CHAPTER 5

CONFRONTATION.

Anne's POV.

“You're going to leave this house for me, Anne!” Evie roared, her eyes blazing with anger that almost made the room hotter.

She planted her hand on her hip, her chin lifted in arrogance as she advanced toward me.

What audacity? She behaves as if she owned the house. I can't really blame but Micheal that subject me to her and diminish my post in the house.

I refused to feel defeated and flinch. A sharp hiss escaped my lips. For a moment, I felt something shift inside me–a fragile woman who used to shrink under their insults was gone. I now had a life growing inside me, and I would fight for it with everything I have.

“You must be joking,” I said coldly, locking my gaze on her. My voice is very firm and sharp this time. I moved past her deliberately and sat down in the armchair next to Micheal.

Evie gaze was following me, narrowing as if she couldn't believe my defiance.

I turned to Micheal, whose eyes were not friendly to me. My voice thudded with pain and determination together. “You own this child, Michael. I will give birth to this baby, and whether you like it or not, you will take responsibility.”

His jaw tightened. “It is not my child.”

His tone was clipped, as if she wanted to hold me tight down with every word he uttered. “Go and find whoever owns it, stop deceiving yourself.”

The insult really pained me, but anger rose higher than my pain.

“You're the one deceiving yourself!” I shot back, my voice trembling with rage. “Start preparing to receive the baby that is forming in my stomach because it is yours.”

Evie stepped forward, let out a bitter laugh, her voice sharp as a glass.

“It is better you go away and get rid of that bastard child or dump it on the real father. Don't think you can use a baby to chain Micheal to you!” Evie pointed at me, her eyes flashing as she bent closer, invading my space.

I remained seated while my heart pounded hard in my chest. I could feel hot tears gathering, but I refused to let them fall. I don't want to be seen defeated in front of them. I need to be strong–never scan any fear or weakness in me.

“This is still my house,” I said, my voice low but deadly. “And until I walk out on my own, no one–not even you can chase me out.”

Micheal stood abruptly, her face darkened with fury. “Anne, enough!” he barked, his voice thundering across the room, commanding dominance.

“You're embarrassing yourself. If you really want to stay, then stay–but you're going to stay, be quiet. Don't speak to me about any pregnancy again. Don't provoke Evie. And you don't dare demand anything from me!”

I stared at him, my chest tightened as the last piece of hope inside me crumbled. His words told me everything that I was no longer his wife.

Evie smirked, satisfied with the damage she had done. She grabbed Micheal's arm and led him upstairs, whispering something that made him chuckle- a sound that pierced through me like a knife.

The house went silent again except for the sound of my own breathing. I sighed heavily in disbelief of what is happening to me right now. I can't predict that Micheal can actually bring another woman home after all these promises from the three years of marriage. He treated me with care and absolute affection then.

Just then, a sharp footsteps took me from my train of thought as Micheal descended from the stairs, advancing toward me.

He glared at me, “Look, woman,” raising his voice, clutching a document on his chest. I tilted my head up, staring at him. I am still surprised how things are going between us. He threw the document across to me which banged in the center table in front of me.

“Sign it, Anne. It's over between us.” I was shocked and I flinched immediately. His face is a mask of cold fury and his voice devoid of emotions. I stretched my head to take a look, leaning forward. I took the document and scanned through it. It was a pre-written divorce document.

My mind is flooded with a lot of thoughts within a short time. It is now official that he wants a divorce. I made up my mind that I will refuse to sign, my defiance fueled by his betrayal. My mind instantly flashed back to the days I helped him with a legal case. I have done and sacrificed a lot for him in the legal profession, though I gave up my work to become a full housewife

“This is my home, Micheal. I won't be cast out like this. Not after everything.” I whispered, tears formed in my eyes again but I blinked it back. I won't let him see me break down. I won't act defeated.

He scoffed. “You only have three days to sign it and take your leave.” He said, turned back and climbed the stairs until he disappeared from my sight.

“It seems you guys are having a nice time.” I heard Evie smirked, as she was descending from the stairs. Her steps echo a silent and calculated action that seems suspicious. One of her hands is kept behind her.

“It is none of your business!” I rebuked her, a sharp hiss escaped from my lips. I looked away. I don't want to see her around me.

Evie's smile turned into an evil one.

“You think Micheal like you as you thought? You've been deceived that you're the only woman in his life? But you are nothing but a leftover wife.”

Her words hit me like a sharp slap on my face. I sat down, resting my back on the sleek sofa. I don't want another round of intense argument. I crossed my arms, trying to control the anger stirring inside me. Evie is fond of making me angry. She liked to see me being pulled down in sadness.

“Get out, please!” I shouted at her, raising my hand to emphasize my rebuke. She stood unshaken from my outburst.

I screamed again, leaned forward. “Evie, Go out now!” I commanded her, my voice thundering across the room.

I don't want to get involved in any fights with her. I could notice that an intense anger was bubbling up inside me. With each passing seconds, I am getting nervous and a thought of hurtful things is tripping into my heart. I tried to suppress them so that it wouldn't push me to the wall to the extent of passing the aggression on her.

She surprisingly stepped closer. Her right hand is still behind her back. I was feeling suspicious. I stood up immediately, overwhelmed with a sudden fear. I locked my gaze on her face. She lets out a sly smile. The smile oozing of dangerous schemes. She took each step slowly, each passing step echoing an intended evil. I paid more attention to her footsteps, dividing my glances between her eyes and her foot.

“Evie, move back!” I choke out, my voice breaking with fear. I was also moving backwards, taking each step one by one. The air thickened as her smiling eyes narrowed, tinged with disgust.

“No!” She spat, sounding so urgent. My heart is pounding very hard and fast. A sudden sweat enveloped me. I looked around. Maybe there is something I can use to defend myself in case the situation goes out of hand.

Then, she lunged at me with a very short, sharp and piercing knife. I froze immediately, gasping for breath. I started shivering. What the hell was she doing?

I moved to the right side, dodging her attack. I carefully tried to reach her hand but I failed to grab the knife from her as the knife cut deeply into my hand.

“Stop this, Evie!” I roared, desperation cracking my voice as I tried to push her or at least find a way to escape.

My eyes widened from her raw defiance, and for a moment, my breath caught. She was so obsessed with hurting me.

“No!” she shrieked, her voice feral. “I’ll make sure you regret ever crossing the wrong woman!”