Tracy Brooks was the only survivor of a fatal car accident that involved her and her parents. She grew up as an orphan child in the care of Mr Edward Parker - a billionaire. Naive, she thought Mr Edward Parker had been too kind after the passing of her parents. So when he arranged for her to marry his son Charles Parker who was against the marriage - she gladly accepted. Tracy had a crush on Charles since childhood, and she thought he would make a great husband. She committed three years of her life to their marriage - and during that time, she paused her dream of becoming a tv personality. Tracy's love was unrequited. She tried her best to make Charles love her. But he was done pretending. Charles finally came clear and broke her heart on no other day but her 28th birthday. The same day that marked their third wedding anniversary and also the day her parents were involved in an accident that killed her mum on the spot. "I'm done pretending. Let's put an end to this charade. I want a divorce, Tracy!" As the years progressed, Tracy became a well-known television personality. She hosted a show called "Ties That Bind." - a relationship show where she read letters from anonymous viewers who had relationship issues and needed advice and help. Her ex-husband regretted his actions and wanted her back. But there was a third party in the picture he must conquer to win her back.
View More"I can no longer continue with this facade. This charade of a marriage must end today. I want a divorce, Tracy." Charles Parker, her husband announced as he stopped her along the hallway.
"My father threatened my claim to the Parker Enterprises as the true heir if I didn't get married to you. He would have disowned me and left me with nothing had I not given in to his wish. He broke my soul when he did that. I mean how cruel and heartless could he be? And yet, knowing I did not love you, and to add salt to injury, you foolishly agreed to get married to me. But I can't do this anymore. I want out." He mumbled as Tracy fiddled with her hair and kept a glance at the portrait of the two of them on their wedding day on the wall behind Charles.
Her mouth parted open trying to make sense of what had just happened while she kept her glance at the photo on the wall.
"I - I - I" Charles cut in before she could say a word.
"I - I - nothing. This nonsense must end and it must end today. And look at me when I'm talking to you" he warned and pushed her head from glancing at the photo any further.
"I am now the CEO of Parker Enterprises. What am I saying?. I mean I have been the CEO of Parker Enterprises for three years now and nothing and no one can change that. My father used to have a say, but not anymore because I am the one in charge." He splattered.
"You decided to do this to me today of all days?" Tracy queried as tears rolled down her face.
The day marked Tracy's 28th birthday and marked the day her parents were involved in an accident that killed her mum on the spot. It was also supposed to mark their third year wedding anniversary.
"To hell with that. I knew very well that today was your birthday and I am very much aware that your parents died years ago on this same day, but I don't care. To me, today is an ordinary day just like any other day. There is nothing special about today. And oh, no amount of tears can make me change my mind. Do yourself a favor by erasing the thought that this day was supposed to mark our 'so-called' third year wedding anniversary celebration because that crap ain't happening this time around." Charles muttered as droplets of saliva from his mouth fell on Tracy's face.
Over the years, they had celebrated two wedding anniversaries that had friends, families and loved ones in attendance.
And he had celebrated Tracy's birthday on this day and gone with her to lay flowers on the graves of her late parents. But Charles was a different person this time.
"Why do you talk to me with such a tone? Please don't do this to me," her voice trembled as she pleaded with him.
Tracy did not think Charles would do this to her.
She had a crush on him since childhood and thought he would make a great husband. She was only twenty five years old when she got married to Charles.
But Charles only loved her like a sister.
Charles had a reputation for being rude, but not with her. He only flipped after they got married.
However, he has a soft spot for dogs regardless of the situation and that gave Tracy a reason to believe that he would eventually have a soft spot for her too and love her back.
She never thought he would one-day ask for a divorce.
"You are just selfish and heartless, Tracy." He accused her.
"So you would rather I fake my happiness and make everyone believe this sham of a marriage is ideal?" He mumbled pointing to the ring on his ring finger. "Clearly you are out of your mind. Or perhaps high on something."
Tears continued to roll down her face and onto her white dress. And the droplets from her makeup stained her white dress.
She stretched her hand in hopes to grab his shoulder. "Are you doing this because you genuinely want a divorce or you want to leave me for Fiona? Tracy asked.
"Are you seriously asking me this dumb question?" He flipped and pushed her away.
Fiona was a lady Charles introduced to his family as his friend. He had accidentally hit her with his car when she was coming from a coffee shop. At least that was what Charles told his family.
When his father, Mr Edward Parker realized how he looked at Fiona, he knew he had to make him marry Tracy early enough.
"So you think Fiona is my mistress? Is that why you went to her apartment? Where from this stinking insecurity? I thought I made it quite clear years back. Listen, she is just a friend and a friend she will remain. I take interest in her affairs because I nearly caused her to lose her life. And knowing very well that she has nobody, the least I could do is to make her my responsibility. And why am I explaining myself to you? What does it matter?" He fumed.
"You know, for someone who is an orphan just like her, I thought you'd feel her pain and empathize with her. But no. You decided to feel jealous of her instead."
"But what you think is irrelevant. The point is that I don't love you and that is why I want a divorce. Whether or not I take a mistress is entirely none of your business. And you shouldn't care about that either. Hear me out, even if I took a liking to Fiona, It would be because I love her, genuinely. Unlike this thing we have together." He bellowed.
"Tracy, I know you never liked Fiona. I know my dad made me marry you because he knew I would have probably married her instead of you. And what did he do? Plotted with you and stole my happiness. But I want that happiness back and I am taking it by force" Charles roared.
"My happiness may lie with Fiona or someone else. But the fact is, it is not with you, and whoever I settle with eventually is none of your business. You should be grateful to my father because he threatened me with my birthright and had me in a tight corner with whatever hidden motive he had to have arranged this marriage." He revealed.
"Now that you have a masters degree in business administration and ready to take on more responsibilities at Parker Enterprises, I dare say that you would be able to claim your birthright as the heir to the empire on one condition. On condition that you marry Tracy Brooks. Failure to do so would result in me disowning you and I would make your sister June the heiress to the empire." He recalled the exact words his dad had told him.
"So you see, this marriage was never meant to be in the first place. It was imposed on me and I have paid the price with my happiness for far too long. Don't push me any further by saying anything." He warned her and reached out for the divorce papers he had kept on a shelf next to his right hand side. "Here are the divorce papers. You have a week to read through and do whatever it says."
Tracy's eyes were now puffy, and red-rimmed. Dried streaks ran down her face which left her makeup discolored with patches. Charles' words pierced her heart as she reached for more tissues to wipe her face. Her efforts to make a statement are immediately encountered by Charles.
"It doesn't have to be like this Charles. I know you two are just friends and it is fine with me. But please don't do this to me. I love you and I think we can make this work, please." She pleaded once more.
"You and who can make what work?" He shot back at her. "I am not interested in any of that. You should blame yourself entirely for forcing yourself into a marriage that was never meant to be. Here are the papers once again" he told her and put it back on to the shelf.
"Now if you will excuse me, I have to leave now" Charles said and banged the door behind him making Tracy alert.
Before Tracy could put herself together, the portrait of the two of them on the wall dropped and the sound of broken glasses echoed in the hallway.
Immediately, there were footsteps approaching.
Three years after their marriage, Tracy got pregnant with her second child and everyone was happy for them.She was also back on TV and won several awards for her show and her TV station.Her uncle Uriel and Mrs Briggs hit it off and were together as lovers. The two found comfort in each other's company and lived in Tracy's house since Tracy moved in with her husband.Tracy took charge of the Parker enterprise and the company made a comeback and took the number one spot on the market yet again.She made sure to maintain Rupert and Stacy after she heard of their wonderful input in the past.Tracy made Jason her chauffeur and gave him one of the bedrooms in her father's house since most of the rooms were empty.Jason was made head over David, Matilda, Theophilus and the other aides who still worked at the Parker house.June and Jean lived in harmony with the aides.The two were now working at the Parker company together with their sister after Tracy thought it was pointless for them t
Two weeks passed and Tracy was a little sober due to the information she got from her lawyer.Her lawyer had advised that she get Mr Parker arrested first, before arraigning him for court and eventually getting him behind bars.Tracy had received assurance from her lawyer that the evidence was enough to win the court case and punish Mr Parker.On a sunny day when the sun was making some people wear extra layers of sunscreen just to prevent the rays of the sun from having direct contact with their skin, Tracy didn't seem to care much.She only had a cap on and in her company were two police officers, Jason and Uriel.Mr Edward Parker was seated on the couch, while Jean sat in another filing her nails."Tracy, what a pleasant surprise," Eddy said the moment he saw Tracy who entered with a laptop in her left armpit and a photo portrait in her right hand."I wish, what brought me here is as pleasant as you claim my visit," Tracy said."Tracy, language," Uriel said. "What uncle? Let me spe
"June, is everything okay? For the past two days you have been indoors without saying a word to anyone," Jean said immediately as she entered her sister's room.June sat in one corner of her bedroom, her hair was begging for the feel of a comb. As tears rolled down her soft cheeks."June, will you say something already? Your silence is killing me," Jean said. But her sister would still not utter a word."Anyway, I went to visit Mother yesterday and she asked to see you," she informed her sister.Jean realized her sister would not say anything but cry. So she left her side.Three minutes later, Jean entered with her Dad and said, "Father, June has been like this for hours. She won't say anything to me,"Eddy moved towards June and just as he was about to grab her shoulder, she said, "Don't you dare touch me,""June! What has come over you? Why do you talk to your father like that?" She queried her sister.Eddy's eyes were wide open as waves of shock went down his body. If anyone woul
"Good day, Tracy," the lawyer greeted and entered Tracy's house. She walked her in and offered her a seat. Tracy dashed off to the kitchen to get some drinks for her lawyer when she heard the doorbell ring. "Don't worry, I got it," Uriel said and walked to the door to check who had knocked."Who is it?" Tracy asked at the top of her voice while she was in the kitchen.But there was no response from her uncle.Tracy walked back into the living room with a Tray supporting an apple juice and a glass.Slowly, she lowered the drink onto the coffee table next to the lawyer while she kept her eyes on the guest who had been walked in by her uncle."Careful with that," Uriel said when he realized his niece almost dropped the Tray on the floor."Right," she responded and shifted her attention to the drink for a second and then back to the guest."It's you! Where have you been and how did you know where I live?" Tracy queried.The guest was none other than Jason."I'm so sorry Lawyer," Tracy a
"Tracy, what's going on?" June called me saying something that I could not quite understand. "What's the matter?" Louisa asked."Cyril tells me you have not been to the office in days now. Is everything okay?" She asked.Tracy stood on the edge of the couch, with her legs on the seat on the chair as she watched Louisa talk."Tracy, won't you say anything?" She asked after her friend refused to say a word, ""Uncle, you are here. Good day sir," Louisa greeted the second she saw Uriel."Good day, my daughter. How have you been and most importantly, how's your baby girl doing?" He asked."I'm doing well uncle and Tracy is also doing quite well. I would have brought her here but Mrs Briggs advised she's too young to be taken out," she responded."That's fine. I'm sure eventually we would get to see her," he added."Uncle," she called the attention of Uriel. "Yes, my child," he responded swiftly."Why is Tracy like this? Why won't she say anything to me?" She asked.Tracy's phone lying on
"What the hell are you doing here?" Tracy asked June immediately as she walked in."Errm, what's that supposed to mean? What's going on?" She asked."What is that supposed to mean? This is my house and I don't want you here. So just get out," Tracy screamed. The noise from the living room drew Uriel's attention and he rushed down to the hall."What's going on here?" He asked. "Oh, uncle, you are here," June said."I just got here and Tracy would not let me even sit. She just asked me to leave without provocation," June explained.Uriel got the drift and understood why his niece was asking June to leave. He walked to Tracy and held her by the shoulder and said, "Child, you don't need to vent your anger on her. She has done nothing wrong,""I just don't care uncle," Tracy said and removed her uncle's hand from her shoulder."I don't want her here and that is final," she added and turned away.While she looked away, the doorbell rang and it was Henry."Good day uncle," he greeted. "Goo
"You mean Jason has been sending you anonymous letters? Why didn't you say anything to me?" Uriel asked Tracy."Well, I didn't know who he was until you just disclosed his name. And I didn't think anything serious of the letters till he made some revelations to me," Tracy said.Uriel, who was seated on a chair, got up and walked slowly towards Tracy and asked, "What revelations?" Tracy, feeling broken and hurt, paused for a second to allow the tears to roll down her face."My child, you have barely said anything. Why are you crying? What did Jason say to you?" He asked."Come on darling. I'm your uncle, you can talk to me," he insisted after his niece went mute suddenly."Tracy, would you talk to me? What is the problem?" He asked again after noticing the sobbing of Tracy had intensified.He reached for a tissue on the center table and slowly he started to wipe her tears."Jason told me some things that are still shaking my world," she finally broke her silence hesitantly."He did? W
"Father, it's been days since our mother was taken away and you've not made any effort to go and see her," Jean said immediately as she walked in on her father in the living room."I thought you loved her? So what changed so suddenly that you seem not to care about her again?" She asked.Eddy got up from his chair, looked at the face of his daughter and then paced up and down without saying a word."Father, I thought you were going to say something?" She asked again."And what is there to say? I'd be lying to myself if I told you that I'm even thinking straight," Eddy responded swiftly."First, my sister does the unthinkable and now she is behind bars. Then my wife. Not forgetting the mess at the Parker company as we speak, and you dare ask about your mother?" He asked"Where do I even start from? I've lost everything," he said as water formed in his eyes."You can start anywhere, father. Make some calls, and talk to some of your influential people. I don't know but just do something.
A week passed.Tracy paced up and down the living room.Her nanny had gone to be with Louisa while June was with her family.Brooks was all alone contemplating whether or not to go and meet the anonymous fellow who had been sending her letters.The previous night, Tracy received yet another letter from this unknown person instructing her to meet up in a secluded environment."Why would this person want to meet me in the woods? As if his identity was not mysterious enough, this fellow wants me to meet up in the forest. Why the forest of all places?" She said out loud since she was the only person at home."What if the person is evil? Or has some devilish motive? Why on earth should a meet-up in the woods be appropriate and not anywhere open here in the city?" Tracy struggled with mind-boggling questions as she kept moving up and down the room."But what If the person is real and has genuine intentions? I guess my mind is playing tricks on me," she said."Well, I can never be too care
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