All eyes turned to Dous, who was sitting rxed on the couch; his hand twirling a little pen. He has always been a calcting and smart person. He didn''t speak much, but whenever he did; he chose his words carefully.


    Everyone knew this, so when they heard him, they all had to think on what could be in it for him. Once he spoke, grandpa figured out what he wanted. He didn''t want Nicus getting married and quashing his only hope of taking back thepany, but then, his words did make sense. Tiana was still new to the public eye; she needs to adjust to being among the rich before she''s married.


    After he met her during the dinner, grandpa made his inquires and found out that Tiana was the child of Nicus'' former guard who owed him, and he made his daughter be his mistress in exchange of the debt. He knew everything was a n, but he wanted to see how far Nicus'' would go with it. Maybe he would really give it a thought and marry her, which would as well turn out good. Tiana was a very stunning and sweet person. If Nicus didn''t fall for her, it would only mean that the rumors were true.


    ''''Hmm… that''s correct. I don''t think the media should know yet until everything ispleted. ''''


    Grandpa said and Tiana shut her eyes as she heaved a slight sigh of relief. Her eyes nced at Michelle, evilly.


    This woman was a real thorn in her skin! If her husband didn''t interrupt, she would have been forced to marry Nicus against her wish! She would have been forced to live fake for the rest of her life!


    She mentally thanked Dous for saving her ass. But now she thought about it… why would he help her?


    Earlier on, she was sure that Nicus had a feud with him, so why did he go against his wife and help her?


    Tiana''s brows creased as her eyes nced at each person in the room. Each face bore its own distinct emotion; the more she watched them, the clearer she realized that they weren''t the sweet family they looked like.


    She just realized that she was in the dark when it came to Nicus family. There was a huge lot going on that she didn''t know about.


    …


    ''''ARE YOU THOUGHTLESS OR ARE YOU JUST STUPID?!''''


    Dous red in their room as he flung the porcin vase sitting on its stand; it dashed on the wall and broke into several tiny bits. He was red with fury as he paced around in the room.


    Michelle coiled up on the bed; her body shaking as though she was immersed in icy water.


    Earlier in the parlor, when she spoke, she was thinking she was doing the right thing, until her husband Dous interrupted; and then she knew she was in big trouble. He barely spoke, for him to do so meant that she had gone too far.


    She didn''t want to go back to their room, for fear of what he would do to her, but luck wasn''t on her side, because when he stood up, he called her to follow him and she could only obey.


    Dous turned to his wife, his teeth gritting;


    ''''it was your stupid brain that brought up the idea of them getting married. Why don''t you ever think before speaking? Do you know what you would have caused me? All I have struggled for woulde crashing down because of your loose mouth! Can''t you ever keep shut?!''''


    He scolded, visibly angry. Michelle shut her eyes and bit on her lower lip as she felt him draw closer to her;


    ''''I''m sorry… I didn''t mean to… ''''


    ''''Shut the fuck up!'''' Dous pounced on her, his hands around her neck. Michelle coughed, he held her a little too tight that she was finding it hard to breathe.


    ''''Dous… you''re hurting me… ''''


    She stammered as her eyes turned a shade of blue.


    Her words filtered into his ears but he didn''t flinch, his eyes remained adamantly on her,


    ''''Listen woman, I won''t forgive anyone who gets in my way of getting that damnpany, not even you! Do you understand?! ''''


    He barked in her face and Michelle forced a nod frightfully. Dous stared at her weak body, as though he realized that she was no use. He let go of her and she fell back on the bed, sweat drenching her back.


    She heard his footsteps dte, and she opened her eyes and watched him walk into the bathroom, mming the door.


    This was not the first time he had hurt her, he usually did, and it was not new to her.


    Throughout these years, although she had made a wrong choice of marriage, she always tried to make it work, but he would never see her as his wife but as a punching bag. Although she was not faithful to him, she was at least thoughtful to not continue with the act for long, but it was clear that Dous deserved nothing good, he deserved no pity, and therefore she would think of herself more. Although she would still need to support him because of their son Richard, if he gets thepany, surely Richard would inherit everything once he dies_ which she would hasten as soon as he bes the owner of Howells Corporation.


    An evil glint washed Michelle''s lips.


    He shouldn''t me her for what had be of her. He had pushed her too far.


    …


    Tiana walked into the room after Nicus, her hands around her belly. She had made sure not to take much alcohol because of her little control over it. Thest time she got drunk was after her graduation, she literally slept under the kitchen sink that night.


    She couldn''t risk drinking too much when she would sleep in the same room with Nicus. With the way he had been actingtely, she wasn''t sure he would not touch her if she makes any advances at him. And to think he could be bisexual, having carnal knowledge of both men and women!


    Tiana felt her stomach churn at the thought.


    Nicus locked the door and turned to the room and his gaze fell on her; she was standing in the middle of the room, hugging her belly as though she was cold.