Chapter 2. Let’s Get a Divorce, Mr. Vicktor Caldwell!

A sharp slap landed on Vicktor’s left cheek. Lucy flinched, clutching Kelly, who suddenly burst into frightened tears. Amora stood tall in the doorway, her eyes bloodshot, her chest heaving with the emotions that threatened to explode.

“Do you think I’m a woman you can trample on as you please, Vick?!” Amora’s scream echoed through the grand living room.

Vicktor held his cheek, still stunned.

“It’s not like that, Amora. I was only—”

“Shut up!” Amora snapped, pointing a trembling finger at him. “You brought this whore into my house? Right before my eyes?! Have you lost your mind?!”

Lucy tried to speak, her voice shaky. “Amora, please don’t say that in front of Kelly. I’m not a whore, I still have my dignity, Amora!”

Amora’s head whipped toward her, eyes blazing. “That child? A child born of betrayal? And you still dare to talk about dignity?”

Kelly sobbed harder, her small face pressed against Lucy’s stomach.

“That’s enough!” Vicktor roared at Amora, his voice filling the room as he stepped forward to shield Lucy. “You can be angry with me, Amora. But don’t you dare hurt that child. She knows nothing of this.”

Amora laughed bitterly. “You dare defend her in front of me?” She jabbed her finger toward Lucy. “I gave you everything because I chose to love you, Vicktor—not because I had no other choice!”

Vicktor fell silent, his gaze fixed on Amora. There was guilt in his eyes—though only a little.

“All this time I was busy saving your life, Vicktor! I fought for your company. I convinced my father not to fire you when you caused billions in losses! And now? You repay me by bringing another woman into my home?!” Amora’s eyes glistened, holding back tears of pain.

Lucy pulled Kelly aside, feeling the room’s heat rise with every passing second.

“Amora, I’m sorry,” Lucy whispered. “But our relationship has lasted for years. I love him.”

“Silence.” Amora stepped closer until only inches separated her from Lucy’s face. “You truly are a cheap woman!”

“But I can give Vicktor children,” Lucy countered coldly. “I’m beautiful, slim, and sexy. In a house this big… don’t you have mirrors, Amora? Look at yourself—fat, wide, and ugly. You’re not worthy of standing beside Vicktor.”

Smack!

This time the slap landed across Lucy’s face. Kelly screamed, “Mommy!”

Vicktor rushed to steady Lucy as she staggered. “Enough, Amora! I won’t let you hurt them!”

Amora shook her head slowly, her expression turning dark and sinister. The disappointment etched on her face cut deeper than anger. He defended his mistress over her.

“You’ll regret this, Vick. You’ll see the true face of the woman you’ve belittled. I won’t stay silent!”

“Amora, why not try to make peace with the situation? I’ll never take your place. You’re still Vicktor’s legal wife. Kelly and I—” Lucy began, but Amora cut her off sharply.

“You really are insane, Lucy!” Amora spat, shaking her head. She couldn’t comprehend how a woman could willingly be another man’s mistress for life.

“Let’s get a divorce, Mr. Vicktor Caldwell!” Amora declared loudly.

Silence fell. Even Kelly stopped crying, as though she too sensed the dark aura that suddenly filled the living room.

“What do you mean?” Vicktor gasped.

Amora only let out a short, bitter laugh and turned away.

“Lucy, don’t you dare dream of stealing my wealth. You’ll regret this and leave with nothing!”

With graceful yet furious steps, Amora stormed out of the house. Vicktor moved to follow her, but Lucy held him back.

“Let her go. That woman is only bluffing.”

Vicktor shook his head, his eyes fixed on the door Amora had just closed.

“No, Lucy… Amora isn’t bluffing. I’m afraid she’ll run to her father.”

.

Driving her own car, Amora arrived at a five-star hotel. Standing in the bathroom, she stared at herself in the mirror. Her hand gently touched her rounded cheek.

Tears spilled freely. “How could you betray me, Vick? Is it because I’m fat and ugly? Have you always been ashamed of having a wife like me? Is that why you turned to Lucy?” The wound in her heart gaped wide, raw and excruciating.

It had been a week since Amora left the house. She ignored countless calls from Vicktor. Not a single one of his messages had she opened. Amora was calming herself, preparing to take the biggest decision of her life.

She no longer cared about Vicktor and Lucy’s illicit affair. Amora was already planning something far greater—to exact revenge on both of them.

.

Meanwhile, back at Amora’s residence—

Lucy was thoroughly enjoying every facility. She even slept in the master bedroom that once belonged to Amora and Vicktor.

Amora’s absence had turned out to be a blessing for Lucy. She could now freely play the role of Mrs. Caldwell. Especially Kelly, who delighted in swimming every day in the luxurious pool.

This was the life Lucy had always dreamed of—shopping, indulging herself, and lounging around waiting for Vicktor to return from work.

“The air feels so fresh today,” Lucy sighed contentedly, sitting on a poolside chair, raising a delicate glass of orange juice in her hand.

“Who are you, and why are you in my daughter’s house?!”

A deep, commanding voice boomed suddenly.

Lucy jumped, startled, turning to see an older man glaring at her with piercing eyes. She quickly stood, her heart pounding, her face filled with fear.

The man strode toward her quickly, his expression blazing with fury.

“Where is Amora?” demanded Robert Shane—Amora’s father.