II: Divorced and Lost 

   

DEENA'S POV

"You don't have to leave, Deena. I can give you this house. I know you have nowhere to go." Trent said while watching me pack my things from where he was standing by the door.

I scoffed loudly. He didn't have to remind me that I was nothing before he picked me from the dirt. Right, I was a poor country girl and he was a charming prince. 

But he's nothing but a cheater. 

"Where I'll live is none of your business anymore, Mr. Outlaw." I replied coldly and zipped my suitcase. I didn't bother taking anything else other than my things. "Ah, that reminds me. I would like to end my contract with Shine Network." I stated before I exited the room that used to be ours. 

A smirk curved on his lips and he crossed his arms. "Then I'm afraid you'll have to pay a fine, Ms. Wellington. You still have a year with us." 

My blood automatically climbed up to my head at what he said. "What?!" 

"If you want to leave, triple the amount we agreed on." He replied smugly and I bumped into him on my way out. "Otherwise, you have no choice but to stay with the company."

"You cheated on me. You divorced me, and you still want me to work for you?" I seethed and the man didn't look bothered.

"That's how it works." He shrugged and my lips pressed into a thin line. 

I didn't bother talking to him and dragged my suitcase down. Sandra was waiting in the living room while checking her nails and when she saw me, she acted shocked. 

"What's this? Babe, did you kick her out? Where will she go?" 

I rolled my eyes at her horrible acting and ignored her. "Far away from you two." 

I kept my head up and I was about to use my car when I remembered that it was a gift from Trenton, so I slammed the door closed again and struggled with my things. 

I heard a deep chuckle from behind me. "So prideful." 

I ignored him and booked a taxi. I left with nothing, not even the surname I had when I lived in this house, but I refuse to take anything that is his. I called my mother and told her I would be coming home. Our house might not be as big as Trenton's house, but at least my mother loves me. 

After two hours, I reached our old house where I grew up. My father died in a battle when I was young, and only my mother lives here because Daniel has his own house. A wave of nostalgia hit me when I entered the house, but I also broke down when I saw Mom and collapsed in her arms. 

When I left this house, I thought I'd be happy forever, but I was just too naive and stupid. 

*

I was right. Not even a week after our divorce, the rumor has already spread around the company and I didn't even have to guess where it came from or rather who.

"I heard the CEO divorced her because he found someone else."

"Oh? I heard he's been having an affair."

"Can you blame the boss? He's handsome and he can get anyone. Why would he settle for a starlet?"

"This is why you should know your place and  never dream to be like Cinderella."

Those words were only a few of what I've been hearing in the company and at the shooting site. I only sighed and bit my tongue. Their words stung, but then again, the truth really hurts. 

I became a laughing stock and because that is how the world works, the weak became the target. I was forbidden to tell the press my side of the story. I was prevented from defending myself. 

And I thought that was it, but a few weeks later, something terrible happened. 

"You're taken off the script, Deena. You don't have to come again tomorrow." Director Michael informed me when I arrived at the site. 

"W-What? But I've already shot a lot of scenes, Michael. Why? Did I make any mistakes? Do you want me to change anything?" I frantically asked and he averted his eyes. 

"I'm sorry, Deena. Honestly, we only offered you the role because of Trenton, but now that... Anyway, we already found a replacement for you. Don't worry, we'll send you your f*e."

My blood ran cold and I watched him run off with slumped shoulders. Tears gathered in my eyes but I blinked them back.

"That's just unfair, Dee. This is your first supporting role and you're totally killing it! Wait here and I will bite his head off!" Cassie, my personal assistant, stomped her feet and I stopped her before she could defend me.

"It's okay. I can't do anything about it, Cassie. You heard him, didn't you? They only picked me for connection. Let's just go."

Cassie proceeded to ramble behind me and I stopped in my tracks when a van arrived, and Sandra exited the car. I watched how they welcomed her like how they did to me before and my fists clenched.

"My, my. What the world has gone to. The mistress gets blessed while the wife gets scorned." Cassie spat in disgust and I stormed off before I could humiliate myself further. 

The supporting role I was removed from wasn't the only job I lost. I was also removed as a minor role from a drama and a host from a TV show. All of them denied that they removed me because of the rumor, but I wasn't stupid. 

Losing my acting career was one thing, but when I had lost my endorsements as well, that was the last straw for me, and I found myself seeking the one I knew was responsible for it. 

"Ma'am, you can't enter!" Trenton's secretary tried to stop me but I pushed past her and didn't bother knocking, but I wish I had. 

Because I saw Trent and Sandra kissing each other in his office. When he saw me, he pushed Sandra away and wiped his lips. For some reason, he looked angry.

"Leave us." He dismissed Sandra who glared at him at first, but then she smiled and turned to me with a look of pity.

"Deena, I heard what happened to you and I was so worried. Just tell me if you want me to reject the role and I will." She tried reaching for my hands but I didn't let her. 

"It's okay. That isn't the only thing you took from me anyway." I told her coldly and she pressed her lips together before leaving Trent's office. 

"Do you need anything?" My ex-husband asked me while wiping his lips with a tissue. 

"Why are you doing this to me, Trenton? Isn't it enough that you fooled me? Why would you take away my career as well? Isn't it bad enough that I can't even defend myself?!" I exclaimed angrily and emotionally.

Trenton clenched his teeth. "I am not doing such things, Deena. You're barking at the wrong tree."

I let out a mocking laugh at his indifference. "Right. Because you don't need to do anything. The world revolves around you, Trenton Outlaw, and you don't even need to lift a finger. Do you really think I believe that?"

"I don't care whether you believe it or not." He responded coldly and focused his attention to the papers in front of him. "Leave if you have no other concern."

My eyes burned with angry tears. "You are the worst and I regret the day I have loved you."

I stormed out of his office and I heard a loud crash from inside but I paid it no mind and walked away. I received a call and answered it with a conflicted mind.

"Hello?" 

"Where are you, Dee? Mom fainted and we're in the hospital." 

"What?!"