Chapter 5

Ahtisa’s Pov

"No...please...Do... don't kill me." I yelled, jolting awake.

A bead of sweat slid down my forehead.

It was the same night from my death.

I turned to look at the other side of the bed. The sheets were cold, untouched, like no one had been there through the night. I stared at the ceiling for a moment, letting the silence settle into my bones.

"Of course. Some things never change."

In my past life, I would have checked the time first. Then my phone, hoping he had messaged with an explanation or an apology.

And when none came, I would have created one for him.

"He must be too busy with work, that's why he must have forgotten our anniversary today."

I let out a small laugh.

“…not anymore.”

I swung my legs off the bed and stood up. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror across the room. Pale. Composed. Quiet.

But there was something else now....A desire for revenge.

“Where is Adrian?” I asked as I stepped into the dining area.

Mrs. Dorothy hesitated before answering. “He… didn't return early, ma’am.”

“Did he say where he was going?”

“No, ma’am.”

My fingers tightened slightly against the table before I released them.

Today was the reading of my father’s will.

In my past life, I had walked into that room with nothing but grief and love in my heart. I hadn’t questioned anything. I hadn’t protected anything.

I had handed everything over to him as an anniversary gift.

A slow breath left my lips. “Prepare the car.”

The building stood tall and quiet, its glass exterior reflecting the morning sun. I stepped out of the car, smoothing my dress unconsciously.

My father’s name was boldly placed at the entrance.

Jehanna Holdings.

For a moment, I felt the hurt swanning all over me again.

He had begged me to stay. Not to marry Adrian so I could take over his legacy but, I had walked away.

For love.

How foolish.

I stepped inside.

The conference room door was slightly open.

Voices filtered through. I pushed it open.

Adrian stood by the table, perfectly dressed, composed as always. His hand rested casually in his pocket, like he was meant to be in the room.

Beside him was no other than Isabella, arms intertwined into his.

My gaze darkened slightly. "What were they doing here?"

Interesting.

At the head of the table sat Mr. Halden, my father’s lawyer. His brows furrowed the moment he saw me.

“…Miss Jehanna, I thought you were unwell.” he said, surprised.

Adrian turned.

His expression shifted for a fraction of a second before smoothing out.

“Ahtisa, you’re here.”

“I should be. It concerns me, doesn’t it?”

His jaw tightened slightly.

Isabella smiled. “ You're right on time. We were just about to begin.”

"We? Who are you?" I asked and her face turned pale.

“Oh, I remember you. You were the girl who begged outside our gate,” I continued casually, “It’s nice to see your situation has improved.”

“Ahtisa...” Adrian’s voice turned sharp.

I ignored him keeping my eyes fixed on her.

“Although, you still seem to have a habit of clinging to things that don’t belong to you.”

Adrian’s voice broke the silence.

“I invited Isabella,” he said casually. “She’s… assisting me with some matters.”

“Is she?” I asked, tilting my head slightly.

“I just thought I should be here to support after everything you and Adrian had done for me. I didn't mean to offend you." She bit her bottom lip, eyes pitiful like I was the villain.

Adrian stepped forward slightly. “Let’s not make this into something unnecessary.”

“Of course.”

“Shall we begin?” Mr. Halden asked, clearing his throat around the awkwardness.

I took my seat. Adrian sat beside me.

I could feel the heat of his body, the familiarity of it. In my past life, it would have comforted me but now, it felt suffocating.

Mr. Halden opened the file.

“As stated in the final will of Mr. Jehanna…”

His voice droned on, formal, steady. But I already knew what he would say.

Properties. Shares. Accounts. Everything my father had built.

“…all assets are to be transferred to his sole heir, Mrs. Ahtisa Jehanna.”

Silence followed.

Adrian exhaled softly beside me. I didn’t need to look at him to know that expression.

He was relieved.

“Ahtisa,” he said gently, placing his hand over mine.

I stilled at his touch. That same touch that had once controlled me.

“You don’t have to worry about anything. I’ll handle everything. Just like always.”

My fingers slowly slipped out from under his. “I’m sure you will,”

Mr. Halden adjusted his glasses. “There are documents here that require your signature to finalize your recognition as the sole owner and also the transfer just like you requested.”

He slid the papers toward me.

I stared at them.

In my past life, I hadn’t even read them. I had signed everything without hesitation or doubt.

All because I trusted Adrian. All because I loved him and thought we were one.

My lips curved faintly. How stupid was I?

“Ahtisa,” Adrian called my attention softly. “are you nervous? You're taking so much time to sign it.”

"No, I'm not." I picked up the pen, smiling warmly at him. The room came to a halt. I could feel their greedy eyes on me.

I flipped the first page. Then the second. Then the third.

Adrian shifted slightly beside me.“Is something wrong with the contract?”

“No, I’m just reading.”

His jaw tightened. “You’ve never needed to before.”

I looked up at him. “And that was my mistake.”

Isabella shifted in her seat. “Ahtisa, you should trust your husband. He's a man of integrity.”

I turned to her, nodded my head and smiled.

I signed the first document making Adrian relax slightly.

He thought he had already won.

And then I signed the second. Then the third.

But when I got to the last page, I paused.

This was the most important one. The one that transferred full control to Adrian.

I lifted my gaze and my eyes met with Mr. Halden's.

He didn’t move nor speak. But there was something in his eyes.

Approval to support whatever my decision might be.

I turned back to the document.

Then.....I tore it.

I tore it again and again, until the paper fell in pieces onto the table.

“Ahtisa…what the hell are you doing?” Adrian barked angrily.

I placed the pen down gently, and leaned back in my chair.

“I won’t be transferring anything,” I said calmly.

Mr. Halden blinked, “Miss Jehanna… this… this is...”

“It is,” I cut in. “Draft a new document. Everything stays under my name.”

Adrian stood abruptly. “What are you doing? Have you lost your fucking mind Athisa? This isn’t some funny stunt,”

“You can't do this to me. Not after everything we have been through together.”

I looked up at him.

At the man I had once loved. The man whom I had given my all to and he had betrayed me in return.

Isabella stood up now. “Ahtisa, you’re overreacting. If Adrian had done something wrong. You shouldn't be acting this irrational. He's your husband and moreover you know nothing about handling a company.”

"No one asked for an outsider's opinion." I turned coldly at her and she stopped talking.

“I’m not done,” I stood slowly. “I will also be filing for divorce.”

The room exploded into silence again. Adrian stared at me, his expression shocked and confused at the same time.

“…What?”

“I said I want a divorce.”