A contract of love

{SOPHIA} I prepared everything for our 5th anniversary — I planned to surprise him at his place with a brand-new car. He thought I was on a business trip, making the surprise more interesting. Liam was my first and only boyfriend. I was fully in love with him. My friends had always warned me about him, “He’s with you for your money!” They were not used to him, but nobody knew him like me. He was just a kind soul who needed help to make it through financial independence. Somehow, I understood him, a man being in the shadows of a successful woman affected his pride and ego as a man. He even promised he'd put a ring on my finger once I named him vice president of my company, which was another part of my surprise. I had worked so hard to achieve my goals in life, and having a ring on my finger was the final step. Perfectionism installed itself in my life ever since my father left, thinking we could be nothing without him. I worked 10years to build an empire that could generate millions, building the reputation of a strong and independent woman, only Liam could see through the mask. Oh, I loved that man so much, he knew how to change my mood in a split second. I sacrificed my own dreams so that my two junior sisters could realize theirs and also be able to provide for my mother. Ohh, that woman had been through a lot, raising us as a single mother after my so-called dad left us for a blonde half the age of mom, leaving her with debts and bills. I haven't seen him ever since, but I guess my success was good revenge. I knew Liam would be at his apartment, reviewing documents for an important meeting the next day. I joyfully drove in the new car to his apartment, playing music loudly, my excitement reaching its peak. I parked the car where he could see it from the window, and excitedly entered the building, each step forward added a drop of adrenaline to my system. Something felt strange as I was about to knock. Why was the door slightly open, as if he was in a hurry? It wasn’t like him, but excitement made me overlook that detail. It could only make the surprise better, me entering in secret like a nice romantic film, or so I thought. The sound of water running down the bathroom echoed throughout the whole apartment, he was definitely freshening up before going to bed. I could slowly lie down in his bed, leaving my body strategically exposed in specific places, offering myself as the third gift. I couldn't wait to feel his fresh body on top of mine. I knew he'd like the idea. He was obsessed with me. My excitement dropped when I saw 2 plates of unfinished food on the dining table. Did he have a friend coming over ? If yes, then why was soft music playing? I was about to enter the bedroom when he came out of the shower, talking to someone. I could barely recognize the voice of the person he was talking to. I hid myself behind the door to cough to listen to the conversation. “Baby, when will you break up with that b***h and officialize our relationship? I want you to hold me in public. ” “Very soon, my princess. It’s not yet the perfect time.” What? Me? A b***h? I felt my heart pitching more and more as the conversation continued. I knew this voice from somewhere, but from where? Was Liam talking about breaking up with me? Was he cheating on me? Questions continued in my mind. I was about to burst into the room. I needed explanations, but Liam did not end there. “We have to stick to the plan. She’ll soon appoint me as vice president of the company. From there, I'll ask her to hand over the company presidency to me, manipulating her into thinking the company will be better under a man’s leadership, and also I'll feel better as a man if I'm superior financially and socially to her. I’ll then throw her out of the company and take you as my wife.” I could not believe what I just heard, I was in disbelief. I had invested my time, energy, and money into this relationship. This was my first heartbreak. I wanted to enter the room and ask for explanations, but I couldn't help myself. After we went to the bedroom to continue with the night, I went out. I sat in the luxury sports car I bought for the person who was planning on destroying me completely. How could I be this stupid? My mother and siblings were financially dependent on me, didn't he think about it? How could a human being be so evil? I needed to talk to someone, so I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Amelia's number. She was my best friend, a talented doctor at the direction of one of the biggest hospitals in town, and part of our girls’ group — all of us were successful women who made it from scratch. We were each other's support system, present at all events, all success celebrations, and naturally present for all our downfalls. But from all of them, Amelia understood me best, she always had the right words at the right time. And, as expected, she picked up her phone right away. “Amelia, I need to see right now. Meet me at my house in 10 minutes.” And her answer was as expected. She was always available for people who cherished her, a quality I had always admired. “ I will meet you there, Sophia." I reached my villa in five minutes. My feelings while driving the car were crazy… Maybe I'll keep it finally. Amelia joined me 3 minutes later. I was already holding a glass of wine, sitting on the floor. “Sophia, what's wrong?” She was clearly worried. “Amelia, you were right about Liam, he was just there for my money, he has been cheating on me this whole time.” Amelia did not ask for further explanation, she knew me, she knew I just needed her presence. She took another glass of wine and sat close to me and stayed quiet while we admired the beautiful view I had through the window. “Sophia, take a break and travel. It’s your first heartbreak, and you need time to heal. You have a great team at work and the company will keep moving.” She finally broke the silence, but I had other plans, dirtier plans, he joked with the wrong person. “Amelia, he's not aware of the fact that I know his double game, and I'll use it as an advantage, I'll find out who that lady is, and trust me, I'll destroy both of them and have my revenge.” …