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The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 32. Betrayal
Selborne 's POVMaxwell Ratliff 's attack took me by surprise. The smile on my face when l saw him turned into a grimace as his fist connected with my jaw. As l landed on my back, the uppermost question in my mind was why.I met Max through Dr Ralph. Our friendship was cordial, we respected each other and never once had a disagreement. I thanked the stars there were people around us, otherwise i would be a goner. Max and I were almost the same size and weight. The difference between us was he worked out while my visits to the gym were sporadic. His bodyguards whisked me away to the hospital. I lied about the source of my injuries during the physical examination. It was embarrassing to tell my colleagues a friend beat me and i had no idea why. “Dr, you have strained your back, you have to stay overnight. From tomorrow you are on one week leave.” The attending physician gave me the devastating news. My job was the only exciting thing in my life. My relationship with Cathy was new, l
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 33. "Do the DNA test"
Nora's POV I sat in my car, my heartbeat beating at an alarming rate. Maxwell Ratliff just threatened my life. I breathed through my mouth until i calmed down. I had to talk to someone before l lost it. Max's stance had not changed a bit and it looked like it would remain that way forever. My mind baulked at the possibility that my marriage was over.I started the car and drove in circles until i passed my childhood church. The last time l attended church was ten years ago.I reversed and drove into the church premises. It was time to seek counselling from my Maker. Inside the church l searched for the priest. The church was silent as a tomb. I caressed the pew chairs as i walked to the altar. The chairs were still the same, the only new feature was the altar. The old one was made of wood, the new one of glass.In my mind’s eye l saw my young self sitting beside granny. She would pinch me from time to time because i dozed off. The old priest lulled me to sleep with his soft voice.
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 34. I'm sorry
Nora's POV My heart threatened to stop. I eyed the water dispenser and wished somebody could fetch me a glass of water. I got to my feet, my weak knees carried me to the water dispenser. I gulped glass after glass of water, l stopped when my stomach revolted. The water revived my strength. This was it, the end of my marriage. Marylin was my last hope, if she was like this then the whole Ratliff family hated me. I could feel my heart bursting into flames and turning to ashes. My contractual marriage to Max turned into something beautiful. He initially hated the marriage but came around. He showered me with so much love l had no choice but to love him back. As I stood swaying in my mother in law's office, the urge to fight for my marriage resurfaced. The how part would come later. I decided to visit my husband again, if he killed me, so be it.I shuffled to the door, my joints heavy. I opened the door and peeked out, Marylin stood with her back to me, talking to a waiter. I quickene
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 35. Divorce her
Max's POV Saturday evening at eight o'clock, a week after my last interaction with Nora the boys invited me for drinks at The Falcon. I did not feel like going, l enjoyed my solitary drinking.I agreed to the invite because they dangled a mysterious solution to my problem. I wondered what it was. The Falcon’s entrance seemed to stretch backwards as I approached.I measured my steps, careful not to topple over. The Falcon's and street lights shimmered and ebbed, their brightness made me see strange images. I squinted my eyes, drunk as the African elephants on Marula fruit. The boys waited at the entrance, “ wow, where are you off to my sons?.”“Who are your sons? You are drunk, we got the call to wait for you at the door otherwise you would get lost.” Shad answered, his hand on my shoulder, he steered me towards the elevator.“Frank is a snitch, from now onwards include him in your payroll.” “Nonsense, Frank wanted to know if he should turn back and send you home or not. He realised y
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 36. Miscarriage?
Nora's POV I was transfixed to the spot until Max’s fleet of cars vanished from my sight. I leaned on the car door for a long time, the dizziness passed. I trudged to my office on lead feet. Upon reaching the office, l laid down on the couch, the ceiling pattern fascinated me.I counted each flower painted on it, l got tired after the twentieth flower. My eyes closed, images of my first encounter with Max danced behind my eyes. The violence of our first meeting morphed into a beautiful marriage until the devil decided to visit. Behind my closed eyes, tears trickled down on both sides of my temples. I wiped them away as they raced towards my ears. Somebody knocked and entered without permission. “You have heard? Here l was thinking l'm the bearer of good news, apparently someone beat me to it.”I sniffed and propped myself on my elbow, “ what are you blabbering about Ross?.” “Your baby daddy of course, you are bawling because of that twit?.”I gave him the evil eye, “Ross, if you h
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 37. Misdirection
Nora's POV A smile radiated from my face as the door closed behind Max. The fat cat of Bluewaters had been duped. I should get an award for excellent performance. He fell for it. I had Ross and Dr Brown to be thankful to. They protected my baby from its foolish father. I recalled my earlier interaction with Dr Brown. Her intense stare shook me to my core when she took her time to tell me if my baby was alive or not.I started to panic, “ give it to me Dr Brown, is my pregnancy still viable?.” She nodded, phew! My heart nearly stopped with grief, the good news made me burst into tears, Dr Brown clicked her tongue, “ l thought you would be happy Dr. What now?.”I smiled at her behind a sheet of tears, “ Dr Brown, l'm happy, relieved and grateful all at once. Thank you so much.”“I'm happy for you. Nora, you and Ross owe me big time. You made me do an unethical thing.” My eyes rounded in horror, l gaped at her, “ me? What did l do? If Ross did something, he did it on his own.” My th
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 38. Resigned
Max's POV I played with the stapler, my body in my office but my mind on the other side of town.Nora's potent stare stayed with me for days after it happened. Her reaction did not surprise me. On my way to the hospital, l rewinded our night of intimacy and subsequent days. Nora laid bare her innermost emotions. My body felt her love for me by the way her round, dove, hooded eyes stared into mine, the way she sniffed me as if imprinting my scent in her memory bank, her soft touch as her hands glided over the contours of my body. The hatred l perceived on her pale face contrasted with the love that deep down l knew was reserved for me, nobody else. Navigating through life minus my wife chipped away at my resolve to divorce her. Her scent lingered in our bedroom, her ornaments scattered throughout our bedroom maimed me emotionally. I deserted our bedroom and migrated to the guest room.In the initial stages of my talks with the guys l resisted the idea of divorce, did a turnabout a
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 39. The Search
Max's POV “Easy, l don't want to end up in a ditch.”I scolded Frank as the car skidded and missed another by a few inches. Winter pounced on Bluewaters swiftly. It came early this year. The roads were wet and slippery. Frank guided the car through the afternoon traffic slowly. The airport loomed before us like a sentinel set on preventing me from reaching my wife.Frank parked, l alighted from the car at lighting speed and bolted to the manager's office, a friend of mine. I knocked once and zoomed on him.“Hey, still no manners l see. Good to see you boy.” We bumped fists.“Hello to you too, boy help your friend out. I'm looking for a female passenger, l don't know her time of departure nor do l know her final destination.” Moses glared at me, his jaws working on a chewing gum.“I'm close to throwing you out. I can't give you the passenger manifest. What if you kill the poor woman? Count me out.”“Piss off, am I a killer? I'm on my wife's tail, man. We had a tiff and she did a run
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Chapter 65. Confession
NoraChapter 65. The meeting Nora“So, when do you want to meet Caesar? There's no pressure, ok baby?” Max questioned, as he trimmed his beard. His eyes found mine in the mirror. I was babysitting him as he made himself presentable. “ I think the sooner l do it, the better. How about tomorrow evening?.” Max lathered his face, “ it's fine. Who would you prefer to be there?” He poured water onto his face then wiped his face. “ I know who l don't want there, Angela. Everyone else is welcome.” Max dropped the towel in the washing basket. He took my hand and we headed to the kitchen for breakfast.Matilda's breakfast spread made my salivary glands ooze. We dug in with gusto, “ Max, don't expect much from this meeting. I'm agreeing because you convinced me it will save my life. I have zero feelings for that man. He doesn't evoke a father -daughter feeling inside me. He leaves me cold emotionally.” I poured out my feelings.The thought of an interaction between Caesar and I gave me gooseb
Chapter 1 Job hunting
NoraThe metered taxi deposited me, Nora Reidy, at the corner of my intended destination. My neck worked overtime as l studied my environment. Downtown Bluewaters was cleaner, less crowded than my noisy, overcrowded stomping ground, the upper part of town.The upper part of town hosted a cauldron of races, blacks, whites, brown. Any colour you know, Bluewaters had it. Here the prominent race appeared to be white.The stationary and moving cars looked expensive. The few people l saw on the street wore costly clothes, shoes and accessories. I felt naked in my washed out jeans, scruffy sneakers and a sweater that had seen better days.I turned a corner and the Ratliff offices came into sight. I uncapped my bottle filled with iced water from home. l could not afford to pay for the taxi and buy bottled water at the same time. I gulped down the water and studied the building. All my hopes were pinned on this building. If l failed to get the job today, my world faced total collapse.You see,
Chapter 27. Framed
MaxI stood at the window watching the traffic below when i heard a knock, somebody came in without permission. “Sorry Max for badging in your office without permission but things are bad, you are being made a fool of. I can't stand it.” I turned around at the voice of my sister. What was this instigator doing in my office? When the shit hit the fan, she chose her side, our father’s side.Her action came as no surprise, my father always took her side in my altercations with her. My eyes tracked her as she came across the room towards me.“Who is making me a fool?.” Her eyes glinted with an unnamed emotion. She flushed down to her neck. “It's painful for me to see you in this situation but it had to be done to protect you. Your wife is the gutter rat we warned you against.”My anger was instant. “Get out. From today onwards never set your feet in my office again..”l barked at her, she walked backwards, the fear in her eyes warring with defiance. As she put one foot behind the oth
Chapter 3. Marriage proposal
Nora I watched as Maxwell Ratliff bounded up the steps. I mentally observed my house from a stranger's perspective; chipped blocks, rusty roof. A house that appeared ready to give up the ghost anytime. His presence made me uneasy. To meet me at his workplace was one thing, to follow me home and witness my living conditions was another. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment. He halted in front of me, l peered at him. “ Hello.”His resonant voice greeted. “Hi, armored SUVs, is that not an overkill?.” l joked to hide my uneasiness. He looked over his shoulder, “ no it's not. My father was nearly killed sometime ago. The culprits mistook him for me, so they are a necessary devil.” My eyes widened, “ you are a Mafia Lord?.” His deep throated laughter surprised me. His scowling face yesterday made me think he was incapable of such an act. “ I'm not, but l have Mafia friends. We had a meeting that day with one of them. My dad went home while l finished up at the office. They ambushed my c
Chapter 10. Father in law
Nora's POV I sat on the living room floor, my back against the couch, earphones in my ears, eyes closed. Majority of my peers listened to hip hop, reggae, l preferred soul music.It soothed my spirit. Hands removed my earphones, a face appeared in my sight. “Come, let's go to my home office.”Max helped me to my feet. I followed him into his office. My wondering eyes saw a family portrait on the wall, “ who are the others, l recognise Mrs Ratliff, Martha and you.” Max came and stood behind me, his cologne swirled around me, “ the silver fox is my father, on the chairs are my grandfather and grandmother.” “ Do you have to always look fierce? You are scowling in the photo.”Max massaged my shoulders, when did he develop the need to touch me? But deep down l liked it, it was better than our usual cold treatment that we subjected our lives to.I turned and peered at him, “ so, what is it?.” Instead of answering he caressed my cheek, his eyes intent on my face. “ From now on keep a cale
Chapter 64. Where l belonged
NoraTo discover my father was a thug gutted me. My face burned, l threw the cotton wool l used to tone my face away. In my mood l forgot l was dealing with a delicate structure and scrubbed too hard. Initially l was angry that my mother allowed herself to be used by that despicable man. As the days went by and my anger subsided l put myself in my mother's shoes. She was a young naive girl, Caesar Shaman, a young man ready for marriage.He used his financial muscle to lure her, deceive her and have his way with her. To discover such a man played a part in my existence appalled me.I grew up without him, l was a full grown woman now, l did not need him. He attempted to meet me after my mother's confession, l turned him down. I finished my morning routine and joined granny and Onica Reidy in the kitchen. I loved weekends, especially Saturdays. Onica was staying with us for the time being. Granny and l used the dining room only if we got visitors. I hugged granny from the back and murm
Chapter 63. Onica Reidy
NoraThe voices l heard in my head confused me, was l dreaming or were they real? I struggled to peel my eyes, the sedatives did me in. My mind was foggy all the time. They pumped the damn things into my system because i suddenly started having nightmares. As l fought hard to open my eyes the bed dipped behind me, a scent l loved enveloped me, my body relaxed. The scent soothed my senses. I heard Max and his father talk about someone who fainted, it sounded like my husband hurt somebody. I hoped he caught my shooter. Before they mentioned names l heard Caesar Shaman's voice followed by one l knew so well and wished i did not, my mother's. So, it took this woman for me to almost die before she pitched up? I listened as my mother dropped a bombshell. Caesar Shaman sired me? Impossible, that thug could not be my father. Tears of betrayal seeped from my eyes onto the pillow. My mother slept with a man who wished to see me gone.I believed Caesar Shaman was inherently bad, l believed
Chapter 62. Biological father
Max's POV My astonished gaze fell on my father, “ so soon?.” My dad hit his chest with pride, “you act as if you don't know your old man. I'm faster than a puff added if cornered. Caesar made me feel cornered.”I clapped his back, “ good job dad, l'm proud of you.” He took the compliment with a neutral face but his shining eyes betrayed him. “ Listen son, l think we should take shifts to guard my daughter in law. Go and do what you have to do, l will look after her.” I grinned at him. This was huge. My dad hated my wife, wished her out of my life. The turnabout was unexpected, l felt profound joy. The words he just uttered erased the animosity and grudge l harboured against him.You love my wife, l love you, you hate her l hate you more.After my dad snitched on his friend, l was still unsure of his motives, but his offer to protect my wife redeemed him in my eyes. I decided to let bygones be bygones. He and i would start on a clean slate. Shad or Ralph, l forgot who, advised me
Chapter 61. Caught
Max's POV Nora's eyes moved from my face and roamed around the room. She touched her bandaged arm, “ Max, l was shot, who shot me?.” The question threw me off guard. I thought the first thing that would cross her mind would be relief she was alive.A look passed between Ralph and I. “ It's Caesar, my love. He hired some thugs and then ran, we have no idea where he is now. Your husband will do everything in his power to catch the culprit.”Nora stared at me for a long time, mute. “ What's going on in your head, baby?.” I asked her when minutes ticked by and she remained unresponsive. She inhaled deeply and remarked, “ l maybe wrong, but l think you must track Cathy down. I don't think it's Caesar.” l sandwiched her hand between my hands. “ Baby, we have reasons to believe it's Caesar, he made threats against your life. After a short interval you are shot, it's him.”Nora searched my face, her gaze doubtful. “ Don't rule out Cathy, my gut feeling says it's her.” Once my wife made up