“The soon-to-be pauper and his mistress,” Cain stated. The murmurs rose in volume as Cain offered an arm, and I took it. Cain, standing beside me, encouraged bravery I’ve not had in a long time.
“It’s pretty obvious what Eve is. What type of man parades a mistress in front of his wife? Scum, that’s who. Worse is the factthat you continuously keep taking Eve’s side, despite her being a lying bitch. No matter what anyone says, you always believe her. God, you’re a slave to your dick,” I said.
Oliver reddened even further; I thought he’d have a heart attack.
“You must have a golden pussy, Eve. I bet you fuck like a pro.” Eve gasped at my words, but I wasn’t finished. The worm had turned—finally. “You’ll hear from my lawyers. I want a divorce.”
Oliver paled dramatically, and Cain snorted in amusement even though none showed on his face.
“You can only push a woman so far before she strikes back,” Cain said, and we began walking away. Dignity in place, nobody would realise I was bleeding inside. No way would I creep into the night, silently like a thief.
“You’ll regret this, Alicia. When you come crawling back, be prepared to get on your knees!” Oliver yelled.
“Unlike you, that will never happen,” I swore as I left the ballroom. Well, Tom got his money’s worth by inviting both Oliver and me. I hoped the prick enjoyed the scene.
“Did you really threaten Oliver with divorce?” Saska demanded. “Everyone’s talking about Tom’s party.”
“Shit, I can’t believe the idiot paraded Eve publicly,” Winona exclaimed.
“Do you have a lawyer?” Oceane asked.
“Saksa, yes. Winona, me either. Oceane, I’m hoping one of you can recommend someone,” I replied calmly.
“Alicia, we’re so proud of you,” Winona said, smiling.
“Honestly, I’m shaking inside. I don’t know what came over me.” Nervous energy was flooding my veins, and I jumped to my feet and began pacing back and forth.
“You’re regaining yourself.” Winona nodded sagely. “We’ve all been there, Alicia.”
The women here were legendary for their own scandals. It had taken strong wills to help them through it. Sad as it was, I wasn’t as tough as they were. Oliver was right, I already wanted to crawl back.
“Don’t you do it!” Saska snapped, seeing my face.
“Huh?”
“Oliver is embarrassing you publicly. If you go back, you’ll have to wait on Eve hand and foot. Do you want that? Can you imagine the mockery and lessons people would turn you into? The wife waiting on the mistress,” Oceane asked.
“Never. I have some pride left,” I whispered. That would be humiliating, and Eve would enjoy the power trip. Eve smirked whenever Oliver accused me of something, like she was being placed above me. Well, the truth was, Oliver had been putting Eve’s needs, thoughts, and feelings above mine. Eve hadn’t been wrong about her assumptions.
“Then we’re going to go pack your stuff,” Winona stated.
“Today?” I replied, shocked.
“Right now. Girls, grab your cars,” Oceane ordered.
Before I realised what was going on, they were hustling me out of Zinnia’s house and into Rebel’s car. Somehow, my life didn’t feel my own. I needed time to catch my breath and think, but my friends weren’t going to allow me. Perhaps they believed I would go crawling back to Oliver. And quite likely they were right. Oliver had been my staple throughout adulthood. What was I without him?
Chapter Fifteen.
Alicia
“Alicia, you mentioned you were trying for a baby?” Zinnia asked, frowning as she held up my vitamins.
“I am. Those are vitamins to help me get pregnant. Guess I don’t need them anymore.” I grabbed the bottle to throw in the trash can.
“Alicia…” Zinnia looked uncomfortable. “Those are birth control pills.”
“No, they’re vitamins,” I insisted.
