BEGINNING OF YOUR SUFFERING

Olivia’s POV

My lips parted in shock and my right hand cradled my right cheek which burned with pain, not physical but emotional pain. I wasn't expecting that from someone I called 'father’.

“What was that for?” I muttered, my eyes brimming with hot tears.

There was a knock on the door and the handle jerked. Secretary Bessy stood my the doorway, clutching a file of paper works to her chest.

“Sir, these documents—”

Her jaw slackened and her gaze widened behind her clear spectacles as she noticed the tension in the office.

“I'm sorry—” Her voice softened as she turned to leave, disappearing as fast as she appeared.

Father turned to me, the look on his wrinkling face livid enough to frighten a kitten.

“Do you know the gravity of what you have just done?”

I swallowed a subtle gulp and pinned my gaze on him without blinking, my mind struggling to fathom the possible gravity of what I’d done. Did I make the wrong decision in leaving that whore of a man, that unapologetic fool who saw me as nothing but a pig in his house?

“Clinton’s father owns multiple distribution stores, warehouses, and restaurants across the country,” he paced the room restlessly, grazing his slick steely grey hair all back to a mess with his fingers.

"The old man owns an empire, a fucking empire!!” He yelled at me and I flinched in fright, looking away with my lips quivering.

He marched back to the swivel chair and screeched it back noisily to attract my attention. I watched with flooded eyes as he sat on it. He clasped his hand together and balanced them on his table, still pinning me with a furious gaze.

"Clinton’s father will be dead in no distant time,” he said, his tone calm all of a sudden, but his look fierce. "Clinton being the only son and child will inherit all that treasure. With you by his side as his wife, gives you equal ownership in everything he owns. Think about what all that wealth can do for our family, for your sick mother.”  He poked his forefinger against his temple.

“So you expect me to linger in this poisonous marriage all because of—”

"Shut up, just shut the hell up,” he stood abruptly, cutting me off.

I swallowed my last words frantically, my breath heavy under my throat. I had known my father to be honorable, kind, and loving but this side of him made me wonder if he was the same man I grew up with. Of course, Clinton was from a wealthy family, which explained his prodigal lifestyle – excessive drinking and always changing women as though they were clothes.

I never married him because of his family’s wealth, I married him because I thought I loved him but I was wrong. I rather kill myself than run back to that jerk.

“Listen and listen well,” father warned. "I need you to shred these divorce papers” he pointed to the papers on his table that were crinkled from too much touch. "Go back to him and apologize for your action—”

“Apologize?” I interrupted, scoffing.

From the looks of everything, Clinton was meant to apologize to me for all the pain he caused me.

"Over my dead body!!” My jaw clenched.

I grabbed the papers and my car keys and almost flounced out when I remembered, "And… I’m leaving for Fredo.” I wiped my wetted cheeks with the back of my hand and stormed out, slamming the door shut behind me.

I walked past his secretary, who was glued to the wall with her hand instinctively placed against my mouth. She must have been eavesdropping, how naughty of her but I cared less at the moment.

I yanked my car door open and hopped in, taking time to assimilate everything that just happened. First my husband and now my father.

'What next!!’ I screamed and hit my steering severally to let out the storm that raged inside me. It produced a series of horns that attracted inquisitive eyes but I didn't mind.

I allowed my mind drift a bit and I thought of my sick mother. She was diagnosed with breast cancer - stage 2, a few months back and was placed on Chemo. Those drugs cost a fortune and father and I were handling the whole payment and bills, but mostly me. From the way he mentioned it earlier, he might have grown weary of the whole thing.

My phone buzzed, jacking me back to reality. It was a message directly from my email.

I opened it and let out a recoiling gasp. It was a message from my bank, informing me that my joint account with Clinton have been frozen, preventing my access to it. I bit hard on my lower lip, so much for depending on a man and having a joint account.

The phone beeped as I dialled Clinton’s number. I put a call through and he picked up, sounding casual as though he wasn't aware of what he just did.

“Clinton!... What have you done? Why don't I longer have access to the account?”

He laughed and I pictured his disgusting face before my eyes.

"Well Olivia, since you and I signed the marriage divorce papers, don't you think it's fair we also signed the money divorce papers?”

He giggled mischievously and I scowled, wishing he was close so I could land my palm on his cheek once more.

“Olivia this is just the beginning of your suffering—” I hung up, dark chills creeping into my skin. That was my husband or would I say ex-husband freezing the only account I had for survival and threatening me without mincing words.

I tossed my phone precariously onto the passenger’s seat and started my car. My entire body ached with fear and fluster as I clutched the steering wheels. I needed to think fast before I fell into the pit of ruin.