CHAPTER TWO: THE ACCIDENT.

ADRIAN'S POV:

‘Something is wrong.’ I can't help but acknowledge, in frustration and anger. My nerves are completely frayed and I feel extremely irritable and out of control. 

I grind my jaw together as I begin to question myself on why I'm so bothered that Anya didn't attempt to try to convince me not to go on with the divorce. 

If she had, maybe I wouldn't feel this guilty. But that's bullshit! She's nothing more than a gold digger who was given to my family in exchange for the payment of a debt. 

“Fuck!” I curse under my breath, completely torn and confused about this whole thing. Why am I feeling this way? I was very certain about wanting this divorce a few hours ago, so what has changed?

I squeeze my hands tightly into fists, my narrowed gaze glued to the door she just walked out from. I feel an odd tightening in my chest, a feeling I've never associated with her. 

Her pathetic father couldn't pay us back, so we had to take the payment by another means. She misused the money, and then proceeded to deny it when finally questioned by my men. 

I was supposed to marry her, and break her spirit and now with all that has happened, I'm pretty sure I've succeeded, so why don't I feel good? 

I run my hand through my hair, before gently massaging my temples. My free hand grips the edge of the table so tightly that my knuckles turn white. 

I guess maybe I should have been at the memorial service of Nico her son, ‘but why do I have to mourn a child that doesn't belong to me?!’ I ask myself in confusion. 

At the memory of her betrayal, my anger rises once more. I clench my jaw tightly against the burning feeling in my chest. 

Nyssa had walked in on my wife having sex with another man in my bed. She had begged me not to confront Anya or even tell my family, and I didn't, but I knew deep down that her child didn't belong to me. Her betrayal only made me hate her further. 

I paw at my tie as I try to get it loose, suddenly feeling claustrophobic. Like I'm being tied down. But that’s the opposite of what just happened. My wife agreed to divorce me, and now I can be with Nyssa – the woman I love. 

My eyes land on the divorce papers sitting on the edge of the table, and my mood sours even further. I grab the pen to sign the papers, but I suddenly can't bring myself to do it. I can't sign the papers. 

I fall back into my chair, burying my face in my hands out of frustration. This is what I've always wanted, so why can't I sign it and free both I and Anya from this farce of a marriage? 

‘Fuck this!’ I say as I rise to my feet. I shove the file in my desk promising myself that I will sign it later. 

I head out of my office to find Nyssa. She will give me the clarity I need. When I turn the corner, I hear the shrill sound of her laughter filtering through the slightly open door of her office. I'm about to call her name, but then she starts speaking and I stop in my tracks. 

“He totally fell for it, and now he's in the process of divorcing her.” Nyssa says in a smug tone. 

My brows furrow in confusion at her words. What the hell is she talking about?! 

“Adrian is not the brightest tool in the box, Brother. Soon I will announce the news of my pregnancy and we will have to get married. And then I will have access to all his properties.” Nyssa adds with a sneer on her lips. 

My heart thuds in my chest as I realise what's going on here. My jaw slacks open as my heart thuds heavily in my chest. I've been played by this bitch all this time!! I'm overcome with an eerie feeling of numbness and immeasurable anger at her words. 

“Oh don't worry, I will make sure I destroy his company. He won't be able to recover from this!” Nyssa says in a proud tone. 

Unable to hold it in any longer, I push the door open harshly. I grind my jaw as I fold my arms across my chest. My nose flares up, and the veins in my neck threaten to pop. 

Nyssa is completely shocked as she turns towards me. Her lips curl into a natural smile which dies immediately she realises that I had overheard everything. Suddenly tears fill her eyes and I know she's going to try to manipulate the situation in her favour. 

“I'm sorry that you heard all that, Adrian! I didn't mean any of it! I'm just trying to convince my brother to leave me alone!” She immediately starts sobbing. 

“You really think I will fall for your bullshit lies?! I left my fucking wife for you!!” I say seethingly, my expression filled with rage. 

“But we were always meant to be together, Adrian! Anya stole you from me!!” Nyssa declares, not even a hint of an apology in her words. 

I don't miss her attempts to evade responsibility. “You are fired! Get the fuck out of my company and I don't want to see you anywhere near my family!” I say harshly, my tone lowered to a cold and irate level. 

“Adrian please I'm sorry!! You have to forgive me! We were always meant to be together! You can't do this to me!!” Nyssa pleads in between sobs as she throws her arms around me. Her actions only make everything worse. 

I grit my teeth in anger as I push her off me. “I would expect your desk to be cleared out by Monday.” I order, my face squeezed up into a disgusted expression. 

I storm out of the office and towards the elevator when I receive a text message from my mother. I find myself leaning into the wall for support after reading the contents of the text. No. No. No. It can't be! 

Anya was involved in an accident?! 

I don't know why this leaves me more scared and distraught than the betrayal of the woman I thought I loved. My heart thuds in my chest and I find it hard to breathe out of fear that she might be dead. I drive like a crazed man as I head to the hospital. 

I meet My sister, Thalia and my mother, Irene waiting just outside the ER. “Where is she?!” I ask in a frantic tone as I step closer to them. 

“She's still in surgery, Adrian. The doctors are not sure she will make it out alive.” Thalia explains in a flat tone as she continues to stare at her nails. I'm completely miffed by her reaction. Why isn't she more bothered?! 

I'm so shocked that I have no energy to remain standing. I collapse on the seat just by the corner before burying my face in my hands. I feel extremely hot all of a sudden, and I find myself tugging at my tie to get it loose. Why am I reacting this way? Why do I care if she dies or lives? A few hours ago, I just wanted her out of my life. 

“Why do you look so heartbroken, Adrian?” Irene asks in a snotty tone as she stares at me with a frown of confusion on her face. 

“You should be happy. I mean you wanted her out of our lives didn't you?” She asks, her lips twisted in a sardonic smile. 

“Of course, but I do not wish for her death!” I say in a snippy tone as I glare at her. How hard is it to understand? I shake my head to get rid of the voices that are telling me it's otherwise. 

“Either way, this works out in our favour. So long as she's gone, she won't be able to claim fifty percent of the company.” Irene says smugly as she sighs in relief. I don't miss the excitement dancing in her orbs. 

My brows furrow in confusion at her words “What are you talking about?!” 

“Isn't it obvious already the reason why we hate her? Her father and your father started the Vasilis Empire together, with each owning half of the company.” Irene explains with a sneer on her lips. 

My eyes widens in shock and disbelief at her words. I'm unable to move any muscle in my body as I'm laser focused on my mother. 

“But your father got greedy, and he arranged for her to be kidnapped and then he proceeded to blackmail her father who was willing to give away everything just to ensure that his daughter returns safely.” Irene says with a triumphant smirk on her lips. 

“So you see. She has as much rights to the company as you do. But she won't be able to fight for anything if she's dead.” Irene says excitedly. 

My mind is blank as I try to process everything I just heard. I can't believe I've fucked up so badly. All this time, I've been fighting someone who was never the enemy! 

Just then, I hear the sounds of commotion from the door, and when I look up, I see someone I never expected to see in a million years. 

Anya's ex–boyfriend and my worst enemy.