Chapter 1

Ronica enabled her husband's unfaithfulness. So much that on their eight anniversary, he brought another woman home. She had always known about his past affairs but at least he had had the decency to try to hide them and to avoid knocking them up with pregnancies. Maybe that was why she could tolerate him this whole while.

Ronica's husband, James Simmons, broke the rules for Mona, his secretary. He publicized his relationship with her even though he was married. And now? Mona was two months pregnant with his child.

As soon as they set foot in the house, James started dishing out orders to ensure Mona's ultimate comfort. He was so cool and aloof rubbing his infidelity in Ronica's face as if it was the new normal. Mona shot Ronica an unapologetic look as she sat like a queen untop a sofa and maids brought to her an array of teas, juices and wines for her to choose from.

"Mona eats all kinds of food which will be good for the baby so from now on, even the foods Ronica is allergic to will be allowed in the kitchen. I also can't allow the mother of my child to be lonely so pack your stuff into the guest room Ronica. Put all your musical instruments in storage. Mona and I need the space for a nursery."

"There are other rooms," Ronica tried to protest but it was no use.

"There may be other rooms but Mona wants that one," James snapped, giving her a dirty look for daring to argue.

In her own marital home, James had just afforded her the highest disrespect. Little did he know that in her heart, she was determined that this would be the last. When she came out of their room, it was with a suitcase containing her most precious belongings. Ronica moved with fluid purpose towards the main door. The household staff watched her with stunned gazes. They hoped James would stop her.

"Mr Simmons…," the head butler trailed off.

"Jimmy boo, I don't want to come between you and— her." Mona tried to play the role of a pacifying saint to disguise the hate she had for Ronica. She considered Ronica a competition and in truth, she hoped James would not listen to her pretentious pleas. James did not disappoint her.

"She'll come back," he sneered. "Where else can she go? She won't last the night out there."

He wasn't lying. Ronica had no street smart. Still, it was just James assuming that she was kicking herself out into the streets. He did not yet know that since he first flaunted Mona, she had already begun planning her permanent exit from his life.

"Wait," James snapped when Ronica was one foot out the villa doors. "Give me your wedding ring. The mother of my child deserves nothing but the best. If you behave, I'll get you a cheaper one later."

Ronica did not hesitate in taking the ring off. She flung the priceless emerald jewellery at his feet. She had been planning to toss it anyway, but whatever Mona wanted, Mona got. "Happy now?"

"Wait!" Mona feigned timidity. "Your shoes are very beautiful."

She stiffened.

***

"Your necklace is so pretty," were the first words Mona said to Ronica when James introduced her to Ronica as his mistress two months ago. Ronica had attempted to be cordial by thanking her but she soon made it clear that she was not giving a compliment. She would not stop talking about how pretty it was until James relented and asked her if she wanted it.

"Yes, Jimmy boo! I want it very much."

"Well, Ronica. You heard her," James quipped.

Ronica lost her cool. A grievous mistake on her part. "I'm not giving my necklace to the woman you are cheating on me with!"

WHAM!

Right there in public. James' slap sent her sprawling. He pinned her down and yanked the necklace. It cut her neck as it came loose.

"Thank you very much Jimmy boo," Mona had giggled as she held her hair aside so James could put the necklace on her while Ronica watched. Since then, any thing of Ronica's that Mona claimed to like, Mona would get it. It was non negotiable. If Mona suddenly liked the deep blue sea colour of Ronica's eyes, then Ronica would be certainly doomed.

***

"The shoes are really beautiful." Mona pouted.

"I'll buy you one just like it," James said with a tone that matched Ronica's stiffness. The thing was James knew that the glass shoes on Ronica's feet had been her parents' most prized possession, a heirloom passed on from daughter to daughter. Ronica would be totally mad to just let it go.

"The shoe is a collector's timepiece. You won't see anyone like it anywhere else in the world. Oh Jimmy boo, that's what makes it even more beautiful. Prove your love for me."

"Name your price," James automatically told Ronica. Ronica scoffed and Mona began to sob. Ronica knew they were fake sobs. "You are stressing the mother of my baby and that's stressing the baby too. You don't even have a family anymore so why this pitiful act? They're just shoes and if Mona can't have them, how dare you think you are worthier?"

James explosive rage overwhelmed him and he shoved Ronica's chest. Ronica tipped, losing her balance. She fell backwards, skidding gracelessly down the villa's steps. Her glass shoes shattered. The shards embedded in her feet.

"Send for the family doctor!" James roared.

"Oh Jimmy boo, it really hurts." Apparently, a little glass shard had somehow flew all the way from where Ronica was to cut Mona's ankle— which was really a tiny cut she had just made with her fingernails.

James was too blind to sense the deception.

The family doctor brushed past Ronica on the steps like she did not exist and she watched James lead him to Mona's side as she faded in and out out of consciousness.