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.
Chapter Sixteen.
The breath was driven from my lungs as I was flung backwards, and I braced for impact. Instead, I landed on something softer than the pavement and stared down into icy green eyes.
“Christ, Alicia, were you hit?” Cain Russell demanded.
“What… no… Cain, what happened?” I asked as I lay across his body.
“Are you okay?” a man yelled. Hands reached down to help me stand, and I got to my feet as Cain sat up.
