006

I sat in the garden all through the night, undeterred by the cold, still wearing the clothes I had on all day. I had nowhere to be and I couldn’t be in the same house while he had another woman in our bed. I wrapped my hands around my tummy staring at the stars. I knew I wanted to get out of it, I wanted to free myself from the title that felt nothing short of a burden. But I was scared.

I thought about what the marriage had done and although it hasn’t particularly done anything for me and only caused me trauma. It revived my father’s company, something I never thought was possible but it happened. 

The Alistairs took ninety percent control of the company. On paper, my father’s name remained, and my brothers were given seats on the board, it was all an illusion but no one ever listened to me, they thought they won but the Alistairs owned the shares, controlled every decision, and reaped all the profits. 

It hurt knowing I had been handed over for almost nothing. Sold, just to keep a hollow version of my father’s legacy alive. Still, a part of me was grateful. His sweat, his sacrifices, his life’s work didn’t disappear entirely. Even if it no longer flowed through his bloodline, his name survived.

That was the only thing that came out of the marriage and I wanted to be done with it. It had successfully wiped off every smile I had on my face, I felt trapped like I was locked in a cage. I had to break free from everything. The embarrassment, the side talks, the cameras whenever I stepped out. I was tired of it all.

“I have to do this” I whispered to myself

The first thing I did when the sun rose out of the clouds was call the lawyer to prepare the divorce papers. Since the death of my father I haven’t lived for myself, and I was ready to end that. I wanted to know what that felt like again.

I shot up immediately when I saw the lawyer walk in with one hand tucked in his pants and the other holding his briefcase.

“Can I have it?” I asked rushing towards him

“Hello Mrs Alistair” he said surprised to see me rush up to him 

“What I asked for” I snapped ignoring his greetings

“Oh here-” he tried to get it out

“Thanks” I snatched the envelope from his when he finally got it out 

“I would have it sent to your office once the signing is done” I walked away but then quickly ran back to him 

“Can I have a pen please?” I asked

“Y-ye-yeah sure” he stuttered then dug his hand into his tux and handed me one

“Thank you” I said again finally walking away this time

It didn’t take a second to find my name and the bottom of the paper and sign below it. Then I placed it on the center table with the pen on top of it then I sat back and crossed my legs over each other waiting for him to come downstairs and sign his part.

After a while, I heard movement and when I looked I saw her walking down the stairs. She first paused halfway when our eyes met, then a big smile stretched across her lips as she swung her hips from side to side as she approached the living room.

“You don’t look like you slept a wink” Her lips curled into a smile. I glared at her but didn’t say a word 

“Who are you talking to?” Axel's voice followed and I heard his footsteps descend the stairs, I had my eyes on Lianna glaring bitterly at her. She had been out to get me, not only did she taunt me from the moment I stepped foot into the house by sending me pictures of her and Axel in bed, videos of them having sex, and all manner of things. She paid bloggers to spread rumors about the affair between them, which weren’t rumors at all and were very much true.

“I thought you left” Axel laughed  “You are all talk I knew it” 

“Aren’t you embarrassed everyone knows your ‘husband’ is disgusted by you” Lianna joined in laughing 

“Come on let’s go” Axel walked ahead throwing daggers my way, he never hid his disgust whenever he stared at me like he was letting me know how much he hated me

“Sign it” I picked up the papers on the table and walked in front of him, slamming the paper on his chest angrily 

“Are you out of your mind?” He roared but I didn’t flinch

“Sign it” I repeated 

“What’s that?” He asked 

“See for yourself” I folded my hand over my chest tapping my foot anxiously 

“Is this a threat?” He looked almost surprised after reading the content of the paper

“What is it?” Lianna asked 

“She is asking for divorce” he said glaring at me the whole time 

“I already signed my part so do the needful” I stared him right back in the eyes trying not to be  intimidated by him

“You are not getting a penny out of me you fucking gold digger” he hissed

“I don’t want a dime from you, sign the papers” I said through my teeth, I had taken all the insults from him and I was done. Done for good

I had to maintain the single drop of pride I had left, the humiliation was just too much.

“Sign it, what are you waiting for” Lianna nudged him to do it 

“There is no going back after this” his voice a tad bit softer as he spoke

He didn’t think I was going to go ahead with it. He couldn’t believe I handed him the divorce papers. He thought he was going to have me to toss me around for the rest of his life. I was overjoyed that I was able to prove him wrong.

I was going to reclaim my life. Nothing was going to stop me.

“I don’t have all day, sign it” I hissed and he stared at me for a minute then went ahead and scribbled on the piece of paper

“Here” he gave it back to me and Lianna cheered, hugging him tightly.

I felt the weight on my shoulders come crumbling down. I stared at the paper he stretched out to me with his signature at the bottom. My hand shook slightly as I took it from him and tears brimmed in my eyes as I struggled to fight it from falling.

It was like taking the keys to the cage I was trapped in and freeing myself.

I was finally free!