Chapter Two

SHAWNA

I immediately dashed down the stairs with my bag trying to be as quiet as I could so Damien wouldn’t know I was leaving the house.

He didn't care about me enough to be bothered but if he knew I was leaving with my male friend, he'd stop me.

It wasn't because he cared or was jealous but because he didn't want me to taint his reputation.

I could have taken a taxi instead but it was late at night and someone of my status shouldn't be that careless.

There had been times when I was nearly kidnapped because I was married to Damien but I was always lucky.

If I ever got kidnapped, that would be the end of me because I doubted he'd come to my rescue.

I exited the house and shut the gate behind me before crossing to the opposite side of the road to the blue, run-down car.

“Are you okay?” Liam, my old friend, asked when I got into the front seat.

We had been friends since college but since I got married, we rarely saw each other for obvious reasons.

“Yes, I am. Now let's go,” I said with a tone of urgency.

He pressed his leg against the accelerator and in fifteen minutes, we arrived at the hospital.

I didn't wait for him to stop the engine before I ran out of the car and into the hospital, heading towards my mother's ward with fury written all over my face.

As I neared my mother's ward, I heard some noise and got there to find Eugene, my stepsister, arguing with the nurse who was standing in front of my mother's ward refusing to let her in.

What was more shocking were the hefty men I saw gathered there.

This bitch.

“Eugene,” I said as I pushed through the men and stood in front of her, “What do you think you're doing here?”

Eugene was the daughter of my father and the woman he had cheated on my mum with for so many years.

He had even brought her into our home and her mother was one of the reasons why my mum was in the condition that she was.

Despite the terrible things Eugene and her mother had done and caused for us, she was so shameless and acted as though I was the one born to a mistress.

I always overlooked her behaviour because it was pointless fighting her— my father was wrapped around her mother's fingers and her every word was law so it wouldn't help either.

“Oh, come on! Why are you so mad?” Eugene inquired with a sinister smile on her face, “I heard that your mother would need another operation so I'm here to ensure the doctors in this hospital are capable of helping her and also for moral support. Oh yeah, I also came to confirm can afford it since you're so poor—”

She scoffed as she added. “It's quite amusing how poor you are even when you're married to such a wealthy man.”

“Get out of here right this instant!” I warned her, “My mother and I don't need your help so leave with your men.”

Eugene rolled her eyes before folding her arms across her chest.

“Geez. You're such an ungrateful bitch,” she sighed, “You act as though you have something to rely on when your husband couldn't care less about you. Everyone knows he doesn't love you and sooner or later, he'll divorce you and you'll become just like your mother—abandoned!”

I had been trying to calm myself but couldn't hold back anyone. With all the strength I could muster, I slapped her across the face, sending her stumbling and falling into the arms of one of her men.

“Don't you ever speak of my mum that way again!” I warned her.

“Did you just…” Eugen trailed off in shock, her hands still on her red cheeks, “Guys, get her,” she instructed her men.

Just then, Liam pushed through the men and stopped in front of me with a menacing glare in his eyes.

“Seems like you all came here to get admitted, right?” He asked, his eyes scanning the crowd, “If you don't get yourself and your minions out of here, you'll pay dearly.”

“I can't believe a church rat—”

“When the police arrive and this escalates, who do you think will suffer and regret it? You or Shawna, who's the wife of a man with a hundred times the influence your father thinks he has?” Liam inquired and a smug smile settled on my face.

Biting her lips in embarrassment, she glared at me, “This isn't over,” before turning to leave.

“Thank you, Liam,” I thanked him and immediately entered my mum's ward to check on her only to find her awake with tears rolling down her eyes.

“Is it true your husband doesn't love you?” She inquired.

Just great. She heard it all.

I gave her a reassuring smile. “Come on, mum. You know how bitter Eugene is. Do you think she's telling the truth? I'm happy with my husband so you don't have to worry. He wanted to come here with me but I insisted he stay back because he has so much to work to do and he'll not let this die down easily if he was present and I don't want that stress.”

“Are you certain?” she inquired and I nodded before staying by her side, feeding her lies about Damien and my marriage till she fell asleep.

“How is she?” Liam questioned the moment I came out of her room.

“She's fine,” I whispered.

“Shawna, I spoke with the doctor and…” He sighed.

“What is it this time?” I inquired, anxious.

“Your mother needs surgery again and it costs a hundred and thirty thousand dollars,” he said slowly, hugging me when he saw the tears in my eyes.

I was fed up—from the lies I fed my mum, the hurt I felt from the truth of Eugene's words and the realization that I'd once again have to start running around in search of money for her surgery.

“Will your father help?” He asked.

“I… I don't know,” I muttered burying my face in his shoulders as I soaked it with my tears.