The Wife

A Mother's love

I was in my office all day, I had papers to review and sign. But there was only one report I have been going through the whole hour or so, it was the net worth statement of my so-called family.

Hank Russell's bank statements state his previous balance from 2009-2014 $336,568,990 but this year, it was dwindling to $15,087,900. Reports show it either goes to his gambling problem or his election run money. He was close to being bankrupt with the house, taxes and all those cars of his.

Antoinette's is a bit better but whatever, she spends them all on her bag collection, shoes, clothes and of course her lover.

Just seeing that I didn't need to do much damage on these people made me smile but then I wanted to ruin them and just turn them to one of those beggars on the streets, heck those guys deserve to live a better life than these people.

"Mrs. Sabella, Mrs. Devereux has just arrived." My PA announced and I just nodded signalling her to let our guest in.

"Cassandra." Marceline Devereux stood in my office in all her fashionable glory. A close friend of Antoinette but now her greatest enemy, apparently through the years I was gone Antoinette was stealing designs from her and taking credit on it for her events.

"Aunt Marceline." I stood, going around my desk I kissed both her cheeks as a sign of respect for the woman.

"Your mother would've never thought you'd grow into this!" She spoke in awe, holding me at arms length she studied me from head to toe.

"Well, regret always comes in the end." I smiled and she smirked back at me, everyone knew Marceline Devereux was someone you'd never want to mess with, Antoinette just thought she had the balls to do so.

"Ahh.. I still see the little spitfire your parents always hated however I always admired that in you." She smiled fondly and that much was true, she acted more of a mother for me than my mother ever could.

Bottom line of my life, people who are never related to me acted or treated me more of a family than my own ever could. It was that f****d up.

"So, how may I help you Mrs. Sabella?" She asked, taking a seat on the couch that sat a few feet away from the ceiling to floor windows.

Taking a seat next to her I looked into her eyes that held a wise soul, I wanted to ask her if I still needed to go through what I had initially planned but then I also needed closure. I wanted revenge and I was thirsty for it.

"I want to know what has happened these past few years." I lied and she looked deep in my eyes before nodding and placing her Louis Vuitton bag on the glass coffee table.

"Very well then, but I would suggest for you to ask for refreshments. This will be a long afternoon." She smiled and I didn't hesitate doing what she asked for. I always loved having chats with my aunt, she was just someone who has a way with story-telling, that the most boring story turns to something interesting when she tells you about it.

After our chat, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat who just got a loaded bowl of milk and I sure did after all those stories Aunt Marceline didn't hesitate to share.

Apparently Antoinette's fashion label is close to going bankrupt and of course she needed investors and since she was someone who never had the nicest personality or anything, no one dared invest in her company that was close to turning to dust.

So here I was in front of Andara's headquarters, I had set a meeting with her to go through my initial plan for her now crumbling company. Stepping foot in the building I felt everyone's eyes on me, the receptionist nodded and ushered me to the private elevator that lead directly to her floor.

Getting in the lift I impatiently tapped my foot against the floor, biting my lip anxiously. As soon as the ding went I stood up straight and walked out of that metal box.

"Good Morning Mrs. Sabella! Mrs.Russell has been expecting you." Her Secretary greeted and ushered me to what I recognized as her studio.

She lightly tapped on the door and when I heard a muffled 'come in' called out she has pushed the door open.

"Madame, Mrs. Sabella has arrived." She announces and ushers me in the studio, there she stood looking at a model who was moving side to side, modelling what looked like a curtain that just had a belt around it.

Her eyes scanning it like a hawk from head to toe she bit her lip and nodded at the masterpiece. Her attention turned from the model to me, her eyes widening a bit.

"Cassandra?" She called out breathlessly, her eyes holding unshed tears as she walked my way and when I saw her opening her arms wide expecting me to hug her I took a step back with a brow raised.

"I am not here for a so-called family reunion Antoinette." I spoke her name full of distaste, crossing my arms I looked at her indifferently.

"I am here to talk about business, so if you may I would like to speak in a more private area." I spoke once more to cut the silence between us, she nodded and escorted me to her office that was just a few doors down from her studio.

"Please, take a seat." She ushered me to a pristine white leather couch that was near a bar, she asked what would I like to drink and I refused.

"So what do I owe to earn a pleasurable visit from the wife of one of the worlds richest and ruthless man." She inquired, looking at me with high regard which made me remember how she at often times looked down on me, with disgust, hatred or nothing at all.

"I am here to make a deal with you Antoinette, I will buy your company from you for a reasonable price or I will destroy it, simple." I looked at her with no emotion, while she looked at me wide eyed. Her fashion house is her pride and glory, the one she built from the rubble up to the high sky of fame, and now here she was hearing someone is set on taking it from her hands, either she lets go of it or she watches it crumble in front of her.

"Cassandra.. Don't do this, you know how important this company is to mother.." She pleads, taking my hand in hers. Unshed tears began to fall as she looked at me apologetically and guilt, her grip tightening in the long silence I didn't speak.

"Do I look like I care?" I inquired, ripping my hand off her grasp. She gasped and covered her mouth as the tears fell harder.

"And mother?" I spoke the title with distaste and pure hatred, glaring at her hard.

"You lost the privilege to call yourself my mother when you treated me like crap for most of the years I lived under your care or have you forgotten about that?" I spat out, the longer I looked at her the longer I saw red on this woman.

"So one more time Antoinette. Let me take this almost bankrupt company of yours from your hands or I will make sure you see it fall to dust first hand." I stood and looked down on her, she continued sobbing and shaking her head.

"Never.. I will never give away my child." She mumbled and sobbed further.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you my so-called mother. A woman who considered some thing her child more than her flesh and blood.

"I see.. Too bad then." I grabbed my purse off her table, glaring down at her.

"You just made a very wise decision." Note the sarcasm.

"Cassandra please do not do this!" She flew from the couch to my feet, she was kneeling and begging.

This was what I wanted to see however its far too early, I wanted to see more.

"Too late, it has already started." I ripped her hands off my jumpsuit and started walking out of her office.

"Cassandra! I am still your mother! You are still my flesh and blood!!" She screamed and that made me pause and turn to look at her.

" I actually don't care if you were dead or still alive, but I actually preferred if you were dead since that was what you were and still are to me years ago." I walked out and left a sobbing woman whom I used to look up to, someone I wanted to be when I grew up. But through the years I didn't like that idea anymore.

I just really didn't care anymore.