NAYA'S POV

“Oh my God…” Chloe covered her mouth with her hands.

I just stared at the screens with a newfound indignation that coarsed my insides against the Andersons.

I started to think about the possibility of going on a lone journey to get my revenge on the Andersons, when my phone chimed several times with text messages from Ivan and his mother inviting me on a scheduled urgent interview with the press, at the Anderson’s conference hall the next morning.

“What is it? Who is those text messages from?” Chloe asked me as I handed my phone over to her.

She stared dimly at me before she took the phone from me and read through the messages.

“These bastards are truly evil!” She hissed in annoyance.

I just sat there on the bed and thought of how I'd make Ivan suffer in the most painful and agonizing way.

“How could they do this to you?” Chloe furrowed her brows in confusion in front of me, almost like she couldn't understand it.

“Tell me one more time, Chloe, that this is my chance to make them all suffer..” I mumbled under my breath as I watched her press her lips into a thin line.

“I just need you to tell me..” I muttered as I bit my lip to stifle my emotions.

Chloe's eyes sparkled with obvious sadness for a moment before she shook her head up and down and sniffled.

“You are capable of making them pay for all they have done to you.. so yes, this is your chance to make them all suffer!” She said thickly as I scoffed at the sight of her confidence in me.

I nodded slightly at her and pulled the bedsheets off of me.

“Will you go to the press conference tomorrow?” She asked as I paused my movement to look at her.

“I should.” I said simply.

“What if they try to complicate things even more, will you be able to handle that?” She decided to ask just to make sure that I'd be okay with anything that is bound to happen.

I shook my head. “Yes, I will. I just need your help with something important.”

She furrowed her brows at me. “What is it you need help with?”

“My hair.. I need to cut it.” I blurted.

And that was because I believed that I could subscribe to a new beginning by first cutting my hair.

“What?” She was surprised at my request.

“Yes, Chloe. I crave for a new look, I need to start over and hopefully, I don't ever have to go back to the old me ever again.” I said as I tried to make it convincing enough to my ears.

She squinted her eyes at me. “Are you sure?”

I nodded slightly. “I figured that if I want to get back at the Andersons, I must first get rid of the old me by cutting my hair and not subscribe to her weakness ever again.”

Chloe looked at me like I'd grown two heads. “Are you really sure about that?”

I nodded again. “Yes, now let's go home. I'm really hungry.” I said as I forced a small smile at her.

Then I tore the hospital sheets and used the torn material to cover my face, so that I could successfully avoid the prying eyes of the press.

Chloe nodded at me before we both walked out of the ward and eventually, out of the hospital.

As we both stepped out of the hospital doors, the bright sunlight was a jarring contrast to the sterile, fluorescent-lit rooms that I'd been confined to for several hours.

I squinted and raised my hand to shield my eyes and felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. Chloe, walked beside me and quickly grasped my elbow to steady me.

“Easy, Naya.” Chloe said, her voice was soft with concern. “You're sore and still recovering. Let's take it slow.”

I nodded slightly, taking a deep breath as we made our way to Chloe's car. The fresh air and warm sunshine on my skin felt wonderful, but my body still ached from the ordeal. Then I instantly felt grateful Chloe's support, both physical and emotional.

I thought about my resolve for a transformation as we drove through the quiet streets.

All I'd ever wanted was a quiet life before and after I was arranged to marry Ivan Anderson. But the memory of the past five months has been everything but quiet. A very sharp contrast to my desires.

I felt Chloe's eyes on me as I glanced at her. She pulled up a small smile and reached out to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. “We'll figure it all out, Naya.” She said. “One step at a time, you'll get through it.”

I smiled weakly and couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards her.

When we finally pulled up to Chloe's apartment, she guided me inside and without further hesitation, she help me do a total makeover to my appearance starting with my hair.

I barely slept a wink that night, I stayed up thinking about the possible turn out of the press conference and what the Andersons had up their sleeves.

The scheduled time approached and Chloe stepped into my room to help me prepare for it.

I glanced at myself in the mirror for a final once-over at my reflection. My short neatly stretched hair and my body hug clothing was obviously a sharp contrast to the timid appearance of the old Naya Simpson.

How quick the process of change felt, and how sweet the thrill that sat at the pit of my stomach.

“Are you ready?” Chloe asked me as I looked at her through the mirror.

I nodded slightly. “I am.”

“You look different and beautiful, I bet Ivan squirm at the sight of you today..” She smiled with satisfaction evident on her face.

“I don't care what he thinks.” I said as I tucked my hair behind my ears.

“Right.” She said. “I'll be your humble driver today.”

I snapped my head back to look at her. “You'd do that?”

She smiled and nodded at me. “Of course, I would.”

I quickly pulled her in for a quick embrace. “Thank you.”

When I let her go, she smoothed out my hair. “Remember, no crying or feeling sorry for yourself. Today is meant for you to shine, and you will.” She said softly as I pulled up a small smile at her.

“Now, let's go.” Chloe said as we both got out of the house and drove off to the venue.

Before we got out of the car, a sea of paparazzi swamped the entrance and I didn't let myself feel bothered by it. Chloe just gave my hand a final squeeze.

“You want me to go in with you?” She asked gently.

I smiled at her. “No, I got this. Just be quick enough to pull up the car in case there's an explosion.”

We both giggled at my words, before she nodded slightly at me. “Now, I'm convinced you got this.”

“Yes, I got this.” I said again and took a deep breath before getting out of the car.

I saw Chloe from the corner of my eyes reverse to park the car properly.

I straightened my back and walked confidently towards the entrance with my purse and my phone.

The few people that saw me didn't even recognize me but when I got closer and when the bodyguards furrowed their brows at me in recognition, they quickly came up to me to guide me through the paparazzi and inside the building.

That was when they all recognized me and almost clustered the entrance with their many insignificant questions flying in the air.

When I successfully got inside, all the bodyguards except one followed me further inside as I clutched my purse wearing a no game look.

When we began to walk through the final hallway that led to the conference room, Ivan, my ex-husband appeared in the hallway and began walking towards my direction.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and clutched my purse tighter.

I saw him furrow his brows at me and stopped in front of me. The bodyguard bowed slightly to him in regard and quickly disappeared behind me.

“Naya?” He spoke in confusion and began to narrow his eyes up and down my body.

He ran his hand through his hair and scoffed at the sight of my body, as if he was trying so hard not to grab me.

Something about the distorted look on his face made me feel more comfortable and confident.

“Hello, ex-husband.” I greet him as he grunted.

“Don't you dare call me that!” He hissed low.

“Why, you wanted to get a divorce so badly and now you suddenly don't like the face of reality?” I said and tilted my head to peek at his face.

He furrowed his eyes and quickly looked around for anyone who might be watching. He grabbed my arms and pushed me up against the wall as he took in my cologne.

“Damn!” He brought his eyes to look at me but I still had a no game look on.

So I decided to taunt him. “Do I affect you that much? You look beat.”

“Shut the fuck up!” He growled under his breath.

I resisted the urge to smile satisfactorily.

When a few people popped out into the hallway, he quickly let go of my arms and looked like he was going to explode with impatience.

I leaned further towards him and reached to arrange his tie. The people that walked past commented on how I was still a sweet wife to Ivan regardless of the situation. I couldn't help but smile at that.

“Now, ex-husband, make sure you behave in there. We don't want any anomaly now, do we?” I said slowly as he cursed under his breath.

I took that as my cue to walk away from him and into the conference room.

Immediately I stepped inside, the batch of paparazzi inside rushed to me and blarred questions at me.

I felt Ivan behind me and subscribed to not care about his existence.

I ignored all their random questions and pulled up a small smile.

“I'll probably get to answer all your questions at the commencement of the interview, and please, I urge you to interview me not as Ivan Anderson’s wife but as his ex-wife.” I stated confidently as they mummered amongst themselves and began to yet again throw up questions at my statement.

I ignored them and turned to look at Ivan whose clenched jaw and balled fists posed a satisfactory sight to me.

Maybe I was a fool being his wife but I'd definitely make him suffer as his ex-wife.

I was intent on it.

The scowl on Ivan's face deepened and heck, I couldn't care less.

Then I turned back to the paparazzi, gave them a small smile and then I walked past them and further into the vast hall.

I heard them scurry up to Ivan to throw questions at him but he ignored them and pushed past them to go settle himself down somewhere.

Did I win already?

Heck, I was dying to be the winner in this fight of ours. But speaking about winning, Mrs Anderson, Ivan’s mother approached me with a contempt look on her face. I had to swallow the lump at the back of my throat, in other to avoid stuttering or stammering or any of those things that will make me look stupid because she was the big fish in my fight with Ivan.

“I must admit that you look a little presentable with a little makeup on you.. but that doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get out of this unscathed. I promise you.” Mrs Anderson said to me as she looked me up and down.

“I will make sure that Ivan divorces you and you get to finally disappear from our lives.” She said quietly to my face like she didn't want anyone else to pick up on it.

But what the hell is she yapping about? I expected that she is already aware that Ivan and I have completed the divorce paperwork, but even though the proceedings have hurriedly been completed, she must have known about it but she clearly doesn't know.

What is Ivan scheming?

Why isn't his sweet mother aware of their separation? Or is this some sort of crazily distorted plan to completely destroy her?

I saw Mrs Anderson tilt her head at me. “A cat got your tongue? I'm surprised you aren't trying to beg for your stay in my son's life, or your supposed love for him have been a scandalous lie?” She asked wide-eyed, like she was brooding on the clear possibility of it.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her. “No, Mrs Anderson. My love for your son have not been a lie and I believe that it's quite unfortunate that I still do love him even though we're not together anymore.” I said as I walked past her to sit somewhere else.

“What?” I heard her say as she scrambled to go meet Ivan.

I shook my head at her before I finally settled myself at the corner of the room to await the commencement of the interview.

When I looked down at my hands, they were all sweaty and trembling. I rubbed them together and instantly knew that I had little or no time left to remain brazen, straight faced and confident.

I glanced at the side and watched Ivan peer at me whilst speaking to his mother. I instantly looked away and bit my lip. Those demons must be plotting against me.

For a split moment, I actually thought that I would have let Chloe accompany me in order to support me but as good and satisfying as that sounds, I was going to face it all alone. Besides, I wouldn't want her to be the target of the Andersons.

Because all they want is to crush me, and me alone.

Soon, the interview started and I realized that I've been rubbing my hands against each other the whole time, now they're white.

I sighed as the podium was finally set up and the members of the Andersons family that was present, were called out on stage to take their respective seats. Including me.

I slowly grabbed my purse, swallowed the lump at the back of my throat and pinched myself hard to maintain a straight face no matter what the Andersons had up their sleeves, that will make me cry in front of the camera and in front of the thousands of people watching, including Chloe. I had a sudden urge not to disappoint her.

So here it goes…

I finally strolled confidently to take my seat and then I smiled at the paparazzi.

I tried so hard to remain levelheaded because Ivan was seated at my right and his mother on my left.

Thus, the interview began with random questions which I mostly ignored and smiled in response at.

“I know you are deliberately ignoring those questions..” Ivan spoke through his teeth beside and I didn't even bother to look at him or respond to his statement.

“Ivan mentioned to me that you two have indeed been separated but I'll have to go check those papers myself because there's definitely something fishy about it.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Why, don't you trust your son? If you say you do, why don't you believe his resolve then?” I asked confidently as her face was hard with a mix of annoyance and amusement.

“It's surprising that you've brought some cute audacious wings with you, but I'll cut them off.” She threatened as I glanced at her.

“Do as you wish.” I said as I smiled curtly at her and the scowl on her face deepened but she instantly replaced it with a smile for the camera.

I blinked back something in my eyes as Ivan Anderson decided to place his hand on my thigh and rub them. What is he doing?

I froze on my seat whilst trying to maintain the fake smile on my face.

“I must confess that you look beautiful today, confidently beautiful.” Ivan said to me as I slapped his hand away from my thighs.

“Have you forgotten so soon what I said to you earlier? It'd be to your advantage and not mine to behave..” I said through my teeth as he scrowled at me and maintained his focus on the paparazzi.

Why the hell am I in the middle of these demons anyway?

“Miss Naya…” One of the interviewers called my attention to his question.

“Yes?” I said as Ivan’s hand rested on my thighs again but this time, I decided to ignore him probably until I was finished with my response to the press.

“Mr Ivan Anderson reportedly stated to the press that you, intentionally and deliberately murdered your unborn child three months ago and as a result, becomes the reason for your divorce. Correct?” The interviewer asked with a perked eye brow.

I blinked severally at the question. They were all lies and I knew that they were trying to make me admit again to the fact that I intentionally fell down the stairs to get rid of my child and the fact that they tied the question to my earlier statement of being Ivan's ex-wife, was something I expected they'd do.

So I thought that in order to answer freely and escape the shackles of guilt that the Andersons were trying so hard to inflict on me, I have to get away from them.

“Miss Naya?” The interviewer said as I cleared my throat and leaned further into the mic.

“A moment please..” I said as I slowly stood up for the chair as Ivan’s hand dropped off my thighs.

I grabbed my purse and walked away from the midst of mother and son whilst the camera remained intent on my movement.

I walked down the small stairs and finally in front of the media and away from Ivan and his mother.

I looked up from my position at both mother and son, whose scrowl deepened by each passing moment.

Then I looked back at the media. “False. That accusation is false.” I said confidently as several cameras began to flash on my face.

“So, what you are saying to all of us today is that you deny these accusations and your husband Ivan Anderson lied against you?” The interviewer asked again.

I nodded slightly. “Ex-husband, please. And yes, I didn't intentionally harm my unborn child and it mostly certainly isn't the reason for the divorce.”

“Noted, Miss Naya. But could you tell us the reason why you divorced Mr Ivan Anderson?” The interviewer pressed as Ivan hit the table in anger.

I glanced at him and I observed the angry blaze in his eyes and I immediately confirmed that once again, and like every other time, it was so hard for him to control his wrath.

“I divorced her!” Ivan said as he left his seat and hurriedly strolled down to where I was, whilst his mother watched.

Ivan fumed in front of me as I furrowed my brows at his actions. Then I watched him face the media with contempt registered on his face.

“Mr Ivan Anderson, it's obvious you have some more claims to this matter.” The interviewer said as I pressed my lips into a thin line.

“They're not claims, they're actually facts!” Ivan blurted as he brought his gaze back on me, and the flashing of cameras continued.

“My wife here… now ex-wife, cheated on me with a freaking bodyguard!” Ivan hissed as the crowd began to mumble.

I scoffed at him. So, he's going to play that card?

“What the hell are you doing?” I whispered to him.

“Mr Ivan Anderson, are you referring to the pictures of your wife with another man that was falsely circulated on the media several days ago?” The interviewer asked Ivan and a part of me was a tad bit grateful.

“Falsely? Those are not falsified. In fact, the evidence is right here in our midst.” Ivan said as I furrowed my eyes at him.

What the heck is this bastard talking about?

I followed Ivan’s gaze to the bodyguard from the other night. He is the evidence?

What are these demons unto?

For a moment, I met the interviewer’s eyes which was filled with less hope than anything I could fathom.

I looked away and focused on the bodyguard whose face was everything but confident. Then, I was convinced that the Andersons must have done something to him. What did they do to him?

I took a couple steps towards the bodyguard whose eyes remained glued to his feet. Then the events from the other night, came flashing back.

“It's true that Miss Naya here, cheated on her husband with me while they were still married…” The bodyguard nodded in affirmation as I felt my feet wobble.

I glanced back at Ivan whose lips were curved into a shallow smirk.

‘It's all part of the plan’

‘what plan?’

I remembered the events from the other night and the news about the ridiculous affair with the bodyguard.

Those pictures of us in a compromising situation were all taken when I passed out and the whole world would believe these fuckers except I think of a way out of my situation.

But what?

I dug my fingers into my palms at the sight of the satisfaction evident on Ivan's face. No, I won't let him win.

I won't let the Andersons bring me down like this. Besides, I'm the only one permitted to shine and not let them trample on me.

“Miss Naya?” Another interviewer brought me out of my thoughts as I looked around me to see that all eyes were fixated on me.

Ivan soon came up to me and leaned in to whisper to my ears. “So, my little birdie, what are you gonna do now?”

Then he brought his eyes to meet mine but I didn't let my anxiety show. I concealed it with everything in me.

I turned to the interviewer and nodded slightly at him to go on with his question.

“Yes?” I mumbled under my breath as I mentally pleaded with myself not to lose it in front of these many people.

“Is it true that you cheated on your husband, Mr Ivan Anderson with this bodyguard, while still being married to him?” The second interviewer asked as I looked into the eyes of the people present whilst the flashing of cameras continued.

“No, it's not true.” I said confidently and glanced at Ivan who was also under the spotlight.

“Within the past months of being married to Mr Ivan Anderson here…” I gestured to him. “Even though I admit our marriage wasn't on a bed of roses, I actually did love my husband and have never done anything inappropriate to taint my feelings for him. So, I didn't cheat on Ivan Anderson like this man claims.” I pointed back to the bodyguard as I began to hear series of mumblings in the room.

“So, what about the pictures that pose as evidence against you?” The second interviewer asked as I nodded at the thought of something.

“Those are false too.” I said.

“How so?” A reporter asked as I sighed and my eyes met Mrs Anderson’s cold ones as if she was warning me to speak no further but I resolved to. Because I yearned to get over this whole mess as soon as possible.

“One night, on August 15th and on my way back home after meeting my ex-husband in one of ANDERSONs brand hotels because he didn't come home for days, the bodyguard offered to drop me off…” I trailed off as I revealed what really happened including the fact that I was drugged and kept locked up in the vehicle against my will.

“That's most definitely when those compromising pictures of me and the bodyguard were taken.” I finished as I saw Ivan from the corner of my eyes run his hand through his hair in obvious dread and frustration.

“Do you have any evidence to support these claims?” The interviewer asked as I shook my head.

“But…” I said almost immediately. “I want to clearly and without further doubt, refer to the dashcam of the vehicle as evidence. That is, if the Andersons will be willing to cooperate with further investigation.” I stated as I felt my eyes water.

No, not now. Not now, Naya…

I berated myself.

Ivan looked like he was lost in thought and his mother frowned at me.

“We'll get on it.” An ambitious looking reporter said quickly and left the room alongside his followers.

Mrs Anderson looked restless for a moment before she beckoned on her goons to probably give them certain instructions.

The thought that they would have seen it coming and must have gotten rid of the dashcam to cover up their tracks made me uncomfortable but I was glad that I'd given the press something important — a possibility to take into consideration.

But then I thought of anything else to say or do to support my claims.

“Miss Naya, do you perhaps remember the plate number of the said vehicle?” The first interviewer asked me with a glint of hope in his eyes.

Who's this person that makes me feel like he's the only one in the room that is on my side?

I furrowed my brows in thought for a moment and then I decided to disclose the plate number to the vehicle that was always designated to pick me. It was risky, but if I'm lucky, it'll be the same vehicle from the other night.

I felt it was better to bank on my intuition for a way out.

The vehicle was similar, if not the same to the one I was familiar with.

“Yes I do.” I spoke confidently. I had been too exhausted from the intimate session with Ivan and the proposal for divorce that I didn't bother to look closely. But then again, the rain had contributed to my obliviousness.

“Can you tell us?” A reporter said as I shook my head.

I silently prayed that my intuition was on a good point. So here it goes…

“RBC1254, is the plate number.” I blurted as Ivan’s guards hurriedly out as well as the reporters.

“Thank you for your response, Miss Naya. Could you all give us a moment while we look it up..”

The room became chaotic with gasps, mumblings, whispers, and side talks.

Ivan who already looked disheveled, approached me obviously trying so hard to control his nerves.

“What the fuck are you unto?” He asked as he grabbed my arm in a way that would make everyone believe his nails dug into my skin.

“You should know better, Mr Ivan Anderson. That you and your family are the worse kind of human beings that I have encountered.” I spat as his clenched his jaw and tried to stable his breathing.

“The dashcam is missing!” Someone shouted from the entrance as my head snapped to the person in surprise.

“Still got any ideas up your sleeves?” Ivan breathed out as I glared at him.

He moved away from me and I clenched my jaw.

Was I wrong? Is it another vehicle? What should I do?

“Miss Naya, the dashcam you claimed to be an evidence is missing. What do you have to say about that?” The second interviewer asked me as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Well, I decided to use the situation to divert their attention from me.

“I understand the situation at hand, and the question is, why would the only evidence to prove my innocence be missing if there was absolutely nothing to hide? Hence, I suggest the Andersons should be investigated for confiscation of evidence.” I stated.

The cameras continued flashing in my direction.

“Miss Naya, are you implying that the Andersons are not particularly on good terms with you? Is your relationship with the Andersons strained?” A reporter said as I waved it off.

“Nonsense!” Mrs Anderson spoke as the cameras rolled to her direction. “No such thing exist between Naya and the Andersons, except for now, Naya here, is trying to go against the Andersons by making such claims.” She said as I blinked at her.

I scoffed, as expected from Mrs Anderson.

“Miss Naya?” The first interviewer called as I turned to look at him.

“Do you have something to say about that?” He asked as I rested my gaze on Ivan.

“The claims that I cheated on my husband while we were still married like I said before, is false. However, the claim of cheating also stands, except that I wasn't the one who cheated and disrespected our marriage.” I stated and glanced at the interviewer who furrowed his brows at me in question.

“It was Ivan Anderson, my ex-husband, who cheated on me with his little bimbo, Flora Michaels.” I said with a mix of amusement and nausea.

Ivan's eyes were fixated intently on me and he looked beat. His gaze questioned my resolve and I bit my lip at the turn of things.

“Mr Ivan Anderson?”

“Mr Ivan Anderson?”

The reporters called out to him severally, but he and I stood there on a stare drill and battled for dominance.