It was funny how I was processing divorce with the help of Leo because Damien raped me and yet Leo almost raped me last night. Is this my fault? I thought. The way men treated me. Is it because of something I am doing? I thought. I got down from the bed and went to the mirror and looked at my refle
Olivia's POVMy alarm went off at 5 a.m., waking me early enough to carry out my expected duties. I slipped my feet into my slippers, then ran my fingers through my messy hair and tied it up with a ribbon from my bedside table. I staggered to the bathroom, quickly brushed my teeth, then stared at my reflection in the mirror.It ends now. Three years was enough time for me to learn Alexander would never love me the way I loved him. In all that time, my husband and I only shared a room once, the night we wed, and the experience was memorable but not in a good way. Worse, even beyond having to deal with my loveless husband, my marriage had been the equivalent of signing a contract to become a slave to the Williams family. They barely treated me like a human. Meanwhile, I had done everything I could to serve him and them. At only twenty-six, I deserved something better, and I didn’t want to waste any more time. Still, I couldn’t hold back my tears.After indulging in a good cry, I said,
An persistent beeping disturbed my slumber. I tried to ignore the irritating noise, but it seemed to be coming from under my pillow. “She moved!” someone shouted. “Doctor!” “Arrrgh,” I groaned, then more voices accompanied the incessant beeping. A bright light flashed before my closed eyes. Annoyed, I scrunched my face in displeasure. “She’s responsive,” a voice said with authority.I pulled myself from sleep, opening my eyes just to tell everyone to shut up. As soon as I moved, pain engulfed my head. Many strange faces surrounded me. All but one wore white doctor’s coats or nurse’s scrubs. Vera stood behind them, looking out of place in a colorful top and jeans. Her red, puffy eyes made her look older than I remembered. “Why am I in a hospital?” I whispered. “You were in an accident,” Vera said. “Do you remember?” I tried to sit up. “Don’t,” the nearest doctor said. “You have a head injury that hasn’t quite healed yet. Let us assess you first.”I put a hand to my head and felt
Vera visited me at the hospital daily until they discharged me, saying I’d made an excellent recovery, though my memory still wasn’t intact. They gave me a list of care instructions and a diet plan before we left. As Vera drove to her apartment, I stared out the window. Everything looked familiar, so I wondered why, of all the things I couldn’t remember, it was my ex-husband who’d left my mind. When we arrived at Vera’s three-bedroom apartment, it looked exactly as I remembered it. We were greeted by a caregiver named Violet. Vera explained that she’d hired Violet to help care for me for a short while, since she’d have to go to work and wanted to ensure I was all right while she was away. Vera led me to my room and helped me get settled in as Violet arranged my medications on my bedside table. “It’s late, and you should rest,” Vera said.I nodded, feeling like a little girl. I needed her, though, so I was glad she was there for me. She made me feel even more child-like when she
Alexander's POVAs I drove with no specific destination in mind, I recalled how Olivia had become a part of my life.In college, I only had eyes for Kira. I was just a year older than her back then. At twenty-four, Kira had the body of a supermodel and had already graced the covers of several popular magazines. Her perfect body and pretty face drove me mad with desire. We were both from worthy families, and it felt so right to be with her. Though she was a social media freak, I understood her. I loved her and planned to marry her once we completed college in only a couple of months.Then there was Olivia. She was always there trying to please me, but I ignored her because my heart was already taken. Kira was not the type to serve a man, but Olivia was prepared to do anything for me. Yet it was Kira I wanted. When I told Kira I wanted to introduce her to my parents as the girl I wanted to marry, she agreed with excitement. My family would have accepted her because she was from a famil
Alexander's POVOlivia was both my antidote and poison. I felt calm around her, but yet I hated her. I didn’t want the world to know I was marrying her, and I didn’t give her a girl's dream wedding. Instead, I capitalized on the disapproval of both our families—my mother took an instant dislike to Olivia once I told her I believed she sabotaged my relationship with Kira—and suggested we have a small courthouse wedding.I told her, “We’ll be together. That’s all that matters,” and she smiled.When the day of our wedding arrived, we went to the courthouse and met up with my sister, Lydia, and Olivia’s friend, Vera. But even though we’d decided on a small affair, Olivia still expected my mother to attend. When she asked why my mother wasn’t there, I lied with a smile, saying, “She had an emergency.”We spent fewer than ten minutes at the courthouse, then signed the wedding certificate. No ceremony, no heartfelt vows. Just the standard fair, with a stingy peck when prompted. Olivia’s fam
Olivia's POVI lay on the bed for a while after taking the medication Violet gave me. Eventually, I drifted off to sleep and then into a dream. In it, I was in a familiar, yet unrecognizable room. From there, I went into a hallway then down a spiral staircase. That felt familiar as well, like I had used it before, though I couldn’t recall where or when. It led to a living room, dining room, and kitchen, each of which held that same eerie familiar feeling. As I stood in the kitchen wondering whose house I was in and why it felt so familiar, yelling came from a faceless female standing at the kitchen door. “What are you doing standing there like an imbecile? Aren't you supposed to be cleaning, you lazy gold digger?” She scoffed and then continued. "You can keep trying, but my brother will never love you. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.” Another faceless female figure appeared behind the first. “You’ll always be the piece of silly trash you are," she said. “You’re worthless and don'
Olivia's POVMy eyes widened as I stared at him. The name Alex echoed in my head. "You do forget who I am Vera. I don't need an invitation to go to a place," Alex said and I frowned. He was full of himself. He was handsome but I don't think I like his attitude right now."Well, this is private property and you are transpassing," Leo said standing up to Alex. "If you don't want me calling the police on your ass, you better get teleport yourself out of here," he added. "Alex, please leave," Vera said angrily and Alex glared at the two.I stood behind Vera watching the whole scene before me. My gaze was more on this Alex guy recalling Vera's words, that I was married to him."Fine, I am leaving," Alex said and turned to leave but unexpectedly pushed Leo so hard he lost his balance and fell to the ground."Leo," I screamed and Alex grabbed my hand."You are coming with me," he said through gritted teeth.The look in his eyes sent chills down my spine. I tried to free myself but he tight