Drowning In His Lies

Chapter 8: The Fiancee From London

The next morning, I am in my office, still looking at the silver ring on my finger, when Tola runs in without knocking.

"Madam! Madam! There's a woman downstairs! She says she is Mrs. Cole!"

My heart stops. Mrs. Cole? Jaden's mother?

"No, she says she is Jaden Cole's fiancee! From London! Her name is Amanda!"

The ring on my finger suddenly feels heavy.

Before I can answer, the door opens and she walks in.

Tall. White. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Designer bag that costs more than my car. She looks at me from head to toe like I am trash.

"You must be M.C. Jones," she says with a British accent. "I'm Amanda Smith. Jaden's fiancee. We have been engaged for two years. Jaden told me he has a small business meeting here in Port Harcourt, but my friend saw his i********: story in your office last night. So I took the first flight from London."

Tola looks at me, scared.

Amanda looks at my hand. She sees the ring. Her eyes widen.

"Is that... is that my grandmother's ring? Jaden told me he lost it! You stole it?"

"I didn't steal anything!" I say, standing up.

"Security!" she shouts. "This woman stole my ring!"

Jaden runs in. He is sweating. "Amanda! What are you doing here?!"

"Jaden! Tell this... this girl that you are my fiance! Tell her that ring belongs to me!"

Jaden looks at me. Looks at Amanda. He is trapped.

I remove the ring. I drop it on the table.

"Take it," I say to Amanda, my voice cold. "Take your ring. And take your man. I don't need a man who is engaged to one woman while proposing to another."

I walk out of my office. I leave the ring, I leave Jaden, I leave everything.

Jaden shouts my name. "Mimi! Mimi, wait!"

But I enter the elevator and press ground floor.

My eyes are full of tears, but I will not cry in front of them.

One year ago, I drowned in his lies.

Today, I realize I am still drowning. Because the man I love is still lying.

The elevator door closes.

And I swear, this is the last time Jaden Cole will ever see Mimi cry.

The next time he sees me, I will be the one with a fiance.