03.

Riley’s POV

Today was the family dinner and our anniversary too.

Asher put a hold on the anniversary dinner promising he had something in stored for me after his mum’s party.

I didn’t argue or think twice, after all what would we be celebrating for? Lies? And how he has been cheating on me?

I put on my best makeup and arrived at Asher’s family’s house right on time.

When Asher spotted me, he was momentarily speechless. He walked over and took my hand, looking a little awestruck.

Amber’s expression shifted slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and introduced me to her friends, acting all graceful and charming.

My mother-in-law, who never liked me, sent me a displeasing glare, which I shrugged off; she didn’t need to worry; I was only here for today.

A waiter wheeled in the three-tier cake Asher had ordered for his mother’s birthday, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement.

“Thank you, son." His mother appreciates it as she blows out the candle.

Everyone began to wish her a happy birthday, and it was now my turn.

I handed her a small box that was wrapped; it took me months to save up to be able to afford the earrings.

“What cheap thing did you get me this time?” She insults discarding the box like a piece of trash.

My heart squeezed with embarrassment as a few eyes were on us.

"You are worthless, Riley. My son deserves someone.

“Amber, you mean,” I say.

Asher shrieks, but I shrug, my eyes already beginning to sting.

“It’s time you come clean with her son; I can no longer watch you with her, unhappy. You’ve been married for three years, and not a single pregnancy or, better still, a miscarriage. You’ve been leeching off my son, being an undevoted wife. He gives you all the wealth and love that not even your parents gave you…” She spat, her voice rising high, and by now all attention was on us.

“Tell her, Asher, it’s high time she knows,” my mother-in-law adds.

My brows furrowed in confusion. “What is she talking about?”

Asher averted his gaze away from mine unable to meet my eyes.

He pulled out some pieces of paper, handing them over to me.

"What's this?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly.

"It's a divorce paper and the property papers," he replied, his eyes flashing with anger. "I want you to sign it.” He says his tune barely audible.

“Yes! Sign them and return everything my son has ever handed over to you wretched woman” his mum spat.

I looked at Asher with tear filled eyes but he couldn’t meet my stare.

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. I couldn't breathe, couldn't speak. All I could do was stare at the paper in my hand, my eyes blurring with tears.

I did plan on leaving him, but I didn’t expect him to shove the divorce papers in my face.

“The divorced procedure is taking longer than expected Asher, and I know I had to step in.” His mum informs, “if you can come clean with her and tell her to hand over the property then I will”

The space around me began to spin, and I felt like I was going to collapse. His words echoed in my mind, "I want you to sign it." Like I was some kind of business deal, not his wife of three years and his childhood love.

I looked up at him, and for a moment, our eyes locked. I saw guilty almost like he was forced into doing this, but then again he was doing it.

I felt like I was shattered into a million pieces, and I couldn't put myself back together again.

The people around me stared and whispered as they stared at me in piety.

My mother-in-law's face appeared in front of me, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

"I told you she wasn't good enough for our family," she spat, her voice dripping with venom.

“This all makes sense now, so all this while you didn’t leave officially was because of the property?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Asher’s still didn’t meet my stare and shrug and says again. "Sign the paper, Riley," he growled, his eyes burning with guilt. "It's over. We're done."

I felt like I was dying inside. The pain was suffocating me, and I couldn't escape. I looked around the room, searching for a way out, but there was none.

I was trapped, surrounded by people who hated me, people who didn’t match their status, and a cheating husband who was asking for a divorce.

It was all too much to digest.

But I wanted this for my mental health and myself.

With a heavy heart, I took the pen from Asher’s hand. I looked at the paper, my eyes blurring with tears. I signed my name, feeling like I was signing away my soul.

As I handed the paper back to him, I felt like I was broken. I was shattered into a million pieces, and I didn't know how to put myself back together again.

“Congrats, man! I just hope she doesn’t come back begging, Mike, one of Asher’s friends, mocked.

Noah chuckled, “Oh come on, I bet she will be back by tomorrow… “It was this low-class people do; they are always so hungry for wealth, able to withhold anything you throw at them, and Riley, she’s no different.”

“You guys, you don’t have to be rude. It is already too much for her to handle; let her be. Amber moved to me, holding onto my hand.

But I was angry and hurt, so I pushed her back, and she fell.

“Ugh… my baby,” she cried out.

Asher was by her side in a split second. “Are you insane?” He fires, holding on to Amber and helping her up.

“She’s jealous of my unborn grandchild, something she couldn’t give me for years, and now that I have it. She wants to take it away. My mother-in-law roars.

“Guards! Get her out here; I see no reason why you are here now that you two are divorced… This is the best gift you’ve ever given me, son. I’ve always wanted you with someone, someone better.” She adds.

My lips quiver, feeling like the villain in the eyes of everyone.

It was clear no one wanted me, and I needed to leave before I broke down completely.

Asher didn’t want to do this, he was under the influence of his mum and Amber.

I felt like I was dying inside. The pain was suffocating me, and I couldn't escape. I turned and ran, desperate to get away from the toxic people surrounding me.

I didn’t miss the smirk that dangled on Amber’s lips as our eyes locked.

She won.

I clutched my bump as I ran as fast as I could, wanting to escape.