Chapter Five: Broken Vows, Shattered lives.

Leila

The banging started just after midday, a relentless pounding against my bedroom door. My head was still heavy, my body sluggish from the afternoon nap I’d been enjoying, when I realized who it was.

Desmond???

I’d last seen him the night before at my family's house, since he left halfway through to go spend the night at Kavier’s place. Now, here he was, back in our home, and apparently thinking it was his God given right to disturb my peace.

Hours later, I finally dragged myself downstairs, still feeling that mix of exhaustion and nausea I’d been battling lately. Keeping food down was a daily challenge, but right now, I was craving something sweet.

I slid onto one of the stools at the counter in the kitchen, dunking a chocolate cookie into a glass of milk, enjoying the small comfort it gave me. That’s when I heard Desmond clearing his throat behind me.

“You’re really something these days, huh?” Desmond’s voice was dripping with contempt.

I didn’t bother turning, “This sudden confidence of yours” he stepped closer, his tone sharpening, “I’m going to shatter it, you think because I said I won’t divorce you anytime soon, you’ve got leverage?”

I set my cookie down,”you are delusional, Desmond,” I said finally, my voice cool. “You thought I was going to hang up on you crying and begging, Please. I’m done with this marriage, the earlier we work on the divorce, the quicker we part ways.”

The words were barely out of my mouth before his palm slammed down on the counter. My milk glass tipped over, shattering on the tile, the white liquid spreading across the floor.

His voice rose. “What right do you have to tell Grandma I was considering selling half my shares, what’s your business with my company, you wretched, good for nothing woman?”

I turned and faced him fully. “Good for nothing, that’s rich coming from you. If it weren’t for your grandmother, your mother, and your cousins, your precious company would have sunk years ago. You make the worst business decisions I’ve ever seen, and without your family’s money, you’d be nothing but a broke gambler. You’re just a figurehead, Desmond.” I started walking away.

“What about you, without me, you’d be nothing, probably an escort, at least you’re good at spreading your legs and giving head. Don’t act like you can leave me, even with all your big talk. How will you keep up this lifestyle, I’ll keep you here until you give birth, so you don’t go sleeping around with my baby in your womb. You can leave after that, go find the next rich man to spread your worthless self for.”

The words punched the air out of my lungs. Desmond was the first man I’d ever been with, I gave him the best of me and this was what he thought of me?

I wouldn’t cry, I refused to give him that satisfaction.

“You think keeping me here until I give birth will stop me from spreading my legs?” I looked him dead in the eye. “You’re about to see me in full beast whoring mode.”

I left the kitchen before I could throw something at him.I hoped Tracy was finished with the divorce papers because I was ready to slam them into his smug face.

I was already thinking ahead, should I get a new apartment here in New York, something comfortable for me and the baby, Or should I relocate entirely, maybe to California. I didn’t know how long this divorce battle would take, but I knew one thing, I was done living in pieces.

The skyscraper towered over me . I remembered the first day I’d come here, bright eyed, driven, eager to be known as one of the best realtors in the city. I dreamt of opening my own firm one day, but those dreams had been stolen from me, snatched away the moment I let Desmond into my life.

I walked into the lobby, Maria wasn’t at her desk, probably out. I strode past the reception toward his secretary.

“Tell him I want to see him,” I said.

She made the call, then glanced up nervously, “He is busy…..”

I didn’t wait for her to finish.

The click of my heels echoed as I pushed straight into his office. He was at his desk, jaw tightening the moment he saw me.

“What do you want, Leila, Why do you keep barging in here like you own the place?”

I dropped the papers on his desk . “Those are divorce papers. I want out of this marriage, sign them, and let’s go our separate ways.”

He leaned back and laughed, “I will dump you when I’m ready, but for now, you’re still useful to me. No divorce until I say so.” He picked up the papers and tore them in half, letting the pieces flutter to the floor.

I smile. “There are more where those came from, you want the hard way, Fine. I have nothing to lose, Desmond, nothing keeps pushing me, you’ll regret it.”

He smirked. “Powerful men cower in my presence, Leila, you think a threat from you will scare me. Whatever you’re going to do doesn’t scare me. Go do your worst.”

I didn’t have a plan, yet but now, I was going to destroy him.

When I left the building, the late afternoon sun was blinding. I was halfway to my car when I heard the sound of an engine revving hard, too fast.

I turned, a black SUV was speeding straight toward me.

Before my brain could process it, the impact hit like an explosion. My body lifted, then slammed onto the pavement behind my car.

Through the haze, I saw the SUV reverse, then speed away.

I tried to scream, but nothing came out, my mouth moved but no sound.

Shapes were moving, security guards running toward me, their shouts muffled, distant.

The last thing I saw before the darkness took me was the sky.