Chapter 3 OLIVIA As I stood in the cell, my thoughts went to my grandma. What would happen to her now that I was locked up? My chest tightened as I thought of her and her fragile health. Hearing about my arrest might kill her. Nick turned to the officer. Shes to have no visitors and isnt allowed outside. Let her rot in this cell. She can die here for all I care! My heart shattered into a million pieces. I felt hot and struggled to breathe. How was my grandmother going to know that I was all right if I couldnt have visitors? This would kill her! My throat felt like it was closing, threatening to cut off my air supply. I wanted to give up so badly. But then I looked at the satisfied gleam in Sandras eyes. Determination flooded back into me. I wasnt going to let that witch win. By then, I was drenched in sweat, my eyes wide as saucers. I was sure I looked pale as a white sheet. The nice policeman looked terrified. Sir, she cant breathe. Should I call the doctor? Maybe I should tell Nick Im carrying his baby? Nick, actually Why would you call a doctor? Nick asked, snapping at the officer. Shes faking to manipulate meshes a master at doing that. Tears continued to stream down my face. This was the man who once couldnt stand to see me hurt, and now he was the one causing me the most pain. What did Sandra do to my husband to change him so much? I wished I knew what she used and how, considering she had Nick eating out of the palm of her hand within six months. I should have never have asked her to stay with us when she returned from abroad. I shouldve helped her find her own place to rent. If I had known her true intentions, I wouldve kept my distance. But I had thought I was helping my best friend. I had even begged Nick to give her a job at his company. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the Findηʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He eventually caved and put her a job in the finance department. Working there, she managed to make it look like I had stolen from my husband, and he had believed her. Sandra? I said, wanting to plead with her, once again, to tell the truth. Nick turned to me, shielding her with his body, further piercing my heart. He was so protective of her already. Didnt I tell you to shut up? He tilted his head to the side, daring me to say another word. I swallowed the words trying to escape. Youve hurt this woman enough. You have no right to speak to her now. And I swear to God, Olivia, Ill make you pay for this. I wanted to speak, to beg him to hear me out. I wanted to ask him to not to tell my grandmother about this, to lie and say I was traveling or something. He knew how delicate her health was, and this was going to kill her. Suddenly, the music on the radio at the guards station stopped, and a reporters voice came on. After a brief introduction, I heard words that made it feel like my world was truly spinning out of control. The wife of the owner of Jones Enterprises was arrested this evening. The missus of the Jones family and former Financial Manager of the company is accused of stealing millions. Sources say that Mr. Jones called the police and had her arrested. Well bring you more as the story develops. No! Nick, please, no! My grandmother will hear this! I dont want her getting sick again. You know how fragile she is. Please, Nick please, go and see her. Make up somethingtell her its all lies. Tell her Im okay. My heart was breaking. My grandmother was all I had now that Id lost him. I couldnt let her to die; I still needed her. You love to run that mouth of yours, dont you? Nick sneered. Say one more word, and Ill personally make sure that your precious grandmother learns firsthand what its like to have a thief for a granddaughter. Ill show you both a side of me youve never seen before. I opened and closed my mouth, too afraid to speak. Instead, I opted to let my eyes do the pleading, But Nick merely spun around and walked away. I watched until he turned the corner and then broke into a choking sob, a lump in my throat making it hard to breathe. The man who had been my everything, who couldnt go an hour without checking on me, was now my tormentor. It felt like I was dyingmaybe I was and I just didnt know it. The officer noticed and rushed over with some water. I couldnt understand why he was helping me, but I was grateful. I needed it. I dont know what you did to cross a man like that, he said, handing me the bottle, but it seems youve made a big mistake. With trembling hands, I accepted his offer, then gulped the water down. My hands shook so hard that the water spilled down my chin, soaking my chest. I gave the officer a sad smile. What I did was to help my best friend, I said, and she turned him against me. If Id known she was going to do that, I never would have helped her. I laughed bitterly. I was no longer the protected and loved wife of the Jones family. Now, I was the laughingstock of New Village, the wife who was sent to jail by her own husband for stealing millions. I was pitiful, indeed. My laughter turned into sobs once more. Oh, miss, the officer said, People can be cruel. Im sorry youre learning that the hard way. Someone clapped, and the officer turned to look. Sandra stood there, smirking. Youre good, Olivia, she said. Ill give you that. Now youve managed to convince this idiot that youre the victim. What did you promise him? A roll in the hay? Because we both know youve lost everything. Your bodys all you have left. Hearing her voice made me want to reach out and strangle her. Im not like you, I spat. The officer left, giving us privacy I didnt want. Oh, you still think youre better than me? Even after everything Ive taken from you? She cackled, clearly enjoying my misery. Why hadnt I seen her for who she truly was? Youre vile, I said, and this isnt going to last. Ill get out of here, clear my name, and then Ill come after you with everything Ive got. She stopped laughing, her expression hardening in a way that shook me to my core. Listen here, Olivia. This isnt high school or college. Ive grown up, lived, and seen things. Im not the same Sandra from back then. Ive changed. And I swear, if you dare come after me, Ill do more than just frame you for theft. Ill kill you.