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CHAPTER FOUR

Shantel’s Pov

A week after the altercation between Byan and myself it was my father-in-law’s burial. It was quick and short. My dad was sad that his best friend he's gone. I tried the best I can to console him but he seemed inconsolable.

The burial went smoothly, just family and close friends. Bryan stood by the corner with his black suit and tie and black sunglasses.

His face was without any emotions and I wondered if he knew how to hide his emotions pretty well or he was just that heartless.

I shrugged and concentrated on the ceremony that was happening.

Few minutes later, Mr Bocares was laid to rest and immediately, Bryan zoomed out of there leaving everyone confused.

“What a jerk. His father just died and he behaves like this?” I murmured as I watched the black sports car go.

“Give him time….he has his own demons.” my father said and walked out of the burial ground.

I stood wondering what demons my father was talking about.

After greeting the guest, I got into the car and left.

When I got home, I saw Bryan sitting on the couch with a glass of whiskey in his hand. I chose to ignore him and decided to go check up on my daughter.

“Have you thought about the proposal?” Bryan’s voice boomed throughout the room.

I paused, my fist clenched.

“Are you okay?” I asked in a low tune, with my back facing him.

“Excuse me?”

I exhaled, turned to him and walked to the couch, “I asked…..are you okay?”

He brought his glass to lips as he drank his stupid drink. When he was done, he drop the drink on the side table and stood up, adjusting his suit.

He turned to leave without a word.

“What is wrong with you?” I found myself asking a question I said I wasn’t going to ask.

He paused for a while and continued to walk.

I chuckled sadly, “what do I expect from a man who knows nothing but to be cold and wicked. I hope you die alone.”

He did not respond to me, opening the door, “my offers still stand, Shantel, sign over your shares or I would make your life a living hell.”

Before I could respond he slammed the door and as usual leaving me wondering how I was still with this man.

***************************

The weeks that followed were a living hell. Bryan froze all my accounts used for running the house and taking care of Mel.

He leaks false news to the press on how I was a bad mother.

He even had child protective services show up to the house to investigate me after he edited a picture where I was seen smoking in front of Mel.

The public was dragging me seriously and I was beginning to feel pressured.

CPS is already giving me a warning letter to take my child away, if any more reports are sent to them.

I became scared and terrified. Bryan was going low, using my child to get to me. I needed this nonsense to stop.

I packed Mel’s things and sent her over to her grandfather’s house to stay for the weekend. When I was done dropping her I entered the car.

“To Alang cooperation.” I told the driver

Few minutes later, I was walking into the company. My head held up high as my heels clicked on the marble floor.

The reception was dead silence as I walked past, people giving me the side eye and whispering but I did not give a damn about their opinions about me.

I took the elevator up and when I got to his floor, I walked past his secretary who was trying to talk to me and pushed the door open.

A girl was sitting on Bryan’s lap with her shirt unbuttoned and Bryan scooping her breast.

“Bryan, we need to talk.” I said, my voice bringing them back from their world.

The girl's eyes widened, “Mrs. Bocares.” She greeted me but I glared at her and she picked up her stuff and ran out.

Bryan looked up at me with a cold face, “Are you here to sign the document?” He asked, wiping the lipstick off his lips.

I walked to his bar, took a glass and a bottle of champagne, pouring myself a drink. I walked back, to sit on the chair on the other side of the table.

Bryan’s eyes following my every move.

I sipped my drink, “Bryan, I am not here to sign your stupid document.”

His face had a scowl on it, “Then you can leave, Shantel. I don’t want to hear you beg.”

I chuckled at his stupid thought, “Beg you? No! I am here to remind you who I was before you got married to me.”

He leaned into his chair, “and who are you.”

I dropped my glass on the table, my eyes looking straight into his eyes, “I am Shantel Suarez, daughter of Mr Alonso Suarez, one of the founders of Alang Corporation. My father has the second highest shares after you and I can do so much damage by just a word.”

Bryan's expression changed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the information. He leaned forward, his voice taking on a menacing tone.

"You think you can threaten me, Shantel? You think you can use your father's influence to control me?"

I smiled, a cold, calculated smile. "I'm not threatening you, Bryan. I'm reminding you of the facts. You see, you've been so busy trying to break me, to control me, that you've forgotten one very important thing: I am not just your wife, I am Suarez. And Suarez does not get pushed around."

Bryan's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. But I just laughed, a low, husky sound.

"You're so predictable, Bryan. You think you're the only one who can play dirty? I've been playing this game for years, and I always come out on top."

I stood up, my eyes locked on Bryan's. "You want to play games, Bryan? Fine. Let's play. But don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, I turned and walked out of the office, leaving Bryan seething with anger. But I just smiled to myself, knowing that I had finally taken back control. The game was on, and I was ready to play.