NAYA'S POV

“No, Mother! That's not true!” I said as I pushed myself away from her.

“Then what's that on the news?” She pointed to the TV screens.

Then I quickly grabbed my phone and stood up from the floor and tried to scurry back up the stairs, but she stopped me.

“Don't you dare move an inch from where you are!” She yelled angrily, and I paused in my tracks and trembled under her gaze.

“Sarah!” She called the maid’s name. “Sarah!” She bellowed as I clasped my eyes shut from the impact.

“Yes ma'am?” Sarah appeared disheveled as she cleaned her wet hands on her apron.

“How stupid can you be? Where were you when I called?” Mrs Anderson hissed as Sarah instantly.

“I'm so sorry, ma'am.” She stared at her feet.

Mrs Anderson eyed her. “You should be sorry for yourself!” Then she pointed up the stairs.

“I want you to take your stupid self up the stairs and throw all of Naya's belongings outside.” She instructed.

I was shocked at her resolve. “Mother... Mother, please…” I went down on my knees shamelessly to beg her to change her mind.

Sarah glanced at me with obvious pity.

“Am I paying you to be stupid? Why the hell are you still standing there?” Mrs Anderson yelled at Sarah who immediately obeyed her instructions.

“Mother…” I continued to plead.

“I said don't call me that. I'm not your unfortunate mother!” She scolded me as I continued to wipe away the tears that blurred my vision.

That was how my belongings were thrown out of the mansion along with my unfortunate self.

I didn't want to fight it, so I left with my things and boarded a cab to Chloe's apartment.

I dug out my phone from my purse and tried to dial my husband's phone. My thumb hovered over the call button before I decided against calling him.

When I got to Chloe's apartment, I rang the doorbell, and almost immediately, she opened up.

“Oh my God, is that blood on your hair? What the hell happened?” She said as I remembered that I hadn't cleaned up myself.

I smiled weirdly at her and she pulled me into a quick embrace.

“Oh, my friend…” She spoke softly and released me from her hold.

“What's up with the luggage?” She asked as I tucked my hair behind my ears.

“Please can I stay with you for a while?” I said instead.

“Of course, how can you even ask that? You're welcome to stay for as long as you want.” She said as I nodded slightly at her.

“Come on in.” She said as I followed her inside.

“Thank you,” I muttered.

“But what's that on the news? I was shocked to my bone, what are the Andersons up to? Because I know you love your husband and won't even dare cheat on him.” Chloe rambled as I busted out in tears again.

“Oh my, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up again. Woah.. look at your eyes, they look so swollen.” She said and rubbed my back to console me.

“That's why I hate love and despise men so much, now look!” She shook her head and grabbed my luggage.

“Come on, let's get you cleaned up.” She said as I followed her into the guest room, where I'd be staying.

After I was done cleaning up, I felt relaxed for a moment as I settled myself on the bed to sort out my clothes.

Chloe entered the room looking all dressed and ready to go out.

“Oh, now you don't look so much like a ghost.” She chuckled as I pulled up a small smile at her.

“Now, all you have to do is dress up, and let's hit the club tonight.” She said as I furrowed my eyes at her.

“Oh yeah, you heard me. You're too quiet and moody for my liking, so come on, let's go hang out and have fun tonight!” She said and excitedly threw her hands up in the air and made a quick body movement to the music in her head.

“No Chloe, you know I'm in no condition to go to the club at the moment…” I declined as she paused to look at me.

“Says who?” She asked rhetorically. “Those Anderson motherfuckers want to obviously ruin your life, so it's up to you not to settle.”

“Chloe, No. My face is all over the media and if I hit the club tonight, what more would people say?” I said and played with one of my clothes in hand.

“And who says they're gonna see you talk more, recognize you?” She said with a sly smile.

“Wait, what do you mean?” I asked innocently.

“Oh, my friend, you are so naive when it comes to things like this, but that's why you have me. Hold on a moment…” She said excitedly and scurried out of the room to go get something.

“What's going on in that little head of yours?” I asked after her and pressed my lips into a thin line.

“Now, here's the plan…” She returned almost immediately with a short red dress and her makeup kits like she had it planned out already.

“What plan?” I asked as I perked up a brow at the makeover tools in her hands.

“Well my friend, the plan is to get you to hop on a good disguise makeover!” She almost squealed at the thought.

“A makeover?”

“Yes, I've allowed you to hide behind those baggy pants and weird dresses for too long. So, we have to celebrate a new you tonight!”

“Oh no, Chloe, not the club…” I whined as she shot me a glare.

“You're going whether you like it or not!” She concluded as I rolled my eyes at her.

Then we heard the doorbell as Chloe threw the dress and makeup on the bed before she darted to get the door.

“Naya, it's for you!” She yelled out to me as I went to the door, only to behold a delivery man who immediately confirmed my name, presented a big envelope to me, and told me to sign away in acceptance.

Chloe shut the door afterward and looked at me in expectation.

“What's that?” She asked as I opened the envelope, only to behold the divorce papers Ivan had thrown to my face in the hotel room.

“He actually sent it over…” I mumbled under my breath as Chloe collected the papers and glanced through them.

“Asshole!” She cursed under her breath as I bit my lip to stifle my emotions.

“That fucker wants to divorce you after tainting your image?” She snorted.

I glanced at her. “Should I sign it?” I asked as a pang weighed on my chest.

I still love Ivan despite everything but..

“The fuck?” Chloe brought me out of my thoughts. “You should be seeing this as an opportunity to finally let go of those godforsaken Andersons! But here you are… reluctant to put it all behind you after everything they've done to you?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I immediately had a change of heart.

I'd hit the club just as Chloe had proposed. I had a feeling that I don't give a fuck anymore.

I took the papers from her. “Let's hit the club, I need to unwind.”

NAYA'S POV

Chloe and I downed a couple shots all at once.

My mind reeled from the day's event and I couldn't believe everything that happened. It felt surreal but I was going to give it all up.

“Come on Naya… let's go dance!” Chloe dragged me away from the bar and pulled me onto the dance floor.

I closed my eyes and threw my hands in the air as I moved my body to the rhythm of the pulsating music.

But soon, I scurried through sweaty bodies and back to the bar where I ordered more drinks.

I wanted to drown myself in alcohol.

Thanks to Chloe's perfect disguise makeover, I was free to enjoy the thrill of the club.. until Kevin Clark, my ex-boyfriend appeared in front of me.

“I almost thought you're not Naya Simpson, but you actually are…” Kevin flashed me a grin as I ignored his presence.

“What do you want?” I asked with a no-game look.

The obvious reason why I love alcohol is the ability to not give a shit about anything or anyone.

“Woah.. easy, this is the first time in five whole years I'm seeing you again, the least you could do is acknowledge the longevity and be open to chatting with me.” He blurted.

He still has the nerve!

What is wrong with all these men?

“I don't want to talk to you, so just fuck off!” I said and immediately wished that I could actually smoke so I could puff it up in his face.

“You look different.. and beautiful tonight.” He complimented me as I ignored him and gulped another shot.

I felt like I was in a whole new world with these shots!

I believe I've been a good girl long enough… before and after the death of my parents.

I couldn't tell if it was the thrill of alcohol, but I wanted to be different. Scratch that, I desired to be different.

“Especially in that dress... I think I like what I see.” He blurted as I laughed hysterically at his words.

He broke up with me for the same reason Ivan dared to file for a divorce. Now, he's flirting with me.

“Why are laughing?” He asked as I glared daggers at him.

“If only you'll realize you're wasting your breath in talking to me..” I looked away from him and gulped yet another drink and got off the stool to go to the restroom.

He held me back as I pulled my arm away from his grip.

“Don't you dare touch me!” I shouted over the loud music.

“Where are you going?” He asked as I snorted angrily at him. What in hell gave him the right to ask me stupid questions?

“None of your fucking business!” I said to him and wobbled my way to the restroom.

Before I could get to the restroom, Ivan popped out of nowhere and pinned me up against the wall.

This fucker!

I shook my head as if it was enough to face Ivan clearheaded.

“I always knew you're a cheap slut!” He growled to my face. “I could fuck you again here and now…” He breathed out as I tried to wiggle my way out of his grip, but I knew he wouldn't let me go that easily, so I stared at his face, and something about the way he looked at me made me laugh. I considered it a plus because I was drunk.

He soon let go of me and furrowed his brows at my actions.

“Are you drunk?” He asked as I looked up at him and dared to approach the one and only Ivan Anderson. The one man I don't dare defy.

But thanks to the alcohol, I felt confident. A sweet kind of confidence.

“No honey, but I think you are..” I slurred.

“What?” He raised a brow.

“Exactly, what gives you the right to be so mean to me? You're only just an unfortunate asshole my dead parents got me to marry…” I shrugged and I believe my attitude made him angry.

“You're just a cheap lying whore! Who were you talking to?” He asked as I rolled my eyes and he swiftly nodded at the thought of something. “It's only been a couple hours and instead of you to come begging me to spare you, you decide to sleep around!” He blurted and I slapped him hard across his face.

“Don't you dare spew nonsense in front of me!” I seethed and he looked shocked at my actions.

“I've endured all of your stupidity for a while now, and It feels good that I finally get to divorce an asshole like you!” I said and didn't realize when tears blurred my vision.

I quickly wiped them off.

“So kudos! We get to finally end this charade called marriage!” I hissed and tried to walk away from him but he pulled me back.

“W-What…”

“Leave her the fuck alone!” Chloe pulled me back to herself.

“You,” Ivan mumbled under his breath at the sight of Chloe.

“After what you and your family did to her, you have the right to harass her?” Chloe confronted him.

“I have every right because she's still my wife!” He growled.

“Not for long, honey…” I slurred and giggled at the look on his face. “I'll bring you those divorce papers signed!”

Chloe nodded in agreement as she glared daggers at Ivan before she dragged me away from the club, even while I protested to grab one last drink, she didn't let me.

"You've had enough.” She said.

I closed my eyes.

When I opened them, it was dawn and the last thing I remembered was when Chloe dragged me away from the bar to the dance floor.

I grabbed a handful of my hair; what happened afterward? My head ached.

“Top of the morning, best friend!” Chloe said excitedly when she entered my room.

She gave me a cup of hangout tea. “Here, drink it for your hangover.”

I took the cup of tea and sipped it. “What happened last night?”

“Oh, you can't imagine!” She said.

“Tell me…” I stared wide-eyed at her.

“You were quite wild…” She said and gulped the glass of water in her hand.

“Did I do anything wrong?” I asked, that was all I cared to know.

“Oh no, if you ask me, you did everything right. From telling off Kevin Clark to putting Ivan in his place… damn girl! You were lit!”

“What? Kevin.. and Ivan? I met both men last night?”

“Damn, I wish you could remember the details yourself!”

Speaking of Ivan, where are the divorce papers?

I quickly got out of bed and searched for it.

“What are you looking for?” Chloe asked as she watched me open drawer after drawer.

“The divorce papers!” I said as my eyes scanned the room.

“Check the shelf, it's there.” She said as I hurried to the shelf to pick it up.

I tried to remember the events from last night but I couldn't.

“Good thing you've finally decided to sign them…”

“I decided to sign them?” I furrowed my brows at her and she looked at me with surprise etched to her features.

“Of course, you did.”

“I don't remember,” I mumbled.

“Whether or not you remember, you have to sign those papers and go throw them at his face in the office, just like you promised you would.” She shrugged.

“I promised?”

She rolled her eyes at me.

“Sign the fucking papers already, or do you need alcohol to boost your confidence once again?”

I bit my lip.

“That Ivan dude is probably waiting for you to show up with the divorce papers already signed, don't you realize?”

I looked away from her, grabbed the pen on the table, and quickly flipped the pages whilst my hand hovered over the signature space.

Whether or not I remember the events from last night, I felt the need to move on with my life and away from Ivan and his family.

I craved for a fresh start without them in it. Then I clasped my eyes shut and opened them before I quickly signed the document.

A while later, Chloe couldn't stop exclaiming how proud she was as she helped me dress up with a new makeover before I took a cab to Ivan's office.

I didn't need several shots of tequila to help me walk through the lobby and into the elevator with countless eyes on my new look. I felt more than confident.

Before the elevator could arrive at the top floor, I felt the rush of memories from last night flood back. Thanks to it, it became a different kind of confidence, altogether.

I ignored his secretary who just sat there wide-eyed at my appearance without even trying to stop my entry into Ivan's office like she usually did.

I barged into his office only to find him pounding recklessly into his little bimbo, Flora.

He looked up at me from his face buried in her neck and pounded into her one last time before he zipped back up.

The sight of them hurt me, but I decided not to let it affect me or my resolve.

“I see you've become one sexy dog.. fucking anything in a skirt!” I seethed with venom in my words.

“Isn't that your wife?” Flora narrowed her eyes in surprise at me. Ivan ignored her.

“And I see you kept to your words…” He muttered like he wasn't affected by my insult.

“There's no need to bore ourselves with unnecessary previews, here…” I threw up the papers in the air and watched them fall to his feet.

He just stared at them and tried to hide his emotions. “I see it wasn't the alcohol..”

“Now, you have no right whatsoever to pry into my life, ex-husband!” I smirked at him and he looked speechless at my actions.

I watched his eyes narrow down my body and I scoffed at him.

This fucker! I'm more than convinced that he's indeed a sex addict.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and resolved to leave before whatever it was that held me at bay could disappear.

I didn't want to lose my cool in front of him and allow him to mock me.

I noticed his jaw clench as I dared to click my heels towards him. “You better go back to fucking your little whore before she'd shit her pants while waiting for you…” l eyed him before I clicked my heels out of his office without failing to slam the door.

As I scurried through the hallway and back into the elevator, Ivan Matthew Anderson could go to hell for all I care!

I walked through the lobby and was finally out of the building.

With fast strides, I approached the taxi ride I arrived with and when I opened the backseat of the car to get inside, Ivan hurriedly came up behind me and pushed the door close.

“What the..?” I started to say but Ivan pushed me up against the car and glared daggers at me.

“What gave you the actual guts to show up here and throw those fucking papers in my face?” He hissed and I swallowed the lump in my throat and soon bit my lower lip to stifle my emotions.

With the absence of alcohol to boost my confidence, I tried not to let out the tears that blurred my vision.

I suddenly wished I had taken several shots of tequila before confronting Ivan. But if I'd done that, what the heck happens to my pride?

“Don't you get it? I signed those papers like you've always wanted, it's over!” I hissed back at him and before I could register anything else, he slapped me across my face.

“You cheap scheming bitch!” He seethed as he screamed to let out his frustration.

I tasted a metallic substance in my mouth and instantly knew it was blood. How cruel can he be to hit his supposed wife in public?

Thankfully, there aren't much people that paid attention to us and I doubted that the taxi driver saw what he did to me. I didn't want any more rumors or fake news about me and Ivan.

Gosh, I pinched myself for being concerned about him at the moment.

“What the fuck did I ever do to you?” I heard myself ask. I thought I'd shouted the question at his face but it was only a weak mumble that didn't travel far enough to pose as a determined confrontation.

“You don't know?” He laughed maniacally at my weakness and immediately said some things to the taxi driver who wasted no time to revv the engine and drive away.

I landed with a loud thud on the ground because I'd leaned up against it for support.

I instantly groaned and then stifled my sobs by biting my lip. I glared at the taxi that sped away.

I watched one of his bodyguards rush to help me up.

“If you move another inch, consider yourself jobless!” Ivan growled at him and the bodyguard had no other option than to stand back.

I got several bruises on my body and that was when people started to notice what was happening and began to take pictures.

“No.” I mumbled under my breath and instantly stood up to wave at them to stop. “No pictures.. please…”

Ivan just stood there like he didn't want to be complicated further by approaching me. He didn't even bother to stop them from taking pictures of us because he had the power to.

“Ivan…” I breathed out and approached him. “Why are you so cruel to me?” My voice broke at my confrontation.

Ivan’s amusement disappeared and a serious look appeared on his face.

“I'm surprised you don't know why I'm being like this…” He trailed off and from the corner of my eyes, people were no longer taking pictures of us, they were videoing instead.

I furrowed my brows at Ivan and didn't know how to get him to control his emotions in public before it gets to the press.

“I.. I don't..” I stammered, what do I do?

“You think I don't know you deliberately killed our unborn child pretending you fell off the stairs!” He hissed at me and my heart ached at his words.

I heard series of gasps and whispers around us.

“What? W-What are you talking about?” I asked as I felt myself tremble at the memory of what happened.

“You actually think that I won't discover how vile you are, huh?” He stated and frowned at the thought of something.

When I was rushed to the hospital ward three months ago, because Ivan’s mother pushed me down the stairs. When the news got to the press, I was forced by the Andersons to make a statement that it was an accident which was obviously my fault before they allowed the doctors to attend to my bleeding.

For a moment, I thought to stab myself to death even in the pool of embarrassment. But I had decided against it.

With the look in Ivan's eyes, I wasn't sure what his mother told him but I resolved to never tell Ivan the actual truth. But look where it got me…

And this asshole is busy spewing ridiculous judgements in front of these conspicuous eyes. What did I ever do wrong?

“Ivan, you don't know what you're saying, that's not true even in the slightest.” I said to him but he shook his head at me.

“I can see through all your lies!” He seethed before he leaned in closer to whisper to my ears.

“That night, Ricky should have rammed the vehicle into a freaking wall or have you eliminated! Too bad, that didn't happen.” His breath pierced daggers into my pore at the memory of that night.

My nails dug into my palms, not just his father, the Andersons were all in cohort to get rid of me.

But I couldn't bring myself to move from my position in front of him. I was so frozen in place that I just watched Ivan and his bodyguards walk back into the building, leaving me at the mercies of the ambitious paparazzi.

After a while, it began to rain and by the time I recollected myself, I was already drenched in it.

Not just Ivan and his whole of Anderson family, I just believed the whole world was against me, except for Chloe who remained the only one closest to me as family. Except her, I had no one else.

I tiredly hailed over a taxi and got into the backseat to go home, a little relieved that I had left those ambitious content creators to their imaginations.

I gave the driver Chloe's address and leaned back to the seat. I pinched myself a couple times whilst in deep thought.

When we arrived, I paid him and he nodded slightly at the bill I handed over to him.

“Thank you.” He collected it and I turned to walk away but he stopped me. “But ma'am?”

I slowly glanced at him.

“You're bleeding.” He said as I looked at my arms in confirmation.

“I know…” I mumbled under my breath.

“No, that's not what I'm referring to..” He said awkwardly and gestured to my blood stained thighs. “Down there..”

I gasped in embarrassment and bit my lip. “T-Thank y-you..” I stammered as he nodded at me and drove off.

I looked at my legs and felt like screaming out my lungs but I held myself still.

“Why the heck are you covered in blood?” Chloe asked from the entrance and I snapped my head to look at her.

“Chloe…” I mumbled as she saw the tears in my eyes and gasped at my disheveled self.

“What the hell happened to you?” She asked as she rushed towards me, but my wobbly feet couldn't keep me up any longer.