifts, because he knew that I wasn’t that kind of woman, but flowers only indicated his genuineness and love for me, which was even why he wasn’t including any other gift. Also, his determination to restore his broken relationship with his father was evident, and
Syrus’s POVSyrus discovered that his father’s house was not as big as the mansion he grew up in, but it was a very homely and cozy bungalow. The moment he entered, he felt more at home and at peace more than he had ever been.“I will show you to your room,” Marie told Syrus as she led him to a room beside the room that Vivian was staying in.When they got into the room, Syrus was impressed at the neatness and warmth of the room.“Thank you, Marie,” Syrus told her deeply.“I am going to make some pasta and we will all eat at the dining table, so use this chance to rest and freshen up,” Marie said politely.She was about leaving when Syrus stopped her. “Do you think she will ever forgive me and talk to me?” Syrus asked.After he had made himself known as the extra traveller, he noticed that Vivian went cold. She had vehemently refused to share a seat with Syrus in the plane even though Mr. Vale had intentionally arranged the ticket in that format. Syrus could not deny that the hostili
Vivian’s POVBelinda and I hurried to the airport, because after all she had told me, I was afraid that Georgia might somehow know that I was in the city, and she would find a way to hurt me. I was heavily pregnant now, and if anything happened, I did not even have the strength to fight or defend myself.“I will come with you and wait for your employers until they get here. If anything were to happen, I don’t want you to ever have to face her alone,” Belinda said firmly when I tried to dissuade her from going with me to the airport.It wasn’t until we got to the airport safely that I became less worried. Also, even though I had wanted Belinda to return to her apartment initially, I was very grateful to have her here with me. We were able to get a safe place to sit and wait where the cops were always watching and patrolling about.“Do you want me to get you anything from the cafeteria?” Belinda asked when she noticed how weak and tired I was after we sat down.“No, I am fine. I was jus
Syrus’s POVSyrus drove home like a lunatic. He could barely wait to confront his mother for everything he just heard. His entire being was boiling with anger and rage.For years, his mother had lied to both him and Bonnie, and she had made them hate their father unjustly. More so, they had grown up without their father’s love and affection all because of her selfish and greedy desires! His mother was just as cruel and cunning as Georgia; there was literally no difference between them, and now, Syrus understood why she chose Georgia over Vivian. For all Syrus knew, evil always aligned with evil.“Damn, I have been such a fool to let Georgia, my mother, and the company come in between what Vivian and I shared,” Syrus said to himself painfully and regrettably.He wanted exactly what he saw between his father and Marie; love, loyalty, friendship, and companionship, and he did not want to enjoy that only when he was old. He had all that with Vivian, but he had ruined it. To Syrus, he beli
Georgia’s POVGeorgia was frantic. Things were getting out of hand. Syrus had been unreachable for hours since today, and she did not know what to do.“I cannot lose,” Georgia told herself as she paced about in her apartment. She had come too far to lose. She had done too much to lose now.“What do I do? I can’t let Syrus win over me,” Georgia said.As she was pacing about and thinking, Ken knocked on her door. Georgia answered it, but she was irritated. Ken was gradually becoming a nuisance to her; why would he keep showing up at her apartment?“You can’t just come in here whenever you like, Ken,” Georgia berated him.He hardly even gave her enough time to think things through and decide on what she wanted to do. “Why not?” Ken asked, making Georgia more disgusted. “We are a bound team now, remember?” Ken said.“You have your apartment, and I have mine. Stay at yours unless it is exceptionally necessary for crying out loud,” Georgia told Ken.She did not even bother masking her ann
Syrus’s POVAll these years, Syrus had felt horribly sorry for his mother, being that he felt that she was unjustly abandoned, but from what Vale said, it meant that his mother swindled and manipulated her way into his life.Syrus shook his head; he did not want to believe that about the woman he had loved, adored, and respected all his life.“That cannot be true,” Syrus argued.“Do you think that after all these years I would lie to you?” Vale asked. “The years I spent being married to Nancy were the worst years of my life. I tried to love her, but I just couldn’t. She knew I was in love with someone else. She knew that I would never love her, but she refused to let me go. I know that you might not like the sound of this, but I went as far as taking a secret DNA test on you, because I wanted to find every reason to leave,” Vale said as tears streamed down his face in sadness and regret.Syrus’s heart was shattered beyond words. He had no idea that the story between his parents was de
Syrus’s POVSyrus walked over to where Mr. Vale sat solemnly, backing him. Marie stood behind Syrus, urging him to go to Mr. Vale.People had left the cemetery now, and they had all moved to Anderson’s house, or most of them, for the next batch of the funeral celebration. Syrus’s plan had been to pay his last respect here at the cemetery, then he would return home, but everything changed, including his plans. More so, Syrus could not believe that he let his father’s mistress, the woman he hated so much talk him into listening to Mr. Vale, something he had equally vowed that he would never do. Syrus swallowed hard, the words finding it difficult to come out from his throat. “Vale?” Marie called softly, since Syrus was taking too much time in talking, and with how sad Vale was, he was not likely going to turn around even in the next one hour.“I was counting on this opportunity, Marie, and I have lost it,” Vale said, his voice dripping with sadness and regret.Marie knew that if truly