Kiss me in the crossfire

ChapterTwelve

Chapter Twelve

Annika's POV

I know I am beginning to push Ares to his limit as I stand watching him. The hair on my skin stands every time he yells at me.

“If you don't get into the car, I will…”

“There's nothing you will do for me that will surprise me anymore.” I cut him in. Taking a few steps away from him, towards Sloane. The fear I felt was clear as I spoke softly while trying to be firm.

Ares stares at me like he could grab me by my neck and suck the life out of my soul, as I made him furious.

He adjusts the collar of his shirt. Then turn in the direction of his car.

Finally, my nerves were calming down. I pace closer to Sloane and muttered to her, “Please get your car. Let's get out of here. I don't know what Ares is planning to do.”

I know I must not follow Ares back to the house, else I'd never leave, and I'd be facing the worst of all consequences for all I have displayed in public.

While Sloane walks towards her car, I stand still watching Ares, in the hope that he enters his vehicle without causing more scenes.

The door of my dad's entrance creaks and opens. The guests troop out of the building one after the other. I guess the party is over.

I know Ares won't want anything tarnishing his image in front of such people, and I'm ready to make a scene if he doesn't let me go with Sloane peacefully.

Ares arches his brow at me as he looks behind me and sees the guest making their way out.

I know he wants to yell at me to stop misbehaving, but he could not.

“Go on, speak,” I say to him with an audible tone, making sure I get the attention of the guests.

He frowns. The face that always likes to look put together, proud and guided, is looking more frustrated and angry.

“You think because these people are here, you can manipulate me to do whatever you wish to do? You w***e!” Ares yells at me, slamming the door of his car to close, which he had opened and was about to enter.

My body shook as he slams the door of the car. The unexpected turn and heightened anger frightened me.

“Tell them! Tell them how you're never satisfied and now go around sleeping outside your matrimonial home. You act as though you are a good wife. No one ever knows all I have been putting up with you, filthy thing.” He adds and walks to my front.

I stand still, trying to comprehend all that he was saying and why he would say something like that to me, knowing fully well that all wasn't like he says.

“Why are you not saying anything? I thought you had a lot to say to me before.” He yells.

“I, I..”

“Speak!” He raise his hand and wipes across his chin like he was in deep regret and frustration.

I could not help but turn around. The crowd standing over me seems to look at me like I was the problem, and I have always been. The disgust on the faces of the older women made me feel it was time for the ground to open up and take me in.

“This says much about the kind of house you grow up in. Your father should have just taken another wife like he was advised because clearly you know nothing about being a good wife to your husband.”

“Sleeping around?!” He exclaims. “And I'm here to pick you up again? Do you think there's anything special about you?” He adds.

As I take all his words in and it keeps breaking through my heart. Tears roll down my cheeks, and I feel like I should have just followed him. What was I even thinking when I decided to leave because I saw him with Vivienne? That wouldn't be my first time seeing him with other women. I don't know why I'm not grateful and content with the love that he truly shows to me.

My walls crumble.

“That's enough. Both of you.” My dad, Charles, walks in our direction and yells.

“You have finally brought disgrace on me, Annika. Did I not tell you to go back to your husband's home and seek his forgiveness? But no, you wouldn't listen, you've gone ahead fighting everyone for your dirty behaviour.”

I turn to look my dad in the eyes when his hand hangs in the air as though he wants to hit me.

“Dad!” I yell with a devastating look on my face. His words felt like a dagger was pierced through my heart. “What have I ever done?”

He let down his hands and could no longer look at me in the face while I cried like a baby.

“I've told you to get over yourself and become a woman but you wouldn't listen.” He adds and turns his back on me.

“Just because you'd rather save your name, face and business, you betray me this much, Dad! You're my only family. How can you not be on my side? How can you?” I fall to my knees and wept sore.

“Can't you see, all I ever want from you is to love me as your flesh and blood, without putting many things into consideration ahead of that. It shouldn't be too much to ask. No, it shouldn't.”

“Be on your feet! Look at you. You don't behave like my daughter.” Charles was too ashamed to look me in the face.

The people murmur, and I know they will hate me more from then.

Sloane runs at me and helps me up. “That's enough. Let's leave.” She says as she struggles to get me on my feet.

“And where do you think you're going?” Ares signals to one of his men who stood beside the car.

He leans into the car and brings out a file from it, then walks back to Ares.

“Here. Sign the divorce you've been requesting.”