Chapter 3

[ LIANA'S POV ]

Pointing at the little boy, I glared at Zane. “Who is he?”

He reached for the little boy's hand, smiling down at him. And he didn't even blink when he fed me the lie straight to my face

“Don’t you remember my best friend died about two years ago? This is his son, Jacob. Since his death, I've been the one taking care of him and Selena. They are here today because I want us all to be a complete family.” He went on.

I snorted. “A complete family? Is that why he referred to you as his Dad just now?”

Zane nodded boldly. “Yes, I told him too. Since his father is dead, I want him to see me as the father figure in his life. I want to be there for him.”

I forced out a tiny nod.

Then Zane suddenly thrust a large bouquet of white lilies toward me. “I got your favorite.” He grinned proudly.

I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes. Three years with him and he still didn't know that I was severely allergic to lilies.

The strong scent hit my nose, it burned and my eyes watered. Before I could move away, a violent sneeze tore through me, followed by a choking cough that left me clutching the table for balance.

“What the hell, Liana?! If I'm such a problem, then say it to my face instead of spitting all over me and my son. Ughh… how irritating!” Selena whined furiously.

I struggled to catch my breath. “You're all the way there. I didn't even sneeze in your direction.”

But I gasped, frightenedly, when Zane suddenly gripped my neck, almost choking me.

“Apologize to them this instant. Or I swear I'll make you wipe it off with your face and throw you out in the street looking exactly like the filthy disgrace you are!” He said through clenched teeth.

My eyes were blurry as I looked at Zane. He must have felt guilty because he instantly took his hand off my neck, avoiding my gaze.

“Daddy, help Mummy,” Jacob called, tugging at Zane's arm.

Without a glance at me, Zane dashed off to where Selena was. He wrapped his arms around her waist, gently resting her head on his chest, and kept on placing soft kisses on her forehead.

“The disgusting gems from her sneeze are making me sick, Zane. I feel so awful… like I’m about to throw up.” Selena Lamented.

Zane glared at me. “You see what you've done?! Now the whole place is filthy. You better clean it all up right now! I don't want a single trace of your gems left in my house!”

He held Jacob's hand and I watched as they walked out of the house.

But my mother-in-law still stood there for a few more seconds, eyeing me from head to toe. “You’ve always been nothing but a stain in this family. Get that, you nuisance!” She spat before walking out.

I bit my lip, holding back tears as I scrubbed the floor, cleaning every corner just like Zane demanded. And even gathering the scattered petals that had fallen from the bouquet when he had gripped my neck.

By the time I was done, I was so dizzy. I struggled with the stairs, walking sluggishly into the bedroom Zane and I had shared for three years. Not knowing that I had been sleeping with the wolf in sheep's clothing.

Zane Maddox. I vividly remember the day I met him and fell in love at first sight with him. He had been sitting lonely at the edge of a river at midnight after Selena ran off with his fortune. I remember watching him cry before he tried to drown himself to death.

After I had saved him that night, I took him to my place and let him spend the night there. But even after he got well, he didn't want to leave because he had nowhere to go. He ended up spending a Month in my place and living off my money.

Some time later, I realized that I had actually seen him somewhere before. He was the one who had helped me when my car broke down in the middle of the road. He had been like an angel to me that day.

After a while, Zane blamed himself for leeching off me. Especially after I had offered to give him my whole life savings to help him get back up on his feet.

After all my sacrifices, he decided he needed to make it up to me and ended up proposing to me. We had a small wedding with no guests.

Whenever I was seen with him, people always assumed I was just a maid, and only around him to run his personal errands.

Even when we eventually moved in as spouses, his parents had sent me packing out of the house while he was out because they were so against him being with me.

They wanted him with someone worthy. Someone like Selena.

Now she was back. I didn't know when it started, but Zane was head over heels with her all over again, and his parents were in full support as usual.

He was under her control. And he was ready to cross any line for her even if it meant crushing me just to see her smile.

I opened my drawer and tucked inside was a huge white folder, which was the Property Settlement Draft I had prepared weeks before my son's first birthday. I hadn't told a soul, but the moment I started planning for my son's first birthday, I planned to gradually take back all that was mine.

Things were slowly getting together. Now all I needed was the divorce papers in my hand, and Jack’s signature on these to seal the rest.

I tucked the file back into the drawer.

I stood in front of our photo frame for a few seconds. The only photo of us and the only proof that we were married.

I took it off the wall. It was small and weightless, perfect to fit into the huge bag I had kept for this day.

Then I brought out all the luxurious-looking, half-naked dresses he had bought and tossed them into the bag.

The door suddenly pushed open with Zane appearing.

“What is all this ruckus about? Are you changing rooms? Why is all the stuff I bought for you in that bag?” He asked, eyeing the bag and me.

I stood firmly. “They are not my style. I was thinking of offering them out to people who actually like them.”

Zane shook his head. “No, I want you to keep them. They always look good on you. In fact, when you wear those dresses, that's the time that I see you as my wife. So, I'll buy you more. Also, I want you and Selena to have a good relationship. She is my best friend's wife, and she is going to be staying here from now on.”

I rolled my eyes. “Why am I just learning that you have a best friend? I've never met him. Since you are always with your brother.”

Zane spoke out immediately. “Because he’s never been the social type, and I was the only one by his side. Now that he is dead, it's my responsibility to provide and be by his family's side too. Trust me, Liana. You are the only woman in my heart. Selena is really nothing to me. I swear.”

I remained quiet for a few seconds. I knew he was lying, but he really almost had me convinced, and that even pained me the most.

I took a firm step toward him and forced out a smile. “I believe you. But she is not welcome to stay here. I don't want her here, Zane.”