Chapter 2

John stood like a mannequin, unmoving, as he watched his wife rain insults on us without remorse. He couldn't move; tears streamed down his cheeks.

“John, my friend,” Jeff came close, placing his hand on John's shoulder.

Their eyes locked.

“I’ve always known you to be a loving person, putting others' happiness before your own. What's changed? You should prioritize Steph's happiness.

“You'll agree she's no longer in your league. Look at yourself; you resemble my clerk. You're a failure, my friend. Do you want to rub your failure and bad aura on Stephanie? Don’t you want her happy?” Jeff tapped John's shoulder sarcastically.

John couldn't speak; his heart spoke a million words, but none escaped his mouth.

“Jeff, you do this to me? After all we've been through,” John looked at Jeffery with bitterness.

“I'm just trying to help you, my man. Taking care of the woman who was in your league, but not anymore. Stephanie is mine now. Imagine her at an event, called out as your husband; it would tarnish her name.” Jeff took a diamond ring from John's chest.

“You got a good ring with the money I borrowed you,” Jeff laughed, placing the ring on Stephanie's finger as John's heart shattered into tiny pieces.

"He can't even afford a ring," Stephanie laughed. "But he wants to be called my husband. That's real witchcraft."

"Indeed, darling. I guess he's not just broke; he decided to join a coven of witches," Jeff and Stephanie laughed out loud. "How the mighty have fallen," Jeff tapped John on the shoulder.

“Baby, we should leave now. You know we have to go to the Maldives. The longer we stay with a disease, the higher the chance of getting infected by this poverty disease,” Stephanie spat in disgust.

John was now a disease. He watched Stephanie in silence. There were no more words to express himself. How did they get there? Someone he was married to for five years and had a kid with was all of a sudden no good and a disease in her eyes. Is that how all women are? Was Stephanie drugged? These and many more thoughts filled John's heart.

“Anyways, Mr. John, thank you for getting me a ring with borrowed money.” Stephanie laughed and tilted her head; Jeffery followed suit in laughter, moving backward and wrapping his hand around Stephanie’s shoulders.

"Plus, my lawyer will bring you the divorce papers anytime from now, and I trust you will sign them,” Stephanie said, blowing John a kiss before she and Jeffery walked away, tipping the receptionist.

John was left all alone, broken, shattered, and battered by those whom he trusted the most. He pinched himself, but unfortunately, he couldn't wake up from his sleep.

Was it a crime to trust the ones he loved? Was it a crime to be poor? Stephanie knew the reason why he went bankrupt, and it was all for her sake. He did too much and ended up being blamed for doing too much.

John left the hotel and went back home on foot, labeled as the poor man he was. On reaching, the first thing he did was hug his son tightly, the union that connected him to Stephanie.

When they had Christopher, they were overjoyed because Stephanie had two miscarriages before finally conceiving and delivering Christopher.

John went to their room and picked up their photo album. He glanced through the pictures, remembering when Stephanie and he got married.

He recalled the vows they made, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do they part. But death wasn't what was parting them; it was money.

The next morning, their wedding anniversary, John was on the couch, still morose and threatened by what was going to happen.

The next chapter in their child Dexter's life, among many other things. There was a knock on the door. John's eyes quickly lit up, hoping to see Stephanie, but his hopes were shattered—it was Lucy, Stephanie’s lawyer, dressed in a corporate black suit.

"Good day, Mr. John Beckham," Lucy said smartly with a British accent. "I am very busy, and my client, Mrs. Stephanie, communicated that she has already discussed this with me. There's no need for me to explain. Just sign the divorce papers, let’s get this done with," Lucy added, her tone spiked with impatience and disdain towards John.

“I am not signing any document. So my wife can't even come for us to finalize this. Were you with us in the church when we were taking our vows before the altar?” John asked with raised eyebrows.

Lucy looked at John bitterly, restraining herself from saying certain things.

“Just sign this document and cut it with the drama. I didn't come here to watch a comedy show. Just sign the document and don't waste my time,” Lucy said sternly, holding the divorce slip.

“There's no way I'm signing this document when Stephanie is not here. She was around for our marriage; she should also be here as we dissolve it,” John said coldly, having little strength to argue.

“Oh gosh, poor people and pride,” Lucy snapped. “Mrs. Stephanie will be with you soon; she's on her way back from the Maldives. I don't have time, so sign this and let’s get it over with. It's not as though if Steph comes, there's going to be a change,” Lucy added.

It dawned on John that all the while Stephanie claimed to be attending meetings and working late, she was actually spending time with Jeffery.

The discussions he had with Jeffery about how good his wife was to him were merely fodder for their amusement, not realizing he was a laughingstock to them after their intimate moments.

Before John could speak, Stephanie barged in. “What is going on here?” she asked.

“He is refusing to sign the divorce papers, saying he wants you to be here,” Lucy explained, hissing and giving John a death stare.

“I’m here now. Sign it, and I will give you ten million dollars as alimony,” Lucy said coldly without remorse.

John couldn't believe it was his wife, the same one who said they would never break up and that he was the best thing that ever happened to her, now pushing for their separation. He was no longer the best thing that ever happened.

John began reminiscing about their good moments, reminding Stephanie of their child and the joy they shared when she opened her business. He promised to rise again and was willing to let go of everything for the love he still held for her.

“Please, Steph, my love. Let’s make this work,” John said with a trembling voice, his eyes locked deeply with Stephanie’s.

Stephanie abruptly hissed and signed the document without thinking twice. “Please sign it and stop giving me a headache with taking me back to some silly memory lane. I have a business deal to attend to soon,” Stephanie stated.

John watched his wife in shock as she did not take a moment to consider signing the divorce document.

“Okay, since that’s what you want, I am going to give it to you. But I promise you, you are going to regret this. And about the alimony, I do not want it; all I want is my child. I will not allow another man to raise my child for me,” John said and signed the document.

“What child are you talking about?” Stephanie laughed. “And who told you he’s your child? He's Jeffery's son, so clear that idea off your head because you do not have a child,” Stephanie said.