Zari Jones, a beautiful soul, and loving wife, had been pushed to her limits. She thought she could handle anything because she loved her husband so much. But what was she supposed to do when the events in her marriage got out of control? What will happen when another woman enters their life, yet Zari is accused of cheating? Then there's a pregnancy, a surprise divorce party, a car crash, her disappearance, memory loss, and much more! Will their marriage be able to weather the storms? Or will jealousy and lack of trust eat them alive? Is divorce the final answer? Will Devon come to his senses, or will it be too late? Devon knows she is not the same Zari he married. Devon Hightower must work harder than he's ever worked at anything! He must start from the very beginning. The magical and romantic moment they met. Their love affair began when he met Zari, who worked part-time at a five-star restaurant on weekends to help pay her bills. Devon Hightower is a Meticulous bachelor billionaire who is arrogant, prideful, and vindictive and a newly appointed CEO who thrives on personal and professional control. One evening while out to dinner. He caught sight of a soulful pair of brown eyes and a smile he would never forget. Devon watched Zari intently, awe-struck by her beauty. He had never been attracted to anyone the way he was to her. His status and family background told him this shouldn't be happening. But his heart never beat so rapidly for any other the way it did for her. Zari stood there stunned when she was able to remember that night. It was the one memory that may her want to save her marriage. But was it too late?
View MoreBaby, I'm so happy you are out of that hospital and at home. It's so good to see you smiling this morning. It's been a while since I've seen you this way. You know what? We ought to throw a party. No, I'll throw a party just for you."
"Oh honey, how sweet. But I don't know if I'm ready for a party. How about you take me out to dinner."
"No way! My wife deserves to be celebrated! How about next weekend?"
"I don't know."
"I'm going to plan a fabulous party just for you. So don't worry; you won't have to lift a finger. Would you like that?"
I didn't answer.
"You suppose to answer and say yes, or no?"
I knew my husband. But lately, he has been a different man since last month. So maybe he finally believes me and knows how much I want our marriage to work.
"Say Thank you, Devon. You are the best husband ever! That would be nice coming from you."
Devon stood over me as I lay in bed. "I'm waiting."
"I moistened my lips and finally gave in. "Thank you, Devon, my handsome husband," I whispered.
~~~~
Two years ago, Zari Jones met one of the most prestigious southern families in North Carolina, the Hightowers. Like most wealthy families, they desire their children to marry for status and wealth, especially their sons. But Devon Hightower, from a young boy, has always been spoiled to a fault. He’s self-centered, unyielding, and unwilling to follow anyone's plans other than his own.
In the business world, he is known as Ruthless. Meticulous. Arrogant. He thrives on control, both personally and professionally.
When he laid eyes on Zari Jones one night at a company dinner, at first glance, he knew he had to have her. When Zari felt the attraction to Devon so strongly, she had to figure out why. So, she immediately researched his name and the information on the Internet about the Hightower family. Zari sighed heavily. She had a lot to think about. After everything she had read, she knew she would be taking a big risk if she was to accept Mr. Devon Hightower's marriage proposal. It would be as if she was offered a delicious tropical drink laced with poison.
But then she knew how much her mother had sacrificed for her to come here. Her mother’s only dream for her daughter was for Zari to come to America, meet a handsome, wealthy man, fall in love, and marry. After meeting Devon, she knew that was doable. But for Zari, dating wasn't at the forefront of her brain. Zari had come to this country with one goal: to work hard, finish her education, and get a well-paying job. But Devon was so good-looking, charming, and persistent. That he swept her clean off her feet, he painted such a glorious picture of their lives together. And he promised Zari he would be good to her. And in the beginning, his promises didn’t fail. But everything changed that second year of their marriage, and it's been progressively worse.
Since her first few weeks home from the hospital, Zari thought things were finally turning around and getting back on track. She proclaimed in her head and heart. “My husband is back! He’s mine again!” Devon had been so sweet and good to her. Everything was on the mend, and she thought their trust, love, and appreciation for one another had returned. Everything was great; he was kind, sweet, and attentive, and as her health improved, they couldn't keep their hands off one another. Their marriage had done a one-eighty! It once again felt like the first few months of their three-year marriage. Now Zari is ready for that party! She went shopping in preparation for it. She was planning to knock her husband off his feet!
~~~~~~
Zari (POV)
Olivia, my friend from college, waited for me to come out of the dressing room. We looked in the mirror together. “I think this is the one,” she said, grinning. I wanted to look good for my husband. I knew I didn't have a traditional look. My in-laws, the Hightowers, were accustomed to their son dating girls from families of their status in looks and wealth. But Devon has always told me I was pretty and had a figure that looked terrific. “So if he was pleased, that should be all that matters, right?
Well, not exactly. I explain to Olivia and the sales lady, “I must make sure it’s suitable for my husband and in-laws.”
The sales lady and Olivia had helped me select the perfect after-five dress to accent my body type. This is a very sexy dress. My mother-in-law isn't going to like it. She complains I'm too thick and hippy and needs to be on a strict diet every time she sees me. Of course, Devon liked that I had meat on my bones. But to keep everyone happy, I had to please them all. Nothing can be out of place tonight. It must always be perfect!
That evening when I was at home and had gotten dressed for the party. I left the bedroom, picked up my clutch, and walked to the living room. Devon was in a deep conversation with somebody on the phone. By the time I reached the sofa, I had started feeling overwhelmed, like I was about to have another one of those anxiety attacks I had been experiencing lately.When he turned around, I almost knocked him off his feet!
"Wow, Zari! You're so breathtaking!" Ending the call abruptly, he walks over to me, takes my hand, and slowly spins me around."
"Do you like it?" I said timidly, smiling.
"Like it........ I love it! You're beautiful! That dress is stunning and sexy on you!"
"Do you think it's up to mother-in-law's standards?"
"You're gorgeous!"
"Thank you so much, Devon."
"Let's go! You are the guest of honor. We shouldn't be late."
The night of the Party:
It was glorious to see the two families: the Hightowers and the Jones, and over 200 guests were all having a fantastic evening. It was a night full of laughter and love. Devon dedicated a dance to his wife. You could feel the love in the air as the night promised so much for our future. For once, we all felt like one big happy family! People are mingling and talking, enjoying themselves. I was pleased to see my in-laws finally accept me as their daughter-in-law.
Then the guest heard someone clinking against the glassware.
"May I have everyone's attention?" Devon says as he stands center of the floor. My man was dressed in a perfectly fitted gray tailored suit. He makes eye contact with me as I speak with guests, and I suddenly notice the sheer cruelty in his demeanor tonight.
“Especially you, sweetheart. Can you come and take a seat." Devon called my name with a hint of sarcasm,
“My beautiful Zari. Please, can you come front and center?"
Once everyone was seated, he held a tensed smile. My stomach sank as he began making this speech.
"Family and friends, everyone knows we have been through a lot. This marriage has not been easy. I have endured a lot. We have endured so much. After thinking about my wife and our life together." Then he looks at me and clears his throat, and flat-outstate.
"I think we should get a divorce."
The tension in the room crackled. The air was laced with harmonious sighs and shocked expressions. But it didn't faze Devon as he continued.
"Mom and Dad, you were right. Zari is not the right girl for me. I can't go another year in a loveless marriage. Trust me. It’s not a happy union."I stumbled over my words, unable to keep my voice steady. My usual mask of indifference fails me tonight, and I shamefully lower my head. Instantly, I felt like I was going to pass out! But Devon stood there cold and emotionless. But I knew he had to see the stress lines across my forehead. When I finally looked up at him with devastated eyes! The room had fallen silent.
Then I glanced at my mother, who looked like she would faint. On more than one occasion, my mother had convinced me to stay with Devon. She was possibly the glue and my love for Devon that held this marriage together.
"Zari! What have you done?" My mother asked hysterically.
"Mom, please, this is not the time. I will speak with you later."
"Zari! Fix whatever you have done. Fix it now! He's the perfect husband for you! "
"Yes, Mom, please sit down before you fall!" I said, looking at her, visibly shaken. Then glaring at Devon as he smirked, enjoying the scene he had caused tonight as I got attacked in front of family and friends. I was trying to keep my dignity in front of the guest. I calmly walked over to Devon's side of the table. I was digging deep within myself to keep my composure.
"Honey, why are you doing this? Can we talk privately about whatever is going on?" I asked, standing in the ballroom with everyone's peering at us.
Devon stood, looking at the captivated audience of family members and close friends.
"Zari, you know why I'm doing this? You didn't think I would forget. You didn't have a problem humiliating me before my family and colleagues last month. So, why shouldn't you experience a dose of your own medicine!"
I felt weak in the knees as I had to sit down. I asked. "What are you talking about, honey? But whatever it is, let's talk about this at home and not here. I'm not doing this here, Devon. I'm leaving!" I HEADED TOWARD THE EXIT before I realized what I was doing, feeling completely humiliated!
~~~~~
'I was halfway through the hall, my head whirling. I kept walking, needing fresh air. My heart twisted painfully. I pushed the door open. Then, finally, I could breathe." It was so chilly, but I didn't even feel it.
Then a few minutes later, I felt a warm jacket wrap around my shoulders. I turned around and saw it was Devon.
"When can we end this charade of a marriage?" he asked, sending a sharp pain to my already devastated heart.
"What? Why are you so vindictive? You are trying to make me look like the villain! But it won't work! You are doing this so you can get with Susie! I'm not stupid! You want a divorce! Then let's file for it!"
"Zari, you were the one dancing with another man only last month! When I was announced at my party as the new CEO! Don't I have the right to feel some kind of way about my wife in the arms of another man!"
"Don't change the subject! Michael is both of our friends, and you know that! But Susie! What is Susie to you? No, don't answer that! I don't want to know, and nor do I care! Whatever she is, you can have her! When and where do I sign the divorce papers, Devon!" I yelled in his face.
"Zari, I told you Susie means nothing to me! But what about Michael? If you are not making love with me for weeks and months at a time! You must be giving it up to him!"
"You are trying to turn this on me! Ever since that girl set foot in North Carolina! I have been nothing but stressed, in and out of the hospital, feeling like I'm going crazy worrying about you! But after this stunt, you pulled tonight! Get out of my way, Devon! Some nerve you got! How can the pot call the kettle black? Last month at your party, you waltzed in front of everybody with Susie on your arm! How do you think that made me feel? I’m your wife, not her!" I yelled, walking away in my high heels. I look back and see him.
"Why are you following me?" I glanced around as he took long strides behind me. I flagged down a taxi. Devon continued to follow me and tried to help me down the steps.
"Get away from me! I can't stand you! You are so EVIL!"
Devon put up his hands. "Alright, alright! And you are so stubborn!"
"Ooh! You tell Susie she's the one stubborn!" I replied angrily.
I got inside the taxi and slammed the door, barely able to breathe.
"Where to miss?"
I had the taxi take me to the house to pack my bags. I was furious! I slumped against the cab's rear seat and closed my eyes to keep the hot tears from falling. I was tired of crying and feeling emotionally exhausted.
"The nerve of him to accuse me of cheating!"
I had no idea this night would turn out like this, but I should have known. Devon has no problem humiliating me! Ooh! He's so Cruel and Vindictive! I'm done! Tonight was the last straw!"
But was it?
“Devon what should I do?” She asked after muting the call. “Take the call.” Devon poured himself a cup of coffee.. He could see Zari was deep in thought. So he took a seat at the table. She looked at him. Her body heaved, again and again. It was time to purge. Zari told Devon. “I agree we can’t keep ignoring his phone calls.” “Yes, so you should tell him goodbye so we can move on with our life." Devon hugged her, and her stomach finally settled. Now she could finally put it all to rest finally. “Hello Evan. Please listen to me first. I'm so sorry, I had no idea not responding to your call for these months would bring you here. I am the biggest procrastinator there is. I'm the type if something is happening today or a problem arises. I tell myself that I will worry about tomorrow. It's the way I have coped with issues by telling myself to deal with them tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, I face something new and have forgotten all about yesterday's concerns. But now that I'm appl
Zari remembers Devon, not from her past and she doesn't recall the vows from the past. The tragic kidnapping and accident have erased pieces of Zari's memory, including the recollection of her first wedding. The memory from photographs, pictures that capture the passion between them on that particular day, is her only memory in pictures. But she can't forget her loving husband, Devon she has now. After making court appearances, his brother's lawyer, in the end, pleaded insanity. Evan was going away to a mental institution where hopefully, he'll get the help he needs. Since his health didn't permit it, Devon's father had to humble himself and ask his oldest son to take over the family business entirely. Devon encourages his father to trust his sister Mina, who can manage the family business more successfully than he could ever. Once the dust settled, the reality of the problems of the Hightower family hit home. It was now time for Devon and Zari to concentrate on their life. Zari d
After telling Devon what happened to her, Zari could see that Devon was beyond angry. “Devon, I don’t want to share anymore. All you need to know, baby, is that I fought and fought to keep him from taking me until he put that towel over my nose and forced me into the back seat of his car. "Do you remember the make and model of the car Zari?" Devon anxiously asks. I think so, but I only remember the color, nothing much else, because before I passed out, he covered me with a blanket, and I quickly lost consciousness. Upon waking, I felt drugged and limp; my hands and feet were bound, and once inside his house, I was forced into the shower to shave. "Shave?" "Please don't make me share details." Devon nodded, "Tell me." Zari continued. "The man led me across the hall into a room; I tried to get away many times. That's when he handcuffs and leaves me alone for I don't know how long. Until I was dying of thirst and starving for food, and that was the beginning of my nightmare and
Zari finally awakened and she wasn't sure about anything. She just wasn't sure of much anymore only that she was unhappy and then suddenly happy. Being that the caretaker dropped the dose of meds, she was giving Zari. She began to cry a lot. She cried when it rained. She cried at the sound of gloomy music on the tv and radio.She cried over the fact that she cried and she cried because things lacked substance. Zari felt as if she was moving in slow motion, swimming through a sea of shadows. Then she said, “What an awful Metaphor,” she thought, and then she laughed asking herself, “What is a metaphor? How did I know that word?”Even though she didn't know what the word meant anymore, she had the feeling she'd known it, once before. She'd known a lot of things. Then again, maybe not. Something was wrong with her. Wrong, she thought.He told her the doctors said she was ill. Not that she recalls seeing a doctor. He told her that she had additional problems. “Your memory was failing her.
He stared at those pink panties she wore. His hand lingered over her center as if too excited to touch it. His eyes cascaded down her thighs to her legs. He realized she still had on her shoes. He hurried to the foot of the bed. “I'm sorry, that should have been the first thing I removed. Please forgive me, dear.” He said, looking up at her face and chuckling. Once he removed her shoes from her feet. He climbed back into bed, smiling non-stop. He wanted her; she was almost too precious to touch. But his twisted mind convinces him to make her his bride and wife. And he felt the only way is to have intercourse with her. That way, she will become his, and he would be able to wipe away the grime she's been living with all this time. "She will be all mine," He repeated breathlessly in heat. The sound of labored breathing, the crescendo of gasps and moans escaped his throat as he removed her bra and panties. His right hand cupped her breast while the other rubbed her mound. Zari lay th
She felt someone grab her from behind. She tried to scream as the white cloth was placed over her mouth. He held it there until she stopped moving and completely collapsed in his arms. He knew he had to avoid the cameras. The only one he saw was the one across the street. He maneuvered around the building getting behind the camera. He opens up his car door and puts her in the back seat. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Why didn't she just listen?” He got in the car and drove off. As Zari lay there on the backseat, knocked unconscious. He was rambling as if she could hear him. “Why didn't you listen?” He asked as he let out a sigh. “You heard everything I told you, and you know I was right about that punk Devon the first time. He shook his head, his lips trembling. “I don't get you, Zari. After all the abuse you've gone through, I'm here to protect you, and you don't want it.” He was coming in and out of insanity and sanity. “What did you say?” He looked back to the backseat
Instead of moving on and forgetting the past, he was trying to help her gain her memory even now after all this time. He seemed absorbed with the past and what had happened to the woman she was before. Zari has constantly questioned why her brain has chosen to erase or lock away her memory of her past life with Devon and their excellent beginning. She couldn't understand why something so good, so precious, she couldn't recall it. It was so aggravating. All she wants to clearly remember and cherish is the things they have experienced in the past six months. And to add, she is finally going to the Hightowers for dinner for the first time in their three-year marriage. ***** According to the Doctor, Zari's memory of time and events was returning. Sometimes when a patient's memory returns to them, they feel like they are reliving that moment. Devon was encouraged to give her time to go through the episode; once she has calmed down, she may be ready to reveal where she's in her memories.
She stormed out of the living room. Zari was determined to let him speak first. No more filling in the silences for him. No more assuming his quiet meant, "I love you, let's stay married even though I'm indebted to Susie." So she left him standing there as she slammed the door to her room. Devon plopped down on the sofa. He had to consider long and hard all that was said. Devon was shocked. He had thought all was well between the two of them now. "How did I not realize how bad this had hurt her? I must figure out how to return to Zari's good graces and life and tell her I'm not going anywhere. I thought the planning of the vow recital showed I was serious." Devon had been so distracted with trying to please Susie and keep his sanity, thinking only of the promise he had made to Susie, but sadly he never managed to keep in mind the vows he had made to Zari and how she must have felt all this time. Until recently, he'd finally dared to start doing it another way around. From now on, Za
"I've asked you this once and will ask you again. Are you pregnant or something for Devon? I don't understand why you can't let a man who has disrespected you this way go?" "No, I'm not pregnant, for my husband and I take my marriage vows seriously. However, Mike, I believe we make mistakes, and if we are repented, then they deserve a second chance," she said honestly. "So you're going back to him? I thought when you left with me tonight. You have made your decision." Mike's emotions caught in his throat slightly. "I don't know the full workings of the human heart… maybe I'll understand one day. But I do know how I feel about him, and I still get angry at him, but I know how I feel about my husband." "I'm still not following," Mike said quietly. "Even though our relationship is in question, I knew I loved him before I married him. We've been together off and on for three years. And what I have for you is love, but falling in love with you that hasn't happened. There's an attractio
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