6. Broken love—Revenge intent

Audrey brought out the papers and signed them each respectively, ensuring her signature was bold enough as she didn't want to give them a reason to believe they had broken her—Her love. Her trust. Her loyalty. Her kindness. Her compassion.

"Here," she said, extending the signed papers to Theodore.

As Theodore collected the papers from her, Audrey stated firmly. "I want everything returned. My company. My position—everything I've invested in you over the years..."

But Theodore let out a derisive laugh as he reviewed the signed documents. "Didn't realize you've been attending clown classes recently."

"Excuse me?"

He lifted his gaze to match hers. "It's all mine now, Audrey. Everything. All of it. I could give you a small fraction of what we have but the whole thing belongs to me now, so don't think you can make such demands anymore," He clarified resolutely.

But Audrey snapped. "The fuck are you talking about? T.A.J. Group is mine! I built that company from the ground up. I. Made. You. Head. The company is registered in my name," she retorted desperately, but he cut her off.

"Not anymore," Theodore replied coldly. "Everything is under my name now, including the company and other assets we have. You were too dumb and blinded by love to notice I was taking over."

Audrey's heart skipped several beats, unable to believe Theodore had just said those words to her. "What?"

He persisted. "Like I offered before, I could give you a small fraction of what we have as compensation for everything you've done. Don't be selfish now, Audrey. Just take it and leave,"

"Who are you really?" She shifted her eyes between his in bewilderment.

"Fucking Theodore Rodriguez, the man everyone warned you about but you chose to ignore the warnings. You were warned now, weren't you?"

"Are you trying to tell me you've been lying and manipulating me this entire time?"

"Not exactly." He shrugged casually. "I once cared for you, Audrey. But like I said before, I must have fallen out of love with you somewhere along the line. You were never my type of woman. I only married you because you were my only hope back then. Fuck, I thought your inheritance would come along with you. But it didn't. You were too dumb enough to choose me over it."

Audrey stood in stunned silence, coming to terms with Theodore's true nature. It dawned on her that all the rumors she had once heard about him before now, weren't just rumors but facts—He was an arrogant ingrate. She glanced back and forth between him and Emily.

Her eyes were red, and she was on the verge of crashing out, but she comported herself. She refused to let them win.

"You're going to regret this, Theodore. And when that day comes, just hope I find it in me to forgive you." She turned to Emily. "As for you, Em..." No words needed, she simply nodded curtly at her before exiting their presence.

Audrey went straight into their room to pack a few of her things before getting out. She still couldn't comprehend all that had happened. It felt like a bad dream. It was all so abrupt and unpredictable. Never in her negative thoughts would she have imagined that someday, her husband, whom she had sacrificed everything for, would betray her like this. Toss her out like trash and replace her with her own best friend. But such was life now, wasn't it?

******

After leaving the penthouse Theodore had taken from her amongst other assets, Audrey made her way back to one of the private villas she had purchased in the City some time ago. It was nearly 10 PM when she arrived.

Upon opening the gate of the charming villa, she was taken aback to find her mother—Scarlett Lancaster, accompanied by several professional bodyguards dressed in all black. It appeared they had been expecting her arrival and it fazed Audrey.

It was already past 9 in the evening, and she wondered how they had gotten into the villa that was supposed to be private property. That wasn't the only thing that fazed Audrey but also the coincidence of encountering her mother after what just transpired with Theodore. Scarlett couldn't have already known now, could she?

"What are you doing here, Mom?" Audrey asked, her eyes locking with her mother's hazel ones.

Scarlett Lancaster stepped closer, her warm smile glowing in the dark. "Hello, my dear."

It had been three years since Audrey last saw her Mother. Her eyes darted between Scarlett's as she was rendered momentarily speechless.

"I understand your surprise." Scarlett started. A smile was pulling on her lips as her eyes flickered between her daughter's. "Well, although you severed ties with us three years ago because of that man, we have still been keeping an eye on you, Audrey. You're our daughter."

"That doesn't answer the question, Mom," Audrey interjected. "How did you know I'd be here?"

Scarlett explained softly. "Your father and I always knew a day like this would come. We saw it from the beginning. This is what we tried to warn you about. Never trust the loyalty of a broke man, Audrey..." She paused. "We are aware of what happened tonight, and I'm so sorry," She said sympathetically. "You didn't deserve that, but I had to show you who that man really is beneath the facade." She added in a knowing voice.

Audrey's brows knitted together as a sudden realization dawned on her. She pointed out to Scarlett. "It was you. You were the one who sent me those tips. You were the anonymous texter, weren't you?"

"Yes," Scarlett confirmed firmly. "That was me indeed. I needed you to see the truth for yourself. So you could break free from that loveless marriage with a man who never had your best interests at heart from the beginning. He's done evil things, Audrey, but cheating with your best friend just crossed the line. I couldn't ignore that. You deserve so much better, my dear,"

Her words incited tears in Audrey's eyes and she couldn't hold back the flood of emotions she had been bottling up within her all night. This led her to crash out in intense sobs.

" I-I did nothing wrong, Mom," Audrey's voice broke, tears streaming down her cheeks in torrents.

Scarlett covered the gap between them, wrapping her arms around Audrey, her cozy warmth surrounding her. "You did nothing wrong, my dear. You only gave your heart and love to a man who wasn't worthy of them from the start. You did nothing wrong."

Audrey sobbed intensely, her face contorting with anguish as she buried herself in her mother’s arms. "I loved him, Mom. I really did. I loved him so much. He was my everything." She still couldn't believe Theo's betrayal. Everything had happened so fast, and she had a hard time processing. Her heart twisted like a knife had been plunged into it. The ache was excruciating and all she wished was for it to stop.

"It hurts, Mom," Audrey said in a broken voice. "It hurts. Please, make it stop."

"It will get better, be strong," Scarlett reassured as she rubbed Audrey's back soothingly.

They remained like that for a moment as Audrey's sobs grew more intense.

But then, Scarlett gently pulled away from her abruptly.

"Listen here, Audrey." She cupped her daughter's face, their eyes locking onto each other's. "You're a Lancaster—the heiress to the Lancaster legacy, at that. That man isn't worth a single tear that falls from your eye. I know your heart is aching right now so I'll let you go through it tonight. Cry as much as you need to tonight, but know—it ends here. You will never shed another tear for that man again, including all those who betrayed your trust, do you hear me?"

Audrey's face twisted, conveying her emotion. She sniffled, uncontrollable tears leaking from her eyes.

"You will make them pay for this, alright? All those who betrayed you. They won't get away, promise me."

Audrey could barely articulate a meaningful response but she nodded eagerly, her bitter expression conveying her promise to her mother.

Scarlett smiled at her sympathetically before wrapping her arms around her again.

When Audrey's cries finally subsided, Scarlett added softly.

"It's time for you to come home, my child. You've endured so much. It's time for you to reclaim what's rightfully yours. Only then can you give back to those what they truly deserve. Revenge."

Scarlett pulled away from Audrey, locking eyes with her. She cupped her cheek and offered her a warm smile.

"Come on, my dear. Your father cannot wait to see you again."