CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

I arrived at Roselyn’s place that night, and she was shocked to see me in such a state, with tattered clothes.

I wasn't with my phone so I didn't have a chance to call her ahead. I just showed up at her workplace.

“ Rachel, what happened? Who did this to you? She asked immediately she saw me.

I couldn't say a word; I hugged her tightly for a few minutes. I didn't know where those tears came from, so I started sobbing.

“ I can't do this anymore, I am getting a divorce” I said to her.

She was surprised to hear me say such a thing, and she looked deeply into my eyes.

“ Calm down and tell me about it”. We went to her office to have a conversation.

“ Lawson beat me up in the presence of my parents and all they could say was that I should endure it. He worsened the situation by throwing me out of his house and telling me never to come again. He said his lawyer will get back to us on how to repay him. My parents blame me for his actions.” I started crying again.

“ It's okay, I am busy right now. You can sleep here, we will talk at length tomorrow morning”. She showed me a tiny bed to sleep on.

Roselyn took me to her house in the morning. I just want to rest and have a good sleep.

“ Rose, can I stay here for a while?” I asked if I could stay there for some time before I found a place to stay.

“ Of course, you can stay here as long as you want.” She responded.

I borrowed her phone to call mine and Caroline picked up instantly.

“ Please bring my phone to the studio tomorrow, thanks” She tried to say something else but I ended the call.

Roselyn brought some food home, we ate to our satisfaction and I slept after eating and I forgot I had a pending issue to attend to. I am sure my parents would have been calling my number, thank God my phone is not here.

I woke up early the next day and went to the studio.

Caroline brought my phone some minutes after I entered.

“ Here is your phone, the phone has been ringing nonstop since yesterday”. I checked the missed calls and was shocked to see Lawson’s call.

“Mr Lawson asked if you came home last night, he was worried about you, you should call him.” I don't understand why he was worried that I left home when he said I should leave.

My Mom's call came in as I talked to Caroline.

" Where did you sleep last night? Your husband was worried and was calling us every hour to know if you would eventually come here". 

"Mom, you want me to go back there? He beat me in your presence Mom, you and Dad couldn't do anything, and now you are telling me he was worried about me. You should have told me I am a slave to him.". I ended the call with her.

I checked and noticed Aaron had called too and even dropped a message. I called him back to come to the shop with my phone and I was in my office, then I called Aaron to come and keep me company if he was not busy.

He didn't take time before arriving.

“ Hi, I was so worried about you, I hope your husband didn't cause any trouble at home. I called and you didn't pick”. That was Aaron.

“ Thanks for your concern, I appreciate it so much. He didn't cause more trouble at home, we settled it amicably. As you know, my parents followed me home and they were able to talk some sense into him and he apologised”. I had to lie, I can't let him know I married a woman beater.

One of the staff came to tell me that a customer needed my attention on getting there. It was Lawson, the only person I least expected to see.

“ What are you doing here? You can't be here, please leave”. I told him blankly and turned to go back to my office 

“ Why don't you pick up my calls? Check how many times I called. I called your parents and was told you weren't there, so where do you sleep?” 

“You sent me out of your house two days ago, and you are here today asking me such a question? What exactly is your plan? Stop playing the victim here and don't act as if you care.” 

“ Just send in your lawyer with the divorce papers and let me sign them without blinking twice”.

“ You think you can run from me? Never, you are stuck with me”. He tried to touch me but I moved backwards.

Aaron came to the reception where we were maybe when he heard voices, he froze when he saw Lawson. He excused himself to go back in.

“ I see, this is the reason you are avoiding my calls, you slept with him right?” He moved closer to Aaron and landed a very strong blow, followed by several other blows. He took him unaware.

“ What are you doing Lawson? He is just a friend nothing more”. I moved closer to stop him but he waved me to a corner.

Blood gushed out of Aaron's mouth, he tried to retaliate but Lawson overpowered him and he staggered back. Lawson didn't stop, he continued punching him until Aaron passed out.

“ You can't do this to an innocent man”. I touched Aaron, called his name but he didn't move nor responded.

“ We need to take him to the hospital” I dragged Lawson to carry him but he removed my hands and fled away.

We carried Aaron to the hospital with the help of my staff and he was admitted.

“Roselyn, I am in the hospital right now. Lawson caused chaos in my studio today while Aaron was around, they got into a fight and Aaron was badly injured and is admitted to a hospital now”.

“ What

? This is a big problem. Which hospital are you in? I am coming right away”.