Chapter Twenty-Two
Wanda woke up to the sound of Michael’s voice echoing down the hallway, his sharp tone cutting through the quiet of the morning. She lay still for a moment, the tension in her body refusing to ease. It had been weeks since she had felt any semblance of peace in their home, each day marked by Michael’s increasing disdain and the cold wall he had built between them. She pulled herself out of bed, moving sluggishly toward the bathroom. The mirror reflected a version of herself she hardly recognized—eyes dull and heavy, skin pale from sleepless nights and the constant weight of stress. Wanda sighed, splashing water on her face in an attempt to shake off the fatigue that clung to her. As she stepped into the kitchen, the familiar sight of Michael seated at the table with Martha hit her like a punch to the gut. They were laughing, their heads close together as they pored over some documents. Michael’s face was animated, a stChapter Twenty-Three Anderson sat beside Wanda in the hospital waiting room, his heart heavy with concern as he watched her wipe away her tears. He couldn’t believe how much she had changed in such a short period—the vibrant, confident woman he had once known now seemed so fragile and lost. Her face was pale, and her eyes were red-rimmed, haunted by the weight of all she had endured. He felt a surge of anger at the thought of what Michael must have put her through, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the immediate need to comfort her. Gently, he took her hand in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a soothing motion. “Wanda,” Anderson began softly, his voice filled with concern. “You don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here for you… if you need anything, please just tell me.” Wanda looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and pain. She felt a lump form in her throat as she tried to speak,
Chapter Twenty-Four Michael’s grip on Wanda’s arm was tight as he dragged her out of the car and into the house. His jaw was set in a hard line, his eyes filled with fury as they crossed the threshold. Wanda stumbled slightly, her arm aching from where Michael had held her too tightly, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she tried to keep up with his furious pace. As soon as the front door slammed shut behind them, Michael spun around to face her, his eyes blazing with anger. “What the hell was that, Wanda?” he roared, his voice echoing off the walls. “What were you doing with him? Are you trying to humiliate me?” Wanda flinched at the volume of his voice, her heart pounding in her chest. “Michael, please… I wasn’t doing anything wrong,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over his shouting. “I just ran into Anderson at the hospital. He was being kind… he was only comforting me.” “Comforting you?” Michael sneered, his
Chapter Twenty-Five **At the Office…** Anderson sat at the head of the conference table, his expression focused and determined. Across from him, the representatives from NovaTech and several other board members were seated, all eyes fixed on the final documents that lay before them. The room buzzed with the tension of the moment, the air thick with anticipation. Agnes sat beside Anderson, her face a picture of poise and confidence. She had guided him to this point with precision, orchestrating every move, every negotiation, to align with her hidden agenda. Now, as the final signatures were set to be made, she felt the thrill of success pulsing through her veins. "Alright," Anderson said, taking a deep breath as he glanced around the room. "I think we’ve covered all the points. If everyone’s in agreement, we can move forward and sign." The NovaTech representative nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "We’re r
Chapter Twenty-Six The days that followed Wanda’s shocking discovery blurred into one another, each one darker and more oppressive than the last. Michael’s behavior toward her had taken on a new level of cruelty, his tone sharp and his gaze cold whenever they crossed paths in the house. He had always been distant, but now, his indifference had turned into a deliberate attempt to break her spirit. Wanda felt trapped, her growing pregnancy making her more vulnerable with each passing day. She could feel the life growing inside her, a small flutter that reminded her of the tiny heartbeat that would soon be born into a world that seemed increasingly hostile. The baby was supposed to be a source of joy, but now it felt like another chain binding her to Michael’s tyranny. One morning, as Wanda stood by the kitchen counter, trying to prepare breakfast, she heard Michael’s footsteps approaching from behind. Her body tensed, her hands trembling sl
Wanda Skyes sat on the water closet, her face dulled and worried. "Please, let it be positive this time." She mumbled softly in a cracked voice with her eyes seriously fixed on the pregnancy tube in her hand, impatiently waiting for the result.Wanda's legs were involuntarily shaking as she kept blinking her eyes at the object in her left hand. And soon, it was about time to see the result. She closed her eyes tightly before gradually opening it to see what her fate was."Wanda." A thick loud voice called from the other side of the bathroom door. The voice startled Wanda to the core, almost dropping the tube on the floor. "Shit!" She exclaimed with a fearful tone."Get the hell out here now!" The male voice added. It was Andrew, Wanda's cruel husband. "Wanda, open the damn door right now!" He yelled at the top of his thick voice again, hitting the door continuously."I-i coming..." Wanda stammered, trying to get hold of herself. Her hands were shaking and sweaty. "I will be right outs
Anderson rushed out of his mansion down the street with only his pants and no shirt to cover his upper body. He looked dejected, frustrated, and sad. His hands covered his mouth in great shock as he wandered restlessly.Anderson made a strong fist and screamed, "Fuck!!" Venting out his frustration.Meanwhile, Wanda sat quietly in front of the car along with the stranger. Her face emit brokenness and hopelessness which the man could read easily. He glanced at her slightly. "If I may ..." He asked with a sweaty voice.But Wanda didn't answer. She was lost in thought. Where would she go to right now? She has no one left to run to for help or support, where would she lay her head when the night comes?"Is everything all right, Miss?" The man asked with a curious tone. His eyes fixed on the road ahead but he kept glancing at her stealthy.Wanda was still lost in her thoughts. Tears began to roll down her right eye without her realizing. The man looked worried and soon hit the break and par
Wanda couldn't believe her eyes. What is Micheal doing here at the hotel and why are all these men with him? Or is he a government official? Different thoughts kept roaming her mind."I am sorry, Sir." Wanda apologized, sniffed her nose, and tried to move away from Micheal."Where are you going?" Micheal asked curiously, watching her as she tried to drag her heavy box. "To wherever the world takes me," Wanda answered with a weak tone, dragging her box on the floor.Micheal quickly walked in front of her and blocked her way. "Wait, I know you have nowhere to go. So why don't you ..." Wanda quickly argued, "...why don't you just get out of my way." She spoke almost yelling at Micheal.Micheal raised his hands in a surrender gesture. "Okay!" He said, gesturing his hands for her to make her move.Wanda walked away but halted when she heard something that she never imagined. "Let me help you, Wanda. Spend the night here and I promise to help you find a good home and job." Micheal spoke wi
Wanda began to feel nervous. Her heart beats faster. She could see the mischievous look in Micheal's eyes but she wasn't sure yet what his intentions were. And then finally she summoned the courage to speak. "What proposal if I may ask?" Said Wanda with a blurted voice. Her eyes are white as the snow staring at the man beside her.Micheal bit his lower lips and reached out to a brown envelope. He handed it to Wanda. "Here ..." Wanda froze for a few seconds, her brow arched upwards in curiosity. "What is in there?" She curiously asked with a thin voice.Micheal signaled with his head for her to go ahead and check it out. His eyes fixed on hers, keenly observing her body language.Wanda took the brown envelope and slowly opened it. She brought out some white papers and dropped the envelope on the table beside her. Staring at the paper, Wanda read through the contents with widened eyes, blinking almost twice a second. She raised her head and gave Micheal a blunt look."Is this the prop