Chapter 2

“How do you feel now?” Lucas said, inspecting the cut on her hand.

“A bit better. That evil lady won't stop at nothing just to see me hurt.”, She pulled Lucas towards herself while faking a cry, “She's so evil Lucas, you should send her packing already.”

“I need time for that. Uncle Lewis forced her on me. I need enough time to execute my plans.”

Maria was not happy. She wanted Scarlet out of the house as soon as possible but Lucas' words calmed her nerves a bit.

The doctor came in to announce that they could go home as they have been discharged already.

Scarlet on the other hand, nursed her injury at home. She prepared beautiful lingerie and made Lucas favorite meal. She was trying so hard to make Lucas happy.

In the stillness of the cold night, it was freezing out. She heard his room door open. She quickly wore the lingerie and held the meal she had prepared earlier. She walked nervously to his room, her heart was beating fast.

The lingerie was a sleeveless one, the cold atmosphere was not helping matters either.

He was her husband after all, so her actions were justified.

She took long shallow breaths as she stood facing his door. She took one last look at herself and knocked on the door.

He came out of the room. He had only a boxer on and his body glistened with sweat. Droplets of sweats formed on his chest.

“I came to give you this.” Scarlet showed him the tray of food she was holding.

“Isn't it too late for this? I don't do late night meals. I'm not ready to end up looking unhealthy like a bumpkin like you.”

Scarlet felt hurt and the tray nearly fell from her hand but she held onto it with the last strength left in her body. It was as if his mean words were sapping all the energy she had left.

“Lucas, can we at least sleep together tonight? It is cold outside and since we got married, we haven't slept together, on the same bed like couples should.”

He kept staring at her.

“Look, I even made your favorite, I know you barely have the time to get freshly cooked meals since you are always busy.” She said, forcing a smile.

Lucas drowned, “You disturbed my sleep because of this.” With one swift move, he hit the tray and all its content came crashing to the floor, “Now, leave!”

No sooner had he finished speaking, then she saw a hand wrapped around his waist, massaging it gently.

“You are such a pest, Scarlet. Too bad but Lucas does not need your food. Not at this point of the night. We were almost on the verge of having something nice.”

The sight before her and Maria's wo supposed to be in bed with your lover?”

Maria pulled a chair and sat on it.

“Lucas and I were childhood friends, our friendship generated into love. It was so unfortunate I had to go back to the states for my university education. We lost contact.”

“I didn't say I was willing to hear your story about your childhood love, what are you doing in my room?” Scarlet asked, standing arm akimbo.

“You need to let go of Lucas. You need to stay away from him. Leave his life.” Maria shouted.

Scarlet was angry already but she spoke calmly. Maria will be the last person to ever see her weak.

“You know, you amaze me Maria. You come into a woman's home and sleep with her husband from time to time, you turn him against her and still have the guts to tell his wife to stay away from him, what the hell is wrong with you?” Scarlet asked, her voice rising.

“Lucas doesn't love you. No one in his family does. Do you think you can cope with that?” Maria sneered. She was obviously enjoying the degrading and hurtful words she was saying to Scarlet.

“And you think he loves you? You are good for his bed though. Little wonder he can't flaunt you outside as expected. Bloody Sex toy.” Scarlet jeered, expecting a reaction from her.

Scarlet's words got to her and she charged at her. She drew scarlet's hair, dragging her across the floor forcefully.

“You evil bitch.” Maria cussed.

Scarlet tried freeing herself from Maria but her grip on her hair was firm. She screamed and tried pushing Maria away.

“Let go of me, Maria.” Scarlet screamed as she held onto Maria's hands.

“Not until I rip your hair off your head.” Maria pulled at Scarlett's hair, this time around, with a firmer grip.

Scarlet's head was hurting already, she knew she had to do something. She raised her leg and kicked Maria hard on the stomach which sent her rambling.

Maria's shout alerted Lucas and Claire. Seeing Maria sprawled on the floor and Scarlet's disheveled hair, Claire went straight to Scarlet and gave her a thunderous slap.

Clap!!!

Scarlet felt dizzy instantly.

Lucas picked Maria up and dusted her dress.

He went over to Scarlet and pulled her by her hair.

“You are hurting me Lucas.” She cried, as he dragged her across the floor.

“If anything happens to Maria, I will kill you.” He walked past her and led Maria out of the room.

Chapter 3

The next day, Scarlet was nursing the wounds she had sustained the night before when she heard footsteps approaching. Loud chaotic noises accompanied the footsteps.

“The Bloody idiot, where the hell is she? I know you are in there, you evil witch.”

Scarlet recognized her mother-in-law's voice. She struggled to get up in a bit to lock her door but she was not so fast. Her mother-in-law was in her room already.

Turning to face her, she watched as Rachel strode over to her, glaring at her, in a deadly way.

“You are so evil. What has the poor child done to you.”

“I did nothing to her. She started the trouble after I saw her in Lucas' bed.” Scarlet said weakly.

“She can't stoop so low to fight you, Scarlet. Maria is not a lowlife like you. You are just jealous of her because Lucas loves and prefers her to a scumbag like you.”

Scarlet knew no amount of explanation was going to exonerate her. She stood there, dejected and overwhelmed with nothing to prove her innocence.

The door flung open to reveal Lucas. His eyes were filled with fury. He looked very upset. Scarlet held his hand, hoping he would be on her side this time.

“Lucas, please believe me. She started all these. I didn't hurt her.” Lucas shoved her aside. She cowered as he did that. The images of Maria's hands on his waist from the previous night flooded her mind. She felt used, like a fool. She felt she had gone far asking him to believe her since Maria was involved. He was never going to be on her side.

He finally spoke, his voice grumpy, he looked at her coldly devoid of any emotions. He felt spiteful towards her.

“Enough Scarlet. You talk too much. Your wrongdoings can not and will not be tolerated anymore in this house. Maria is hurt. And I don't want to see her sad.”

“Exactly, you need to rectify your wrongdoings this minute.”

Scarlet gave Lucas a puzzled look, her mouth slightly open in disbelief.

Was Lucas trying to hurt her feelings the more?

“You need to apologize to her now.”

Scarlet tried explaining the situation to Lucas but no words came out. She stood in his front as if in a trance.

“Take her to my room now.”

Scarlet tried pushing the bodyguards but she was already overpowered.

“You'll pay for this Lucas.” She shouted as the bodyguards dragged her to Lucas' room.

She wished the floor could rise up and swallow her or vanish into thin air, as she stood face to face with Maria, who was seated on the bed, grinning.

“On your knees.” Rachel shouted as she kicked her and forced her to kneel.

Scarlet was hopeless. She looked at Lucas and shook her head. Tears had welled up in her eyes. Hey eyelids twitched furiously as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. She was not willing to cry in the presence of all of them.

All the feelings, respect and love she had for Lucas died on the spot. She looked at him with disdain. She had been so blind, living in her utopia thinking Lucas will one day love her and discard Maria but she was wrong. He never loved her and he will never love her.

A surge of energy rushed through her. She stood up immediately.

“You want me to apologize to her right?” She shouted. “You want me to apologize to your mistress Lucas?” She asked, then suddenly ran out of the room.

“Follow her.” Lucas thundered.

The bodyguards charged after her. She ran straight to her room and grabbed her cell phone. She had just remembered she was trying to make a video on that night before Maria came into her room. Her phone captured everything.

The bodyguards came into her room trying to grab her.

“Don't you dare touch me.” She said, adjusting her pajamas. She went back to Lucas' room, her heart racing.

“You want an apology right? Here, see this and tell me who needs an apology.” She handed the phone over to Lucas.

Maria and Rachel looked at each other.

“Go on, play it.” Scarlet said.

Lucas pressed the play button. He looked at Maria and back to Scarlet.

“Lucas, get this lady out of here. She might hurt me again…...” Maria blubbered, drawing the bed sheet over her body.

“Hurt you? I thought you wanted an apology.” Scarlet rushed at her and dragged the bedsheet off her body.

Lucas was not ready for any fight, he held scarlet's hand.

“Enough Scarlet. Let it go.” He growled.

“Enough, you said. Now that you've known the truth you still want to be on her side? You can't tell her she is wrong now? I do not deserve an apology from her or you or even your mother?”

Scarlet was furious. She pulled her hand away and dashed towards Maria who cringed in fear. She gave her a slap and dragged her, making her sit on the floor.

Thud!

She fell, banging her head on the side of the bedpost.

Lucas had never seen Scarlet so angry before. He knew Maria wanted her out and would do anything to make him throw her out of the house.

Maria tried fighting back. Lucas was mad at her for lying to him. She wouldn't have been able to fight back if she was really weak like she had claimed.

“The truth is obvious now, Scarlet. You should let this go already.”

“You amaze me Lucas. You know the truth yet you are still fighting for your cheap side chick. Lucas, I'm your wife for God sake.” Scarlet cried out.

“I will compensate you. What do you want? A trip to Miami, shopping fee, dollars, just name it. That should do.”

Scarlet pinched the bridge of her nose, smiling painfully. She looked at the man standing before her, the man she had given up everything for and loved sincerely. She felt nothing this time as she looked at him.

She didn't need his compensation as it meant nothing to her. Not after all the troubles she had gone through all for his sake.

“I'll send the divorce papers. Sign them. I'm leaving.”

Lucas was too stunned to speak. He thought she was only trying to play a prank on him just to see his reaction. He gazed at her as she strode out of the room.

At this point, he wished he had the power to read people's minds.

Scarlet packed just a few of her clothes and took a long look at the room. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She picked her phone and dialed a number. She went out of the room, dragging her bag behind her. Lucas, Maria and Claire all stood on the staircase watching her leave.

She walked with all the strength left in her. She was drained after the event that transpired between her and Maria.

“You'll come back crawling. Begging us to take you back.” Claire shouted after her.

As soon as she stepped out, a breath of fresh air hit her face. She swallowed hard and took a deep breathe in. A luxurious car soon pulled up in front of her.

“Grandpa……” she muttered, falling into his arms

Chapter 4

Lucas glared at Maria grudgingly. The atmosphere was tense. Claire immediately excused herself and ran straight to her room. She knew how angry Lucas can get and she was not ready for it.

“What was that all about ?” Lucas asked Maria.

“Wh what what?” She stammered.

“Why were you causing problems?” He shouted, banging the wall with his fist.

Maria was scared. She knows lying was not going to help her get out of the situation.

“I only wanted to have a discussion with her. I didn't mean to cause any trouble.” her forehead glistened with sweat.

The disappointment written all over his face was glaring. “I didn't expect this from you.”

“But I thought you didn't love her, I thought you wanted her out.”

“I never told you to cause her any trouble.” He roared.

“I'm so sorry Lucas”

“Enough! Just let it go.”

“Scarlet sure has the nerves. How could she pronounce divorce? Good riddance anyways. I'm glad she's gone already. You and I can finally have our marriage. Right Lucas?” She said,flirting with him.

“I don't want to talk about this.” He said with an air of indifference.

Maria was mute.

Lucas went to his room and fell on his chair. He was in deep thoughts. He hadn't expected Scarlet to mention divorce. He never wanted to divorce her either even though she was brought in and married to him by his uncle.

Lucas had always wanted a girl he could control easily, lonely, dejected with no family and Scarlet was just the perfect choice.

She was submissive and humble, a good cook too. The image of her wearing lingerie the other night when she saw him and Maria came to his head. She had full, succulent boobs, the lingerie hugged her body which further enhanced her curves.

With a wave of his hand, he told his secretary to find out where she had gone.

“Make sure to lead her back to this house, unharmed. I need her back by tomorrow.”

His secretary looked at him with an uneasy look on his face.

“But but sir….”

“Speak up!” Lucas said impatiently.

“I saw her leave with an old man in a black limousine earlier.” he said in a low voice, scared of things getting out of control.

“What did you just say?” Lucas banged his fist on the walls and turned his table upside down, all its content came crashing on the floor. “Bring her back by any means.”

Scarlet felt she was dreaming. Her fingers caressing the soft fabric she was laying on. Her nostril picked up a familiar scent. She opened her eyes at once.

“Finally, you are awake.” a husky voice said.

Recognizing the voice, Scarlet sat up on the bed immediately.

“Grandpa…” she called out, “Will you ever forgive me for what I did?” She cried.

“Well, you were only in love. I mean why else would a young beautiful lady like you let go of all your riches and assets just to be with a man that has no value for you.”

“I was stupid grandpa. I'm sorry.” She said as she hugged him tight.

Mr Trump, a retired psychologist, with a smile on his face, hugged his granddaughter. He was happy she was back, to where she truly belongs.

“He will pay for this” he said, petting his granddaughter's back who could do nothing but to only sob.

Scarlet buried herself in her grandpa's arms, crying. She was releasing all the emotions she had buried deep inside of her all these while.

Trump brushed her hair slightly with his fingers. “You are the only heir I have remaining, do not cause any more trouble, please. you are really precious to me and I can't afford to not have you be under my watch again.”

Scarlet felt her body get lighter. Her cheeks flushed as she received the love and care Lucas never gave to her all these while.

A figure suddenly rushed in and crashed on Scarlet.

“Scarlet! Oh my goodness, you are finally back. I have missed you so much.”

Scarlet hugged her sister so tight. “Lyssa! Oh my goodness. I've missed you.”

Lyssa Andy, Scarlet's sister, wrapped her hands around her neck tightly, snuggling deep into her arms.

“Grandpa called me, he told me you were back. I came rushing immediately.”

Scarlet's eyes filled with tears. She hugged her sister tight again.

“I'm sorry I left you all alone Lyssa. I'm sorry. I was just being foolish. Living with Lucas has been hell. It was hell.

Just because of Lucas, she had given up her identity, her wealth, her luxurious life and worst of it all, her precious family.

Lyssa hated to see her sister cry. She wiped the tears off her face and pecked her cheek. She felt instant disgust for Lucas.

“We warned you, Scarlet. He was no good for you. He doesn't even match up to your taste. I'm gonna punch him in the face, like this.” She made a fist and threw punches in the air, three times. “ Pow! Pow!”

Scarlet laughed at her sister's silliness. She drew her close and rubbed her hair. “You are so silly, Lyssa.”

“But Scarlet, how did he allow you to leave the house?” Lyssa asked, looking at the bag her sister had brought her clothes in.

“I asked for a divorce. I'm divorcing him. I don't need a lowlife like him. Not anymore.”

“Yes.”, Lyssa leapt up in joy, “This is what you should have done since. Give him back all the ill treatment he gave you. I'm glad you made that decision. You can now have a bunch of men lining up to have you. Oh my goodness.”

Lyssa picked up Scarlet's phone just to open a dating app for her.

“No no Lyssa, stop that. I don't think what I need right now is a man. I need to take over my company back. I need to be the high-class woman I was before.”

Scarlet trembled slightly. Her mind was still filled with the horrible treatments Lucas meted out on her. She was not ready to go through such a situation again.

“Okay then. I'll speak to Grandpa and Uncle Thomas to arrange something. The President is back.” She said, throwing her arms up in the air.

“No Scarlet. I don't want that.”

“But why?”

“I'm okay with being just the vice president. I can still work for the company effortlessly in that position. Moreover, I do not want to be in the spotlight yet, let's make it low-key.” Scarlet said in a hushed tone.

“So you are not willing to take over our father's company yet?”

“No, I want to start from somewhere and find my way to the top. I want to know I got to the top position by merit." Her level of confidence was obvious.

Lyssa smiled. She was glad a different Scarlet is back now. Confident, bold and assertive.

“I know you will do just fine. You were born just for this. Your talent is topnotch, out of this world. And after all this, Lucas will come crawling at your feet, begging.”

Scarlet chuckled hearing her sister's words. “Lucas! We are over. I don't want to ever set my eyes on him or have anything to do with him. Our path ends here.” She said with an air of indifference.

“That's the Scarlet I know.” Lyssa said joyfully.

“I'll speak with Uncle Thomas myself, I'll let him know how I plan on coming back to the company.”

“But will you be fine? I mean, trying to come back to the company and at the same time handling a divorce proceedings? I bet Lucas is already thinking you want his money when you can buy his company over and throw him out of it.”

“I'll be fine, trust me and I don't need to buy his company over. I don't want to have anything to do with that family anymore.”

“But what if he comes back for you? What if he wants you back?” Lyssa asked, looking at Scarlet.

Scarlet felt her heart sting. She doesn't think Lucas can ever come back for her. He treated her like trash and it was obvious he could not wait to discard her. “But what if Lyssa is right?” She tried not to get her hopes high. Lucas had never cared about her, not for once, so what will make him do that this time?

“He won't come back.” Scarlet said gazing at the ceiling, her head propped up against the wall.

For the past one year of their marriage, she had been a submissive wife. She cared for him and honored him. But he rubbed it in her face by always choosing Maria over her. “Well let's see how he comes with Maria.” Scarlet thought to herself.

Lyssa looked at her and noticed she had gone dark. The suffering she endured had taken a huge toll on her once beautiful skin. Her face had eyebags and her cheekbones were so evident.

“Were you not feeding well too? You look so sick..” Lyssa said, gazing at her sister.

Scarlet looked at the divorce papers placed on her desk. She looked at it and grabbed a pen. Her hands trembled as she held the paper in her hands. She wished she didn't have to do this but she was not willing to allow Lucas and his family to cause her more pain.

She appended her signature on the divorce papers.

“Get the secretary to send this to his office. I need his signature on it.” Scarlet said to Lyssa.