“What did you just say?” 

Why is he suddenly shocked? Has he not officially confirmed her pregnancy himself?

The contraction of veins on his face showed how much he was fighting to control his anger.

She wasn’t meant to come out with the truth outright, but he had pushed her.

He was hell-bent on embarrassing himself at the slightest opportunity.

“You know what? I’m calling off this so-called marriage.”

My heart sank immediately. I was going to lose the money he promised to pay me.

His next statement catches me off-guard: “You can be rest assured that I will pay you the $20,000 I promised you.”

I heaved a sigh of relief; I was not losing out.”

“Get dressed; my driver will drive you home.”

“Now? He hesitates before throwing a mean glare at me

“Yes, right now.”

The icy look on his stern face made it impossible to take in the emotion on his face.

Williams sent the divorce papers across, as he said, the next day. Signing it was pretty risky. I could lose hold of whatever money he agreed to pay me.

So, I made up my mind to forfeit the signing until he gave me the money.

Ding!

A message popped on my phone: ‘You have 24 hours to sign the divorce papers. Further delays won’t be tolerated.

Does he always have to be this way: mean, cold-hearted, and very inconsiderate?

Ding!

Another message followed.

‘You have until tomorrow to pay off your loan.’

I sit down on the bed, overwhelmed by the last message. My eyes became moist as I fought the tears back.

I take a last glance at my almost protruding stomach before picking up the pen beside me to sign the divorce papers.

I was married to the vile Williams Nicholas, a man who both the living and the dead feared, a few days ago.

Although our marriage was only on paper, my reputation has taken on a new shape since the day I was pronounced his wife before our family members. What do you expect from a wedding that made a news headline in most reputable news agencies?

Even while in the hotel, the staff were full of admiration each time any of them came up to clean my room or even offer me food.

Aside from the special treatments, there was absolutely nothing enjoyable about being married to Williams Nicholas. 

A shameless man who brought his mistress to the same hotel he lodged with his supposed wife.

 My attention is drawn to another message on my phone.

[Hope you’re okay? Called you several times today.]

It was Alec. He has been the most worried about me since I got married and this is because I didn’t hide the truth from him. He was my best friend and a more understanding one than Janet.

I pick up my phone and dial his number. He picks at the 2nd ring and answers with a sleepy voice “Hello! Somebody finally has some time to spare, hope your annoying husband is treating you well?”

“We are divorced” Alec’s line suddenly go silent, then a slight cough

“What did you just say? You divorced him? You know that actually serves him right, he’s too annoying and bossy as hell”

Alec was good at calling nonsense a quit. He was impatient unlike me and would gladly deal with anyone that messes with my happiness.

“He divorced me, I just signed the divorce papers few minutes ago”

“You know what? I’m coming over to celebrate your freedom” His shout of joy accompanies this assertion.

Alec arrives with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine. He was really serious when he said he was coming over for a celebration.

He opens the drink and fills two wine glasses for us.

“Let’s toast to your freedom.”

He lifts his glass in excitement and clanks in on mine, oblivious to my changed mood.

"I was really worried about you when I heard about your marriage to that devil. I would have killed him if he did anything bad to you.”

He turned and finally noticed that I wasn’t paying attention to him.

“What is wrong with you? Did he hurt you? 

“Why can’t I have a man like Alec? He’s both caring and loving? I quickly push the thought away and shook my head in response to his question “I am okay”

“You’re not okay. Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with him.”

If only Alec knew how relieved I was to be totally freed from Williams.

“Of course not! I can never fall in love with that devil.”

He smiles, reassuring me of how much he’s willing to go to any lengths to make me happy.

“Alec, I’m in a big mess,” I blurted out.

“What kind of mess is that? 

In response, I broke down in tears and only stopped crying when he brought me close and nestled my head on his shoulder.

“I am owing the bank a huge sum. Tomorrow is the deadline for the payment.

His eyes widened with shock. “How much are you owing them?

Alec was also from a wealthy family, just like Williams, but I had sworn not to get him involved in my financial problems. It was not the first time he helped me out financially.

“It’s $15,000” 

He pats me on the back and asks me to sip my drink.

“Give me your account details.” 

I snuggled out of his arms and reached for my phone on the bed. I was not used to receiving money through transfers, hence the reason I couldn’t remember my account details.

I excitedly passed the phone to him. "That's my account number on the screen.”

A few minutes later, a credit alert pops up on my screen with the exact figure I had requested.

I rush into his arms and hug him tightly. 

The door suddenly bursts open, and an angry Williams is staring at us with bloodshot eyes.

“You slut; you couldn’t even wait a day more before you threw yourself into the arms of another man.”

Alec leaps on his feet and charges at him.

“Don’t you dare call her names.” 

I needed to act fast before Williams let Alec in on my secret in his outburst.  I quickly rushed to Alec and pulled him away from Williams, eager to calm the situation..

“Alice, let go of my hands.” 

I knew he could be dangerous when angered too, so, I held on to his hands, pulling and pleading until I slipped and a loud thud followed my landing on the floor.