Lana’s POV We sat atat a round table facing AndréAndré and the detective—Michael, if that was even his real name. Sally’s face had taken on that seriousness thatthat she usually donned when she was in the courtroom,courtroom, and she eyed the detective with something akin to disdain. “I want to know what this is.” She stated that her voice was flat and void of any emotion. emotion. “Why did you place a spy in my house? What did you hope to achieve?” she scowled at André and then at the detective. “I just wanted you to be fine.” Andre commented;; the frustration in his voice was crystal clear. Sally gasped and placed her hand on her chest. “How very kind of you!!” her voice dripped with venom. "Suddenly, you are concerned about my wellbeing. Am I supposed to fall at your feet and thank you for such kind gestures?” Andre’s helpless gaze strayed to my face, and I shrugged. Sally had every right to be upset, and I was not about to go and tell her that she was taking things too far
Lana’s POV Andre was intent on proving himself to us, and that led him to bring out his computer and access the Ranhold database, and that was also what led to us finding out that he had been booted out of it. His access was now restricted, and it came as a shock to him—to all of us—that if the CEO of a company was locked out of his own database, what does that mean? Andre was pissed, and the rest of us could only watch as he made several calls back home, although it did not look like this would be rectified soon. We had no idea what he intended to access using the database, but at least this had succeeded in proving one thing: Andre and Freda were not on the same side, at least not in this fight. Sally said nothing after that—at least, nothing to counter Andre’s loyalty—and it looked like she and Marcus might make up after all. Cameron and I returned to our room a little while later, leaving Andre to sort things out with his company and Sally to sort out her feelings with Marcu
Andre’s POV I was a fool. I had been one for a long time without even realising it. Still, it was not too late for the tables to turn, and it was time they did. My mother had had me under her grasp for a long and it was a shame it took me so long to realise who she really was. I was sorry—to myself more than anyone else—that I was more of a victim in her web of lies, deceit, and endless plotting than all the others combined, but no one would ever know. When I was finally in the privacy of my room—thankfully, Marc was not here—I let out the tears I had been holding on to. I could not believe the calibre of person my mother and her influence had reduced me to. Her greed had seeped into me at some point, and I had failed to see that there was more to life, especially when you were with the people you loved and who loved you back just as much, and because of that, I had lost two beautiful women. It was her fault; I had no one to blame but her. Still, I had to accept the fact that s
This was the expiration of our loveless marriage. A single document that clawed at my insides, prickled my intestines and made me feel like I would throw up my breakfast.I couldn’t believe five years had passed already since we were seated like this – Andre and I – before a lawyer, signing a prenuptial and then marriage certificates. At least Andre had been forthcoming then, he had smiled at me warmly, an action which made my heart flutter and convinced me we were doing the right thing, the best thing for me. He had pretended to be interested. Sending me flowers after flowers while he was at work, asking about my emotional and physical well being while he was at home. Making love to me like it was all he lived for. Those moments for me, had been the best moments of our marriage before he decided he was cheating on the memory of his first love by being with me. It had sounded ridiculous then as it did now, but it was the reality of my situation.Now, Andre could barely look me in t
The bus did not arrive early and I decided to walk home and clear my head on the way. Soon, I was in front of the mansion and I felt that familiar yet uncomfortable pull in my chest. Home was not a place of peace for me, I should be happy I was leaving. “Lana!” I heard a voice and turned towards it. It was Hermione and beside her was my luggage. She held a wide smile on her face and if a stranger watched the scene, they would think she was too happy to see me and not the other way around. I frowned. “Why – my luggage.” I stammered, walking up to meet her. “Cat got your tongue?” Hermione laughed. Her laugh was creaky, like there was something stuck in her throat and it choked her. I hated it and I usually found myself hoping she actually choked. “Why is my luggage out here?” I demanded, throwing arrows at her with my eyes. She seemed unfazed. “You’re over! You and my brother are over. It’s time for you to leave.”The news was here already? I thought. Typical. I was going to reply
Stepping into the house gives me an eerie feeling of déjà vu. Not much had changed since the last time I was here. Photos of Sanders and his wife in their younger years still hung on the wall just above the fireplace, beside a photo of their adopted daughter. I noticed a new photo on the wall. It must have been taken some months ago because it still looked so new; Sanders was lying in what I presumed to be a hospital bed and his wife sat beside him, smiling for the camera. I did not know Sanders had been sick so I looked to his wife and caught her wiping a tear from her eyes herself. “Make yourself at home.” She croaked and dashed into the kitchen. I did as she asked, settling into the settee that was before me. Mrs. Sanders was out in less than a minute and placed a cup of steaming coffee on the small table by my side. I picked the cup gingerly and brought it to my lips, basking in the scent of cocoa seeds. Once the coffee was into my system and I felt my head was clearer, I tu
Early the next morning I was on the morning train leaving for a new city to begin a new life. Mrs. Sanders had driven me to the train station where we found a copier and made copies of all the documents. Mrs. Sanders insisted we both have copies of everything just for the sake of it. After that, she gave me more words of encouragement and advice. Promised to keep in touch and bade me farewell. I couldn’t deny the fact that I was anxious as to what this new life held and meant for me. But I looked forward to trying it out. Mrs. Sanders said it would not be easy but I would get by. I had gone through five years in hell. What was another five? Maybe ten? Probably forever? I couldn’t think that way, I told myself. I should think of the future of my child and make sure it is bright. The train stopped in “Hastvin” about six hours later and I made my way off it almost immediately. Hastvin was a bustling city, known for being the largest commercial city in our country and home to the mos
The call with Mrs. Sanders was short and curt. She informed me of the plans she had put in action for the rest of the assets Sander had been able to salvage for me, made promises to call often to check in on me and more motivational words. She was going to hire an investigator to look into Andre and his family and once there was news, she was going to let me know.All I had to do was survive and made sure that I prepared myself for the battle which was ahead. I had not prepared for this life. Yes, I had been aware that all the time I had with Andre was five years but I had hoped that I could make a change. And yet, when I saw that the change was not coming why had I not prepared at least? Why had I not made myself mentally, emotionally and financially ready to face my new life?I scoffed at myself. I was pathetic. I was a loser and a sore one. I saw myself in this empty apartment, in the most backward neighborhood in this city and I could feel no empathy, no pity. I brought this up on