The day of Clitton grandpa's birthday cake, of course it was going to be a grand day with lots of influential people paying homage. Lydia was invited to the party,she didn't want to attend but grandpa loves her dearly and it will hurt him if she doesn't so she will be going but as a new person entirely, she won't be the poor wretched looking Lydia everybody knew. She decided she is not going to hide her identity anymore; she planned on looking big and shocking her haters.
The party was to start by 12 noon, By the time she looked at the clock, it was 11 already.
"Oops, I have to get ready or I'll be late, " Lydia said, rushing to the bathroom for a quick shower.
After she was done, she cleaned her body, applied her lotion, and started getting dressed up.
She dressed up in a beautiful long stylish red gown that revealed her beautiful shape. She styled her long black hair like that of a princess, her heels were black and had shiny ornaments on it, she wore a light beautiful makeup ,wore her earrings and necklace,then she sprayed her sweet smelling expensive perfume.
Ohh my gosh!
She was looking expensively gorgeous already. Then she picked up her beautiful black bag.
And yes, she was good to go, she looked at herself and smiled lavishly.
Lydia left her room as she stepped down stairs, her mom sighted her and complimented,
" ohh my darling, you look so beautiful,"Mrs. Zander said with a warm smile.
"Thanks mom"Lydia hugged her mum.
" I have to be on my way now mom or I'll be late"
"Ok my dear, Take care of yourself, Byee."Her mum waved at her.
As she was about entering her car,the guards stopped her
"No ma'am, we're gonna take you there, I'll drive" said one of the guard
She smiled,
"ohh no ,y'all shouldn't bother, I'll do that myself"
"No ma'am,we were instructed by Mr Zander to go with you."
When she heard that,she had no other option than to allow it, So two guards followed her.
After about 45 mins of the drive,they were in front of the Benjamin's Mansion.
Kelly immediately noticed the Big jeep that just stopped in front of the Compound and was eager to know who was in it. So she went so close to the window,so she could have a better view.
One of Lydia's bodyguards came down from the car and went straight to open the back door for Lydia, Lydia came down wearing a smile on her face.
"Oh my God!"Kelly blurted out.
She couldn't believe her eyes. Is this Lydia or was her eyes seeing another person?
"No, this can't be true, probably she must have gone to borrow clothes and rent that car."
Many thoughts kept coming into Kelly's mind.She was still in shock with her mouth half opened when one of the female servants touched her.
"Ma, Mr Clitton asks to see you" The servant said.
"Okay, I'll be with him shortly, you can go."
The servant bowed and left.
Kelly left to answer Clitton. Immediately she got into the room and told Clitton what she just saw.
"Clitton, Lydia is here" she said almost immediately.
"So?" Clinton asked,u bothered.
"Well,She came in a different person this time if you must know."
Clitton looked at her in a confusing manner
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that Lydia came in here with an Expensive car and two bodyguards,and she is looking so Gorgeous." Kelly explained.
Clitton laughed so hard that he dropped his phone.
"Could that be some jokes or what"
Kelly looked at Clitton almost getting annoyed with his behavior, she hissed ,"Then come see for yourself "she said and left the room angrily.
"Could this be true?" Clitton muttered to himself.
"Well,I won't believe it till I get to see her myself."
Clitton quickly dressed up and walked like a gentleman to the hall.
Everywhere was almost filled up and the party had begun,music and dances here and there. There was laughter and gists ,everyone was merryingly.
The door opened revealing a lady in red, She walked in majestically with two bodyguards screaming wealth. The bodyguards were dressed in black suits and they both wore black eyeglass to match.The lady was so beautiful that everything paused as soon as she entered;Music,dancing,chit-chat , everyone stopped what they were doing to behold this gorgeous lady. Men were drooling,Women were jealous,what a beautiful sight to behold.
"Oops!,I'm sorry that I'm late" Lydia apologized to no one in particular. All eyes were on me which made me uneasy but whatever I got this.
She took a drink from the waiter. "Thank you"I said to the waiter ,She sighted Clinton looking uncomfortable, Lydia smiled and walked up to him.
"No, this is not true," Clinton said in disbelief. Lydia was looking so beautiful.
"Could this be the Lydia I know,My ex-wife ?,no this is not true."
"Hey, Mr Clitton , it's nice to meet you again."She smiled , twirling my hair with her fingers.
Clitton was so speechless that he couldn't utter a word,he stared at me like I was a ghost.
"Mr Clitton,can you hear me?" She waved her hands in front of his eyes to bring him back.
"Hi," He managed to say with confusion written all over his face. Then he burst into laughter immediately, She was lost.
What's funny?,why is he laughing?
"So who have you gone to borrow clothes and a car from this time?" He asked, and She joined him in laughter.
"Well,I am not that shameless to borrow a cloth or car just to come for a birthday party."
As they were talking, Lydia noticed Kelly looking at us with jealousy and disdain.
"This bitch is here again to take my man" Kelly thought "But I won't let it happen, Never!" She walked up to them.
"So you're here again as a different person to have my man right?Aren't you shameless?" Kelly attacked her as soon as she came.
Lydia gave her a stern look
"Hey, miss Kelly or what are you called ,mind the way you speak or I'll…"
"Or you will what?"Kelly said, interrupting her.
"Speaking of man,you mean this?" Lydia rolled her eyes at Clinton.
"At Least he is mine"Kelly defended and she smiled.
"Sure,the leftovers are given to the less privileged,so I understand. You can have him,he is my leftover " Lydia said and left.
Kelly gave Clitton an annoying look and walked away too.
Clitton was so dumbfounded. They had planned to embarrass Lydia .But with the way things are going,their plans won't work out.
He summoned courage and walked into the party and sat on his VIP chair.
After some dancing and merriments,it was time for grandpa to cut his cake. So he came up to cut his cake,just as he was about to cut his cake,he called for me saying Lydia should cut the cake with him. She dropped the glass of champagne she was drinking and came up to where grandpa was.
Grandpa, Mr.Benjamin,and his wife were all confused when they saw her, it's written all over their faces. Lydia was enjoying the moment.
"Is this Lydia?" Mr.Benjamin whispered to his wife's ears.
Grandpa smiled so happily ,he hugged Lydia which she wasn't expecting "I have missed you my daughter." He said.
" Let's go ahead with the cutting of the cake,"someone from the audience shouted.
"Yes,the cake"Grandpa let go of her and placed her right hand on his, Lydia held his hand, and together they both cut the cake happily.
"Happy birthday grandpa"
"Thank you my dear daughter"
There were shouts of joy and happiness plus merriments everywhere, but the household of The Benjamin's except grandpa were all still in shock.
Clinton stared at his phone, hands trembling slightly. The walls around him suddenly felt suffocating.He had seen that pain in her eyes too many times—brushed it off like it was nothing, ignored it like background noise.He grabbed the phone, thumbs flying over the keys, words pouring out like a confession he could no longer bury: “Lydia… I don’t deserve to ask how you’re doing. But I saw you yesterday. And I realized—I never knew the woman I married. Not really. You were always powerful. Brave. Beautiful… in ways I was too blind to see."A pause. He deleted, and rewrote, his pulse hammering. "I was cruel. I define you when you were always priceless. I don’t expect forgiveness. But wherever you’re going, whatever storm you’re walking into—remember this: I was a fool to let you go, and I'm sorry for everything.” His thumb hovered over SEND. One tap. It didn’t undo three years of silence.It didn’t erase the bruise on her heart or the ache in her soul.It wouldn’t undo the dam
The sun blazed high above the pristine golf course—lush green stretching endlessly, surrounded by whispering trees swaying gently in the wind. Mr. Zander adjusted his stance, lining up for the final putt. He exhaled and tapped the ball. It rolled clean, sinking into the hole.Before he could smirk, his PA, Mark, hurried toward him.“Sir, it’s urgent.” He extended the phone, his hands trembling slightly.Zander collected the phone with a frown. “Yes?”“WHAT?! Lydia was arrested?!” He yelled, Nearby golfers turned.Zander’s club clattered to the ground.“Get the car. Now.”AT THE POLICE STATIONThe station buzzed…telephones ringing, officers pacing in boots, murmurs of unresolved cases filled the air. Due to her status, Lydia was kept in a locked office room instead of a cell. The air was stuffy, dim. One bulb flickered above. Her hands were clenched into fists.The door burst open, Mr. Zander stormed in like a cyclone.“Dad,” she rose quickly.Before another word escaped her lips, he
TWO DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING Kelly opened the iron bacade, humming softly.La la la mm mm.In the dark small room, Susan harry was lying on the filthy puddle soaked floor. Her face was bruised, her lips cracked. Her once-glossy hair was matted with dirt and dried blood.Kelly’s shadow fell over her.“Hey, sunshine,” she said, her voice laced with faux sympathy. She gave Susan a kick, not too hard, but just enough.Susan groaned and weakly lifted her head.Kelly crouched beside her, smiling. “Good news. You’re getting out today.”Tears welled in Susan’s eyes. “A-are you serious?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper.Kelly’s grin widened. “Of course. But only if you do something for me.”Susan recoiled instinctively. Her instincts screamed danger.Kelly stood, crossed her arms. “You’ll go to Ben’s company and tell everyone that Lydia kidnapped and tortured you.”Susan’s eyes widened in horror. “No. No, I can’t. That’s a lie. It’ll ruin her!”“Oh boohoo,” Kelly sneered, pacing slowly.
"Warning: This chapter contains graphic and disturbing content, including kidnapping, physical assault, and beating. These scenes may be triggering for survivors of trauma, abuse, or violence. ***The next morning, Lydia had just had breakfast Lydia sipped the last of her coffee, flipping through the financial reports on her tablet. A sense of unease settled in her gut—today was important. Something about it felt... off. when she got a call from Ben's company. Today is the day they would select the new CEO. Something felt wrong.Then her phone buzzed.She picked it up, she frown when she saw a message from Clinton.Lydia clicked on the notification, and her blood ran cold.Two pictures appeared on her screen. Pictures of Ryan hugging her. The angles were intimate, misleading. Her hands trembled as she scrolled down to the message beneath the images:“Make me CEO, or I will expose this to the board. The world will believe you’re secretly dating Ryan—cheating with a married man. The
Two days later, Lydia sat in the back seat of a sleek black car, her fingers toying with the silver ring on her middle finger. The date with Mikhail was happening, despite her father’s disapproving frown when she was leaving the house.When she arrived, Mikhail was already waiting, lounging back in his chair at the rooftop restaurant. A lazy smirk played on his lips as he gestured for her to sit."Finally," he said . "I was beginning to think you'd stood me up."Lydia rolled her eyes but took her seat. Mikhail poured her a drink. "Let’s skip the pretense. What do you really want?" she asked.His smirk widened. "To keep Clinton’s secrets. If you marry me, that is."Lydia’s stomach twisted. "And how do you know he’s behind all this and the kidnapping, attempted murder?” Mikhail raised his hands in mock surrender. "I don’t have to be sure," he said, laughing. "I just need to drop the files at the police station. They’ll find out on their own."His laughter was light, playful but there
Lydia's heart raced as the man lowered his tainted window. “Get in,” he said to her.Lydia hesitated, She glanced over her shoulder. Behind her, inside The Verona restaurant, Clinton was on his seat staring at the door she had just exited.“Why should I?” Lydia asked, adjusting her purse strap.The man chuckled. “Still as sharp-tongued as ever.” His fingers drummed lazily against the steering wheel. “Come on, Lydia. You and I both know you’re not walking away from this.”Her jaw tightened.He was right.Taking a breath, she entered the car.The car moved smoothly, and Lydia finally spoke. “I assume you didn’t show up here just for small talk, Mikhail.”Mikhail Ivanov. He is a Russian businessman. He is ruthless and powerful.“And I assume you already know why I’m here.” He smirked.Lydia’s fingers curled against her lap.“Your name is causing quite the commotion,” he continued. “First, you shake up your father’s empire. Now, you disrupt the board meeting of one of the most influentia