Chapter 5

(LIANA’S POV)

I shook my head confusedly. “I did nothing to Selena. And why would I hurt your son?”

His grip tightened around my neck. “Stop playing dumb, you piece of trash! Jacob is the heir to my bloodline, and I would protect him with my life. You want to ruin me through him, right? Well, I'll make sure you suffer twice as much.”

I scoffed with disbelief. And he finally released my neck. “You’re truly a fool, Zane. Blaming me for things I would never do while boldly flaunting that you indeed fathered a bastard son with another woman. Pathetic!”

“Don’t ever speak about my son or the woman I truly love like that. You knew damn well I never wanted you. You forced yourself into my life like a parasite, knowing my heart was with someone else. And now, after all that, you have the nerve to play the victim? How disgraceful. You’re nothing but a bitter witch trying to drag down the people who actually matter to me.” He snarled.

My expression tightened. “So that's how you see me even after all the sacrifices I made for you. And my son—”

“Just shut up! Don't start your drama right now. You are a witch who should be locked up in jail forever!” He snapped.

Just then his men led a lady in. Her arms were chained behind her back.

“Forgive me, Sir. Liana is my best friend. She lied to me about you. And I just wanted to help her take revenge. She deceived me into kidnapping your son.”

My jaw dropped in disbelief. “Who is she? What is she talking about?”

“Stop acting like a saint!” Zane was enraged.

I held the tears in. “I don't know her. And I have no idea what she is talking about. You have to believe me, Zane.”

With a gesture from him, his men rushed over to take the chains off me. Zane's fingers pierced into my cheeks immediately as he dragged me to my feet.

“Don’t test my patience, Liana. Better stop pretending and confess every rotten thing you've done, or I'll make sure you pay for it in ways you can't even imagine.” He hissed.

“No. I refuse to take the blame for something I didn't do.” I protested.

Zane dragged me outside and into the car. The driver sped onto the highway.

Zane suddenly pulled the door open. The wind rushed in.

“Confess right this instant or I’ll throw you out!” He shouted, shoving me toward the open door.

My head pounded with terror and pain.

“Zane, don't do this to me. I beg you.” I screamed and cried out but he just kept shoving me farther away.

“I told you not to test my patience.” He shoved me hard. My body flew out of the car, rolling on the road.

And suddenly, a truck's headlights blinded me, rushing straight at me, the horn blaring very loudly.

I cried and screamed for help. But then my eyes snapped open, and I was in my bed, drenched in sweat. It was all just a dream.

“It's okay, Mrs. Maddox. I'm right here.” The Nurse patted my shoulders.

The chains were no longer on me. And Zane was nowhere to be found.

But just as I sat up, Zane, Selena, and his mother all walked into the room.

Selena wanted to hug me, but I moved away and turned to the Nurse. “Is Anything wrong?”

Zane stormed forward. “You filthy parasite! It's only because of Selena that you are alive right now. After I pushed you out of the car, the truck was about to crush you to death but I only saved you because Selena wanted me to. She is the love of my life and I couldn't go against her words. Now you are treating her like trash when she literally left her own sick bed to watch over you for days. How evil can you get, Liana?!”

My face held an emotionless expression for a few seconds before I scoffed out loud.

“Wow… what a touching story. The great husband who threw his wife out of a moving car, then played savior because his mistress asked. Truly, you deserve a medal. Should I clap for you both, or bow?”

Zane's Mother laughed out dryly. “I told you! You shouldn't have saved an animal like her. Even after you saved her miserable life, she dares to mock you. What a useless, rotten woman.”

I sneered. “Rotten? Look in the mirror before calling me that. You raised a coward who hides behind his mistress and his mother's skirts. A coward who chose my baby's death with his own hands.”

Her smile vanished. And Zane's face stiffened. “Liana, you've been through so much. Sit down, let's talk calmly. You know I only want what's best for you.”

Selena suddenly wrapped her arms around me. “Oh, Liana. Please don't hate me. I didn't expect such a small thing to break you so badly.” Her voice dripped with pretence.

“Drop the drama and stay away from me!” I snapped, pushing her aside. She fell to the floor.

“Selena!” Zane rushed to her, then turned towards me with fire in his eyes. He stormed forward and slapped me hard across the face.

“I’m warning you, Liana. Do not ever dare touch her again. She is worth more than you'll ever be.” He shouted. Then he held Selena's hand as they all exited the room.

The Nurse stood silently in a corner.

“Can you get the Doctor for me, please. I wish to be discharged.” I said.

The Nurse smiled faintly and walked out of the room.

***

Before going back home, I stopped by the lawyer's office to get the divorce papers. Then I headed straight home to get hold of the property Settlement Draft too. Now all I had to do was get Zane to sign them somehow, without knowing what they actually were.

After that, I was taking a short nap when Zane appeared and yanked me up by my arm. Then he threw a red dress in my face.

“Wear this. You have to escort me to a business dinner.” He snapped.

“No. I'm not interested. You can take Selena as your escort instead.” I replied.

“Are you that dumb? Of course, I'm going with Selena as my woman. But I want you there as my escort to run business errands when needed. You are good at that.” He declared.

“Come over here, darling. I have something to show you.” Selena called from a distance.

Zane grinned widely. He was about to walk away, but I quickly thrust a pen, the property settlement draft, and the divorce papers into his hand.

“Sign them quickly before you go. It's for the company's benefit.” I said.

He had a deep frown on his face as he looked at the documents. He was about to turn them over to read but Selena's voice echoed relentlessly behind him.

“Come on, baby. I need you here right now.”

He turned to her, looking at her with a big smile as he quickly penned his signature on both documents before throwing them carelessly to the floor and then running off to Selena.

At first, I felt a bit hurt by how effortlessly he dismissed me, but I brushed the feeling off and smirked proudly as I watched him go. The deed was finally sealed.