Lana’s POV Back at my apartment, we laid out all the new information we had gathered. It felt like we were finally making progress, and the weight of uncertainty was beginning to lift. But then a call entered my phone, which was going to either bring everything crashing down on us again or continue pushing us forward.We had laid everything on the table in front of us, and we were about to start sitting through them when the ringtone of my phone shattered through the peace, quiet, and anxiety that had settled over us. Sighing and thinking it was from one of my colleagues at Lukem, I pulled the phone from my pocket and paused when I saw the caller ID displaying on my screen.“Hmmm... Andre.” I said it out loud, alerting the other guys to who the caller was. Without waiting for their response, I swiped on the screen and placed the phone in my ear. “Hey, Andre.” I greeted. “What’s going on?”“I found something.” He announced. From over the phone, I could not make out the time of his vo
Lana’s POV We spent the next week gathering evidence against Freda and meeting with potential witnesses who could testify against her if we were to take her to court, but it seemed as though that would not be needed. It was some time towards the end of the week when what was going to be our break happened. It came in the form of André getting a recognition award. I had no idea what his relationship with Freda had been like following everything that had happened lately, so I cannot talk about that. But upon receiving the award, Freda was so happy with her son that she decided to allow him to make certain decisions that regarded the leadership of Ranhold. In the past, André had been nothing but a figurehead. Although he sat in the CEO position, his mother, Freda, usually handled all the decision-making, and everyone knew this. He was useless, and if it was important that his signature be appended to a document, he had to get permission from Freda first before doing it. But now, all
Lana’s POV The house was still the same way I remembered it. The chairs, the arm stool, and the and the settees All of the arrangements were still the same, and it struck a chord of familiarity within me. I settled into the plush armchair and watched Andre move towards the bar, his demeanour calm and composed. It was hard to reconcile this composed man with the man I had known years ago. Andre returned with a glass of red wine, just the way I liked it. He handed it to me, then sat across from me. “Have you come to a conclusion regarding what we discussed?” I crossed my legs, one above the other, and stared blankly at him. “Regarding what exactly? The only thing I remember that we have yet to talk about are the kids and how we’ll split their days between us. Other than that, I don't think we have any unfinished business. Except you are talking about signing the documents, which would see me as the new CEO of Ranhold.” Andre heaved a long sigh and rubbed his temples. Was he beginnin
Andre’s POV Two Years LaterMy mother was upset that I had gone behind her back to sabotage her. To sell her company to that little brat—that is what she refers to Lana as now—who knew nothing about business, but I did not have to tell her that it was either that or see her remanded in prison. To watch everything I had and everyone I loved taken away from me. I did not need to tell her that we were lucky we had a choice. The poor girl had no choice back then and had to take life as it was handed to her. My mother would live—abort sourly—but at least she would still live. We could build back the company even if it took a long time. Thankfully, all she had back then was a minor heart attack. As for the little brat, Lana, she and Cameron got married two years ago and have spent the last two years of their marriage touring the world.I was envious of the love they found. The comfort they gave each other, the strength in their numbers, but as time went on, I too was beginning to live wi
This was the expiration of our loveless marriage. A single document that clawed at my insides, prickled my intestines and made me feel like I would throw up my breakfast.I couldn’t believe five years had passed already since we were seated like this – Andre and I – before a lawyer, signing a prenuptial and then marriage certificates. At least Andre had been forthcoming then, he had smiled at me warmly, an action which made my heart flutter and convinced me we were doing the right thing, the best thing for me. He had pretended to be interested. Sending me flowers after flowers while he was at work, asking about my emotional and physical well being while he was at home. Making love to me like it was all he lived for. Those moments for me, had been the best moments of our marriage before he decided he was cheating on the memory of his first love by being with me. It had sounded ridiculous then as it did now, but it was the reality of my situation.Now, Andre could barely look me in t
The bus did not arrive early and I decided to walk home and clear my head on the way. Soon, I was in front of the mansion and I felt that familiar yet uncomfortable pull in my chest. Home was not a place of peace for me, I should be happy I was leaving. “Lana!” I heard a voice and turned towards it. It was Hermione and beside her was my luggage. She held a wide smile on her face and if a stranger watched the scene, they would think she was too happy to see me and not the other way around. I frowned. “Why – my luggage.” I stammered, walking up to meet her. “Cat got your tongue?” Hermione laughed. Her laugh was creaky, like there was something stuck in her throat and it choked her. I hated it and I usually found myself hoping she actually choked. “Why is my luggage out here?” I demanded, throwing arrows at her with my eyes. She seemed unfazed. “You’re over! You and my brother are over. It’s time for you to leave.”The news was here already? I thought. Typical. I was going to reply
Stepping into the house gives me an eerie feeling of déjà vu. Not much had changed since the last time I was here. Photos of Sanders and his wife in their younger years still hung on the wall just above the fireplace, beside a photo of their adopted daughter. I noticed a new photo on the wall. It must have been taken some months ago because it still looked so new; Sanders was lying in what I presumed to be a hospital bed and his wife sat beside him, smiling for the camera. I did not know Sanders had been sick so I looked to his wife and caught her wiping a tear from her eyes herself. “Make yourself at home.” She croaked and dashed into the kitchen. I did as she asked, settling into the settee that was before me. Mrs. Sanders was out in less than a minute and placed a cup of steaming coffee on the small table by my side. I picked the cup gingerly and brought it to my lips, basking in the scent of cocoa seeds. Once the coffee was into my system and I felt my head was clearer, I tu
Early the next morning I was on the morning train leaving for a new city to begin a new life. Mrs. Sanders had driven me to the train station where we found a copier and made copies of all the documents. Mrs. Sanders insisted we both have copies of everything just for the sake of it. After that, she gave me more words of encouragement and advice. Promised to keep in touch and bade me farewell. I couldn’t deny the fact that I was anxious as to what this new life held and meant for me. But I looked forward to trying it out. Mrs. Sanders said it would not be easy but I would get by. I had gone through five years in hell. What was another five? Maybe ten? Probably forever? I couldn’t think that way, I told myself. I should think of the future of my child and make sure it is bright. The train stopped in “Hastvin” about six hours later and I made my way off it almost immediately. Hastvin was a bustling city, known for being the largest commercial city in our country and home to the mos