Chapter one

Sophia stood in the doorway, her heart racing as the weight of her decision bore down on her. “I want a divorce,” she said, her voice trembling but firm.  

John Smith, her husband, who sat  behind his desk, staring at his computer finally raised his head,  His piercing gaze locked onto hers, a sharp edge to his expression. “What?” he exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. “What did you just say?”  he asked as though daring her to repeat herself.

Sophia's voice cracked slightly as she took a deep, breath to steady herself. “I said... I want a divorce,” she repeated, her voice stronger this time.  

An uproarious laugh burst from John’s lips. “Don’t be ridiculous, Sophia,” he said, shaking his head. “If this is one of your sad attempts at attention, I don’t have time for it. Leave me alone.” he demanded. returning his focus to the computer, and dismissing her as though she wasn’t even there.  

Sophia stood by the door, her knuckles whitening around the document she clutched. This was a cry for attention, she wasn't really done and she wasn't going to let her fear for john shut her up. 

Summoning her courage, she stepped into the room, her legs heavy as she took each step into the forbidden room. For six months of their marriage, she had never crossed the threshold, she was instructed never to. 

“Don’t ever enter my room. Don’t ever enter my office. If you need anything, call me.” these were John's words on their wedding night,  words that sounded more like a threat than a request. His words echoed in her mind as she moved toward his desk.  

“I mean it, John,” she said, her voice firm as she slammed the divorce papers down in front of him.  

John’s eyes snapped up, the shock in them quickly giving way to rage. “What the hell is this?” he demanded, his gaze darting to the papers before him.  

His eyes scanned the first page, his expression darkening. “Are you insane?” he shouted, rising from his chair. “What the hell is this?” 

 

He stepped toward her, and instinctively, she stepped back. But his steps were quicker. Before she could escape, his hand shot out, wrapping tightly around her neck.  

“You think you can divorce me?” he growled, his voice deepening with fury. His grip tightened around her neck and cutting off her air.  

Sophia wheezed, her fingers clawing at his hand in desperation. She forced her trembling hand to point toward the hallway, her voice barely audible. “You… are… on… camera,” she managed to cough out.  

And for a moment John froze,  confusion flickering across his face. 

His grip slackened slightly, giving Sophia just enough time to nod toward the table. His gaze followed hers to where her phone sat, its camera light glowing.  

Realization dawned in his eyes, and he released her, forcing her to stumble back as she tried to find balance, she held on to her  her throat as she coughed violently, gasping for air.  

“Fine!” he hissed. “You want a divorce? I’ll give you the damn divorce.”  

Snatching the papers off his desk, he grabbed a pen. With jerky, furious movements, he scribbled his signature on the page. Before tossing the pen aside and glaring back at her.

“I hope you’re ready to lose everything your father left you,” he said coldly extending the papers to her. 

A small smile tugged at Sophia’s lips. She tried to hide it, but it crept through.  

John’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you smiling?” he demanded.  

And she shook her head, “Nothing,” she lied, her voice calm. She stepped forward,  snatching the signed papers from his hands, holding them close as a wider grin spread across her face.  

“What’s going on?” he asked, suspicion creeping into his tone. “You suddenly seem so confident.”  he wondered 

Sophia shook her head again, her confidence growing. “I’m not going to lose anything, John,” she said, her voice steady and assured. “You and your shameless family are the ones who will lose everything.”  

As thought words left her mouth, she could see his eyes Darlene with rage, veins popping out of his clenched fist, but his gaze flicked to the camera, the only thing holding him back.  

“I know everything, John,” she continued, taking a step back. “The lies your family have been telling, the company, I know it all mine,,”  

After her father's death 4 years ago, Sophia was taken in by the smiths, she had been young, naive, and desperate when her father’s death left her vulnerable. And the  Smiths had lied to her, claiming her father left nothing behind and that marrying John was her only hope of receiving a share of the company. For years, she had believed them. But thanks to her father’s lawyer, who had miraculously reached out, she now knew better.  

John clenched his fist tighter, his knuckles white. His eyes darted between her and the camera. “You bitch,” he spat.  

And Sophia's smiled wider. “Call me whatever you want,” she said, her confidence stronger. “You’re just giving me more evidence to show in court.”  said, straightening  her posture, before walking confidently out of the room, once she was out, she picked up her bag she had by the stairs, walking out of the house and into the waiting cab.  

Once inside, she called her best friend, Ava. Her voice trembled with excitement as she said, “I did it! I finally got the divorce.”  

“Really?” Ava’s voice mirrored her joy. 

“And he just gave it to you?”  Ava wondered her voice filled with curiosity.

Sophia laughed. “Not exactly. I did what you told me, I set up my phone on a chair. I wasn’t even recording anything, but the thought of the Smith name being stained was enough to keep him grounded.”  Sophia bragged and  Ava chuckled. “So, what’s next?”  

Sophia leaned back in her seat, exhaling deeply. “I’m going to take them to court, Ava. I’m going to make them pay for every year I spent begging for scraps of my father’s money.”