Chapter 5 Putting Him in his Place

Kiera stood at the car park corner, her gaze fixed on the sleek black limousine. Nicholas loomed beside it, a brooding figure that sent a shiver down her spine.

Her heart felt heavy, burdened by the weight of her decision.

She had made up her mind—tomorrow, she would meet Nicholas to finalize their divorce and put an end to their tumultuous marriage.

She wanted to avoid him now, to gather her thoughts and find the strength to face him one last time.

The second she got close enough, he stepped forward, his face a mask of anger and confusion.

"Kiera! Where do you think you're going? We need to talk!" he demanded, his voice sharp and commanding.

Kiera recoiled, her eyes narrowing. She did not intend on evading him but the menacing glare in those eyes of his sent a shiver down her spine.

The past memories of his abuse flashed through her mind, igniting a fierce determination within her.

She had never dared to resist him before, always yielding to his wishes, but not anymore.

She had learned her lessons from the past, the life she had lived before this one.

She knew the darkness that lurked within him, the domestic abuse that had plagued their previous relationship. She was determined not to let history repeat itself.

"What are you up to, Nicholas?" Kiera questioned, her voice laced with a mix of defiance and caution.

She swiftly sidestepped as he lunged towards her, his hand aimed at her face. Her heart pounded, adrenaline coursing through her veins, heightening her senses.

In an unexpected turn of events, Kiera's swung her hand, directing it at Nicholas's cheek, sending a resounding slap.

POW!

The sound echoed through the air, a symbol of her newfound strength and determination.

Nicholas stood there, blindsided and stunned as the echoes reverberated in his ears. He had never expected Kiera to fight back, to stand up against his abuse.

But then she did.

Snapping his head back to face her, he snarled.

"What's gotten into you, Kiera?" Nicholas seethed, his voice filled with a mix of anger and disbelief.

“Me?” Kiera let out a scoff, her smile sinister and calculated. "I should be asking you that. How dare you attempt to hit me? Are you nuts?" Her words cut through the tense atmosphere, challenging his actions.

Rather than answering, Nicholas stood rooted to the ground with his mind wondering about the perfect answer to counter her statement.

"No. It was useless to ask that in the first place. Of course you are nuts. Nicholas, stop coming to see me unless it is related to the divorce," she warned.

"It is about the divorce." He picked on her words quickly.

Tsk. Always the manipulator and twister of words.

"Not like this. Besides, I have you a date and time frame."

"But I…"

Kiera lifted her hands to stop him from speaking.

"I don't want to hear it."

"Please Kiera delete those pictures and videos, I beg you. We can sort this all out. No need for a divorce."

Just watching him sprout such nonsense from his mouth made her insides churn.

"And why should I do that?" She questioned, placing her left hand on her waist as she glared at him.

"Because… B–Because you love me. We can still…"

His words got cut when he saw how deadpan serious her face turned. There was no changing her mind.

And just thinking about it along with her change of attitude, Nicholas suspicious instincts kicked in.

His mind raced, searching for a reason why she would want to leave him.

He couldn't fathom the possibility of his own wrongdoing. In the past all she talked about was pleasing him but now, her behaviour took a big turn.

"You…you must have cheated on me. I knew it," he stated, his eyes burning with a new light.

"That's why you are so eager to push me away and divorce me. You do not want me to find out and then cut you out of your money from our divorce. Haha!"

Kiera's eyes blazed with a cold fire as she met his gaze, her voice dripping with contempt.

"I haven't cheated on you, Nicholas. Unlike you, I have moral integrity. My decision to divorce you has nothing to do with love—it's about protecting myself and refusing to be subjected to your abuse any longer," she declared, her words struck with precision, leaving no room for doubt.

Nicholas fell silent, his face contorted with confusion and self-doubt.

He struggled to find a logical reason for Kiera's sudden desire for a divorce, but deep down, he knew he had brought it upon himself.

Just like she said, his actions, his mistreatment, had driven her away.

Kiera stared at him coldly, her resolve unyielding.

"What? Oh, now you refuse to accept any form of backlash, don't you? Well, I won't be your emotionless toy any longer. I deserve better, and I will find it," she proclaimed, her voice filled with unwavering determination.

Without giving him a second thought, she turned on her heels and walked away, heading to her car, leaving Nicholas standing there, speechless and reeling from the revelation.

As she walked, she felt her heart beat very fast in her chest.

Everything that happened there… All of her words…she was reminded she needed someone to share it all with.

She needed to confide in someone, to find solace and support in her darkest hour. At once her mind turned to her best friend, Iris.

Kiera's eyes lit up as she came to a conclusion. She decided to seek Iris out and inform her about her situation—although she never planned on divulging the details of her rebirth, merely keeping it strict to her divorcing Nicholas.

Iris had not always been keen on her being with Nicholas but being a good friend, she supported Kiera's happiness.

Kiera got into her car, determination radiating from her every pore, her eyes sparkling at her new found strength.

And when she clenched her hand, she could recall the hotness of her slap.

She would no longer be a victim of abuse, and she would fight for her own happiness, no matter the obstacles that lay ahead.