Chapter 2

By the next morning when I woke up after being knocked out by the medication, I realized as usual Jason had left for work.

He couldn't even wait an extra hour for me, his sick wife, to wake up and make sure I was good before running to his office where his lover, my sister, could visit.

Swinging my legs down from the bed, I got to work. First things first, I needed to get evidence of the secret affair between Jason and Alexandrian.

My eyes caught view of his laptop which he didn't carry to work. I quickly turn the key, locking the door.

I grab the laptop and sit on the bed with it in my lap, quickly turning it on.

The first thing I notice is a baby bump with Obviously Jason's hand over it as the lock screen, which I knew from the wedding band.

On a closer look, I realized it was Alexandrina’s belly; she still wore her gold studded belly piercing.

My heart felt like it was being torn into a thousand pieces.

With my shaky finger, I tried to figure out the password. I tried my birthday, but it didn't work; I tried his birthday, but it didn't work.

I tried several dates, our wedding and anniversary dates, but still none worked. In frustration, I tried Alexandrina's birthday, and it opened instantly.

Jason takes his privacy seriously; I knew if I logged into his social media account, he would get notified. I checked his photo app looking for evidence, and after a few swipes, I came across a photo of an unknown vacation.

My whole family was in the pictures, including my Dad; my hands became as cold as ice as I checked the date. It was just this year when I was held up temporarily in an asylum for treatment, I had the worst attack of paranoia then.

The last picture was one of Jason and Alexandrian kissing while my family cheered. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks. I knew my family didn't like me, but this was brutal. They were all aware of the affair between my husband and Alexandrian.

My family dislikes me because I refuse to share the company with them, my mum was already divorced from my Dad when she died.

In her will, she specifically requested I give not a single penny of her money to any family member except in life-threatening situations. As she was ill-treated by the family.

Following my mother's will is what caused the friction between my family and me. Even still against my mother's wishes, I allowed them access to one of the accounts but they weren't satisfied.

I exited the app and shut the laptop off. I had seen enough, I kept the laptop back in its place.

It was obvious I wasn't wanted around here, I wiped my tears and picked up my cellphone. I quickly downloaded divorce papers online and booked the next available flight to a foreign country.

My phone startled me by ringing aggressively. It was Jason calling. I didn't feel like answering the call, but not to seem suspicious, I did.

“Hello,” I said trying to make my voice seem normal.

“Hi baby, sorry I couldn't wait for you to wake up, you slept so soundly. But I intend to make it up, I have a dress being sent to you. I'll pick you up by 7 for a special dinner.”

I didn't even feel the least bit excited. “Oh, that's nice,” I respond dryly.

Jason laughed, “I know baby, you're welcome. Catch you later.”

“Bye,” I said as I turned off the call. Refusing to let the pain of Jason and my family's betrayal consume me. I decided to go to the home office and print out two copies of the divorce papers.

_______________

I arrived at the dinner in a private cab; Jason had called at the last minute, giving an excuse as to why he couldn't pick me up.

The moment I entered the restaurant, I knew I had made a terrible mistake coming here.

My family members were all seated,already having dinner without me. Jason didn't notice my entrance at first as he busied himself sitting next to Alexandria and feeding her like she was handicapped.

The sight of it made bile come up my chest. I cleared my throat softly and everyone looked in my direction.

Jason stood up immediately approaching me with a smile, “Welcome baby, sorry I couldn't pick you up. Alexandrian’s car broke down on the way. You know she's pregnant, I had to go help.”

Of course, it had to be about her, “Why didn't you tell me this was going to be a dinner with my family?” I whispered to him, but he ignored my question and placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me to a seat opposite my father.

Chapter 3

“Good evening, Dad,” I say reluctantly; the last time we had met, we ended up exchanging unpleasant words and have spoken since then.

“Good evening.” He says sternly. It was so hard to believe this was the same loving father I had grown up with who had changed all because of money.

Jason gives me an encouraging nod and hurries away back to Alexandrina's side like a dotting husband

Of course, it had to be about her, “Why didn't you tell me this was going to be a dinner with my family?” I whispered to him, but he ignored my question and placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me to a seat opposite my father.

“Good evening, Dad,” I say reluctantly; the last time we had met, we ended up exchanging unpleasant words and have spoken since then.

“Good evening.” He says sternly. It was so hard to believe this was the same loving father I had grown up with who had changed all because of money.

Jason gives me an encouraging nod and hurries away back to Alexandrina's side like a dotting husband.

I could see Alexandrina glare at me because Jason was giving me attention. The moment I got seated my Dad banged his hand on the table, his face red in anger.

“Why do you always have to be so rude and unreasonable. If not for Jason, you'd have walked out of here laughing like a lunatic.”

I could see Alexandrina give me a wicked smirk; she enjoyed seeing me and my family fight because of her.

I took a deep breath trying to still my raging temper within me. First, at myself for believing Jason wanted to treat me to a nice dinner, then at my family's endless greed.

Feeling calm enough I spoke in a controlled tone.

“First of all, you are all insane, not me. In fact, I may be the only one with a brain in their head here. Alexandrian has no right at all to my inheritance, she's not my blood sister even, not from my father or mother.”

The whole room gasped, and their mouths fell open at my declaration, but I refused to be deterred by their reactions. “Yes, I said it! She's only my step-sister because her mum here married my Dad.”

My Dad stood up angrily, “Why do you have to be so damn selfish Celestina! You're so heartless; how can you say such hurtful words to your sister when she's pregnant? You know her blood pressure is fluctuating.”

On cue, I see Alexandrina put a delicate hand to her forehead, “Dad, don't worry, it's fine….I don't feel so good.”

Her chest heaves up and and down faster as though she was finding it harder to get air. I rolled my eyes in irritation, I couldn't hold it anymore.

“Stop faking, Alexandrian; we both know there's absolutely nothing wrong with you.”

The words were barely out of my mouth before I felt a sting on my face; I staggered back, falling to the floor. I cupped my cheek in hurt and raised my head to look at my father who had just slapped me.

“How dare you speak to your sister. You don't even know what it's like to be pregnant so how would you know what the symptoms are like?”

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to shed them; I wasn't going to give them the pleasure of seeing me cry.

I looked to Jason who was glaring at me while holding Alexandrian, “You know what, they were all right about you. I set up this dinner so you could be reasonable and do the right thing. But your selfishness wouldn't let you, now you've upset Alexandrian, and she's pregnant.”

But… she's faking.” I said with a broken voice my throat tight with tears.

“I don't want to hear a single word from you. Just get out.” Jake says in a stern voice; Alexandrian smirks at me briefly but quickly goes back to her fake act of not being well.

I stand up from the ground unaided, “Can't you alll see, you're all being blinded.” I say trying to make them see reason with me.

Angela immediately fakes a worried face, “Jason, I hope you still have the medication the doctor gave you. She's looking a bit crazy right now, I think you should sedate her.”

I feel enraged at her words, “I'm not crazy, I'm merely mad at you all.” I say raising my voice in anger.

Blinded by anger and tears, I didn't notice Jason come up behind me till I felt the prick of a needle and a liquid inserted into my body. I turned around, and my last blurry image was Jason injecting me with a strange liquid.

I wake up with a banging headache, I lift my hand to block out the intrusive ray of sunlight. Forcing myself to sit up, I take in my surroundings only to realize I'm back in my childhood bedroom.

“Shit,” I mutter to myself, I look at my arm where I was jabbed to see the angry red dot. I wondered what exactly Jason had injected me with; my head still felt foggy.

Suddenly my bedroom door opens with a gust of wind. Alexandrian walks in wearing a sundress, looking all bright and glowy due to her pregnancy.

“Hope you slept well bitch.”

“What do you want Alexandrian?”

“Well, I came to warn you to share the inheritance with me or I'll take everything you hold dear. You'll literally watch me live your life from the shadows.”

I look at her like she's a clown and chuckle, “And they call me crazy.” I say under my breath which angers Alexandrian.

“I've already started. This baby belongs to Jason, and I have him wrapped around my little finger. Just watch and see…”

I didn't want to hear it to the end.

Her words struck a barb; I just need to get out of here; I stand up suddenly despite the dizziness, bracing myself on the bedframe.

Alexandrian immediately throws herself on the floor and starts screaming. “Aha, Aha she hit me.”

I look in shock, I decide to ignore her and leave, but Jason and my family rush to the room.

“What the hell did you do?” Jason says his teeth clenched in anger.

I gave Jake a hurt look. Was he so blinded by his feelings for my sister he would jump to baseless conclusions?

Alexandrian continued screaming like she was in severe pain; my Dad and Angela rushed to her side, comforting her.

“I did nothing; believe, me; she's just faking as, usual." I almost scream.

Alexandrian responds in a low hurt voice, faking tears. “How can you tell such a lie? I only came in here to comfort her and tell her I love her regardless of her refusing to share. She called me a bitch and pushed me to the ground, threatening to make me lose the pregnancy.”

My mouth fell open at her lies, “You surely don't believe that Jake; you've known me for five years. I've never exhibited such character.”

But Jake stared at me, not moving; his fists were clenched in anger. I was scared he was going to slap me as my father had done earlier.

“Shut your lying mouth up, just because you don't have a children, you want to ruin it for Alexandrian. Get out of here this minute or I'll be forced to throw you out!”

I couldn't believe the hurtful words Jake had just hurled at me; my voice broke as I spoke.

“I'm your wife, Jake, you should believe me!” I tried reaching for him but he threw my hand away like I had some contagious disease.

“Get out, I'll have to speak with your doctor about your crazy behavior. You're becoming too erratic.”

I opened my mouth to respond,but I felt strong arms around me, and in an instant,I was lifted off the floor by the security man.

“Take this piece of trash out.” My father said with spite as I was being carried away.

I was thrown out of the mansion to the main street; the security man cast me an apologetic look before turning away and leaving me there.

I felt too hurt to even cry; my family and my husband had cast me aside all because of Alexandrian. Luckily, I was still holding my purse; I took it out and ordered an Uber.

I was leaving tonight, I wasn't going to sit around and let my family treat me so unfairly.

The Uber arrived, and I entered rattling out my address. When I arrived home, I couldn't hold the feeling of needing to throw up. I ran to my bathroom sink, but it was dry sobs that racked my body.

I guess my heart waited for privacy before I could fall apart. When it was over, I gripped the marble, sinking. Looking up at the mirror, I couldn't recognize the woman staring back at me with red eyes and deep eye bags.

I looked pale. I turned on the tap, splashing cool water on my face; I had cried enough. It was time to move on before I got locked up in an asylum.

Taking out the bright red lipstick from my purse, I wrote on the mirror a message for Jake, ‘I know the truth, I'm gone for good.’

Entering the bedroom, I took out the divorce papers and signed a copy leaving it on Jake's side of the bed. Packing a few necessary stuff, I headed to the airport.