CHAPTER 2

DIVORCE WITHOUT A PENNY

A divorce?

Flora's face turned pale and colourless.

Her mind was taken aback at the colourful and most talked about wedding they just had last month.

Uncontrollable tears began to stream down the corners of her eyes.

"No Richard, please listen to me. We can fix this! I swear to God I'm innocent!" She cried, desperately desiring to run after him, but she couldn't. She's still naked, and has no option than to remain covered under the thick hotel duvet.

Suddenly, she felt a hand roughly push her with violence, until she nearly hit her head on the bed frame.

It was Ma'am Henya.

"Mommy!" Flora screamed, her voice trembling in fear.

"You've lost all the right to call me that name, you adulterous woman!” Henya cursed.

“How dare you go behind my son's back and cheat on him? Your devilish mission is to bring shame to my family, right? Now, let me tell you, the Wilsons can never tolerate a slutty attitude like this! And you must pay dearly for this mess!"

"Mother, everything's done!" Clara's voice echoed proudly as she clutched her cell phone to her chest.

"Good." Henya nodded with a smile that got rapidly replaced with a frown before she turned to Flora.

"Now, listen to me, you shameless bitch! If you know what's good for you, divorce my son immediately, or else, I'll send these pictures to prominent internet bloggers and also get a lawyer to sue you for a divorce." Henya warned.

In Richard's BMW latest model, a slim lady was seated on the passenger seat. She has a tiny oval face with beautiful and delicate features, her fair skin and blonde long hair accentuating her glamorous looks while she grins softly, twisting her body as she waits for Richard to come in.

"Richard, was the plan successful?" She asked.

Richard smiled, placed his hands gently on the narrow slit of her silk black gown, his fingers nearly touching the tip of her clit**. He bent his head slowly and grabbed the back of her head and began to kiss her gently until it got wild.

After a long and fiery kiss, Richard held her palms and smiled while gazing into her eyes and whispered, "Finally, I will be able to marry you soon, Debby. You only need little patience for her to sign the divorce." He assured

.

"Well, I feel bad for her, but it's high time I take what is rightfully mine. I've waited so long for you to say this, Richard." Debby pouted, then raised her head to initiate another kiss.

Flora lay on the bed, her body feeble and her eyes red and sullen from excess tears.

She held her phone, dialling Debby's number for the twenty-ninth time, yet there was still no response.

She knows that Debby works in a financial institution, but today’s weekend.

‘Ain't she supposed to be home?’ Flora thought.

Unfortunately, Debby is the only trusted friend she has in the city. And for now, she's the only one in the best position to give her a shoulder to lean on.

Flora still battled with her thoughts, trying to recall how she left the sight of Debby and Clara and ended up with another man in a hotel, but all her thoughts were unyielding.

"Oh, I'm finished!" She lamented.

In a flinch, she got off the bed and hesitantly picked up the scattered clothes on the floor before she strode to the bathroom.

There, she stood at the mirror and held her lower body, crying loudly in pain before she picked up a sponge and scrubbed herself violently.

She made sure to scrub it hard as if she's washing away the sin of adultery and the contamination that the strange man had left on her skin.

At sunset, Flora returned to the Wilson's mansion, her face still distraught from the incident that took place in the morning.

Richard was seated on the long couch, looking like a demon with his favourite whiskey and a glass cup set before him.

He crossed his legs, staring intently at the television which was displaying his favourite action movie.

His anger was very evident in his dark eyes.

As she approached, his breath suddenly changed and his fingers began to twitch, his red eyes staring at her as if he would strangle her in the next second.

Flora couldn't bring herself to apologize again. All that had happened was a disastrous blow to her face. She knows that it's useless to explain herself because his mind is already made up.

She took a deep breath and paused, her voice gentle and trembling as their eyes met. "Richard, I accept the divorce, but I want 40% of my grandfather's shares back. You can hold the remaining 10% as my compensation to you."

‘Hmmm.’ Richard bit his upper lip.

"Like seriously? This must be some kind of expensive joke, Flora." He sneered.

Instantly, his expression got replaced with a more deathly frown.

Definitely, he can never agree to this!

He was just promoted to the position of the governor of the Wilson's Swift Holdings after consolidating their shares.

With this, if he agrees for her to take 40% of the shares, his reputation and power will be jeopardised, and he might likely be demoted from the position of the governor.

Richard tossed his two hands into his pockets as he stood, fixed a cold gaze at her and bit his upper lips in a devilish smile.

"Are you for real, Flora?” He scoffed.

“What made you think that you can boldly ask me for the shares and I'll stupidly agree to your conditions?"

"You cheated on me and betrayed the vows we made at the altar, yet you think you can just dump me off with only 10% of your grandfather’s shares?"

"But 10% is still worth more than a million dollars, Richard! These shares were owned by my grandfather before he died.

Wait, are you claiming that a million dollars compensation is not enough? Besides, I never cheated on you!" Flora argued.

Richard lowered his head and smirked. His eyes darkened with hatred as he pulled his hands out and stepped forward and grabbed her neck abruptly.

She struggled to breath and free herself from his firm grip, but she was too infirm to pull out.

"Flora, you're really shameless, aren't you? Newsflash….you have no choice for now than to divorce me! And if you make any attempt to drag this in court, I swear, you'll wish to see yourself dead before the time God has ordained for you!"

Flora's cheeks soaked with tears. She held her neck, looking unbelievably at the tall figure standing before her. His deathly eyes and cold-hearted face made him look like a total stranger to her. She couldn't believe that he was the same loving man she dated for four years and got married just a month ago.

All his empathy and tenderness have suddenly got replaced by selfish desires and pursuit for ambitious growth.

But these are her grandfather's shares. She can't just walk away and leave it to the Wilsons!

"Richard, I'm not asking for too much. Please, just give my grandfather's shares back to me!" She whimpered.

"And they are completely mine now, Flora. You can't take them away from me! Either you sign the papers and get lost, or I make you disappear from the face of the earth completely!" He threatened and pushed her to the floor abruptly, then picked an envelope on the table and threw it at her. "Sign it and get out!" He instructed.

"I'm not signing anything!" Flora blurted out.

‘Did he really expect me to lose my marriage and still go with nothing?’ She mumbled in silence.

Richard lowered his back, his hands placed on his knees. Staring intently at her confident eyes, he whispered, "If you don't sign it, you'll end up losing not just the shares, but your prestige and probably, your life! Choose wisely, dearest Flora!"

CHAPTER 3

IT WAS ALL A SET UP

Flora widened her eyes as her body trembled in fear. She gazed at the man who just returned to his couch and was seated comfortably, lazily flicking his cigarette as if nothing happened.

She shook her head. She still can't believe that this was the same man that had promised to love her till death do them part.

Now, he is only ruthless and cruel, his heart only guided by his desires for wealth and fame.

She held the papers and breathed deeply.

At this point, she knows that she has only one option; either to choose her grandfather's wealth and risk her life, or she protects her life and loses the wealth.

She looked at the man who had allowed his greed to consume him. Since she knows that choosing her grandfather's shares will make her lose her life, she swallowed painfully and nodded.

"Fine. I'll sign it." She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without hesitation, she took out a pen from her bag and scribbled her signature decisively.

As soon as Richard took the divorce agreement, his lips curled up in a contented smile as if he had just won a life long thicket to unbeatable wealth.

"Good of you." He leaned and whispered coldly.

"Now, if you read through the agreement, you'll see where it stated that you're not leaving with a penny from the company or the mansion. Secondly, you're to vacate this building on or before 12:00 noon tomorrow, and you're not to carry anything other than your clothes and other minor belongings." He added.

Flora gagged ceaselessly, her tears flowing like a river. An oppressive chill came up her spine as she packed her belongings that night. The pain of all she had passed through from morning still lingered in her head, and she had to vacate the house and lodge in a hotel that night.

She had texted Debby and one of her distant aunts about the unfortunate incident that has made her lose her marriage, now rendering her homeless.

Immediately, her aunt suggested for her to come over to Mexico and live with her.

She felt a wave of relief surged through her body. After all, she's also exhausted with living among the same people and features that ruined her life.

Besides, if not for the respect of her grandfather's dying wish, she would have called off her wedding to Richard long before it happened.

His insincerity has always been evident in his attitude since their courtship days.

At some point, Richard began to act weird as one who's forced in a relationship against his will. But she chose to ignore those signs whenever she remembers the good days that he promised heaven on earth.

As she got ready to check out in the morning, she discovered that her wallet was nowhere to be found inside her bag.

‘Fuck!’ She has forgotten it in one of the drawers in the Wilson's mansion.

She had to book a boat immediately to drive her down the one mansion she's been warned and threatened never to visit again.

As she walked past the garden, approaching the silver coated front door, her ear lopes perked up as her attention got caught by the chattering of familiar voices around the garden cooling spot.

Those were the voices of Clara and her ex mother-in-law alongside Debby's.

"Hope you're satisfied now, sweetheart. Richard is finally a complete single man. Hope you don't have to feel guilty anymore?" Henya asked.

Those words left Flora dumbfounded.

She tip toes closer to have a clear view of everything.

There, she saw Debby cross her legs and blushed in a contented manner. "Sure Mama. My dad has even decided to invest in the Wilson's Swift Holdings. He couldn't contain his happiness when I told him I'm soon going to be part of the Wilsons." She admitted.

"That's the best news I've heard in a long time! My dear, with your dad's investment in the company, it will make Richard's influence to be incontestable! I knew you were going to be my favourite daughter in-law!" Henya clapped.

"Thank you mama." Debby nodded happily.

"Such a great pleasure for us to finally be a family, right? Trust me when I tell you guys that I know the best way to get rid of that bitch!" Clara chipped in.

Flora squeezed her eyes shut to force back the tears that were threatening to fall. Her feet became deeply rooted as the voices replayed in her head.

Those words sunk more than they should have, not because they were harsh, but because they were unexpected.

‘I’ve cried enough. It's high time I move on with my life.’ She mumbled.

She blinked, and everything flashed back in her head. The connection in events was unconcealable. It was Clara who suggested for them to stop at the restaurant to get her favourite drink before they reach home.

She had left Clara and Debby to use the restroom, and the moment she returned and sipped her remaining wine, her eyes began to get blurry, only for her to wake up naked on a hotel bed without any man at sight.

‘So, this was all Henya and Clara's plan, huh?’ They wanted Richard to divorce me and give Debby a spot, all because her father is interested in investing with the Wilson's holding.’

Flora's heart throbbed painfully at their words and her eyes stung.

At that moment, she lost every bit of patience and walked up to them, her face engulfed in resentment.

Debby was startled, and so was Clara and her mother.

From the look of Flora's twisted face, they already knew that she had successfully eavesdropped on their conversation. Now, the only option for them is to be cruel and show her their true colours.

"Oh, so you still got some nerves to show your disgusting face here, huh?" Henya cursed, her eyes red like a burning iron.

Clara pouted with a smirk, "Don't be too dramatic, Flora! Do you think my brother would stick to you for long just because he's married to some rich spoiled brat?"

Flora scoffed.

‘Spoilt brat? Wow! Isn't this the same family that has always praised me for being kind and humble despite my wealthy background?’ She thought to herself.

How easy it is for humans to change. These were the same people that resorted to all sorts of begging when she suggested that their wedding be paused until she clocks twenty five. Their constant persuasion for fear of losing her to another man forced her to reconsider her decision, making her end up walking down the aisle at twenty two.

She blinked.

"So, you...you all planned and framed me up, right? What did I ever do to deserve this evil from you guys?" Flora asked, her head spinning in disbelief as she gazed at their unapologetic faces.

"Oh, my dearest Flora..." Debby chuckled.

"Do you think Richard was really interested in you? Wise up girl... He was only after your grandfather's wealth! And you're nothing but just a ladder for him to climb up the governor's position in the Wilson's Swift Holdings. It is me that he truly loves!" She added, waving her fingers over Flora's face to show her the expensive engagement ring Richard had given her.

"Mummy, why are we still allowing this lunatic to express her dirty self here? Shouldn't she be on the streets by now?" Clara snapped.

"Sure, you're right." Henya nodded.

"Now, get out of here, Flora! You're divorced, and it's stated that you're no longer welcomed here beyond 12:00 noon." Henya pushed her off.

Flora smiled with an unbridled coldness.

"I'm only here for my passport and IDs. Once I get that, I'll be out of here for good!" She snapped.

"Fine. Direct Clara to where you kept it and she'll get it for you. I need you to go as far as you can from this place!" Henya warned.

“And what will you do if I don't?” Flora raised a brow.

‘What?’ Henya rolled her gaze at Clara and Debby. They were utterly surprised at Flora's sudden confidence in talking back.

Even during their highschool days, Debby had always known Flora to be fragile and indecisive, always avoiding any occasion that'll make her want to exchange words with anyone.

As soon as Flora grabbed her IDs and turned to take her leave, Debby marched behind her and grabbed her arms violently.

"Flora, take it or leave it. Richard only married you because of what he has to gain. And in all honesty, you don't deserve him, not even for a day!" She chuckled.

Flora lowered her head, a faint bitterness spreading across her lips as she glared at the woman that has always been her best friend for more than a decade. But now, all that is written over her is hypocrisy and hatred.

"I have no vocabulary to waste on you for now." Flora said and tried to free her arms from Debby's grip.

"Come back here, Flora! How dare you walk away without answering my question?" Debby dragged her back, digging her long nails painfully into Flora's flesh.

Flora turned violently and raised her hand to give her a resounding slap, but Debby instantly grabbed her hand before it landed on her face. "Who the hell do you think you are to slap me, Flora? I only took over what belongs to me! I am the woman destined to become Mrs. Wilson and not you!" Debby barked.

“And I'm not contesting that position with you. Am I?”

Debby was stunned at Flora's sudden willingness to let go of Richard without any chaos.

‘Wait, was she being insincere when she told me that she won't trade Richard for anything? Or…is there something hidden about the Wilsons that I'm not aware of?***’ Different ugly thoughts ran helter-skelter down Debby's mind.

"So, you conspired with them to ruin my life last night? Alongside Richard, right?" Flora couldn't hold her tears, the pains returned fresh, stroking her heart like a knife.

Seeing her tears, Debby heaved a sigh of relief.

‘At least, she's feeling hurt to some extent.’ she thought.

But there was still something about Flora's expression that Debby couldn't lay her hands on.

Well, she's confident that Flora can't even fight back, because she's got nothing to herself.

But still, those tears don't look hurtful enough.

“But do you really have to go that far to plot against me just to marry Richard?” Flora asked again.

Debby tilted her head toward Flora.

"Yes. That's because Richard and I have been in love with each other long before you came into the picture. Even the fire accident and the collapse of his side business was fake. I needed money as of then to fix my life, because I am the one who has been satisfying him in bed all this while!" Debby declared.

"But too bad for you, Flora.

You've signed the divorce already. So even as you know the truth now, what more can you do?”

CHAPTER 4

THIRSTY FOR REVENGE

"You're right. There's absolutely nothing I can do ." Flora nodded in affirmation. She raised her eyebrows slowly, blood cursing through her body as her heart slammed against her ribs.

She looked at Debby with utter disgust.

So, all this while, Richard has been sleeping with her best friend and would always use too much office work as an excuse to keep late nights, just to have his way with his mistress?

"So, who was that man, Debby? Who was the bastard that you arranged for me last night?" Flora asked, her voice stern and filled with hatred.

"Oh that?" Debby chuckled.

"Is there still any need for you to know?”

“Well if you insist, the truth is that…we hired a gigolo to devour you that night, but when he returned, he told us that he found another man in the room already, so he couldn't carry out the assignment."

"What?" Flora exclaimed.

"Yeah. So for now, I have no idea of the man that screwed and lick your clit* overnight. Whether he's short, tall, young, old, handsome or ugly, only your imaginations can answer that, little bitch! All we know is that another man successfully pulled your pants down." Debby sniggered, her voice devoid of any remorse.

"That's such a big lie!" Flora argued.

"I know what I'll do. The surveillance cameras of the hotel will definitely give me the detailed history of everything!" Flora said and began to walk away with deliberate steps.

"Bad news." Debby's condescending voice echoed. "The hotel's surveillance cameras happened to develop some serious mechanical fault yesterday. What a terrible coincidence, right?" She smirked.

Flora swallowed painfully.

‘These people are exceptionally smart! They really know how to play their card without flaws.’ She cursed inwardly.

Flora paused after taking some steps away from the garden and turned to glance at the Wilson's mansion for the last time. Her eyes suddenly shifted to meet the gazes of the very people that have betrayed her.

But now, all the tinge of sadness in her heart has completely vanished.

All that is left of her now is how to pick up her pieces and move on for good.

"I regret ever knowing you, Debby! I hate you all!" She cursed and left.

Watching Flora's slender body depart the Wilson's mansion, the three women looked at each other and bursted out into a mocking laughter.

Finally, they have succeeded in evading the obstacle to their dirty games.

***

While staying in Mexico with her aunt, Flora’s world came crumbling when she discovered that a seed was growing in her belly. The realisation of this even felt more hurtful than getting divorce without a penny.

How can she ever overcome the trauma of getting pregnant for a man she has no knowledge of?

She was certain that the little life she was carrying was not Richard's, because since their wedding night, Richard has not failed to use protection before having any intimacy with her.

In spite of all, she still did everything possible to put her past behind and hustle to bring out a better version of herself. Even if not for anything, she has to be strong and give her son a better life.

******

Six years later, at the well lit modern international airport, Flora took a deep breath before opening her eyes and looking at the environment around her.

Finally, this day has arrived, a day she can mingle with people in high society as she always does while growing up.

The atmosphere in the environment was harmonious.

At the airport, two young ladies held a welcome card. It was written, Chief Designer of Deluxe Arts, Flora Blake.

The ladies hung the cards on their neck, rolling their eyes over all the feminine faces as they searched frenzily for the woman they've been asked to welcome.

They keep rolling their eyes between their phones and the faces of young dignified women in the surrounding, hoping to see an exact match of the woman in their gallery.

From the description given to them by the woman's aunt, their expectation was to see an honourable woman appear in a sophisticated dress that would signal her presence in the midst of thousands, but their assumptions were wrong.

Suddenly, they spotted a casually dressed woman approaching.

Her perfect blonde long hair and cute white eyes still complimented her exceptional looks. Beside her, a little boy of approximately five years old was happily pushing a cart containing a small briefcase and a mini side bag.

Among the children in the environment, the boy's figure stood out. He has exquisite facial features and his eyes were cute and white like his mother's.

No one who sighted the little boy would not pause and give a remark after a second look. His cute pink lips and a well shaped nose were just the exact features of those rich kids usually pictured on a magazine cover as models.

"Wow! This boy is overloaded with good looks."

"I guess he took after his father. Because his looks are too good to be compared with his mother's.***" Different comments stem up in whispers from the people around.

Flora took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut, the moment she heard the whispers of her son taking after his father's looks.

Those words only reminded her of how she ended up birthing a child that she has no clue of who the father is, presenting her with the hurtful past she thought she had forgotten.

If not for her aunt's persuasion for her to return to New York after helping her secure a better job offer at a friend's design company, Flora wouldn't have wanted anything to do with the city until she's completely healed from her past.

She quickly took out her glass case to put on her dark sunglasses to hide the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Mummy. Don't you think those two ladies over there are here to pick us up? They've long been staring at us and whispering to each other. You told me that you're resuming a new job as a chief designer, right?" The little boy noted, pointing at the tags hanging on the ladies' necks with his mother's name boldly written on them.

Flora pursed her lips and smiled enigmatically. One thing she cherishes a lot about her son is his high IQ and the way he reasons smartly like an adult.

Well, just the thought of this reduces her resentment whenever her past comes flashing at her. At least, even though she's a single mother, she's got the cutest little boy in the whole world.

Flora followed the two ladies as they led her towards the chauffeur, who drove them with the moderate speed like she's always done when she was driving in the past, until they alighted a tall, magnificent building with shining silver gate. It looks like an estate with many flats of similar structure.

"Welcome to the Deluxe design estate ma'am. As instructed by the chairman, this will be your apartment for now." One of the ladies said as they walked to the frontage of one of the biggest and newest flats amongst the houses.

Wow! Flora exclaimed, her heart pulsating in awe of the large

apartment she never thought of occupying anytime soon.

In the evening, she decided to go out on a stroll with her little boy to at least get familiar with the environment before she resumes work the next morning.

"Hey mummy, look over there! I love that building. It looks really beautiful." Her little son remarked, pointing at a largely built pyramidal structure. Its exquisite external features were top notch, making it easy to spot among all the large buildings on the street.

Flora raised her brows. "Wow, it actually looks so..." She paused when her eyes shifted to the large sign post at the gate.

It reads, "Welcome to the Wilsons Swift Holdings. (The right place to satisfy your high luxury taste.)"

Her jaws dropped. She took a deep breath to calm her rising heartbeat down.

‘Wait, How did the Wilson's Swift Holdings relocate to this street?’ She couldn't believe her eyes.

Immediately, she swiped her phone and typed the full information about the Wilson's Swift Holdings in her google search.

There, she saw what almost broke her to pieces. The Wilson's Swift Holdings has just recently built this new site and converted it to their permanent site.

She squeezed her eyes and swallowed hard.

Everything reminded her of how she lost her inheritance to the bastards that own this company because of their evil set up.

She didn't expect that her new company would be in close proximity to that of the same people that brought heavy emotional damage to her.

At some point, she thought of resigning and searching for another job in a distant location, but then, a strong voice from deep within her heart cautioned, ‘Why should you resign your job for the same monsters that you've been anxiously waiting for a time to destroy? Shouldn't this be the best opportunity for you to monitor their every move and know how to strike a balance between their strengths and weaknesses?’ She let out a wicked smirk as she took off her glasses to have a glaring view of the building before they returned home.