My Rise from The Ashes After Divorce

Chapter -8 A Heartless Man

The evil that dwells within my husband I had no idea how deep it runs through his veins. But I could tell from the wicked expression on Blake's face. He loved the fact that he was putting me in a desperate situation. But I had to hold back my anger and try to reason with him, so I wouldn’t become homeless and destitute.

I go on to tell him in as calm of a voice that I could muster. “Blake, it's cold and raining outside. I can't leave this very minute. Besides, I just got out of the hospital. Do you even care what I've been through?"

"You can, and you will get out of my house tonight. And no, I don't care what you've been through because you need to be taught a lesson." Blake said without an ounce of care.

"What are you talking about, I need to be taught a lesson? You know I don’t deserve to be treated this way, and you know, I don’t have a penny to my name. Look Blake, let’s end this peacefully. I will leave but give me some time to get well enough to figure things out."

He picked up his wallet and tossed several hundred-dollar bills at me. "I've been taking care of you all this time, providing a luxurious roof over your head for years, and you want to divorce me. Treasure, this is your first lesson. Never bite the hand that feeds you."

"Blake, you are heartless. You did me wrong. I've been the one who has been loyal and faithful to you for years. I did what I could to please you. When you asked me to give up my job, and be a stay-at-home wife, to take care of your needs. I did it. I even gave you a child and you didn't want that either. Now you are going to just toss me out on the streets?”

"To show you that I'm not heartless as you think. My driver is ready to take you to the old estate home, where you deserve to be. You don't appreciate all I have provided you with, and what I've done for you. You came from nothing, and I married you anyway. Go stay there and think about your decision to divorce a man like me."

"Why are you insisting the I leave tonight. Are you bringing Claire in here to replace me?"

Blake chuckled loudly. "Now, that's not a bad idea. She would appreciate what I got to offer."

"You wouldn't dare! Look, I don't care, you done hurt me enough. Where is the old estate home?" I asked assuredly.

"You'll find out when you get there. It's exactly where you belong. Maybe you'll learn to be grateful once you arrive," his laugh full of evil intent.

I wasn’t about to beg him. “I’ll go pack my things and I’ll send for the rest at another time.”

Moments later I entered the living room with my suitcases, and I stood at the front door of what was once my home, a place that I had contributed all my effort and time by decorating and trying to make it a cozy and loving home. The rain poured down on this stormy night. I couldn’t believe he was kicking me out because I wanted to divorce him. I sadly glanced up at the gray sky, as my tears freely flowed mixing with the raindrops that met my skin. Blake came and snatched my suitcases from me, putting them outside in the rain.

“What are you waiting for, get going. I can’t believe you even formed your lips; to say you want to divorce me. You ungrateful little wench.” He shouted.

The echo of Blake’s raised voice reverberated through the quiet house, during this late night. Jake and his father exchanged worried glances as they hurriedly stowed away the money in the safe. The clock read three a.m., but urgency propelled Jake to move quickly to the living room, where chaos unfolded. Blake stood holding the front door open. In the fiercest and most irate tone demanding that she leave his home.

“Get out! You are fortunate that I’m letting you go to the estate.”

The mention of the family estate sent a chill down Jake’s spine; it felt like a cruel punishment for someone who had only ever brought light into their lives. Besides, she was too weak to be in a place with no electricity and heat or food.

“Blake, it’s late and look, it’s storming out there. Don’t you think you are going too far. Look man, want you just cool down, and you two talk about it tomorrow.”

Jake’s heart raced as he stepped forward, being the voice of reasoning as usual, while burgeoning feelings for Treasure.

“There’s nothing else to talk about. She’s leaving tonight. That was what she chose to do.”

“I did not. You are throwing me out.”

His selfishness and arrogance made Jake furious. “Who do you think you are? You can’t just throw her out of this house like that.” Jake stated, sternly.

Blake's fists were clenched, his eyes dark and furious. “I’m getting tired of you intruding in my business. I’m her husband, and who do you think you are to her?”

Tensions escalated as they faced off, each brother locked in a battle of will, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Just as Jake was about to charge at his brother, their father—a man of few words but immense authority—intervened with a commanding presence, his voice steady and filled with authority.

“Enough! Both of you!”

The suddenness of his father’s intervention froze them in their tracks, his authority palpable in the air.

Jake turned to Treasure; his eyes filled with a desperate plea. “Please, don’t leave. You've been through a lot already. Blake, have a heart, she only recently just got discharged from the hospital.”

“Jake, don't worry I'll be fine. I must go. I can’t stay here.”

“Finally, woman! You are talking with some sense.”

“Treasure, then let me take you to the estate; it’s too dangerous for you to go alone.”

But Treasure shook her head, her gaze steady despite being on the verge of bursting into tears. “I’ll be alright, Jake. I don’t want to cause any further trouble. Just let the driver take me.” Her voice was soft but resolute, and as much as it hurt him, he couldn’t bear to see her go.

“Wait, Treasure.”

“Jake, let her go.” his father demanded.

With a heavy heart, Jake watched Treasure turn and walked away, heading into an uncertain future.

“Blake! Don't just stand there, stop her! If anything happens to her, I swear on our mother’s grave that I will make you regret it,” Jake shouted, his voice filled with a mix of anger and desperation.

“You need to keep your distance from my wife,” Blake continued, his eyes narrowing in fierce determination. “She’s my wife, and if I so much as see you lurking around her, you’ll be the one who pays the price!”

“Enough!” their father interjected, his voice booming with authority, cutting through the tension in the air. His commanding tone left no room for argument.

Frustrated and overwhelmed, Jake’s fist crashed against the wall with a loud thud, sending a shudder through the room. He turned abruptly, the anger radiating him as he stormed out, slamming the door behind him as he retreated into the quiet confines of the library, seeking solace as he rested among the books that lined the shelves.

But all Jake could think about was seeing her only a couple of days ago lying on the floor in what seemed like a pool of blood, and her almost dying in his arms.

"What if something happens to her, I couldn't live with that thought. I got to do something." Jake knew he needed to take action despite the palpable threats coming from his brother.