Sarah’s POV
As I made my way downstairs to meet Richard, my nerves got the best of me like a teenager going on her first date. I never thought any man would see me like this ever but here I was about to stand in front of my husband like this. I wondered what he would see as I made my way into the living room where I could hear footsteps. I wondered what he would think of me, how he would react, and what the outcome of this whole thing would be.
Would things go south or would he find this whole thing endearing and pull me closer? “Welcome home honey, I made dinner,” I said, walking into the living room, my heart in my throat. Would he kick me out of his life because of this?
“Good evening, Mrs. Williams, I’m here to return the keys of the car.”
I shrieked at the same Desmond swore and covered his eyes, his cheeks red from embarrassment. “Why are you here? Where is Richard?” I asked, unable to keep the annoyance out of my voice. I pulled the robe closer to my body, irritated that my efforts seemed to have gone to waste.
Desmond dropped his hands and I blanched at the look of pity in his eyes. Richard wasn’t coming “Mr. Williams asked me to drop off the car because he will not be coming home tonight.”
I nodded, forcing my brain to process the words. “That’s all right. I’m sure he has a lot of work to do.” Shaking my head, I turned on my heels trying to keep the tears at bay. This was so embarrassing. “You know where to leave the keys. Have a good night then,” I whispered and turned on my heels. Damn you Richard, I’m done trying to get your attention and your love.
“Ma’am?” he called and I sighed, ignoring him. “Ma’am should I help you clean up?” he asked and I stopped at the stairs staring at him. I almost cursed when I saw the meals sitting pretty on the plates. Was I supposed to throw all that away?
I shook my head and looked down at my outfit. Even if I was going to clean up, I had to change out of this thing. I sent Desmond a smile and raced up the stairs to change out of the lingerie. Thank God I had the good sense to wear the robe over it. My head hurt just thinking about Desmond seeing me in just the lingerie.
I stripped and quickly slipped into one of my rompers. Well, it was Richard’s loss if he didn’t get to taste all the deliciousness, I had prepared for him. Tears were threatening to fall but I refused to give in. I would die first before I let Richard make me shed a tear.
As I made my way back downstairs a few minutes later, I felt tears prick my eyes but I didn’t give in. The whole embarrassing scenario played in my head like a tape on repeat as I made my way to the kitchen to clean up. Was this what women went through to make men fall in love with them? Surely it wasn’t this hard?
I froze, at the dining room area frowning as I stared at the now freshly cleaned table. Where did all the food go? Hearing shuffling from the kitchen, I made my way there and paused at the doorway.
“You didn’t have to stay Desmond; I could have handled everything myself,” I announced my presence as I walked up to him. He was at the sink washing plates and I found myself gawking at those toned hands of his with his muscles clenching as he worked.
He turned to face me and I blushed when I saw the knowing smile on his face. I had been caught staring. “I wanted to help you, it’s the least I could do.” I frowned at his words wondering why he was saying that. It wasn’t like he had anything to do with Richard not coming home tonight.
“I will be leaving now,” he said pulling me out of my thoughts and I looked up to see him walking away empty-handed. With a raised brow, I walked towards the freezer. There was no way I would let him leave this house without something to take home, especially after helping me out with the cleaning.
“Why won’t you take anything?” I asked as I brought out one of the bowls of rice he had packed. I reached for two other bowls containing salad and plantains and then I closed the freezer.
I turned at the same time he stood behind me and we bumped into each other. I flushed; my cheeks red as I reached for one of the paper nylon bags on the counter. I had so many after buying so much groceries for tonight. “I can’t let you leave without taking anything.” I stepped back to pack the food, all the while aware of his eyes on me. “Here you go, eat that for dinner or breakfast but take it.”
He smiled and opened his mouth to speak but I gave him a look. “Thank you, Mrs. Williams. Have a good night.” I nodded and stood there watching him walk away, thoughts of how wrong the night had ended running through my mind.
That should have been Richard and I; all those moments in here should have been between Richard and me. I groaned loudly and walked out of the kitchen stomping my foot to the living room.
Tears pricked my eyes again but I held them back, dialing my mother’s number as I took a seat on the arm of the chair. It rang a few times and then went straight to voicemail. I tossed the phone on the chair in anger and fell on the chair, angrily punching the chair. “I hate you so much, Richard.” I groaned as I let the tears roll down my cheeks.
Sarah’s POVI walked into the kitchen the next morning and did a takeback when I saw Richard rummaging in the freezer for something. “What are you doing?” He jumped which caused him to hit his head on the freezer top and then glared at me while rubbing his head. “What are you doing?” he threw my question back at me and it was my time to glare at him. “Where were you last night?” I asked, shocked at how strong my voice came out when I was a bundle of nerves on the inside. I had never said more than two words at a time to Richard before and now I didn’t even know if he’d hit me for being so gutsy. “You didn’t come home last night.” He eyed me for a while and then hissed, turning his attention back to the freezer which seemed more attractive than me at that moment. The nerve of this man. Had it been any other day, I would have let it slide and walked away to go and cry in my room or the bathroom but not today. After last night, I was tired of being so silent and not speaking up for my
Sarah’s POV“What did you say?” I asked staring at the man sitting across from me. Too many things had happened today and I was still trying to make sense of them. This, whatever this was, I couldn’t take it and I had taken so much already. I glared at a drunk Richard, hugging another woman’s waist in our living room, and crossed my hands over my chest. “We are going to bed and you are going to get out of the way.” He made a move to push me out of the way and staggered, falling sideways. I stretched my hand out to help him but he pushed my hand away. “Don’t touch me,” he glared at me and I took a step back feeling like I had been slapped.I stepped to the side and watched as he led the woman whom he had brought home, whose name I still didn’t know up the stairs. I blinked back tears and stood there for a few minutes trying to get rid of the huge lump in my throat. Never in my life had I felt so hurt and insulted. I had never loved anyone else in my entire life and Joshua Jones in th
Sarah’s POVIt's been one week. One week since I told Susan off and three days since I set my eyes on Richard. E would stay away from home before but this was worse. Then he would pop back in after a day or two but now he had been gone for seven days and I had no doubt this was some kind of revenge for the way I spoke to his girlfriend. But what did he expect me to do? She had been very rude to me, had he been expecting me to just take it all quietly and do everything she said? I was his wife, not a slave she had hired on a payroll. Somehow, a part of me wished I could take back everything I did – and said – while another part of me wishes she could have spoken up for herself sooner. I rolled on my side and slipped out of bed. The day had just begun but I didn’t feel like doing anything. There was nothing to do and most of the time, I spent my time playing on my phone, scrolling through Twitter, checking emails and playing music. I watched a movie or two sometimes but I didn’t like u
SARAH'S POV“Hey, Mrs. Sarah,” Desmond’s voice rang out from behind as I placed the papers on the center table next to me. I turned to see him approaching, and his expression was one of pity, causing me to avert my gaze.“Hey,” I replied, knowing all too well that his sympathetic stare was more than I could handle in that moment. All I wanted was to be left alone, to let the tears flow freely.“Sir Richard has asked me to assist you with your belongings,” Desmond continued, his voice compassionate.I swallowed the remaining saliva that had pooled in my throat as I quickly turned my gaze away, hoping to avoid Desmond’s sympathetic look. Tears now streamed down my cheeks, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable.“Oh yeah,” I said, forcing my voice to sound steady as I stood up and began walking towards my room. Desmond followed close behind. When we reached my door, I turned the doorknob, the metal cold beneath my fingers."Wait here," I commanded, my voice a little unsteady.I opened
Sarah's POV“Aren't you getting off miss?.” The driver cut me off from my thought immediately. I shaked my head twice to return to my right senses and the moment I touched my cheeks gently, I realized tears had started dropping down from them. I was just so lost in thought that I had forgotten that the car had stopped already. “Oh yeah.” I exclaimed.“Sorry for the interruption,” the driver apologized, his eyes darting to the rear-view mirror as I opened the door.The night air was a cold slap to my tear-stained cheeks, snapping me back to the present. I stepped out of the car while my legs felt as unsteady as my heart.“No need to apologize,” I muttered as I handed over the fare and turned away before the driver could catch another glimpse of my distress.“Over here ma'am.” The security guard’s deep voice jolted me out of my daze, beckoning me towards the open front door. I followed his gesture towards the exposed entrance, the inside of the hotel was visible through the clear glass
Sarah's POV“You really shouldn't have agreed to sign the divorce Sarah, I'm so disappointed right now.” Mom uttered as she began to pace around the hotel room. I sat still in the bed while my gaze was fixed right on the floor. Somehow, I was beginning to regret agreeing to Richard's divorce. But still, I needed my own happiness. Was I the only one to endure this pain. “I'm so sorry mom, I just had to, I need to be happy once again mom. I really need to find my own happiness and depart from Richard. I can't endure everything anylonger.” I responded. My voice had began to crack a little and I felt my palms were already sweety.Mom took her gaze aside for a few seconds and then darted them back to me. “You're right baby, I think it time you find what really makes you happy rather than spending the rest of your life with that coward.” As soon as I heard her words, my frown turned into a broad smile immediately. I felt a gentle touch on my hands and it made to look up instantly. Mom sat
RICHARD’S POV.I leaned back in my chair, letting the smooth jazz from the speakers fill the room. We sat in the bar lounge in the mansion.Martins sat across from me, swirling his wine like he always did when he was about to say something serious. I could see that look in his eyes—the one that said he was about to dig into things I didn’t want to talk about. “You know,” he started, his voice low, “sometimes I feel pity for her. Sarah didn’t deserve all that.”“Pity?” I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped, harsh and cold. “For her?” I shook my head, taking a long sip of my own wine. The taste was bitter on my tongue, but it matched the mood. “I don’t feel anything for Sarah, except maybe... hatred.”Martins raised an eyebrow at me, clearly not buying it. “Hatred? Come on, Rich. She’s not that bad.”“Not that bad?” I shot him a look. Was he serious? I stared down at my glass, watching the red liquid swirl. “You know how this all started, don't you?” I felt the anger rise in me aga
SARAH’S POV.The next few days in the hotel were a blur. I busied myself with plans for Madrid, checking listings online, arranging paperwork, anything to keep my mind occupied. But every time I closed my eyes, the image of Richard and Susan on that television screen flashed back at me. I could still hear the reporter's voice announcing my failed marriage like it was the evening news.I tried not to think about it. I had to move forward, right? Mom always said that life doesn't stop for anyone. But it felt like mine had hit a wall.The morning I was set to leave for Madrid, I stood by the window, watching the city wake up. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft glow over the buildings. I took a deep breath and looked at my packed bags. This was it. A new start.A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat—who could it be this early? I walked over and opened it cautiously. It was the hotel manager.“Good morning, Miss Williams,” he greeted with
Richard pov.The weeks that followed were like a dream, the kind of dream I never wanted to wake up from. Sarah’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. She was her old self again—strong, radiant, and filled with the kind of joy that seemed to light up any room she entered. And our daughter? She was growing so fast, already wrapping us—and everyone else—in her tiny fingers. But the best part of it all? We were finally preparing for our wedding. Sarah wanted something small and intimate, just us and our closest family and friends. She’d always talked about having a garden wedding, surrounded by nature, with the sun setting in the background. And that’s exactly what we were going to do. The morning was a flurry of activity. Zoe was in charge of decorations, barking orders at Martins, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. “Martins, the flowers go on the left,” Zoe said, hands on her hips. “They look fine where they are,” Martins shot back, holding up a bouquet of
Richard pov.Weeks passed. Life felt like a blur of hospital visits, endless updates from doctors, and quiet moments spent in Sarah’s room. I was there every day, holding her hand, speaking softly to her, willing her to wake up. Zoe and Martins tried their best to keep things light whenever they visited, cracking jokes or telling stories, but even they couldn’t hide their worry. The NICU had become another constant in my life. Our daughter was thriving despite her premature birth, a tiny fighter who seemed determined to make it through. I’d visit her every evening after sitting with Sarah, watching her tiny chest rise and fall under the glow of the incubator’s lights. She was the only glimmer of hope in an otherwise dark time. “Hey, little one,” I whispered one night, my hand resting on the incubator. “Your mom’s going to wake up soon. She has to. She wouldn’t leave us like this.” It was a quiet morning when the miracle happened. I was sitting in Sarah’s room, flipping through
Richard pov.The morning of the trial felt heavy. I left the hospital earlier than usual, making sure Zoe would stay with Sarah. Despite the overwhelming dread, there was a part of me that felt strangely numb, as if my emotions had run dry after weeks of worry and anger. Martins met me outside the courthouse, impeccably dressed in his usual sharp suit. He clapped a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding. “Today’s a big step forward,” he said. “Remember, this trial is about getting justice, not reopening wounds. You’re here to see Susan held accountable, not to punish yourself for her actions.”I nodded, though his words didn’t settle the unease churning in my gut. The courtroom was cold, and even though I’d prepared myself for this moment, seeing Susan seated across the room made my stomach twist. She didn’t look like someone riddled with guilt; she looked indifferent, like this was just another ordinary day. The prosecution opened with a detailed timeline of events, recou
Richard pov.The call from the police came just after dawn, jarring me awake in the cold, uncomfortable chair next to Sarah’s hospital bed. I fumbled with my phone, heart pounding as I stepped into the hallway to answer.“We’ve located Susan,” the officer said. “She’s in custody. We’d like you to come down to the station.”My grip tightened around the phone. The relief I felt was fleeting, quickly replaced by anger. “I’ll be there,” I said, my voice low.Zoe appeared beside me as I hung up. She had been sitting with Sarah through the night, taking turns with Martins to ensure I wasn’t alone. Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but her concern for Sarah mirrored my own.“Was that about Susan?” she asked.I nodded. “They’ve got her. I’m heading to the station.”“I’m coming with you,” she said firmly.“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Stay here. I need someone I trust to be with Sarah.”She hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. But keep me updated.”When I arrived at the police station, Martin
Richard pov.The cold, sterile environment of the police station did nothing to settle the unease that had been gnawing at me since Sarah’s fall. Sitting across from Isabelle in the small interrogation room only amplified it. She looked different—disheveled, almost feral—but her eyes still held that same unhinged intensity I remembered from before. Martins sat beside me, arms crossed, his body language radiating skepticism and disgust. The officer standing by the door had warned us to keep the conversation civil, but I wasn’t here to trade pleasantries. “Why, Isabelle?” My voice was steady, but my hands clenched into fists under the table. “Why did you hurt Sarah?” She tilted her head, a slow, deliberate movement that made my skin crawl. Then, she smiled—a twisted, almost childlike grin. “She wanted to take you from me,” she said, her tone eerily calm. I blinked, the sheer absurdity of her words momentarily robbing me of speech. “Take me from you? Isabelle, how many times
Richard pov.Morning came soon. The soft hum of the machines in Sarah’s room provided a false sense of calm, but every beep reminded me she was hanging on by a thread. My chest felt heavy with every passing second, waiting for her to open her eyes, to tell me everything would be okay. Zoe and Martins stayed close, their presence quiet but steady. Zoe would occasionally bring coffee or attempt to distract me with updates on the baby, but my focus stayed on Sarah.Martins had taken over the logistics—coordinating with hospital staff, keeping everyone updated, and ensuring the security team outside wasn’t slacking. It was just after 7 a.m. when my phone buzzed in my pocket, the vibration snapping me out of my daze. I saw the caller ID and immediately stepped out of the room to take the call. “This better be good,” I snapped, my voice low but sharp. “Mr. Wright,” a familiar voice responded—it was Derek, head of my security team. “We’ve apprehended Isabelle.” The words didn’t re
Richard povThe living room buzzed with life—laughter, the clinking of glasses, and warm chatter filled the air. Guests had arrived, carrying brightly wrapped gifts and wide smiles. It should have been a joyful day, a celebration of new life. But all I could feel was unease twisting in my gut like a knot that wouldn’t come undone. Martins nudged me as I stood by the window, eyes darting to the security guards stationed discreetly outside. “Hey, CIA,” he joked, his tone light. “You might wanna dial it down before Sarah figures out you’ve turned the baby shower into a covert operation.” I managed a thin smile. “Just being cautious.” Martins chuckled. “Yeah, cautious is your middle name. You’re so tense, you might scare the baby into coming early.” His humor didn’t land. I couldn’t shake the image of Sarah falling down those stairs from my mind—a thought that had no basis but still felt like an omen. Isabelle was out there. I didn’t know where, and that made her a threat.
Sarah pov.I woke up feeling like I was floating on air. Memories of last night flooded back—the soft glow of fairy lights, Richard’s face as he knelt before me, the ring that sparkled on my finger. I glanced at my hand, letting the sunlight catch the diamond, and smiled. It still felt surreal. The baby stirred, a gentle nudge reminding me she was there. “Good morning, little one,” I murmured, rubbing my belly. She responded with another kick, and my heart swelled. Today was going to be beautiful, filled with friends and laughter at the baby shower. But as I climbed out of bed and pulled on a robe, a faint unease settled in the back of my mind. Something I couldn’t quite place. When I reached the kitchen, the smell of coffee and the sound of laughter greeted me. Zoe was sitting at the counter, holding a steaming mug, while Martins leaned back in his chair, mid-joke. “Ah, our glowing bride-to-be!” Martins said with exaggerated flair, waving his hands like a magician. I roll
Richard pov.It had been a month since our trip to the nearby town. Sarah was now in her eighth month, and every day, I marveled at how gracefully she handled the ups and downs of pregnancy. But today was about more than just her strength—it was about giving her a moment to remember forever. I had planned a re-engagement surprise for her, one that would let her know how much she meant to me, now and always.“Martins, hurry up with the banner!” I called out as my best friend tried to figure out which end of the ribbon went where. He muttered something about not being a decorator, but I ignored him.The house was chaotic, but the good kind. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself as I rushed from one end of the living room to the other, adjusting balloons and making sure the decorations didn’t look like a Pinterest project gone wrong. I wanted everything to be perfect for Sarah. After everything we’d been through, she deserved that—and more.“Richard, mate, you need to chill,” Ma