His Brother's Ex-Wife

OPHELIA’S POV For the nth time this year, I still can’t bring myself out of this prison. I can’t even set myself free, how am I supposed to help little Aria too? I held the papers in my hand in front of the hospital Aria was in. The cold wind brushed over my skin, through my hair before I finally raised the paper to look If I fail to do it this time, then I certainly can’t get out of this. I got into my car soon and zoomed off. My husband should be getting off work by now, if he isn’t home, I guess he’s having a fling…again. I made a slow turn into the gates of the mansion before pulling into a stop. I got out, all dressed up and tired from work like I am expected to. Work myself out like a dog and still they ask what do I bring to the table? No one ever faced Leo to ask what he brought to the table since all he brought home was women of all kinds. I stepped into the mansion, unusually quiet. Leo would have been making a fuss by now but silence stretched throughout the mansion. I placed my bag on the table looking around for a single maid “Where are they?”. I took out my phone to make a call. Something caught my feet beneath my heels. I stopped and looked down. Slowly, I bent over to reach for t and brought up a black bra. A soft scoff escaped my lips. It wasn’t new that Leo was a cheater but each time I caught him, it still hurt part of me. I held on the piece of underwear and gathered other clothing on the floor till I walked up the mansions stairs, standing right before our room. I could hear them. How much fun they were having, the way she kept calling his name, their movements…it was everything needed to finalize this divorce. My fingers rested on the door knob. They hadn’t locked the door either. I pushed the door open and when they caught sight of me, they squirmed “s**t!” leo swore, rushing to cover himself up and the lady beneath him “Lia, what are you doing here?”. “Why hide now?” my voice came out softer than I had planned “it’s not your first time, is it?” I continued. Leo walked over. Then I held my hand out to stop him while I remained at the door “Vanessa, you don’t have to keep hiding.” I recognized my own step sister beneath those sheets that Leo and I used to curl up in. Leo grabbed my wrist soon “Ophelia, this is not what it looks like, please” he pleaded, those eyes pretended to feel guilty. My brows drew together as thought of killing Leo flashed through my mind “Get off me” I shoved him away, tossing the bra and other clothes at his face and faced Vanessa, still under the sheets “First you took my place in my family, took my place in my father’s heart” I stared down at her “You and your mother” I yelled at her, forcing my eyes to stay open and keep the tears back “Then you take my husband?” my voice dropped down with a break. Leo cut in “I’m still here, she doesn’t have me. You do”. I ignored every word he said. It sounded like a speech he stole from the internet. “Fine, you can have him” I said and turned to Leo “He wasn’t much of a husband either. Enjoy yourselves” I said and walked out the door. I strolled as fast as I could down the stairs. Leo followed behind “Let’s talk about this, Ophelia. It wasn’t really my choice” he said, clutching the sheets around his waist tight. I reached for my bag and took out a brown envelope. I shoved it into his chest “Sign this and meet me at the court” I said and turned to leave. “Ophelia!” he kept calling as I disappeared into the light outside. I paused at the mansion door after closing it behind me. I blinked furiously, my mouth curving to a little pout. I had promised myself not to cry. My hand tightened around my bag as I walked towards my car. I left Leo’s mansion. The next time I would be visiting, is to take my belongings and end things for good. I had nowhere to go, my only friend is countries away from me, even if I wanted to meet her, I had to get through with this divorce. I lodged in a hotel for the night. Dad had called me a million times, he even sent texts. All that didn’t matter because it’ll only convince me not to go through with it. Now, I’m ready to break free from this b*****e and give myself and ly sister the freedom we deserved. I sat at the edge of the bed, my eyes while the scene flashed in my mind again as I held onto my mother’s necklace. She was the only one who made me feel human. Dad’s call came in again, this time, I answered. “Yes, dad?” I answered, reluctantly “come to the mansions tonight, no excuses” he said “I’m busy. I can meet you tomorrow” I said I could hear that sharp exhale of frustration but I didn’t care if I pushed his buttons or not. He was the cause of all these mess in the first instance. Setting me up with his business partner’s was never a big deal for me. Not once had he asked me about how Leo treated me, all he cared about was his business using me as nothing but a tool. “Fine” I said and for the first time, I hung up first. He had always had the upper hand but not anymore. I’m ready to strip myself of his name, his wealth and every pain those two men have caused me.