Chapter 001

1.

Samantha’s POV

“You imbecile!” Laylani snapped and the next thing I knew, her palms connected with my cheeks, giving me a resounding slap that sent my ears ringing.

I gasped as my hands went to my cheeks that stung from the impact of the slap. I looked at my mother-in-law, tears blurring my vision.

“How could you be so clueless?” She barked, her body trembling as a result of the anger. “Don’t you know how to do anything right? How dare you tell me you want to quit your job? Do you have any idea how much help that particular one has been to us?” She yelled at me, her shrill voice echoing through the hallways.

I stared at her as hot tears streamed down my cheeks. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything to her. Haven’t I done enough? I worked multiple jobs and have practically been providing for this family. After Nathan, my husband’s company suffered a major loss, I took it upon myself to help support the family. So far, I’m working six jobs and the stress is taking a toll on my mental health.

After quitting the sixth one prior to the doctor’s instructions, my mother-in-law assumes I’ve committed a big crime.

I’ve been married to my husband for three years and believe me when I say, I haven’t had a moment of peace since I stepped into this house. He had promised me the whole world and I ditched my family, ignoring their warnings and got married to him, but he practically turned me into his personal punching bag while his family rained several insults on me, blaming me for the collapse of their company’s fortunes.

Sometimes I wondered if the universe was punishing me for marrying him against my parents’ orders, but I still loved him, and I’m willing to bear it all, so I did the only thing I’ve gotten used to doing for the past three years.

“I’m sorry, mother.” I apologized, but she just scoffed and looked at me like I was some piece of shit.

“Sorry can’t solve this, Samantha. You better go back to that company and withdraw the resignation letter you submitted. Tell them you were senseless and have made a mistake, and take that job back. How can you be so heartless? You’re the reason we’re in this mess. Immediately my son married you, things fell apart. You have to suffer for your bad luck. Do not make me repeat myself!”

“Mother, please, I might break down anytime soon. I can still support the family with the remaining five jobs. I need to be alive to take care of the family, don’t I?” I asked her, hoping she would understand me.

“I don’t care about any of that. If you want to die, you can die now, and I would have no regrets whatsoever. I would be the happiest person at your funeral!” She snapped and I couldn’t believe my ears. This was the same woman who was sick in the hospital with no way of survival, and I had to donate my blood to her. How could she say this to me? She owe me her life!

“I don’t want to waste my time with you, Samantha. Get lost!” She pushed me away and wiped her hand with a napkin as if I were some kind of dirt.

I stood with tears in my eyes. I couldn’t bring myself to move from where I stood. She turned, and her eyes met with mine.

“Have you gone deaf? I said move! Beat it!” She shooed me with her hands and I wiped my tears.

Slowly, I turned and started walking away from her as I made my way to the living room. I felt like I was at my breaking point and seriously if things continued like this, I don’t know if I’d be able to bear it anymore.

I walked to the drawer and took out some pain relievers. My head and body were aching badly, and I needed rest. A goodnight sleep would do the trick.

I reached for the drawer, but someone slapped my hands away.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Lucas, Nathan’s junior brother asked.

“I want to get some pain reliefs. I’m feeling pains—”

“That’s none of my business!” He snapped at me. “Mum asked us to stop you from touching anything in this house. Apparently, your bad luck is beginning to rub off on everybody. Very soon, she is going to throw your dirty and stinky ass out of this house.” He mused, mockery dripping from his tone.

“I need to get the pain reliefs. Besides, I bought this drawer with my money! You can either shut the fuck or go work for your own money before having the guts to talk to me like that.” I argued back. He was one person I won’t allow to talk to me anyhow. He had stolen my money to gamble numerous times, and I’ve been quiet about it, but I won’t watch him disrespect me.

He rolled his eyes. “You are banned from touching it. I don’t care if it was your money, Samantha. Anyway, I have a big game tonight, and I need a thousand dollars from you.” He clicked his tongue and I scoffed.

“You aren’t getting a dime from me.” I answered and turned to leave.

“I knew you’d say no, so I helped myself with your credit card,”

I turned to face him, my fists tightened. He threw the credit card at me.

“It’s empty now. Make it quick and fill it with money. I need to get the latest sneakers by Friday.” He winked at me and walked away.

I sighed and picked the credit card from the floor. Another card empty! Just how am I going to survive with all these happening to me!

With a sigh, I turned to leave the living room but heard the sound of the door opening. When I turned, Nathan walked into the room and I rushed to welcome him with a smile on my face; a smile he didn’t return. I’ve gotten used to the frown he always had on his face whenever he looked at me, though.

“Welcome back, honey,” I reached to take his suitcase from him, but he pushed me away.

“Haven’t I warned you not to welcome me, touch me or touch my things?” He asked, and I sucked in a breath.

“I’m your wife, Nathan. It’s only proper that I welcome you.” I said but he scoffed. I sighed and lowered my head, and he walked in, but what I didn’t expect was a woman with him. He linked her hand with his and beamed at her. Whoa! I’d give anything for him to smile at me like that.

I took a closer look at the woman and realized she was a Sullivan; a wealthy and renowned family in New York and business companies under the Salvadors. I knew her too well. What could she be doing here? Did she have a business offer for Nathan? If that was it, then it would be good because the Salvadors could step in as well.

My eyes lit up with smiles and I went to join them on the couch. I was quite uncomfortable with how clingy she was with Nathan, but I said no words to avoid him getting mad at me.

“Sam,” Nathan called, and my heart skipped a bit. I couldn’t recall the last time he called me this way, and in such a gentle manner either. I gave him a small smile. “I’d like to introduce you to Bianca, my girlfriend.”

I blinked.

“Pardon?” I asked because there was no way I heard him correctly. Girlfriend? Is he for real?

“You aren’t deaf, so you can clearly hear me, but I’ll repeat myself so it will stick in your head. Bianca Sullivan is my girlfriend.” He intertwined their fingers and my head sparked.

“Girlfriend? You’ve got to be kidding me!” I snapped at him. This was unbelievable. There’s no way she’s his girlfriend.

“I’m not kidding. She is beautiful, rich, and elegant, totally the kind of woman I want for myself. So, I want you to go into your room, pack your things and get out of my house.”

“What? Why?” I asked.

He brought out a file and slammed it on the desk in the room.

“I’m divorcing you!” He announced, and my eyes widened.

What!