Chapter Fifteen. #2
Dax straightened, and a dangerous aura came off him. “What have I missed?” he demanded.
I turned back to cooking as Zinnia updated him. By the time she finished, Dax was livid.
“You should call the police. That’s assault.”
“Dax, I just want a divorce and then repair the damage that’s been done to me.
Shit, I don’t even know who I am anymore.
My reflection is a stranger. As low as it sounds, I plan to blackmail Oliver into giving me the divorce by not pressing charges.
I don’t need his money. Mystique is growing, and I’ve my own fortune to protect, as well as my company.
I want Oliver gone. After all, he’s spiteful enough to take half of Mystique from me in another effort to control me,” I said.
“Fair do. I’ll find a lawyer. One who can get what you want, because Oliver is that nasty. Then again, Eliganz is currently trending, although not for much longer. If you took half of that, Oliver would be fucked,” Dax agreed.
Turning back to the stove, I drew in a deep breath. I was getting a divorce.
Oliver
I stared at the file on my desk, stunned.
Three days since the scene in my office, and Alicia had just served divorce papers.
Worse, I sensed a trap. Alicia was asking for the bare minimum, and that didn’t make sense.
Trying to work out what Alicia wanted, I tapped my finger against the paperwork thoughtfully.
An a-ha moment happened as I guessed why her demands were so small.
Alicia expected me to court and win her back.
God bless that woman. I knew she’d cave; this was Alicia’s way of letting me know she still loved me. Alicia wouldn’t accept a mere two million and her personal belongings. But even so, she deserved a fright. I reached out and dialled my lawyer; he’d scare Alicia, and then I’d forgive her.
Alicia
“Oliver thinks I’m messing about,” I said to Winona on the phone as I headed towards the realtor.
“What do you mean?” Winona asked.
“He’s willing to let me leave the marriage with my personal assets.”
“Wow. The man is shocking!”
“Honestly, Winona, I’m tempted to accept if it ended this farce.
I loved Oliver so much, and he couldn’t care less about me.
He’s proved that. Truth is, I was only ever arm candy, the perfect accessory for an up-and-coming businessman.
Whatever Oliver’s reasons were for marrying me, it’s clear I no longer hold his attention or love,” I replied.
“What’s your reply going to be?”
“I’ll demand four million now, and I’ll also have my lawyer send a strongly worded message. Oliver doesn’t think I’m serious. It’s time to make a stand,” I said.
“Good luck, honey,” Winona agreed, and cut the call.
I took a few minutes to compose myself and headed into the realtors. Hopefully, they’d have something I’d like.
This was it. The first three we’d visited had been ostentatious and tacky.
I’d hated them on sight. This, however, was amazing.
It was a loft apartment and beautifully done.
An old red-brick warehouse had been converted, and two apartments were available on the top floor.
I was looking at the bigger one. The roof was made of sloping glass panels on one side, allowing lots of light and making the space seem even larger.
The ceiling had gorgeous beams, and there were plenty of windows. It had a second level covering about half the floor space, with three bedrooms and adjoining bathrooms. Also featured were an office, kitchen, dining room, downstairs bathroom, and an immense living area.
A rooftop patio was included to create an outdoor garden. Naturally, the plants would be in pots, but it would give me a relaxing area. I heartily approached the two-inch-thick, four-foot-high reinforced glass wall surrounding it.
Down below in the basement was a shared gym and swimming pool.
The loft apartment had a private, key-coded direct elevator.
It opened into a small reception area outside the apartment to ensure the owner’s safety.
What sold it was the super large room at the end, with floor-to-ceiling windows on one side.
It was the perfect place for a design studio.
“You could make this into a main bedroom or even two further bedrooms,” the realtor said, interrupting my thoughts.
“No, it’s amazing as it is,” I replied. Most of the dividing walls were brick, but this one had glass, allowing me to see into the living room. “I’ll buy it.”
“Okay, I’ll get the paperwork,” she beamed.
I stared around the space, imagining putting my own stamp on it. Oliver had loved clean, classy lines and the colour white. The more ultra-modern the furniture, the more Oliver liked it. He’d hate this place. I found myself leaning towards a shabby chic bohemian style.
The realtor reappeared, and I busied myself signing the documents.
Thank God for Mystique. Thank God for the women in my life insisting I keep my business profits in a separate account. Oliver had liked to monitor my spending; a good wife was never greedy or ungrateful.
Without my secret, I’d never have been able to buy this and would have been dependent on Oliver and my friends’ generosity. A small smile crossed my lips as I realised this was the first thing apart from Mystique I’d done on my own.
On leaving the loft, I decided to head to a restaurant to celebrate.
This was a massive step. While buying property was a big deal for most people, it was more so for me.
I was rebelling against Oliver’s wishes and control.
When I was away from him, I felt stronger, but around him, Oliver swamped me. I obeyed his every wish.
Happy with my decision, I started crossing the road, trying to figure out my next step, when someone shouted.
“Alicia!”
There was a squeal of brakes, and something hit me hard.