“You look well, Alicia,” Oliver said smoothly. Two lawyers joined him.
“Yes, the bruising has faded. Quite lucky, really. Imagine explaining that to the judge,” Caitlin spoke.
Oliver glared. “What are you? Her mouthpiece? Alicia can answer for herself!”
“I’ve nothing to say to you, Oliver. We’re here because you decided you wanted to say goodbye,” I said.
“Alicia, we were married for ten years. Are you sure you want this separation? Has Cain Russell railroaded you? Did Russell threaten to damage Eliganz if you didn’t divorce me?” Oliver asked plaintively.
I stared in surprise. Well, I’d not seen this coming. “Cain Russell?”
“Yes, darling, it’s obvious Russell’s fixated on you. The asshole keeps appearing where you are and even sabotaged our anniversary dinner—”
“Stop there, Oliver. I’ve pictures of you huddled in a corner with Eve from your anniversary night. If you’re going for coercion, we can tell the judge we want half of everything. Sign the papers and stop fighting,” Caitlin interrupted him.
“Shut up and let me talk to my wife,” Oliver snapped. “Darling, listen—”
“Oliver, give up. I’m no longer under your control. I want a divorce,” I said.
“Alicia—”
“No. Whatever you planned isn’t going to work,” I cut Oliver off. Anger flashed in Oliver’s eyes. “Although I have to ask, was forty-nine million worth it? You could have got rid of me for two.”
With that last shot, I stood and held his gaze. “Goodbye, Oliver.”
Caitlin rose, and I followed her out with the bodyguard at my back.
Two days later.
The rain poured down as we exited the courthouse. Caitlin shook my hand and dashed for her car. The guard disappeared as well. I was free. As I’d left, Eve had been waiting, and she’d been gushing about them filing for a marriage licence. Hell, divorced five minutes, and Oliver was already replacing me.
Let Oliver control her as he’d controlled me. Eve had nothing going for her but her body and ability to give a great blow job.
Looking at my reflection, I had my epiphany. I was no longer Alicia Kensington, beaten down and moulded into someone alien. I was Alicia Rosewood. Spreading my arms wide, I threw my head back and spun in a circle, laughing. People probably thought I was crazy, yet I felt free.
“You’ve lost the plot!” Eve sneered from behind.
I stopped spinning and stared at her and Oliver. Oliver, despite his laughter when he exited the courthouse, was fuming.It was in his eyes. I’d done the unthinkable and broken away from him. I’d fought against his conditioning and escaped, and Oliver had no idea what to do.
“You’ll regret this, Alicia,” he threatened.
“Nope. But I tell you something, Oliver, taking that bimbo’s—whose two brain cells are fighting for second place—word over mine, is the biggest mistake you’ll ever make.”
With a wicked laugh, I jumped into a puddle and kicked water at them. Eve shrieked loudly, and Oliver glowered.
With a grin, I skipped away. Fuck Oliver Kensington and his lying, unpaid whore.
Chapter Eighteen.
Alicia - Three weeks after the divorce.
“Mystique, Oliver Kensington is here, and he looks furious,” Heidi said, entering my office. Surprised, I glanced up and stared through the glass wall. Oliver was standing by the reception desk, wearing a frown. He seemed always to be miserable lately. Oliver and Eve had constantly been in gossip rags. Paparazzi had chased me, but I kept quiet and smiled sweetly. Some of their remarks were hurtful and cruel, phrased to get a reaction. I just ignored them, though that took effort, and continued with what I was doing.
“What now?”
“Oliver’s got a file; it’s the contract he wants signing.” Heidi pursed her lips.
“Ah, yes, it’s getting close to crunch time. I don’t want Oliver Kensington in my private office.” I rose to my feet. “Plus, anything Oliver says, I want on camera and in front of witnesses.”
