2

GEN'S POV

The memories burned like a freshly inflicted wound. Father training me to take after his company, him blessing my marriage with Dominique and the beautiful memories that went after.

Father trusted Dominique, took him as a son. This was the main reason father modified his will, so it'd favour him as well, if only he knew…

I should've known about this, especially when Dominique had suggested we didn't have kids until after three years. Those late nights out he claimed were work meetings, the thousands of dollars he spent every time I went on a business trip— I thought he was busy investing in something profitable but he was spending it all on her.

They'd planned all this, right under my nose and now, I had nothing left. My gaze shifted, meeting Dom's as I clinged to the last bit of hope that the man I loved was still in there, hot tears cascading down my face. “ Dom…Please. Don't do this.”

“ Stop trying to—” I cut Tiana off with a shove but before she could fall Dominique rushed to her, gripping her waist.

“ Are you okay? Are you hurt?” He asked but I was the one with a shattered heart, I was the one who'd lost it all. I was the one who watched my perfect life crumble but instead he went for her…

She nodded, assuring him that she was fine. His expression calmed as he walked her to the mattress, placing her gently. He snapped to me, his worry twisted to unrelenting rage. His jaw tightened but his hold didn't leave Tiana.

“ Are you fucking mad?”

“ Are you fucking mad?” I threw his question back at him. “ You're the one saying you never loved me! You're the one doing all these shit with Tiana and now I'm the one who's fucking mad?”

“ Tiana is pregnant with my child!” The words echoed in my mind, Tiana's face twisting to a smile.

“ She's what?” I breathed but at this point I wasn't even seeing straight. The words stabbed through my already shattered heart.

“ She's pregnant…” He repeated and my breathing stopped, “ And I will not tolerate you harming my wife.”

Wife…

Pregnant…

Will…

I never loved you.

I shook my head as I tried to shun the thoughts. “ no, no.”

In two steps he closed the distance between us, his firm hand dug into my wrist as he pulled me out of the room. My feet scraped against the tile, the sharp edges drawing blood but he didn't stop until he got to the living room. He hauled me across the room, my back slamming against the floor. “ Get out!! Get out of my fucking house!” He growled but I could barely feel my bones.

“ I said…” he gripped my wrist again, opening the door and throwing me out of my own home. “ Get the fuck out!!”

“ You,” he called the guard who rushed to him, covering his eyes when he noticed he was naked. “ Get this thing off my property! And if I ever see her in here again, you'll regret it.”

“ Yes boss!” He didn't hesitate, grabbing me and pulling me out of the house. I looked back at Dominique, my vision blurred with tears but not once did he show any sign of remorse, he just watched as I was pulled out.

“ Hold on,” he said and for a second, I thought he'd finally come to his senses. “ The divorce papers will be delivered to your lawyer, I want it signed by the time it gets back to me.” With that he walked away, the guard dragged me away and threw me out.

I rose, my feet wobbling but I found stability near a tree. My fingers reached for my phone but it wasn't with me— it was probably in my purse and I'd left it in there—I needed to call Florian, he was the only person I had left.

His house wasn't that far.

I could go there and stay for a while whilst I figured out what to do.

I moved forward, something sharp ran through my bones, making me stagger as I struggled to hold back my tears. I continued the painful walk, memories of the times I'd spent with Dominique flooded my mind, with each image ending with that look in his eyes when he threw me out like those three years meant nothing. I swiped the tear off my face, noticing I'd reached Florian's.

The gates were open, which meant he'd just got back from somewhere. His car door opened and he stepped down, his phone fixed on his ear as he spoke, a grin planted on his lips.

I wanted to run to him.

Hug him and sob in his arms.

And I did run but slowed when I heard the voice from the other side. “ You should've seen her face when she found out that she'd lost everything, ha. It was hilarious.” Tania…

He replied with a chuckle, running his fingers through his hair. “ Finally, she's out of the picture and Dad's company is finally ours—”

He was part of it too.

After all I'd done for him.

“ You don't know how hard it was pretending to care for her, and setting her up Dominique.” He pushed out a breath. “ Fucking exhausting!”

“ But hey, it was worth it wasn't it.”

“ Definitely.”

I took two steps back, my foot bumped against something, the sound of metal crashing against concrete rang in the air. The breath in my lungs stalled, “ I'll call you back,” He said as he turned, meeting my gaze. At first there was this surprised look in his eyes but it vanished, a smirk taking its place.

“ I guess I don't have to hide anymore.”

“ You were a part of it, you and….” My throat closed, as more tears rolled down my face. “ You, Tania, Dominique? It was all planned.”

He shrugged, “ What? Did you think I'd really accept you?” A scoff escaped him. “ You were a mistake, one that father felt he needed to take responsibility for.” His words stung but he kept going, “ Ever since the very first day I set my eyes on you I hated you…infact, I despised you. But I had to control myself if I ever wanted to inherit father's business. But in the end, he gave it to you and left me with nothing!”

He closed the distance between us. “ Absolutely nothing…”

I couldn't speak, I couldn't breathe. My fingers trembled as I struggled to find my words. He leaned back, adjusting his jacket.“ Too bad it had to end this way, sister. But it's over.” He turned and made for the door. “ Get out, I don't want you on my property.”

The door closed behind him and it was then I found my voice, breaking down in heavy sobs.

You're a mistake.

I despised you.

I felt like ripping my heart right out, as though it could numb the pain but I knew it couldn't, I'd only die a very lonely and miserable death. I sniffled wandering into the cold streets, my mind in a haze.

With each step my feet shook but I kept myself up. I didn't know where I was going or what I could do. My head banged, frustration running through my veins. A bright light shone in my way, cutting through my haze.

I was in the middle of the road, a car heading my way. I wanted to move, but my feet remained glued to the ground. Just as the car approached me, the driver slammed the brakes, the hood nudged me slightly, my body crumbled to the ground.