The queen returns

Sloane's POV 

“Good morning, Miss Sloane." 

“Good morning, Miss Danielle." 

The receptionist gave me a small nod as I walked past her. I had finally settled with her, explaining my reason for acting rude the day we had met, and she received my apology with warm smiles. 

She'd tried engaging in a conversation, curious to know what had led to our divorce as the news had gone viral now but I refused to speak about it. I guessed she had told reporters after I had spilled it out the day I arrived and she wanted more information. 

I wanted to be mad at her for the lack of privacy but something in me silently thanked her for leaking the story–and after he had already signed his part of the divorce papers, how convenient. I could only imagine the look on his face as it slowly dawned on him that I was really not coming back. 

The elevator chimed and the door slid open. I walked out, putting my head down as I noticed a young man coming out of the room before mine. He gave me a small nod and walked toward the elevator, oblivious to who I was. 

Sighing, I pulled out my keycard and unlocked my door before walking in. The moment I entered, I was greeted by a loud shriek and my daughter ran toward me, wrapping her arm around my leg. I was almost thrown off balance and had to place my hand on the wall to steady myself. 

“Whoa, whoa," I said with a small chuckle as I picked Daisy up. "You do not know your strength, you little monster. You almost threw me to the ground.”

Daisy giggled, squirming playfully in my grip as I tickled her belly with my nose. My arms now aching, I gently placed her back down and she ran to the blaring television. 

“What you watching, mama?" I asked as I walked to the bed and plopped down on it. “Is that Peppa Pig?" 

“No, silly," Daisy said in a near perfect British accent, giggling. “It's you and daddy." 

I froze, a small frown forming on my face as her words hit me. My gaze turned sharply to the TV as images of me and Adrian flashed across the screen. The headline, ‘America’s Juiciest Divorce,’ popped up and a lady began talking. 

“Alright, America, let's dive into the juiciest news of the day,” the lady said in a cheery voice. "The entire Internet is shocked as America's Socialite Queen, Sloane Harper files for–” 

“Give me the remote," I quickly said as I jumped off from the bed and raced toward her. 

“Why, mummy–” I quickly grabbed the remote from her before she could finish talking and switched the TV off. 

I thought I had locked the channels from her use. 

“Why did you turn it off?” 

I turned to Daisy, my heart breaking into a thousand pieces as I watched her clutch her teddy bear to her chest, her face wet with tears. I tried to hold her hand but she took a step back and my heart shattered even more. 

“Why did you turn it off, mummy?" she whispered, whimpering. "Why don't you want me to see daddy? Do you hate him?”

"No, baby, no,” I said, my voice cracking as I knelt down beside her. "I don't… I don't hate your dad. It's just that… there are some issues that we need to resolve now.”

"What issues, mummy?” she asked, more tears streaming down her face. "I want to see daddy. I want to see him.”

I licked my lips, unsure of how to answer her. But just as I was about opening my mouth to respond, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pulled it out, staring at the screen before turning to Daisy. 

“Give mummy a minute, okay?" I asked and she hesitantly nodded. 

Sighing, I stood back up, sliding the call icon and placing the phone against my ear. “Hey, Maddy?" I said as I walked out the door. 

"Hey, Sloane,” Maddy, my long time friend and lawyer, answered. "I actually received your message. And news of the divorce has… gone viral.”

“The downside of being a celebrity," I said with a dry chuckle as I ran my fingers through my hair. “You said you saw my message?" 

“Yeah, yeah," Maddy replied, the sound of papers rustling in the background. “And I helped you do some digging too." There was a long pause and then she sighed. "Adrian doesn't have access to any of your accounts, nor can he make any action concerning it. Also, people have been coming to me, asking me about you.” Another pause. "Adrian included.”

I clicked a brow. "Adrian too?” I asked and Maddy grunted in response. “What did he come to you for?" 

“He didn't really come to me, only called," Maddy replied. “He asked about you and I told him I didn't want to speak to him.”

 A small smile tugged at my lips but it quickly vanished after hearing Daisy's quiet sob. “Um, is that all, Maddy?" I asked, my hands on the doorknob. 

“Yeah, that's… that's all,” Maddy said before sighing again. “You know, I'm really proud of you for standing up for yourself and your daughter. I've been expecting you to leave that hell hole long before now and I am glad you finally got the courage to do so.”

I swallowed. "Yeah, thanks.”

"I'm going to help you disappear properly–new accounts, new identity, new life. I'll make sure that demon will never find you again.”

I nodded, a bitter smile forming on my face. "Thank you,” I said and Maddy grunted in response. 

I exhaled as I cut the call before turning back to the door. But as I placed my hand on the doorknob, I caught sight of something on my finger. The light above me glinted off the cold metal, stopping me in my tracks. 

My wedding ring. 

Rage filling me up, I pulled the ring off  my finger and tossed it down the corridor before walking back inside.