Chapter Two

“Careful, Amara, you might make the floor wet, and I might slip. I’m pregnant, you know, but I understand since you don’t know what it’s like to carry a child in your womb.” A mocking voice said behind her. 

A month had passed since Katherine had moved in to stay with Amara and Brandon. She tried to swallow the pain, but every day, she was being pushed into a corner.

Brandon had stopped sleeping in their bed and at the office, he started going with Katherine, which brought in questioning gazes, but Brandon would simply say,

“She’s carrying my heir, it’s only right that she knows about the company.”

Every single day was hell for Amara, but she held it in until she was in her room, where she would cry herself to sleep each night. If she wasn’t being humiliated by her husband, she was being mocked by Katherine.

The worst was that she had managed to get the workers on her side, too; they would whisper and look at her with strange eyes every time she came downstairs. 

Life became a nightmare for Amara, and she just wanted to end it all. As she stood by the table, she was pouring tea into a cup but was so absent-minded that she didn’t realize the cup was overflowing.

“I’m not in the mood for your games, Katherine,” Amara responded as she went to pick a towel to clean the tea she had spilled.

A humorless laugh erupted from Katherine’s throat as she stepped closer to her with her arms folded across her chest, “Moods are for pregnant women.” She rubbed her flat belly.

As Amara turned to face her, that was when she saw what she was wearing.

Katherine was in a silky short with a bra and an open throw. “This pregnancy of yours sure seems to be your biggest weapon, I mean, look at you walking around naked for all the workers to see.”

A smirk stretched her face as she sneered, "It's not my fault my body is hot to look at. Try the gym and you just might try walking naked too."She laughed, "As for all the workers, they report after 10 am. Do you know why? Because I told them to, and they listened to their new boss. I will soon be the only Mrs Foster, and when that day comes, you’ll be out on the streets.”

“Is that what you think?” Amara challenged. “News flash.” She held up her ring finger, “I’m the one married to Brandon, and you’re just a whore trapping him with an innocent child, but you know what I find interesting?” She stepped closer to her, making Katherine move backward until she was trapped against the wall.

“The day you came back and how old the pregnancy is don’t match. So you wait and see, I’ll wipe out that mask you have off for the world to see.”

Fear flashed in Katherine’s eyes before she let out a piercing scream, making Amara stumble backwards. “Oh, Amara!” She gripped her stomach, “Why do you want to kill my baby? Take out your anger on me and not on the innocent child.” She cried.

“What?”

Before Amara could understand what was going on, Brandon was by her side, “Amara, how could you! This is low even for you.” He spat coldly and lifted Kate off the ground bridal style and walked away, leaving Amara to stare at his retreating back in shock.

As Brandon walked out of the kitchen, Katherine met her gaze over Brandon's shoulder and smiled.

"How does he keep falling for those tricks?" Amara mumbled under her breath.

Amara was putting the cup back in the sink when she heard angry footsteps return to the kitchen.

A heavy sigh escaped her because that seemed to be the pattern the past month: she would be accused of something, and Brandon would angrily lash out at her without hearing her side of the story until she stopped explaining.

“Brandon-” Her words were left hanging when she felt his palm land against her cheek. 

SMACK!

That was the first time that Brandon had been physically violent to her. He would say terrible things, but he was never physical, and now she wondered what else Katherine had said to make him so angry that he hit her.

“Next time I see Kate cry, I’ll move you to the maid’s quarters!” He spat and walked away without giving her a chance to explain.

Amara was in shock as she felt her face sting. She dropped her arms to the side and dragged her feet toward the staircase with tears falling down her face. She was in so much pain that she didn’t realize her best friend had paid her a surprise visit and witnessed the exchange.

“Amara?” Selene called softly.

Amara whipped her head, unable to believe that her best friend of ten years was standing before her. She quickly wiped her tears as she forced a smile through her then puffy face,

“Selene? When did you get here?”

Selene moved closer and pulled her friend into a hug."I saw what happened, and I would turn a blind eye if it was any other type of disagreement,” She pulled away from Amara and held her shoulders, looking into her eyes,

“He hit you, Amara. We can’t ignore that. Tell me what the hell happened before I burn this place down.”

Amara placed a finger on her lips and pulled her friend towards the staircase, but Selene pulled her back,

“Oh hell no. If we have to watch what we say, then we won’t talk from this house.” She pulled her back and dragged her towards the door.

“Selene, I’m in sleeping clothes!” She complained, but Selene didn’t let her go.

“You don’t have to always look perfect. Now come or else I’ll commit murder!” She pushed her friend gently into the passenger seat and walked to the other side.

Amara’s house was a mansion with a beautiful fountain in the middle. She watched as Selene drove her away from a place that was once her heaven.

“How do things change so quickly? My heaven became my worst nightmare in the blink of an eye.” Amara sighed.

“That, my girl, is exactly what you’re going to explain to me about. But I can’t listen while sober, we are going to a club. I’ve been wanting to take you there, and this seems like the best opportunity.” Selene smiled at the look of horror that was on Amara’s face.

Only Selene would drink so early in the morning. 

“I’ve never been to a club! But that’s not important. Look at how hideous I look!” Amara complained, but Selene’s smile only grew.

“Don’t worry, you’re still gorgeous. Now come!” Selene parked the car and waited for Amara, who was still finding it hard to believe that she was being driven to a club with tears on her face at 11 am!

She hesitantly followed Selene to the entrance, where a bulky man stood with a straight face. Selene passed, but he blocked Amara’s view. 

“We have a dress code policy!” He said and crossed his arms on his chest.

Amara’s cheeks burned a bright pink from the embarrassment. “Uhm, sir, she will change. We had to rush before the tables got full.”

“Got full? It’s 11 am!” Amara whispered in disbelief, “People drink that early or was this club so famous?”

“You’ll be shocked at what people do at 8 am. Now move, you’re blocking the way. Change or go to a library or something.” The man said dismissively.

“But-”

“I said fuck off!” The man suddenly stepped up and growled at Selene.

He was about to push Amara when he froze midway.

The aura suddenly changed, and a shiver ran down Amara’s spine. She didn’t need to turn to know someone important was standing behind her.

His deep velvet voice spoke three feet behind her and asked, “Is that any way to treat a woman?”

“No, Sir. uhm I … her dress code is against the rules.” The man stuttered.

“Let them in and fire him.” He said to someone behind him and walked past them.

His scent filled her nose as she looked at his perfectly chiseled face, but he passed by like the wind, she didn’t get a chance to take a good look at him. Her eyes grew into saucers as she swallowed and turned to Selene,

“Who is that?”

Selene took her hand and pulled her inside as she whispered, “That man is someone you should run very far away from when you see him!”

“What’s his name?” Amara asked.

“Lucian Rostova,” Selene whispered.