CHAPTER ONE: KNIFE THROUGH HEART

ELORA’S POV

“Your husband is getting married right now at Drexel’s church.” The deep masculine voice on the other end stated, causing me to chuckle slightly.

“I have no time for jokes. My husband is on a business trip, so try tricking someone else.” I snapped, slightly annoyed, before proceeding to end the call.

“He was right after all, and you are just so gullible.” The voice responded before the line went silent.

He had hung up.

Weird!

Placing it on the table, I proceeded to eat. However, every spoon I take only makes my curiosity eat me deeper as the stranger’s words reel around my mind. Just in time, my phone dings, and I quickly picked it up. The image came into full view, the behind of who seemed to look like Boaz, the same hairstyle, same height, and he was dressed in a suit.

I felt my heart stop for a second while my breath hitched.

Could it be true?

“Come see for yourself, Elora.” Came the next ding, and somehow, that stirred something in me because before I could correspond anything, I was in a cab on my way to the church.

My heart thumped hard against my ribcage with every second that passed, and I could feel the world reeling, my eyes stinging with tears as I wished that it was nothing but untrue.

“We are here, Ma’am.” The driver's voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I stepped out, my heavy eyes darting over the building again. My body shook vigorously.

“Boaz…” I called out, my shaky palms hovering over my mouth as tears rolled down my cheeks. “Boaz…” This time, it came out as a muffle.

There he was, my husband getting married to another woman.

Gradually, he turned around, and his eyes darkened with hate.

“What are you doing here, Elora? You should be home performing your wifely duties.” He pointed out, his voice laced with disgust.

His words only caused my heart to ache some more. Especially the second the bride turned around.

“Calista…” I let out slowly, electricity coursing through me from the shock.

My cousin…My cousin was my husband’s new…

“Hi, Elora.” She greeted, a slight smile parting her well-painted lips.

A gasp escaped my lips, and more tears caused my vision to be blurry.

“Why-” My words trailed off the second he stepped before me, closing the gap between us.

“Go home, Elora. Don’t create a scene here.”

I scoffed in disbelief.

“I shouldn't- You stand there and accuse me of being a nuisance when- when you, my dear husband, getting married to my cousin! Really!” I thundered, my pitch high, regardless of how shaky it was. My throat is clogged with sobs.

It's funny how I wanted to lean in and scratch his eyes for daring to betray me like this.

“Go home. I'm busy.” He informed, turning around to walk back to the alter.

Without thinking, my right palm grabbed his suit, more eyes rolling down.

“Please, Boaz- you can't do this. I’m…I’m your wife.” I pleaded, my breath getting shaky.

“Not anymore.” He responded firmly, peeling my fingers off.

I could hear the murmuring flying around. The questions were hanging in the air and the criticisms of those who didn't cease to blame me.

“Maybe if she had been a better wife, he would have…”

My eyes soaked with another round of tears as I bit on my lower lip, my fingers now clutching onto my dress.

Three years!

“For three good years, I had been a good wife to you, performed my wifely duties, be…came a housewife, just to please you, and this is-” My voice cracked slightly, the anger in me brimming. “This is what I get!” I thundered and watched him freeze midway.

The murmuring gets intense, the cameras clicking over and over again. Boaz was a popular figure, and his Father was a powerful man and-

“In case you have forgotten, Elora. You only married me because of what I had to offer your Father’s company. You! You are nothing but a slut who sleeps around with every single male she comes in contact with.” He paused, each word sinking in and causing me to stare at him in disbelief.

“You are ly-”

“I endured you. Married you just so your pathetic Father wouldn't hang himself to death. I saved your life. Saved your company! But not anymore.”

My breath was shaky as I awaited what was to follow.

“I do not love you, Elora Amoh, and never will. So do yourself a favor and leave. I have a wedding to complete.”

My body shook vigorously as each word sank in slowly. Each word that I hoped was unreal. The nights of bliss we had been nothing but a lie. His confessions every time, the way he would stare at me, the words of encouragement, everything had been a lie.

My eyes started to sting with tears.

“You-” Words failed me.

I bit harder on my lip and felt it burst. My saliva mixed with my blood, but I barely felt pain, the one in my heart overshadowing it.

“Yes, Yes, I do.” I heard my cousin say as though nothing ever happened.

There was a long silence, disbelief roaming the air.

“Can you do this, or do you want me to remind you who I am?” I heard my husband thunder, causing the priest to clear his throat out of fear.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He informed, sauntering slightly.

My legs got as heavy as ice while time slowed down so I could catch up on the pain and drown it all in like a good girl.

The cameras don’t stop clicking.

My now ex-husband walked past me with my cousin holding onto his arm, beaming from ear to ear.

He stopped right beside me.

“My lawyer will visit you with the divorce papers.” He informed me, that his voice was void of emotions or regret.

I scoffed, his words felt like millions of knives were thrust into my chest.

“So you are leaving me for my cousin. Do you have no shame?” I threw at him, my voice quivering as the pain in my heart continued to worsen, and I watched him gnash his teeth.

A slap landed on my left cheek, leaving a sting behind.

But I don't stop.

How could he? How could he throw three years away for her?

“It shouldn't be you, Calista. You shouldn’t bring yourself so low-”

“Don't you dare say another word about my bride!” He roared, annoyance etched on his face.

“Or else what?” I snapped, my blood boiling, and my tears rolling down my cheeks.

His hand rose again, and I bit my lower lip as I awaited another slap. I deserved it after all for loving him. For being too gullible to see that I meant nothing to him.

“Don’t you dare!” I heard an oddly familiar voice thunder, causing my head to shoot in his direction—the male who called me.

He was dressed in an expensive Blue Vintage shirt with a white pant. His silver hair was neatly trimmed, and his face, his perfect face expressionless.

“And you are?” Boaz snorted, his frown deepening.

“Her savior.” The stranger responded causally yet calmly, and I felt my jaw drop.

“One of your males, I see. Tell me, does she please your bed as well as mine?” Boaz mocked, laughing mischievously before turning to Calista. “Let’s go.”

His hand found hers, his fingers wrapping around it so firmly. I sniffed in another tear, my eyes trailing from the hands to their faces. Calista’s smile was unwavering. Her eyes glinted with something warm, and I couldn't help but dig into my newly manicured nails' on my thighs. I had fixed the nails because for him after all, using his favorite color.

The sound of their car driving off caused my eyes to sting some more before they came closer, the paparazzi throwing their cameras in my face.

“What did you just do?” I yelled, my voice breaking, but he didn't flinch.

“I should get a thank you.” He responded pridefully, causing me to scoff.

“I never asked for your help!” I yelled then scurried off because my tears were standing to flow now, and I didn't want him to see that. I didn't want anyone to, but the reporters wouldn't stop following me.

“Is it true that your Father tried committing suicide?”

“Did he guilt rip Boaz Johnson to marry you?”

“Is it true that you cheated-”

Each word sounded from a distance as the world moved around me. Suddenly one of them pushed me, causing me to land on my butt, but I fell nothing. Instead, I let it all out: the tears, the pain, the betrayal.

I let it all flow out.

If only I had kicked against it three years ago. If only I had stood my ground with my Father, reminding him I was no tool to expand his business. If only-

A scent hit my nose hard as the stranger leaned in, his right hand stretched forward to help me up. I had no idea who this psycho was, and I wasn't bothered to know, but regardless, I wrapped my fingers around his palm, letting him pull me up. My body leans into his.

“Marry me.”

A dry laugh fell free. Rolling my eyes in awe and disgust, I placed my hand on his chest and pushed backward to create some space because I had no idea what this psycho was capable of.

I was at least glad he wasn’t grabbing my hand forcefully.

“You! What sort of silly jo—”

“Marry me, Elora. I can save you.” He whispered in a low tone.

“Save..You talk about saving. You men are nothing but monsters!” I thundered, the ripping pain in my chest accompanied by boiling rage.

“You-”

I don’t wait for his response before storming away. Each step dug a deeper hole in my heart as I thought of the uncertainty of the future.

Where was I to go? What was I to do?

Especially when Father particularly warned me never to return if something went wrong.

My eyes started to sting again.