Chapter 2 02

Vanessa's POV

For a split second, I didn't even know which of his words hit me harder. The one about the divorce or the other about blackmail.

You see, five years ago, I got employed as Elliot's secretary and he was a very nice boss— business-minded and disciplined.

He was everything I wanted in a man, and the twenty year old me couldn't resist his charms. I fell head over heels in love with him.

I knew his type were always the bursty blondes and redheads, with killer body shapes. And I was none of that.

But to my shock, my parents suddenly announced that I was getting married to him after two years of working with him.

Their business had been going under and to gain financial favour from the Hayes, they had to offer their daighter in exchange.

Since it was Elliot, I had agreed without a second thought.

Even when he'd started treating me with coldness, I just felt he was shy since I was formerly his secretary.

I made several efforts to make things work out, but it only got worse. I couldn't give him a child, so he became even colder.

The only time he managed to show little emotion was when he wanted to make love to me. I'm not gonna lie, sex with Elliot had always been great.

Also, he never failed to shower me with money and that was why I still had hope that maybe, just maybe if I gave him a child, he would become the nice and caring boss that I once knew.

But now, when everything was supposed to fall into place, he not only cheated on me but was saying he was blackmailed into marrying me.

"What do you mean my parents blackmailed you?" I asked, my voice shaky.

He let out a humourless laughter. "Are you that shocked that I found out your parents have been on my family's payroll for three years now?"

I tried to connect his words, but it only confused me more. My parents were nice people, and they would never do that.

"You're mistaken, Elliot. You probably—"

"Mr. Hayes!" He snarled his voice as dark as the night.

"That's what I am to you now. Don't you ever call me by my first name! Now, sign the damn divorce papers and get the hell out of my office. I've had enough!"

His words hit me like a punch to the guts but I still couldn't back down. I couldn't let my baby grow up without a father.

"Elliot, wait! There's something you need to know. I am—"

"I don't care!" His voice boomed as he brought out a paper and shoved it into my hands.

"That's two million dollars. I know that's the only reason you don't want to leave this marriage. Now, take the money and leave!"

I glanced at the paper in my hand. A check of five million dollars. Was that really all I was worth to him?

Emotions clawed at my heart as I returned my gaze to him and saw the face of a man who would ever only see me as a pest who was only after his money.

How pathetic of me to think anything could work out between us. Having his child couldn't fix our marriage.

In fact, it was never a marriage to begin with.

I had been holding on to my delusions for too long that I lost my self-respect. It was high time I let go of this stupid hope.

"I don't need your money, Elliot!" I spat as I shredded the check. "I'll sign the papers just like you want and get out of your life. Just know you'll one day regret this!"

Raw surprise flashed in his eyes. And if I didn't know better, I'd say something along the lines of worry also flickered.

Without further thoughts, I picked the pen and signed the papers. "There you go! I hope you're happy now."

His gaze lingered on my face as though he couldn't believe I'd actually signed the papers.

"Do you really think you can survive on your own without my money?" He began, "you're nothing without me, so just swallow your pride and ask me for another check."

It takes everything in me not to show how much impact his word had on me. He was watching my face closely, as if waiting for me to crumble to my knees and beg for his mercy.

But that wasn't going to happening.

I flashed him a cold smile. "You know what? You and your money can rot in hell! I can survive without you!"

Without sparing him another glance, I breezed out of the office. I was about to enter the elevator when a figure strutted out.

Asher Hayes, Elliot's half brother.

Actually this was top corporate secret. The whole Houston public believed that Elliot was the first son of the Hayes, but he wasn't.

Asher was the first son and he should have been the CEO in Elliot's place had he not been involved in some kind of crime that had to do with the Mafia and stuff like that.

I knew that because a big fight had broken out between the two brothers when I had just started working as Elliot's secretary.

After the fight, Asher had left town and just disappeared like he never existed.

When did he come back to Houston?

I had never really spoken to him. He was the quiet type, and just like Elliot, he was extremely handsome but something about him smelled danger— something I definitely should avoid.

I inclined my head in greeting, then entered the elevator. To my shock, just as the doors were about shutting, he slipped back inside.

Suddenly, the air felt charged. I could feel his eyes on me and it unnerved me beyond measure.

"Are you alright?" He finally broke the silence, his voice laced with concern.

Unsure of how else to react to his question, I gave a curt nod. I felt him move slightly behind me as if to reach out to me, but just then, the elevator stopped and the doors opened.

I let out a sigh of relief as I got out. However, I was once again reminded of my problems as I walked out of the company.

I rubbed my stomach where a little life was growing and emotions poked at me.

How would I care for this little one now that I was out of my marriage and definitely out of my job?

There was no way Elliot would let me continue working as his secretary— Not like I would even take it if he offered.

A car's honk pulled me out of my straying thoughts and I looked up to find a Rolls-Royce. Asher slid his head through the window.

"I know you are going to the Villa. I am too, so if you don't mind, I could drop you off." He said.

I paused, peering at the road ahead. Unfortunately, there were no taxis so I had no choice but to accept his offer.

"Thank you." I mumbled as I got in the back seat.

The drive down to the Villa was quiet and I appreciated the fact that Asher understood that I wasn't in the mood for a conversation.

But I knew he was watching me through the rearview mirror.

In record time, his car rolled into the Villa's driveway and screeched to a halt.

"Thanks for the ride." I said, bowing slightly.

"Anything for you, Vanessa." He said just before driving off.

Didn't he say he was going to the Villa also? Did he lie because he knew I'd have refused?

I shrugged the thoughts off and entered the Villa. By the time I was done packing, I was so tired and the depths of uncertainty plagued me.

My phone suddenly buzzed and i smiled when I saw the caller ID.

Mom.

She was the only one who could comfort me right now.

"Hello, mum!"

"You insolent bitch! What have you done?"

I frowned, unsure of if I had misheard or not. Did she call me by mistake thinking it was another person?

"Mom? It's Vanessa. What is the—"

"I know it's you, bitch! Come back home at once!" She yelled and the line went dead.

My mind was still reeling even as I hailed a taxi that drove me to my parents' home.

I opened the front door and saw my mom, a warm smile on her face. Had she been pranking me?

"Mom, why would you—"

My breath trapped in my throat as my gaze trained on the person seated beside her.

Bernice!