Chapter 2

Lisa's POV

"Thank goodness, I got rid of it."

What? Did I hear him properly? I must have heard wrongly, right?

"What did you mean?" I roared, my voice surprisingly steady as I stepped further into the room.

"I got rid of the baby," he repeated, this time louder, more casual as if he got rid of a waste. "I can't have you milk me dry for child support when we are divorced. So I added the abortion pills in your coffee. And for your information..... I have been feeding you birth control pills all this while but just once that I forgot to, you got pregnant."

My body grew weak and the bag finally slid off my shoulders, hitting the floor with a loud thud. My legs gave out beneath me and I stumbled backward and hit the floor sharply, hot tears streamed down my cheeks.

Every morning, he'd prepare my favourite beans coffee for me and I'd gladly take it without questioning. So he's been adding birth control pills? And then abortion pills?

I trusted this bastard. And he ruined me.

My heart twisted with pain making it difficult to breathe. I hit my chest hard with my clenched fists.

He crouched low to my level, tilting my jaw up to meet his meniac smirk. "Sign the divorce papers, Lisa," he cooed.

Selena just laughed like she was having the best fun of her life. "Sign it, so that Bryan and I can start up a family."

Fury rose inside me. I didn't realise when my hands flew to his face. The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the room. "You bastard." His head snapped to the side.

He faced me, gritting his teeth. "You bitch." He raised his hand wanting to slap me but Selena quickly rushed forward to grab it.

"Don't hit her, Bryan. Just get her to sign it." She glared at me disgustingly, handing the papers to me. "Sign it, Lisa. You can't be any more shameless, can you?"

Bryan stood up and threw his fists to the wall, roaring.

I snatched the papers and pen from her. "Of course." I scrambled my signature on the papers, legally cutting ties with the man I have known and supported for four years. I threw it back at her. "You both will hear from my lawyers, because I promise to sue you for killing my child," I said, my voice hard like steel.

"Sure, sure. But where is your evidence." She purred and I realized I had none but I won't let this go. I will destroy them.

I nodded. "I don't need to have one. My medical records are enough," I defended, even though I knew it wasn't. "Now, get out of my house."

Bryan laughed—the sound, sharp and mocking like he has been waiting for this moment. "Are you really serious, Lisa?" He asked trying to subdue his laughter. "Have you forgotten that this house is now in my name. Now get out." He gestured towards the door.

I squeezed my eyes closed as the realisation hit me. After I finished paying off the mortgage three months ago, this bastard manipulated me to change the ownership to his. I had done it willingly just to prove to him that whatever belongs to me was also his. So he had everything all planned out, huh?

I didn't say anything more. I tried to force myself up, wiped off my tears which were already dried and walked over to the closet and started packing.

Minutes later, I was done and I made my way out of the room. "Bye, ex-wife."

______

"Insufficient funds, ma'am," the receptionist at Emerald Suites said with a strained smile. I had no place else to turn, and this hotel had been my last hope for a few nights of peace.

Insufficient funds? That can never be. I have more than a hundred thousand dollars on this card.

I forced a smile, my heart pounding. "Can you please try again. I'm sure it's a network glitch."

She swiped the card on the POS machine again. "Still the same ma'am," she said in a dismissive tone. "I suggest you contact your bank."

"Thank you." I took the card from her, still confused.

Quickly, I retrieved my phone and logged into my bank app. My eyes widened at the account balance. There was nothing in it. Not even a penny.

Bryan! He must have cleared it out. He is also a signatory since it's a joint account.

Tears welled up in my eyes again as I thought of how stupid I have been. That money was mine, saved from several years of hardwork and dedication, now that is also gone?

Crying was useless, so I composed myself and walked out of the hotel. Finally, I lodged into a local hotel across the street with the few dollars I had in my personal account.

Settling inside the small, less furnished but neat room, I let out a frustrated sigh. I sat on the edge of the bed, reminiscing on how my life has taken a drastic turn. I laid on my back wondering how Bryan had managed to fool me for years while acting as the perfect and loving husband.

Selena. She was my best friend since college and yet I didn't see any of her hatred and jealousy for me.

"I'm a fool," I muttered to myself, wishing that I could go back to the past and correct my mistakes. Next time, I won't trust so much. I won't love so much. I won't give so much. "I'm a big fool," I muttered continuously until I drifted off to sleep.

________

Two weeks later.

"I overheard Mr. Cassian talking over the phone to the CEO that the company needed restructuring," Anna whispered to me, leaning closer.

My heart skipped a beat. "Restructuring? How? Why?" The words slipped out of my mouth in seconds.

She glanced around nervously, her voice dropping even lower. "Since the company is going through a hard time, they would be laying off some staff, especially those that don't have children yet."

"What?" I screamed, my hand flying to my mouth to stop the sound but it was already too late as heads turned in our direction. I forced a smile, bowing slightly to apologise.

"Yes.... Lisa dear," she said, her expression shifting into pity. "And I'm afraid, you might be included given that you and Mr. Graham isn't on good terms.

I forced a smile. I didn't reply because I'm afraid too. In fact, I'd be the first to be laid off as this was another opportunity for Mr. Graham to prove to me that he was way above me.

Mr. Graham had been on my neck for a relationship for several years now even though we were both married. It was so bad that I had reported him to the higher authorities once. He was reprimanded and since then we've been sworn enemies. He threatened to make my life miserable.

I couldn't concentrate on work for the rest of the day. This job was my only hope after everything that had happened. The payment of the hotel where I was still staying was almost due and yet I have less than fifty dollars to my name.

My life is going down the drain.

I unlocked the door and walk inside, my body heavy with exhaustion from doing nothing. I kicked off my shoes, threw away my bag and laid on the bed.

Tears stung my eyes again but I quickly forced it back. I have promised myself not to cry and look for a solution and ways to get back to those gold digging bastards.

If only i was still pregnant then I would be safe.

Oh.... God. My heart broke as I remembered my baby again.

I stood up, slowly pulling my clothes, underwear and wrapping a towel around my body. I stepped into the bathroom and an Idea dropped into my mind.

What if I get pregnant again?