Chapter 4

Briar’s POV

As the rain thundered against the window, my chest tightened and tears flowed nonstop. It’s been two months of darkness in my life. My little one grows inside me healthily, but I worry that my sadness might deprive the child of a full life. How can I be happy when everything around me is crumbling?

Isadora has turned herself into a blood-sucking monster always looking to make me the bad guy. And Adrian is readily available to rebuke me on her behalf. He doesn’t even spare a moment of reasoning. To be sure the lies told against me were true. I have started living in the house like a guest and she is the lady of the house. I still don’t know why she still lives with us.

As each day passes, I detest Adrian for hurting me this much. For making me a shadow of myself and ridiculing me in front of his ex-lover whom he insists is just his friend. I wanted to revisit his notion of me. It made no sense that he didn’t have any affection towards me and only saw me as a breeding cow.

But after being shoved aside a couple of times after the first encounter in the kitchen just to get to Isadora, it truly dawned on me that he meant it when he called me just a carriage for his children. He doesn’t care about what becomes of me or my emotions. I feel stupid for ever thinking that something might change. I should have run the day he said it to my face that he didn’t see me as his wife.

She now attends events that Adrian and I get invited to with us. And as always, she steals the spotlight. From her dress to her makeup and the eagerness to be in everyone’s face. Despite her obvious actions, Adrian doesn’t seem to be affected by any of it. He has grown colder and more distant from me. At least he was nicer during our first few months of marriage. I mean nothing to him now.

It is why I have decided to put an end to everything. I am still too young to live my life pining for a love that might never come. No child deserves to live in such a hellhole. Being married to him has allowed me to have bulk savings. I wouldn’t need his assistance if he threatens to stop the financial help.

I stared down at the file in my hand. I had asked my mum’s lawyer who is thankfully a friend of the family to help draft a divorce paper. As much as it hurts to let go of the man that I have loved since my teenage years, I cannot risk giving my future away to such uncertainty.

Inhaling deeply, I picked up my phone and dialed my mother. Biting down on my lower lip anxiously, I wasn’t sure if she would answer. She is usually at a casino or doing something embarrassing at this time of the night. But I really hope she will respond.

She eventually learned about Isadora, however, mum did little to nothing to soften the blow. Instead, she claimed I was the lucky one to be married to him, it doesn’t matter what game Isadora plays. However, I know what the truth is. Since I have made up my mind, I only thought it would be right to carry my mother along.

“Briar, you had better have a good reason for calling at this time.” Mum's voice came alive on the other end. The background had some noise that didn’t sound like the heavy rain. She is probably at some house party hosted by the socialite ladies who are bored with their lives and would do anything to break free.

I took in a deep breath, letting out the words. “I am leaving Adrian.”

“What? Speak up, I can’t hear you.” She hollered.

“I am divorcing, Adrian!” I blurted.

There was a slight pause on her end. Then I heard a bit of movement, she seemed to have left the noisy space. “Please tell me I heard you wrongly, Briar.”

“You heard me right, mum. I want out of this doomed marriage. I can’t keep living like this.”

“Are you dumb, Briar? You are going to divorce someone like Adrian when you are pregnant? Where would you go? What is your plan?”

I sniffled, “I will sort myself, mum. I just needed to tell you.”

“Are you really going to walk away because of a lady who is probably just a fling to him?”

“It is not about that, mum! It is about being loved and respected. Adrian doesn’t love me.”

She cackled dryly, “I can’t believe you are this dumb. How am I so unlucky? What is love when it is not provisional? Are you stupid, child? Do you know what I went through to get you married to Adrian Sterling? Because of some flimsy emotion, you are going to throw it all away? Listen carefully, if you know what is good for you, you will drop that divorce idea and never bring it up again. Dare to leave him and I will skin you alive myself. Get off my line, you ungrateful child.”

Just like that she ended the call, leaving me to my thoughts. Thunder struck again, making my heart jump. I wiped off the tears and left the room with more determination. Her objection only fuels my rage.

I didn’t bother to knock on the door of the study before letting myself in. As expected, Adrian had his head buried in work.

He raised his head slowly, his expression blank and unwelcoming. “What are you doing here? Do you need anything?”

Without saying a word, I pushed the envelope towards him. He reached for it after glancing briefly at me. For a split second, I thought I saw a flash of emotion in his eyes. But they soon returned to their stoic state. As always, nothing I do seems to shake him.

He flung the envelope and it landed right at my feet. “I can’t grant you a divorce. We have to be married for five years for that to happen.”

“That’s all? You are not going to ask me why I am asking for a divorce?” I find myself asking.

Adrian held my gaze and scoffed. “Why would I? It is obvious you are just seeking attention and I don’t have that to give.”

My heart sank at his unbothered attitude. “Why? Why can’t we be divorced? You already showed me too many times that I don’t matter as a wife. So why are you holding onto me?” I inquired, feeling helpless.

“I am not holding onto you, okay. But I have worked too hard to let my inheritance slip right out of my fingers. I have to be married for half a decade to be considered worthy of such an empire.”

“What?” I exclaimed, stunned by the response. It felt like a knife that plunged right into my chest. “So I am just supposed to stay still while you gallivant around the house and town with Isadora all because you want your inheritance? If this was it all along, why didn’t you just marry her instead?”

Adrian snarled, “Watch your mouth! I don’t know where you are getting ideas from. Your mother knew the terms involved in this marriage before she signed it. Whatever I choose to do is my business!”

“How can you be so cruel?” I stomped my feet. “You can’t do this to me. Let me go, Adrian. I can’t continue like this.” I begged.

“If you are willing to pay a hundred million dollars in compensation, you can get the divorce you seek.” He uttered, not mincing words.

My heart skipped a beat. “A hundred million?”

“You heard me. If you have nothing else to say, leave.”

I clenched my fist, breathing heavily as I stared intently at him. Choosing to leave before I do something regretful. I snatched the envelope from the floor and stormed out of the study. If he thinks I am going to stay put because of that ridiculous sum. He has got another thing coming.

I will leave this house and save my child from this terrible life even if it is the last thing I do alive.