Chapter 1

Rachael's POV

Mondays used to be very hectic in the law firm I work. I usually did not get breaks on Mondays.

But the stress at work was always overcome by the lingering thought of how blessed I am and who I was.

Everything about my life was  perfect.

My career. Marriage. Family.

These made others envious of me and wished they could be me.

People often teased me saying I was an embodiment of goodness and that God was unfair to others.

In return, I laughed out loud, knowing they were just speaking the truth.

What didn't I have? I literally had it all.

My lovely husband, Keaton Worthington, is the managing director of C&C Group, a technology based company, one of the biggest in America.

Over the years, Keaton and I have focused on building our marriage by putting one thing over the others, and by understanding.

That was our tool in navigating the complexities of marriage, ensuring we remain in love.

And did it work? Yes, It did work.

That is just me, Rachael Worthington, an honest and hardworking 27 years old woman.

At about 4:47 pm, I hurried back home, looking really worn out and exhausted but holding a still, small smile.

Keaton's car was packed outside by the time I drove in so I just hurried  out of the car to our opulent home.

I noticed Keaton didn't bolt the door from the inside so I just walked in and dashed upstairs when I didn't notice Keaton's presence in the living room.

Palpable silence flush the entire way leading to our bedroom but amidst the silence was faint whispers I was ignorant about.

Opening the door, life slapped me hard on my cheek.

My bags reflexively fall off my hands.

I  blinked. Shut my eyes. Open them again.

Keaton was on the bed, stacked naked with my secretary in the office, Camellia.

She was riding Keaton and moaning irritatedly  until the Interruption.

“ Rachael” Keaton’s breath trembled as he pushed Camilla off him.

Disbelieving what my eyes saw, I immediately left the room without a single word.

A few minutes later as I sat in the living room, trying to process the obscene scene earlier, I heard deliberate footsteps approaching from the stairs.

Camellia Kingston, my secretary and my husband, Keaton walked with a slow stride to the living room and even chatted discreetly.

I didn't believe my eyes.

All the years of my marriage, I have heard couples  complaining about their cheating spouse. But I was oblivious to all of that because of Keaton's loyalty to me and our son.

Keaton and Camilla got closer with me and she stood opposite me, not ashamed.

Something depicting mockery fingered on her face also.

The expression on Keaton's face didn't show remorse either.

“ Hey girl, “ The sharpness in Camellia's voice caused my heart to tingle.

Camilla and I were not friends but colleagues at work so I was imagining her gut.

My mouth dried up. Finding expression became difficult also.

With intentionality, Camellia wrapped herself In Keaton's body showing possessiveness.

In return, Keaton kissed Camelia's  forehead softly to my face and Camilla chuckled lightly.

“ Easy Keaton,  Someone might get hurt” her eyes locked with my motionless face.

Keaton fixed her hair. “ Thank you for everything. I'll see you tomorrow,” My husband said to my secretary, belittling me before her.

Chills ran down my spine  and I became powerless at the same time.

“Dont let her hurt you okay” Camilla told Keaton in concern and kissed  his lips shortly.” I love you so much. Can't wait to be your wife after you're done with her”

Her betrayal hit hard on my face but reality dawned on me when Keaton pulled Camellia off himself and warned her sternly.

 “ I didn't say I was going to divorce her. She's my first wife and you're my sweet —”

“ Just keep it to yourself. I'm out!” Camellia snapped and walked away,  her face flickering in anger.

It was like a movie. Like those  romance movies I have seen in the cinema.  I'm  sure yet if this was my reality.  Now I know I was a piece of trash before Keaton.

Keaton heaved hard, ignoring me as if I didn't exist. Like I was some invisible being and without saying a word to me, he dashed upstairs, leaving me heartbroken.

A heavy lump formed in my chest.

For the first time,  I heard myself whimpering. I needed someone to narrate this tale to me.

Did I just see Camellia making love with Keaton?

Why? How? When did their bond begin?

As I sat, lost In my reverie, a text message pooped into  my phone

With hands trembling, I reached out for the phone, then I realized it was a voice massage from Camilla.

“Me and Keaton are getting married. If I were you, I would divorce him immediately and focus on my life” those were Camilla's words in the message.

Her betrayal just hit me differently on my face.

Divorce. 

The word rang loud in my head.

Then with swift precision, I hurried to Keaton in the room, my eyes red, my body shivering.

Keaton was engrossed in his phone when I kicked the door open.

His eyes immediately shifted from his phone to the door. As he saw me coming in, he reached for his shirt on the bed and wore it knowing he would be interrogated.

“ I need a divorce” I said unsteady.

“ A divorce?” Keaton chuckled.

I nodded without a word.

“ Why do you want a divorce ?” Keaton put his phone away.

My hands trembled. “ I don't need this marriage again” I said very concisely. Keaton's eyes rolled with anger and he  warned.

“ Oh, why do you seek a divorce now?  After pushing me to Camilla, you want to end it? We ain't getting any divorce, Rachael.”

Keaton's words stung my ears like a disease.

The shift in his character was unimaginable. One minute, he was the betrayal, the next minute; the victim.

“ Did you just blame me?” I said, trying to compose myself.

“ Oh, yes. It's your fault, Rachael. You were not available when I needed you. Camilla was” he blurted out. But I'm sorry, I can't grant you the divorce you need. We are going to stay married”  

The last lines  got me. Seems like I'm in boundage already.  I wiped the tears that flowed from my face and left the room purposefully without a word, each stride deliberate and calculated.