Five

Alicia's POV

The next day, I moved out of Nathan's home, and out of Lancaster's empire forever. I had some money saved up from the jobs I did before I got married to Nathan and I used some of that money to rent an Airbnb before I started the search for an apartment and a job. After getting married to Nathan, I wasn't allowed to have a job because women in the Lancaster family don't work but we get a black card from the family to pay for all our clothing, trips, and other expensive luxuries of life. 

While I was living the simple life, the other female in the Lancaster's house lived an extravagant life that was splashed all over social media making other people drool and wish for their life. 

Since I never got to use the black card, I dropped it in my room before I left Nathan's home. I was going to survive on a savings of less than ten thousand dollars. First off, I needed a job. Going out to search for a job might not pose a problem because my marriage to Lancaster wasn't public and for the first time, I was happy about something concerning that marriage. 

Two days after moving out, I realized getting a good-paying job might not be the walk in the park as I'd thought. I was moving from one company to another, hoping for a job but they kept turning me down. I have a degree in architecture, which explains my love for perfectly planned spaces but I never got to practice before I asked to get married to a spoilt brat. 

I was sitting at a park shed, waiting for my bus to arrive when I got a message from Francis, my lawyer. The Lancaster's lawyer and Nathan were at his office, they wanted to finalize the divorce process and they wanted me there.

Quickly, I changed my route and headed to my lawyer's office. How was I able to afford a lawyer? He was someone I met while attending one of the ever-boring Lancaster family events. We clicked over the boredom and nonstop display of wealth that annoyed the crap out of us and he gave me his card after the end of the night and asked me to call him whenever I needed help. 

He was not charging me a dime for the entire divorce process. 

By the time I got to his office, they were all seated, waiting for me. 

"Sorry I'm late," I quickly apologized and took a seat. Nathan was sitting there, his eyes on everything else other than me, his lawyer had a smile on his face when once our eyes met. 

Francis laughed a little. "I'm even surprised you could make it here this soon. Sorry about the impromptu meeting, I should've informed you yesterday but it just skipped my mind, don't know why" 

I smiled at him. "That's okay, no offense taken" Not gonna lie about how handsome Francis is. He talks a lot but his good looks make you forget about that in a minute. 

He smiled back. 

"So, gentlemen, let's get to the order of the day," 

Nathan's lawyer took over from Francis. "Thank you, Francis. We have some terms here for the divorce. If I may, can I proceed?" 

"Yes," Francis and I chorused. 

"Good. Firstly, Mr. Lancaster wants to pay you a total of five hundred thousand dollars as a settlement for the divorce," 

"I don't want his money," I replied firmly. I don't have any interest in Nathan's money. I didn't ask for a divorce to get some part of his money, I needed the divorce for my freedom.

"What?" His lawyer asked in disbelief. 

"I don't want his money," I repeated, hoping my words become clear this time around.

"Will you be willing to sign a document that states you rejected the money willingly?" 

"Sure, why not?" I looked at Francis and when he didn't oppose, I nodded. 

"Great!," 

"Secondly, we would also ask you to refrain from granting any interviews concerning the marriage now or in the nearest future," 

"I can grant interviews on other matters, right?" 

"Of course, you can," 

"I'm good with it," 

"Perfect. Lastly, you can't contact anyone from the Lancaster family from now on,"

A tiny bit of smile played on my lips. I didn't have any relationship with anyone of them so why would I be bothered to reach out to them? 

"Can I add a clause to that?" I asked

"It depends on what it is but please, go ahead and let me know what you'll wish to add to it," 

"I won't contact them and they won't contact me either from now on," 

Nathan's lawyer and he shared a look and I saw him nodding from my peripheral vision. He still wasn't looking at me. 

"That's not a problem. We'll be glad to add that clause to it," 

I nodded. 

"Based on protocols we follow in my organization, I want to ask you the same question I asked my client, Miss Alicia. If there's any doubt about this divorce before I submit these papers to the court, please tell me. Are you sure you want to get divorced?" 

For the first time that day, I watched as Nathan's eyes dropped to me. I quickly looked away and focused on my finger. 

There was nothing special about it, I was just trying to find a distraction.

"Miss Alicia?" The lawyer called, pulling me away from my distraction.

"Yes. I'm sure," I finally replied.

That was it. It was over and I was free from the shackles of the marriage. I was done being with someone that suffocates me every minute. 

Nathan was the first to walk out of the office and I was so tempted to yell the word 'good riddance' but I stopped myself. I had already disappointed Grandma Mary by getting a divorce, I can't go further by acting like a thug. 

"Congratulations Alicia," Francis congratulated me as soon as Nathan's lawyer walked out. "You're free from those ridiculous family parties now," 

I laughed. I managed to laugh after such a long time.

"It's good to see you smiling again,"

"Thank you," 

"So, what's next, now?" 

"Getting my life back on track. It's about time I get to be me,"