CHAPTER 4 DIVORCE PAPERS

Alex was filled with fear, he thought she had died. Emily and her mother, Mary, were frantic, scrambling around in a panic.

He rushed to Leah, seeing a part of her head bleeding. He checked her pulse…it was weak and faint. It could barely be heard. He called his personal doctor immediately and called 911. Fortunately, the doctor was nearby and arrived swiftly, and attended to Leah until she was out of danger while the 911 arrived.

Leah was rushed to the hospital in an emergency…...

The hospital was a stark, cold room, filled with the sterile scent of antiseptic. The fluorescent lights casting its shadows, the beeping of the heart monitor was the only constant sound, a reminder of Leah's fragile state.

Leah was placed on an IV fluid after she was resuscitated. She remained unconscious for a few days but the doctor assured that she was out of immediate danger and recovering. He also recommended a complete bed rest for her because she seemed stressed out.

Two days after the incident occurred, Leah woke up with a bad headache and bandage on her head. But seeing that no one was around to care for her added to her sorrow.

The doctor walked in and examined her properly and confirmed she is okay and ready to leave anytime.

As the doctor finished his checkup, a new figure entered the room.

"Who are you sir? Are you here to see me? Leah asked, her voice weak.

"Ofcourse, I am here to see you. I am Liam, your husband's lawyer, and I bear with me the divorce papers, Liam said coldly.

"Divorce papers?" Leah's voice echoed leaving her dumbfonded.

The doctor excused himself and left quietly, unnoticed by Leah as she absorbed the shock. Tears welled up in her eyes for what felt like the hundredth time. When would these tears ever stop? Lost in her own thoughts.

"I am very much in a hurry as there are many clients waiting for me. So I would love us to go straight to the point and end this," Liam said impatiently.

"Hmmm…okay"." Leah murmured.

"Here are the divorce papers. You are free to go through the conditions and sign please." Liam said, his tone business-like.

"You expect me to sign these divorce papers? Does anyone care about my mental health at all? Leah asked, her voice breaking.

"Maam, I am not here to discuss your family problems. You should fix those with my client, your husband. For now, I am doing my job and I need the money," Liam replied curtly.

"So, because of money, would you rather see my home destroyed? Are you even human? Do you have a conscience or any human sympathy?" Leah demanded.

"I am not here to show emotions or sympathize with you, Ma'am. Please go through the terms and conditions of the divorce papers and ask questions pertaining to that. That is all I can do for you," Liam replied, unmoved.

"Why should I never step foot in my fathers house and why is it written that I can't have any of the properties left in my name? I wont sign these papers," Leah declared, throwing them onto the bed.

"Then be prepared to live a miserable life because those properties will never be used by you at any point. I am sorry, but you just have to sign them or face the consequences of your actions," Liam replied.

"Are you threatening me?" Leah asked.

"No, I am not. But there will come a time when it will feel like a threat. For now, I suggest we solve this quietly and amicably, which will benefit both of us. You get your peace and quiet, I get my money, I will leave you alone. A win-win situation. And remember, your father never really signed a document in your name. It was just mere words. We are doing this so in the future you wouldn't claim you own it" Liam said.

Leah felt her head would explode from the stress. Her thoughts raced, and her pounding headache intensified.

"You were the one who caused havoc in your family by sleeping with another man, so sign the divorce papers and save us time," Liam added.

"They drugged me. They fucking drugged me. I didn't do it willingly. How can you all plan to ruin my life like this?" Leah wept, her heart breaking afresh.

"Pay me three times what Mr Allison would pay and I will fight your case, and if you have nothing to offer, I suggest you do what you are told. He said

And I have told you to sort yourself out with my client. Mr. Allison. Please, I just want to do my job and leave. Don't involve me in your family dramas," Liam insisted.

Leah couldn't control her heartbreak and continued crying. Her father had called the family together recently and given everyone shares of his property. She had just found out that while the others' shares were signed, hers wasn't. He had planned to sign it on the fateful day, but he died suddenly.

Although she lived with her father and stepmother, her father had never hated her. But now that he was gone, Mary, her stepmother, had become a venomous snake, a pest determined to frustrate and torment Leah for the rest of her life. Mary questioned the equal sharing of the properties and, from that day onwards, never referred to Leah as her daughter but as an illegitimate child.

"I had informed you that I had other business to attend to. Sign the papers, maam," Liam instructed.

Leah wiped her tears and read through the papers repeatedly, including the part that stated she could never step into any of the Orberts' houses or claim any property.

"It will never be well with all of you causing me pain," Leah muttered. With shaking hands, she signed the papers, feeling as though she was signing away her very soul.

She heaved a sigh of frustration as she handed the papers over to the lawyer. Liam's smile as he collected the papers felt like a knife twisting in her heart.

"Who smiles when causing another pain? It can only be the devil," Leah muttered.

"Please, don't forget to abide by the words you just signed to avoid attracting and paying fines. But if you want, I wouldn't mind if you'd be my guest. I love money so much. Nice doing business with you' Liam said, reaching out for Leah's hand for a handshake.

Leah gave him a killer stare that could unnerve anyone. He quietly withdrew his hand.

"Well, I shall take my leave now. Have a good day, and I hope you survive out there in this harsh world. Only the strong survive sometimes," he said and left.

As if there's anything good about the day… now you have the nerve to give me advice, Leah thought.

She was then left alone to cry herself into a stupor. She felt like nothing more than an empty vessel, hollow and broken.

"Where do I start from now? No home, no husband, no family. Left with nothing but a box of my clothes and the necklace my mother left me in remembrance," Leah whispered to herself.

Leah's experience is one of betrayal, confusion, violation and pain. A revelation that shatters her sense of self and dignity. Her emotional and physical pain is evident as she processes the horrifying event that had transpired.

She was pained and wished life would be a little bit fairer to her. She wept until her eyes dried out and eventually lost her voice.

Leah stared at the necklace, a fragile tether to her past. She couldn't shake the feeling that her stepmother's malevolence was only beginning.

The world outside the hospital felt colder and more unwelcoming than ever. And Leah knew she had to find strength within herself to survive. She closed her eyes, vowing silently to fight for her dignity and her future. Little did she know, the battle was just beginning, and the worst was yet to come.