"You threw a divorce paper at my face, and made me suffer only to come back telling me you want me back? And you expect me to foolishly crawl back to you like a senseless idiot?" "I made a mistake and I regret it now. Please don't leave me, Samantha. I love you!" He was already at the verge of breaking down, but she looked at him with nothing but hatred and resentment. "Love? Nathan, did you just say Love? You don't love me. You just want me back because you are at my mercy now," She snickered and moved close to him, rubbing circles on his chest. "You know, dear ex-husband, there is a saying that goes "once bitten, twice shy." I don't agree with that at all, you know why? Because I am Samantha Salvador. If I get bitten..." She trailed off, her voice suddenly turning icy and dark as she leaned in and whispered into his ears. "...I bite back harder." ***** She abandoned her family because of the love she had for her husband, and did everything in her power to make him and his overbearing family happy. She turned into a slave just to please them and make her husband happy, but what did she get in return? A divorce paper thrown at her face along with the introduction of a new and wealthy love interest. She begged, but she was insulted for being financially unstable and thrown out of the house. Hurt, she pulls off the mask she had on for ages and was ready to stun the world. What will happen when they realize that the lady they threw out is the heiress to the biggest company in all of America and beyond? This time, she wasn't the weak and naive woman they all know. She was now Samantha Salvador, and the power to do and undo were all in her grasp. In her journey, she meets Aiden, a business associate, and something seems to spark between them. Will love ignite amidst the hunger for vengeance or will revenge prevail?
1.
Samantha's POV
"You imbecile!" Laylani snapped and the next thing I knew, her palms connected with my cheeks, giving me a resounding slap that sent my ears ringing.
I gasped as my hands went to my cheeks that stung from the impact of the slap. I looked at my mother-in-law, tears blurring my vision.
"How could you be so clueless?" She barked, her body trembling as a result of the anger. "Don't you know how to do anything right? How dare you tell me you want to quit your job? Do you have any idea how much help that particular one has been to us?" She yelled at me, her shrill voice echoing through the hallways.
I stared at her as hot tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn't bring myself to say anything to her. Haven't I done enough? I worked multiple jobs and have practically been providing for this family. After Nathan, my husband's company suffered a major loss, I took it upon myself to help support the family. So far, I have six jobs and the stress is taking a toll on my mental health.
After quitting the sixth one prior to the doctor's instructions, my mother-in-law assumes I've committed a huge offense.
I've been married to my husband for three years and believe me when I say, I haven't had a moment of peace since I stepped into this house. He had promised me the whole world and I ditched my family, ignoring their warnings and got married to him, but he practically turned me into his personal punching bag while his family rained several insults on me, blaming me for the collapse of their company's fortunes.
Sometimes I wondered if the universe was punishing me for marrying him against my parents' orders, but I still loved him, and I'm willing to bear it all, so I did the only thing I've gotten used to doing for the past three years.
"I'm sorry, mother." I apologized, but she just scoffed and looked at me like I was some piece of shit.
"Sorry can't solve this, Samantha. You better go back to that company and withdraw the resignation letter you submitted. Tell them you were senseless and have made a mistake, and take that job back. How can you be so heartless? You're the reason we're in this mess. Immediately my son married you, things fell apart. You have to suffer for your bad luck. Do not make me repeat myself!"
"Mother, please, I might break down anytime soon. I can still support the family with the remaining five jobs. I need to be alive to take care of the family, don't I?" I asked her, hoping she would understand me.
"I don't care about any of that. If you want to die, you can die now, and I would have no regrets whatsoever. I would be the happiest person at your funeral!" She snapped and I couldn't believe my ears. This was the same woman who was sick in the hospital with no way of survival, and I had to donate my blood to her. How could she say this to me? She owe me her life!
"I don't want to waste my time with you, Samantha. Get lost!" She pushed me away and wiped her hand with a napkin as if I were some kind of dirt.
I stood with tears in my eyes. I couldn't bring myself to move from where I stood. She turned, and her eyes met with mine.
"Have you gone deaf? I said move! Beat it!" She shooed me with her hands and I wiped my tears.
Slowly, I turned and started walking away from her as I made my way to the living room. As long as Nathan still loved me, I will make this marriage work and endure everything from them.
I walked to the drawer and took out some pain relieves. My head and body were aching badly, and I needed rest. A goodnight sleep would do the trick.
I reached for the drawer, but someone slapped my hands away.
"What do you think you're doing?" Lucas, Nathan's junior brother asked.
"I want to get some pain reliefs. I'm feeling pains-"
"That's none of my business!" He snapped at me and I flinched. "Mum asked us to stop you from touching anything in this house. Apparently, your bad luck is beginning to rub off on everybody. Very soon, she is going to throw your dirty and stinky ass out of this house." He mused, mockery dripping from his tone.
"I need to get the pain reliefs. Besides, I bought this drawer with my money!" I argued back. He was one person I won't allow talk to me anyhow, he liked. He had stolen my money to gamble numerous times, and I've been quiet about it, but I won't watch him disrespect me.
He rolled his eyes. "You are banned from touching it. I don't care if it was your money, Samantha. Anyway, I have a big game tonight, and I need a thousand dollars from you." He clicked his tongue and I scoffed.
"You aren't getting a dime from me." I answered and turned to leave.
"I knew you'd say no, so I helped myself with your credit card,"
I turned to face him, my fists tightened. He threw the credit card at me.
"It's empty now. Make it quick and fill it with money. I need to get the latest sneakers by Friday." He winked at me and walked away.
I sighed and picked the credit card from the floor. Another card empty! Just how am I going to survive with all these happening to me!
With a sigh, I turned to leave the living room but heard the sound of the door. When I turned, Nathan walked into the room and I rushed to welcome him with a smile on my face; a smile he didn't return. I've gotten used to the frown he always had on his face whenever he looked at me, though.
"Welcome back, honey," I reached to take his suitcase from him, but he pushed me away.
"Haven't I warned you not to welcome me, touch me or touch my things?" He asked, and I sucked in a breath.
"I'm sorry." I lowered my head, and he walked in, but what I didn't expect was a woman with him. He linked her hand with his and beamed at her. Whoa! I'd give anything for him to smile at me like that.
I took a closer look at the woman and realized she was a Sullivan; a wealthy and renowned family in New York and business associates with the Salvadors. I knew her too well. What could she be doing here? Did she have a business offer for Nathan? If that was it, then it would be good because the Salvadors could step in as well.
My eyes lit up with smiles and I went to join them on the couch. I was quite uncomfortable with how clingy she was with Nathan, but I said no words to avoid him getting mad at me.
"Sam," Nathan called, and my heart skipped a bit. I couldn't recall the last time he called me this way, and in such a gentle manner either. I gave him a small smile. "I'd like to introduce you to Bianca, my girlfriend."
I blinked.
"Pardon?" I asked because there was no way I heard him well the first time.
"You aren't deaf, so you can clearly hear me, but I'll repeat myself so it would stick to your head. Bianca Sullivan is my girlfriend." He intertwined their fingers and my head sparked.
"Girlfriend? You've got to be kidding me!" I snapped at him. This was unbelievable. There's no way she's his girlfriend.
"I'm not kidding. She is beautiful, rich, and elegant, totally the kind of woman I want for myself. So, I want you to go into your room, pack your things and get out of my house."
"What? Why?" I asked.
He brought out a file and slammed it on the desk in the room.
"I'm divorcing you!" He announced, and my eyes widened.
What!
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
On her wedding night, Natalie's stepmother set her up to marry Jarvis, a disfigured and disabled man. Fortunately, she managed to escape, but little did she know that later she would fall for the man she was betrothed to.Jarvis pretended to be a poor man, but he didn't think that he'd fall head over heels for this woman.Their life went on until one day, Natalie found out her boyfriend's little secret."Huh? How could you have billions of dollars' worth of assets?" she asked in disbelief.Jarvis didn’t know how to respond.Being met with silence, she gritted her teeth angrily. "They said that you couldn't walk, but as far as I can see, you're strong enough to run a marathon."Still, he remained silent.Natalie continued, "They even said that you only have a few years to live. What about now?"Finally, Jarvis opened his mouth to explain. "Honey, this is all just a misunderstanding. Please calm down. Think about the baby.""Jarvis Braxton!"The man knelt down immediately.
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..."Â But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."