CHAPTER 006: MAYA’S POV

What should I say to him? That I was playing around? My finger hovered over the text like it was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

Finally, I clicked.

‘Hey, gorgeous. I missed a call from you. Tried reaching you but the lines ain't in my Favor, I guess.

Do let me know if you need anything.’

My back hit the headboard. Williams was being too sweet. Did he still remember I was Gabriel's wife? He couldn't have known about the divorce just yet.

Next, I tapped on the message from Marisol, Gabriel's mother. I scoffed as I read the balderdash she wrote.

The nerve of her! How dare she give me an ultimatum to move back into the mansion? I could have sworn I knew what she would say. Threats. Empty threats. She never wanted me. Now, she wants me back in the mansion.

Well, I have a lot more to worry about. My life. I had just left a four-year-old marriage with nothing to show for it. Tears formed in my eyes again. I sniffed hard, trying to keep them back. Then my phone rang, it was my mother.

Gabriel had called her. I could swear by that. I shoved a hand over my nose, then I picked it up.

Her shrieked voice reached me, breaking every bone in my body. I was right. Gabriel had called the poor woman. But I was shocked to hear he didn't call to threaten her. He had sent her a huge sum for her upkeep. And now, my mother wants to know why I left the mansion.

I swallowed hard. Gabriel thought that by throwing money around I would come running back to him? He thinks he could use my mother against me? He should think again.

Anger coursed through me as I ended the call. When did Gabriel ever send money to my mother without having me work extra for it?

Most times he even delayed her paycheck, just to get me to let him make those naughty videos while he forced me to hump on him. And now, he was sending her money from his personal account to her.

My mother would never understand me. She was a victim of a bad marriage too, but she was cut from a different cloth. She would rather stay married than walk away.

I remembered my father staggering home most nights only to pounce on her, and the next morning, she appeared with purple bruises, making excuses for him.

Then one day, he brought home his mistress and locked her out of their bedroom. Guess what? She slept in my bedroom and the next morning she asked me to address the lady as Aunt Camilla.

“But she's not my aunt,” I yelled. I had seen how she talked down on Mom the other night. And this morning, Mom wants me to call her my aunt?

All she did was for Dad. But not once did he value her. Not once did he stop to ask how she was doing.

I had witnessed the beatings he gave her on one of the nights, he kicked her stomach multiple times. Mom sprawled across the floor in a pool of her own blood. When I tried to intervene, he flung me onto the couch.

I ran out to get the neighbor to bring her to the hospital. Years later, I discovered Mom had lost a pregnancy on that night.

No! I stood up. That was not what I wanted for myself. I would never allow any man to treat me that way. I had sworn never to be like my Mom.

Then a loud bang on the door downstairs, startling me. I stopped short, listened harder. The bang came again. I knew who it was. So, I ran downstairs. I wouldn't let him create a scene in Evelyn’s neighborhood.

I peered through the window. I was right. Gabriel stood there, banging even louder with each passing second.

My hands curled beside me. Then I moved, grabbing the flower vase on the center table, slowly I opened the door.

He looked like a mess. He looked like he had been drinking himself to death even though it was still morning. Then he raised his eyes to my face, they appeared duller than I last remembered.

“Here you are!” He stepped a foot back. “You think this hellhole would save you from me? You are mine, Maya.” He snarled.

“Get away from here, Gabriel,” I snapped. “You're causing a scene.”

“Not without you, Maya… You belong to me! And if you ever think you're smart, I will ruin you. I would make sure no one hires you in this city!”

My eyes went wide. I knew Gabriel too well. He doesn't bluff, it was not an empty threat. Of course, he possessed all that it took to keep me idle; the connections, the money. The Architectural industry was too competitive. Everyone knew everyone, and any lie from him would spread like wildfire.

“You wouldn't dare!” I gritted my teeth. An ugly laugh left his throat.

“Of course, I won't… but that's only if you are a good girl, go in there, pick up your things and return home with me… There are multiple projects to work on, honey.” He smirked.

Then he raised a finger in the air, cutting me off.

“I'm not done talking. Think about having your little naughty videos out there! I guess that's not what you want… It's simple, Amila would make the babies, while you make the money… She's good at making beautiful babies like her… don't you see?”

Gosh! How could Gabriel stoop so low as to say this to my face? How could he think of using those videos against me just because I wanted my freedom?

I thought I was doing all that crazy stuff that couples do, with my husband. Little did I know it was more than that to him. It was a weapon against me. One to destroy my soul, my career, and everything I held dear.

All I wanted was to fling a fist into his face, so hard enough that his lips bled. I pulled my shattered pieces together.

“Get lost!” I yelled with every strength in me and jammed the door into his face.

My heart throbbed really hard. What if he meant it? What if he wasn't blabbing? I slumped to the floor against the door.