"What are you up to this time Gwen?. I gave you one week remember?” Arthur said as I dropped the papers on his office table.
“No need” I replied.
“You should be happy I signed it earlier. It has always be your wish. I’m being so kind as to let you be with the woman you truly love quickly” I said.
I watched his face twisted in disbelief.
“Don't regret it."
I sneered. I had never been more determined.
"The one thing I wish I never did was marry you."
I said with no hint of regrets. I took the car keys and turned to leave when Chloe, Arthur’s younger sister stormed in.
"Arthur, I have a party with my friends. Mind if I take that limited-edition sports car?" She blurted out, obviously eyeing me.
She rolled her eyes dismissively at me.
"How many times must I remind you? When I'm discussing business, you need to knock before entering. Your behavior hardly befits a socialite."
Arthur said annoyed.
Leaning against the table, Chloe grinned slyly. "Alright, got it. Now, give me the car keys. I've got plans to go early."
Always indulgent of his headstrong sister, Arthur nodded and transfer his gaze to me.
"Give her the keys."
He said. My eye lowered and i furrowed my brows.
"I thought you said that car was mine."
Even if my words were soft I could feel Arthur sensed the unfamiliar chill around it.
Infuriated, Chloe lunged at me and snapped,
"What are you talking about? Everything here belongs to my brother. What do these things have to do with you? Hand over the keys!"
She growl and I shook my head. She has always had her ways but not today.
For all my years as part of the Winthrop family, i had always been good-hearted toward her.
Chloe was nothing but a magnet for trouble, always running to her mother when things went awry.
Chloe and her mother made me a maid at the Winthrop mansion. They have always derived joy in stepped on my toes but not anymore. It’s time to fight back.
"No."
I was resolute, locking eyes with Arthur.
"I want the car. You did promise, Mr. Winthrop. You've always been so generous. It's just a car after all."
I saw his eyes widened. I have never spoke back at him. I’m no longer the Gwen he knew during this past three years. I’m now a completely different Gwen than the one who had been picked on all the time before.
Taking a brief pause, I watched Arthur coolly addressed Chloe.
"We have plenty of cars at home. Go to my garage and choose one for yourself."
I smirked folding my arms under my breast. I know it wouldn’t go well with Chloe.
I have always know her as a pampered girl with a stubborn attitude.
As expected, she pointed an accusatory finger at me,
"Answer me. Are you giving me the car or not?"
She demanded.
"No..."
I stood on my ground.
"You've got some nerve, acting so audacious here. Who do you think you are? You're not even fit to serve me!"
My eyes flickered momentarily.
How dare her?
"Chloe, watch your language."
I said, casting her a sideways glance.
"Clearly, someone failed to teach you manners."
I added.
I could see her arrogance grew; she lifted her chin in defiance.
"So what... Ah!"
Ignoring the flowers still in it, i grabbed a nearby vase and drenched Chloe’s head with its water.
"Consider it a lesson from someone who cares enough to teach you."
“Gwen!!”Arthur yelled but I ignored him.
"You're insane!" Chloe voice was lower than expected. I grin knowingly.
I surely had thought her a lesson.
In the shrill of her tone, i exited the study, not glancing back.
“Bitch”
I cursed.
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AT THE WINTHROP MANSION
I stared at the mansion right in front of me. This will be the last time I will be coming here. This mansion was nothing but hell for me.
For a moment, I was relieved that this marriage full of sadness and pains was finally over. I’m only gonna grabbed my luggage and leave:
I inhaled deeply before stepping my foot inside.
"Welcome, Mrs. Winthrop."
The servant all lined up and greeted in unison.
I’m still marveled at the respect this servants have for me despite seeing the way the Winthrop family treats me.
I sighed. I rubbed my temple and corrected them. "From now on, I am no longer Mrs. Winthrop . I'm only Miss Gwen."
I used to feel proud hearing people call me 'Mrs. Winthrop.
I felt it’s an honor marrying into a wealthy and reputable family but not anymore. Now, that name sounded like mockery to me.
I was still talking to the servant when someone grabbed my wrist roughly from behind.
I turned and saw that it was Lady Wendy. Arthur’s Mother.
She held her chin high and stared at me with disgust evident on her face. Standing behind her were many rich ladies. It’s obvious they were her friends who came to visit her.
I stared at her coldly and said,
"What do you want?"
I knew she was taken aback by my new demeanor, Cause the shock was evident on her face.
Lady Wendy used to enjoy belittling and intimidating me but not anymore.
"Who gave you the permission to leave the mansion? Are you done with the house chores? Have you prepared lunch? I will teach you a lesson if you make my son hungry.
And what is that you worn outside? You're a disgrace to our family! You've been married to my son for years, and yet you still dress like a pauper. Shame on you! Get out of here!"
She growl and a scoffed left my mouth.
"Disgrace?"
I muttered and chuckled at her words.
"After I married into your family, you made me your personal maid. Then you made me take care of your son. And I did everything you asked me to do. But did you ever stop?
No. You accused me of stealing your jewelry and punished me by making me kneel outside in the rain. Do you remember those?"
I said.
The ladies behind her looked uncomfortable. They knew she never liked me but they had no idea that Lady Wendy had gone to such lengths to torture me.
As the air grew thick with tension between us, the ladies decided to make a hasty exit using any excuse they could muster.
"What? What are you talking about?"
Lady Wendy tried to interject, but my rapid-fire speech made it difficult.
"Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
I declared, my chin held high,
"I've had enough of you. If you ever try to mess with me again, I'll make sure you pay for all your past deeds!"
I watched her eyes twitched. She just couldn’t believe the transformation in my behavior.
"You dare stand up to me?. You were once a submissive daughter in-law. You used to just act like you were gentle before us?!"
She uttered and i smirked.
She seems to getting angrier.
Clenching her fist, she threatened and pointed her index finger at me,
“I won't let this slide. I'll tell Arthur to divorce you! Even if you get down on your knees and beg me, I will never forgive you!"
I wasn't fazed. A look of contempt played across my face as i sneered.
"Oh, I forgot to mention. An hour ago, I finally signed the divorce papers. Even if you get down on your knees to beg me, I won't set foot in this house of the Winthrop family ever again."
I watched her burst into laughter. A mockery one at that.
“How was that possible?. You have always loved Arthur. You manipulated my father Inlaw in trusting you and marrying you to Arthur. You had always shamelessly clung to the Winthrop family, and now you had given up and left just like that?. Of course I won’t believe that!”She yelled.
I scoffed.
I watched her bring out her phone. It’s obviously she was gonna dial her son’s number.
Immediately Arthur picked, she put it on loud speaker.
"Is it true? Have you really gotten a divorce?"
She said:
"Yes." I heard Arthur’s voice from the other end. I saw Lady Wendy eyes widened.
"Where did you hear that from?" He asked further
"Who else? Gwen it’s home already and she just yelled at me." She yelled angrily but in the next minute, excitement lifted in her eyes.
“Well, that's great news! You finally got rid of her. She's just a girl brought from the street. How could she be worthy of my excellent son? She should have returned to where she belonged a long time ago." She said, giggling.
I scoffed again. I wasn’t surprised. Lady Wendy has always wanted to get rid of me. I shook my head not wanting to feel anymore pains. I left her to continue speaking with her beloved son and climbed the stairs.
I finally carry my luggage and stormed out of the Mansion. I placed my things in my new car and sighed out.
I entered my new car and drove out of the mansion. I headed straight to Arthur’s personal Villa. I couldn’t wait to get this over with.
The past three years had been quite a struggle.
The memories weighed heavily on my heart that i didn't want to dwell on them any longer.