Page 100 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

He signals to the guys, and we all head out. The drive is fast, and I stay quiet, trying not to think the worst. I check my phoneagain, but there’s still no change. Osei calls, and I update him on everything. I can hear the worry in his voice.

“Can I let mom know?”

“Yes, but tell her not to call me right now. I need to think.”

“I’ll go over and tell her in person. She’ll probably call Simon.”

“That’s fine. Just make sure they don’t call me.”

“Got it.”

Chapter 66

DELE

Breathe, I remind myself for the umpteenth time.I have a purpose. Today is not my dying day. Luke will find me. I have people to live for. I’m not alone. Luke and I are going to have children. I’m not going down without a fight. Luke will send an army for me. I just need to hold the line as long as possible.

She strolls in, looking proud but with an edge of unease. I just need to find a way out of here before she goes nuclear.

“I tried to warn you, but you wouldn’t listen.” Her voice is reedy. I can’t tell if she’s upset with me or herself. We both know she’s reached a point where going back is impossible. Yet she holds her head high, her aura dripping with entitlement and half-baked intelligence. The question is, can her little intelligence help her? I need to keep her engaged—maybe I can buy time until Luke shows up. I know in my heart he will find me, but time is my enemy and my ally right now. It’s also the invisible weapon I have.Use it, Dele.

“What did you warn me about?” I ask flatly.

“Walking away from my man, Luke,” she snickers, rolling her eyes.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her sad laugh and angry eyes terrify me, but I refuse to cower to her twisted mind.

“Yes, you do. I told you Luke and I were meant to be together, but you ignored me and stayed with him. You even lied to him and cost my father millions in losses.” She moves closer, her breath sour with anger. “Do you finally understand? You stole my man!” she yells in my face, her saliva hitting my nose. I turn to wipe it off my shoulder.

“He’s not yours,” I mutter.

“What did you say?” She steps back, eyes blazing. I lock eyes with her.

“He. Is. Not. Yours.” I vehemently state.

The sting of her palm striking my face is loud. I take in a sharp breath, blood seething. I won’t back down.

“Luke is my husband. He’s not yours,” I reiterate.

Her hand slaps me again. I breathe through the pain as a hysterical laugh bursts from her. It seems endless. Then she turns on me and punches me in the face. My lips burst open, blood filling my mouth. I suck it in. I try to clean the blood dripping from my nose with my shoulder, but it's hard with my hands tied.

“You may have stolen him, but once I get rid of you, I’m getting him back, and he will marry me, as planned and agreed upon by our fathers. You are ordinary and a nobody.” I can tell she truly believes what she’s saying. Weirdly, it causes me to laugh. I can’t explain it, but I laugh at her ignorance and my despair, despite the pain.

“What’s funny? Stop laughing.” I laugh harder. Eventually, I stop laughing and give her a pitiful look.

“You think Luke will marry you? To think I actually thought you were a smart woman,” I scoff.

“Yes, he will. You are the barrier in our way. As soon as I get rid of you, he’ll see me.”

“I’ve only known him for nine months. You’ve known him all your life. Don’t you think if he wanted to marry you in the last, say, five years, he would have? The truth is, he doesn’t want you. He loves me,” I sneer.

“Liar!” she shouts in my face, delivering another punch that sends my head rolling back. Blood pours from my nose. Pain radiates through my body, but I refuse to cower to her.

“I’m lying?” I scoff. “I. am. Mrs. Blythe. I. am. Luke’s wife. That’s. a. fact.” I forcibly state, hoping her crazy mind will come to terms with reality, even if it’s just a small dose of it. I refuse to let fear take over and cripple me.

“Yes, you are lying. You seduced him, and now you think he loves you, but I won’t let you get away with this because he’s mine!” she screams at me, striking me once more.

“This shit hurts like crazy,” I murmur. I should stay silent, but I can’t let her win, not while I’m tied to this chair, unable to fight back.

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