Chapter 1

VALERIE POV

For three years, I have worked hard and tirelessly for the Windor family but all I get in return is hate and curses.

Charles was my childhood crush and all I wanted was to marry him, which I did, but against my family’s will because I couldn't imagine living without him. After our marriage, I made sure I secretly made Charles rise to the point of fame.

Now that he is finally stable, he looks at me like trash.

Like I was a dirt scraped off his shoes, like my whole existence disgust him.

His mother didn’t help matters either. She made my life a living hell, but still I still respected her.

One morning, I stepped out to get groceries from the supermarket after Charles left for work only to see him holding hands and kissing Fiona, his ex-girlfriend just a block away.

He hadn't even made an attempt to take the disgraceful act to somewhere private, it tells a lot about his disregard for him.

Immediately, I hid away from them and broke down in tears.

My lips trembled as I struggled to hold back the tears. My eyes vision blurred for a second and a thought hit me in the guts.

“Had he been lying to me all these years?

How much of our memories were lies?”

Just like how he had left very early this morning without eating the food I made for him claiming he was going for an important meeting, but here he was.

I became too distressed to go to the store for the groceries so I went back home with a broken heart.

I decided I was going to question him when he got back home and that I did.

“Who were you with this morning?”

I asked as carefully as I could.

He turned to glare at me after I asked, If I wasn't too far away from him, I would be scared he would hit me.

“Why are you asking me such a question though?.

Didn’t I tell you I’ll be in a meeting?” He shouted back at me before walking away.

Tears began to roll down my eyes, this wasn’t the Charles I used to know. He is now more of a monster than a human.

The Charles I knew wouldn't even raise his voice at me or get mad at me.

I thought it was best to tell his mother about what had happened today but I made the worst mistake of my life. Instead of finding fault in her son, she rained words of abuse on me instead.

“You can't blame him, you are just a good for nothing woman that does not deserve him!” She said amidst other slurs of painful words.

I took my phone and called my brother, Ray. Although I hesitated, he won't be happy to see me suffer.

He had been against Charles since the beginning, and he was right about him.

“Can you come take me out for a moment?” I asked and he immediately picked the call.

“Alright” he responded curtly.

When we got to a coffee shop, I told him about everything that's happening at the Windors’. How I am being treated and he immediately begged to go back home with him.

“You can't continue to live this”.

I looked down at my hand at the truth of his words, my wedding ring sat on my finger, heavy, full of regrets and the evidence of my bad choice.

“But I love Charles”. I whispered in a small voice.

He shook his head at me in pity.

Maybe I wasn't only in love but also a fool.

And I decided to give him just one more chance.

__

Charles was back and watching the news when I got back.

“Where did you go?” He asked

“To see a friend.”

Charles began to laugh and walked closer to me.

“Who would want to be friends with a cheap, dirty woman like you huh?”

The ridicule was too obvious and he wasn't even trying to hide his hatred at me.

“What did I ever do to deserve this?”

“Why are you doing this Charles? What have I done wrong to you?!.”

I screamed back at him.

The next moment, Charles slapped me so hard that I landed on the floor.

“How dare you ask me questions or have you forgotten your status in this house?” He asked and all I could do was cry.

The next thing I heard was him slamming the door of his room like he always does when he is angry.

I managed to get up and walked to my room and got my bleeding lips cleaned. I have tolerated enough and I guess it’s time to let go of Charles.

He has been proving to me countless times that he is done with me.

Now that Fiona was back in town, Charles would continue to treat me like trash and I am tired of it.

I began to pack my clothes together, preparing to leave the Windors house the following morning.

It was a hard decision but it is obvious the end is here.

I will leave either on my own accord or they will try to throw me out.

And I can't wait for that to happen

I could hear glass click and laughter downstairs so I got prepared and made my way down stairs to see what was going on, only to see the woman who had changed Charles.

Fiona, the shameless gold digger.

“Oh, the lazy Jen is finally awake.” My mother-in- law said, and I ignored her.

“Hello, Valerie.” Fiona said as she pulled me towards herself for a hug.

I stifled under her embrace.

What is she up to?

“I’m sorry, I can see you’re not excited to see me after three years but I’m back to get my Charles from you.” She whispered in my ear before pulling out of the hug with a smile.

I wanted to cry but I controlled myself. I will not allow this woman to see how vulnerable I am.

I looked over to Charles and saw him holding hands with Fiona and smiling brightly.

He had smiled the exact way at me three years ago and I believed it.

I guess he was happy with her and it was time for me to find my way out of his life. That very moment I broke the news to everyone in the room.

“Charles, I want a divorce.” I said looking him straight in the eyes.

“What??” My mother-in-law exclaimed in disbelief.

Her thin lips pressed together in displeasure.

“Oh Valerie, is it because of me? I understand that you’re not happy with me around but that doesn’t mean you should divorce your husband. Don’t worry I’ll be going.” Fiona said and turned around, pretending to leave and was pulled back by Charles.

I wondered if he would do the same for me, but I knew the answer already. Charles never truly loved me. I was his substitute till Fiona returned.

“Don’t mind Valeria, I’m sure she wants to cause a scene.” My mother-in-law said.

“I’m very serious about it.” I pressed on, they wanted to dismiss me but they were very wrong this time.

“What’s wrong with you Valerie? Is it because you’re jealous of Fiona?”

Charles asked, almost screaming and I could see veins popping out of his forehead.

How did I ever fall in love with someone like him?.

“Jealous? How can I be jealous of a woman who left you when you had nothing and is back when she realized that you are rich now?”

Fiona bowed her head in shame because she knew I was saying the truth

“Stop accusing her. Fiona went abroad to get a heart transplant that’s why.” Charles defended.

“Well, I don’t care. I just want a divorce .”

“Come on don, why are you delaying? Give her the divorce that she seeks for, after all my favorite daughter- in- law is back.” Charles' mother said while beaming at Fiona and she smiled.

“Fine if it’s a divorce you want, then it’s settled. I’ll give you 2 million dollars and a house.”

“Why are you doing that?” Fiona asked in surprise.

“Because for the past three years, she has been loyal.”

“I don’t want anything from you, all I want is a divorce which you have agreed to.” I said before making my way upstairs to get my things.

After getting my things, I called Ray to come pick me up and he was so happy.

I have finally decided to leave Charles

With my brother's car parked outside the house, I have my last words.

“Charles Windor, you’ll regret your decision and it would be too late because I’ll be long gone.” I said before stepping out of the house. The house which I helped Charles to acquire, with my chin raised high.