CHAPTER FIVE: ACCUSATIONS.

My eyes gloss over as they remain trained on Nyssa. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around her level of audacity. I grit my teeth in rage as my shock slowly morphs into anger.

Of course I should have expected this. This is the only way Nyssa knows to get back into Adrian’s good graces, and that’s by throwing me under the bus. I guess one thing they both bonded over is their obvious disdain for me.

I can feel everyone’s attention on me, and even though Adrian’s gaze is narrowed at Nyssa, I just know he’s also anticipating my response.

“Don’t you think it’s a little unfair? Making such accusations knowing full well that I have no way to defend myself. I lost my memories, and I’m appalled that you all are willing to gang up on me this way.” The words escape my lips in a hollow tone as my eyes glisten with tears.

It’s not hard to fake the tears as I’m already overcome with the immense urge to cry my eyes out for every single thing that I’ve gone through.

“I’m not trying to ruin anything, Anya. I’m just looking out for my best friend. I will just be quiet.” She adds the last part nervously, her lips quivering in fake nervousness.

I can see right through her act, and the fact that the rest of them can’t see it, just makes them dumb. As always, Irene and Thalia bite the bullet, swallowing her story hook, line and sinker.

“You don’t have to apologize for anything, Nyssa. You’ve always been the person to look out for Adrian, exposing this wench for the evil mastermind that she is.” Irene says in a seething tone, the words slipping through her gritted teeth.

I don’t miss the slight smirk on Nyssa’s face which she quickly hides. A huge sigh of distaste escapes my lips as I glare at all of them.

“There’s no way to make you all believe me, but I will get to the bottom of this. How about we speak to the private investigator, Nyssa? I mean, that way we could get the truth about everything and my name will be cleared.” I demand coldly, my nails digging into the skin of my palms.

It’s so ironic that I have to defend myself against a crime that was done to me. Adrian cheated on me, but now I’m being accused of that. I wish this wasn’t important, then I would have stormed out of here without giving any of them a backward glance.

Nyssa swallows nervously as her gaze becomes shifty. “Um… that won’t be possible… due to our contract, I can’t disclose his identity.” She declares frantically.

My eyes narrow angrily as a scoff escapes my lips. “Then how do we know if this nonexistent person is even telling the truth?” I ask with a smirk tugging on my lips.

Nyssa turns visibly red and her mask falls off for just a second, but I guess that’s enough to make Adrian choose to believe me.

“Enough!” Adrian growls at Nyssa as she tries to defend herself. “My wife needs to rest, and I won’t be entertaining any baseless allegations against her.” He declares while glaring at each and everyone of them.

I’m so shocked that for a second I don’t move when Adrian tugs me up the stairs. I spare one last look at the three of them, smirking at the shock on their faces.

Nyssa has a contemplative look in her eyes as she tries to figure me out. She’s obviously never seen this side of me, and I don’t even blame her for it. I was too busy acting the perfect wife to be myself.

Adrian comes to a stop in front of our bedroom door, and he holds it open for me, but he doesn’t step inside.

“Get some rest, Anya. You will feel better once you wake up.” He orders in a tone that leaves no room for argument.

As a person of habit, I find my limbs moving to do his bidding, but I stop immediately and turn towards him. “Aren’t you going to come in?” I ask with a frown on my face and with a numb heart.

His lips curl into an immediate sneer, his familiar anger from being questioned about his actions slipping through. “I have something to handle. You won’t miss me at all.” He responds evenly before closing the door shut.

A huge sigh escapes my lips as I turn my back on the door. I know that his response is basically a code word for “discussions with Nyssa”.

I don’t blame him though, because I really don’t care anymore and I could use the empty room. I pull my phone out of my bag as I trudge towards the large king size bed in the middle of the room.

“Can we meet tomorrow?” I type out a quick text to Theo, knowing that he will see it immediately, seeing as the fucker is obsessed with his phone.

“What’s really going on, Anya?” Theo’s response comes almost immediately, the concern and worry bleeding through his words.

“No. 12 Oakwood Drive. Meet me there by 10 and I will explain everything.” I type out in response before putting off my phone.

The coffee shop is all the way on the other side of town, safe from Adrian and his mountain of influence.

I rise from the bed, stripping off my clothes as I head into the shower. I turn it on, measuring the temperature until it’s just right before entering under it.

I start gently at first, scrubbing to rid myself of all the grit and dirt of the day, and then I try to rid myself of all the memories. I wish I could really forget everything. Have my memories wiped out, because maybe then and only then will I have peace.

I slink to the ground, burying myself in the corner of the large glass cubicle as I cry my eyes out. I don’t have to worry about anyone walking in on me while I’m this vulnerable because no one will.

Adrian won’t be returning tonight and definitely not tomorrow night. I’m all alone in this world, but maybe I deserve it. I let my father down and then my son. Maybe this is just penance for everything.

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ANYA’S POV:

My eyes pop wide open, and for a second, I’m disoriented. I lay still in bed as I try to find out what woke me up. I know I heard a sound – I’m very certain I did, because as always I’m a light sleeper.

I had to be that way seeing as Thalia and Irene used to wake me up in the middle of the night to their bidding. I shake my head to get rid of the dark thoughts, but then I start to take note of the heavy hand on my midriff.

My breath comes out in short bursts as I start to fear for my life. ‘Oh god, who has invaded my room?!!’ I ask myself while trying to quell the panic rising inside me.

My eyes are as wide as saucers, and my skin is literally tingling with dread. My mouth is dry and I have no luck forcing out a scream – my throat won’t just cooperate.

I listen carefully, taking note of the person’s even breathing and some of my panic reduces. This is good – this is very good, because I can tackle the person down before they have the chance to wake up.

I slowly slide out from under the hand as I move towards the bedside lamp. The person twitches slightly and I hold my breath as I wait for the person to wake up and harm me, but when that doesn’t happen, I continue my movement towards the light until I’m completely away from their touch.

I turn on the light and whip around to face the person on the bed, and suddenly I can’t help the scream of horror that escapes my lips.

Adrian shoots upright, his hands wrapping tightly around my wrists as he looks around the room in confusion and shock.

“What are you doing here?! You never – you never –” The words die on my lips as I realize I’m about to sell myself out.

I guess I’m so disoriented by his presence which is normal considering the fact that we haven’t shared a bed ever.

“I never what?” Adrian asks in a strange tone as his gaze narrows on me.

I swallow dryly as I take in his naked upper body. I start to feel the familiar tug of sexual awareness, but then I remember that he cheated on me, and all my feelings die a natural death.

“I had a bad dream, that’s all.” I respond flatly, my mood taking a nosedive.

Adrian cocks his head as he decides whether to believe me or not. “What was it about?”

“The accident.” I murmur in response as I avert my eyes to the heavy black drapes hiding the sunlight.

Adrian grunts in response as he rises from the bed, not acknowledging me beyond that. Once he’s out of the room, a huge sigh of relief escapes my lips.

‘That was a close call!’

I don’t leave the room till I’m fairly certain that Adrian has left for work because He can’t be here when I leave to go visit Theo.

I make quick work of getting ready and calling an Uber as I head out of the room and down the stairs, but I’m stopped by Thalia who looks slightly annoyed at my presence.

“Move.” I order flatly as I glare at her.

She is so shocked by my action that she actually stumbles backwards. Her mouth opens and closes in surprise like a fish out of water.

“How dare you talk to your sister in law in that manner?!” She rages, her cheeks reddening in anger.

I roll my eyes at her, clutching my bag tighter. “I got the impression you didn’t like me yesterday. Forgive me for not killing myself to be in your good graces.”

“You – you bitch!” She swears before she can stop herself, then as if she remembers her mission, her gaze narrows in on my clothes. “Where are you going anyway?” She asks with a heavy frown on her face.

Before I can respond however, she butts in, cutting me with her words;

“You just came back from the hospital and you are already going to visit your boyfriend?! Who knows if you are even telling the truth? You are just a petty attention seeking whore.” She lets out snidely, with a sinister expression on her face.

“I’m going to the cemetery.” I respond flatly, ignoring her harsh and unreasonable words.

It must be pretty clear to her that she has misjudged the situation as her eyes widen slightly. She is shocked by my calm response, but I don’t bother to trade anymore words as I sidestep her and head outside the house.

I feel her glare on me all the way out the door, and I know I will pay for escaping that land mine later on.

A huge sigh of exhaustion escapes my lips as I collapse in the passenger seat of the Uber. It takes some time for the car to reach where we are going, so I spend the time staring out the window.

I’m pumped up for this meeting because I know that this just brings me one step closer to bringing Adrian down along with every other person but I don’t expect the cold set of eyes that meets mine when I step out of the car after paying for the ride.

However, the fury in them is what keeps me rooted to the same spot.