Chapter 15%
Jairus staggered back with one hand clutching his jaw where Jared’s punch had landed. Shock and humiliation washed over him as he struggled to find his footing. Blood trickled from his split lip. And for the first time since I had known him, he looked powerless.
He wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand. His breath was heavy and ragged. Then, his gaze snapped back to me. Fury was burning in his expression.”
“You think you’ve won?” he snarled with his voice shaking with rage. “You think you can just throw me away and walk off into the sunset with him?”
Jared took a step forward, ready to shut him up again. But I held up a hand to stop him. I wanted to deal with this myself.”
I met Jairus’s glare head–on. “I don’t think I’ve won, Jairus. I know I have. And as for throwing you away? You did that to yourself.“} His nostrils flared and his hands curled into fists. “I made you, Vanessa. Everything you have, everything you are, is because of me! And I swear, if you go through with this divorce, I’ll make sure you lose everything. Your career, your money, your reputation! I’ll burn it all to the ground!”
Jared’s body went rigid beside me. But I wasn’t scared. I had spent years under Jairus’s control, living under his thumb, breathing in the toxic air he surrounded me with. But now?!
Now, he was the one grasping at straws, desperate to hold onto something that had already slipped through his fingers.
I took a step forward and met his eyes. “No, Jairus. You will lose everything. Because I’m not afraid of you anymore. And without me? You have nothing left.”
His entire body went still. He then darted his eyes between mine as if trying to find a crack in my armor. A weakness he could exploit. But there was none. Not anymore.
Seconds stretched between us with the bitter realization settling into his bones that I was no longer his to control.
Then, without another word, Jairus turned and stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls trembled.}
Silence filled the room.
I exhaled slowly and unclenched my fists as I turned to Jared. His gaze softened as he reached for me. He rested his hands on my shoulders. “Are you okay?“}
I nodded. “Better than ever.”
***
A few days passed, and I refused to give Jairus another moment of my time. Instead, I focused on my own life. On rebuilding, on moving forward. But of course, the universe wasn’t about to let me have peace just yet.
I was walking out of a café one afternoon when I spotted her.
Katie.
She stood near the curb. She was leaning against a luxury car with her eyes hidden behind oversized sunglasses. She had that same smug smirk on her lips. The one she always wore when she thought she had the upper hand.
I sighed, already bracing myself.}
“Well, if it isn’t the former Mrs. Thatcher,” she cooed as she pushed her glasses onto her head. “Enjoying your freedom?“}
I tucked my hands into my coat pockets, then gave her an unimpressed look. “You’re still here? I thought you’d be too busy planning your wedding by now.”
She scoffed. “Oh, I am. But let’s talk about you. Did Jairus tell you what he said about you?“}
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, let me guess. He called me bitter? Unstable? A desperate woman who can’t let go?”
Katie’s smirk widened. “He said you’d never make it without him. That you’ll come crawling back when you realize you can’t stand on your own.”
I chuckled. “Well, that’s funny, considering he was the one banging on my door like a madman last week. Tell me, Katie, does it bother you? That Jairus still obsesses over me?”
Her nostrils flared. But she quickly masked her irritation. “Oh, please. You’re nothing but a nuisance now. I’m the woman in his life. I’m the one carrying his child.”
My amusement grew. “Oh, honey,” I said as I shook my head. “Do you really believe that?“}
She stiffened. “What’s that supposed to mean?“}
I stepped closer and lowered my voice just enough to make her uneasy. “It means you and I both know that baby isn’t Jairus’s.“&
Katie paled for a fraction of a second before recovering. “You’re lying.“!
I tilted my head. “Am I?“!
Her lips parted, but no words came out.}
“Tell me, Katie… does Jairus know?”
She shoved me back a step. Her expression contorted with anger. “You think you’re so untouchable now, don’t you?” she spat. “Just because you’re parading around with your new boy toy?“@
I smirked. “Jealous?”
She exhaled sharply before her eyes darkened. “You know, I was going to be gracious about this,” she said as she stepped back. “But since vou insist on being a smua little bitch. let’s play.”
