CHAPTER 0001

CHAPTER 1

Atlanta, Georgia

Stella

“I don't think you should take that," Scario's secretary said, rushing to pick up the call even forgetting that I was his wife.

How would I even go against that if he had probably asked her to do that? She spoke to the caller and asked me to hand her a pen which I did as if I wasn't in my husband's office.

The call ended, and she walked out, leaving me alone. My eyes wandered around the files until they fell on an unfamiliar one. I've been in that office several times so I knew everything on the table.

I slowly pulled the file closer.

OFFSHORE TRANSFER REPORT — SAVANNAH PORT AUTHORITY

My brows furrowed slightly. Ford Enterprises had hundreds of files, but something about this one felt strange. Maybe it was because the folder looked newer than the others. Or maybe because of the name written beneath the title.

Jeffry West.

My father's name.

Before I could even process it properly, someone walked in. I didn't even have to look up or ask who it was. The way the heels clicked against the tiles could tell that it was my mother-in-law.

“You really are trying your best huh?" she said, coming to stand in front of me.

“I’m just trying to help," I answered in a low but firm tone.

“Look, I don't know if you're being ignorant or just desperate, okay. Nobody wants you here. If I were you I'd pack what's left of me and leave. You're going to suck my son dry and I don't want that you—"

"Mom!” The door opened and Scario almost walked in but stopped when he noticed me inside.

"Hey, sweetie. How was the meeting?” his Mom replied with a wide smile on her face as if she wasn't being a witch earlier.

“It went well. Can we go to the boardroom?” Scario asked his Mom.

"What? No, this office is yours. If there's anyone that should leave, then it's definitely not us, right, Stella?" His Mom turned to me.

What was I even supposed to say? It's not like I owned anything anyway. I stood up and pushed the chair inside the desk before heading out.

"Please don't break anything out there,” Selma said while her son just walked into the office as if I wasn't supposed to be his wife.

It's not like that was new. I've been going through this humiliation since that day. I wish I had not taken the risk. If I had stayed away and let them do everything, my life would probably be different.

I was about to make my way to the lift when I ran into Logan. He was my husband's annoying cousin. I never entertained his drama, so I tried to avoid running into him, but he blocked my way instead.

“Hey, beautiful," he greeted, but I just looked up with a serious face.

“Logan what do you want?" I asked.

“Nothing. I just thought of greeting my cousin's beautiful wife. You're just the bravest woman around here you know. If it wasn't for—"

“Please excuse me," I cut him off and then walked past him into the lift.

I was about to close it but he rushed in. I stood there quietly, hoping he wouldn't make a noise, but silence was just not a part of him.

“I wanted you to get me something from Scario's office," Logan said but I just stood there quietly.

“Why can't you do it yourself?" I responded.

"I've a few errands to run and you're his wife though he doesn't—”

Before he could complete the sentence the lift opened and I walked out without looking back. I just knew the truth already. It's like everyone here finds peace in reminding me.

My phone vibrated and I quickly picked up my mom's call. I could tell that she was recovering in a lot of pain. We spoke for a few minutes and I then got back to taking my coffee.

It was about to be late, so I made my way outside, hoping Scario would ask his chauffeur to take me home, but he just passed me like that.

I was so invisible to my own husband that nothing I would do pleased him. I was about to head to the taxi rank when his best friend offered to take me home.

ppp

I wasn't that used to him so just sat quietly with different thoughts going through my head. If anything, I just wish all this were a dream.

It didn't take us long to get to our place. I thanked Blake Moon and then almost made my way to the lift when someone grabbed my arm at the entrance.

“Since when did you start riding in my friend's car?" Scario asked in a serious tone.

“Since you started leaving me stranded at the office," I responded before asking him to free my arm.

“You don't have the right over what I get to do with you, Stella. You know why you got into this right? So behave before I make the call," he said, knowing that would make me shrink, and as always, it did.

“Get the hell out of my face!" he said and I just walked away.

Each step echoed how much I wished things had been different. I didn't want this. I never did.

I opened our door and walked into the living room. Neat and peaceful it seemed until Scario walked in behind me.

I didn't even have to wait for him to say anything. I knew what to do. So I placed my handbag on the couch and made my way to the kitchen. I got everything I needed to prepare dinner and then began cooking.

I finished a little early, so I went to take a shower and then headed downstairs, hoping Scario would be in the living room or something, but he was gone.

I went to the pool but he wasn't even there. I looked at my phone, thinking of calling him, but he wouldn't take my call.

An empty house and marriage. That's all I'd had and would probably never escape if fate didn't finally decide to rewrite my story.

A knock sounded on the door, and I rushed to see who it was when I got pushed away by Selma, who walked in looking for her son.

“He's not here," I said after she called him about four times.

“Where the hell is my son you low life?" She looked at me.

Before I could answer, my phone vibrated inside my hand.

Unknown Number.

My heartbeat slowed for a second before I opened the message.

Stay away from Scario Ford’s office if you want your mother alive.