Exposed

Anna's POV 

The one-month period Nicholas's Mum gave me went by rapidly.

Although Nicholas told me not to worry about it, I still pondered over it. Finding it difficult to focus on other things.

And my fear was not baseless because I returned home to meet her waiting outside for me in her car. 

What is she doing here?

I thought in panic.

 I braced herself for the oncoming confrontation, and no one was around since Nicholas is away on a short business trip.

 I do not have enough strength for this.

I sighed weakly.

"Good evening Mum, you should have told me you were coming over" I greeted her and smiled politely at her even if I felt like slapping the woman across the face like she did to me on the wedding day.

My efforts at being nice were met by a grunt.

I unlocked the door and she  followed me inside.

"I know Nicholas is away because of work. I'm not surprised. It's his duty to work hard for the family and the coming generations and that's why it's your duty to create those children that will be the next generation."

 Here we go again, ugh!.

"Do you have good news for me yet?" She asked and  each of her words making me feel worse. I should have prepared for this moment before she caught me unprepared. 

"I don't have yet" I replied, forcing out the response.

Maybe I should throw it to her face that me and Nicholas aren't a real couple. But I can't betray him like that.

"Well, it's expected I'm not surprised". She replied arrogantly, looking down at me from her nose.

"Since you also get up very early in the morning and go to work like your husband, this family has more than enough, and you don't need to earn peanuts to take care of yourself.

Instead, spend that time looking after your health so that you can give me a grandchild soon", She continued in a demeaning tone.

I held back the urge to return the craziness I was receiving from the woman, but that would only make things worse.

I merely avoided her gaze and stood a few distances away from her.

"Rest and spend more time looking after yourself, I can recommend a doctor if you need one" . Selina pressed on.

"I don't need a doctor, I'm healthy" I grumbled in suppressed anger.

"Anyways, I will be expecting the news from you. Don't disappoint me".

And with that she left with her chin raised up to the sky.

 What an eyesore!

I plop down on the sofa after she had left, I really disliked Selina and the slap she gave me on the wedding is still on the back of my mind.

I will return that slap in double fold in the future and the insult I had gotten from her will be reciprocated.

Selina's trouble wasn't the only problem I was destined to face from the Chester family, as I got the shock of a lifetime a few days later.

Lily came to announce to me that some visitors were here to see me and I came out of my office confused, only to meet Jennifer waiting for me.

My eyes widened as I came face to face with her.

"Oh wow!I was still in doubt but decided to see for myself, but it seems true that Nicholas got himself a professional slut for a wife". She exclaimed and she stood up from her seat.

"Pardon?" 

"Yes, what else do you do here aside from giving yourself to men for money?" Jennifer continued.

"It is written outside "rent a bride". If I read that correctly, it means you sell yourself then." she continued and let out a loud laughter.

Lily gave me a look ,but I  shook my head telling her not to worry.

"What brought you here?" I asked calmly.

"Wait! Did Nicholas pay you to marry him?

He did not pay you, right?" Jennifer asked with her eyes as large as saucers. 

"No-

"That is true, he hired you to marry him. That is why it was sudden" She continued, now mumbling to herself.

Picking up her bag from the seat, she rushed out.

"What will you do about her?" Lily asked, concerned.

"I don't know, I'm sincerely tired of all of them," I replied and returned to my  office.

It was Selina, and now it's her daughter.

I left work early, and I called Nicholas when I  got home asking him to return quickly.

In a state of worry, he rushed back home thinking something had happened.

"Are you alright?" He asked as soon as he got inside.

"I am alright".

I replied reassuringly.

"But we have a problem".

"What is it?" 

"Jennifer came to my office today.

And she somehow came to the conclusion that you hired me".

"When was that?" Nicholas asked, processing the whole thing.

"Around noon," I replied.

"Don't worry, I will take care of it", Nicholas reassured me and proceeded to make some calls.

Things escalated rapidly and blew up beyond control.

Jennifer had informed Selina about what she found out and Selina had taken matters into her own hands.

 ~

At the Chester's Residence

Without the knowledge of Anna and Nicholas, she invited Nicholas's lawyer over.

The lawyer, Edward, was also a long-time friend of Nicholas and the son of their old butler.

"Good evening Ma'am" Edward greeted her as he walked into the living room.

"Sit," Selina said curtly, pointing at a seat.

Edward realized the coldness in her demeanor and immediately knew something was wrong.

"You were a witness when Nicholas signed his wedding certificate because you are his lawyer. Is there something else going on that I don't know?" Selina asked, the tightness of her voice giving no room for argument.

"There is nothing going on," Edward responded, confused.

"Like an agreement of some sort, maybe he paid some amount of money to marry him". Jennifer chipped as she walked inside.

"Oh, none that I know of" Edward skillfully answered the question with a smile.

"Your father's life is in my hands. Would you like to see him miserable?" Selina warned.

"Are you threatening me?".

"I am only using extra means to get an answer out of you" Selina replied with a smile.

After a lot of pressure, Edward confessed everything and the terms of the prenup.

"So he paid her to marry him, so does that mean everything is a lie?" Jennifer asked and Selina gasped.

"That cheap and good for nothing gold digger seduced my son out of his money. She is a complete whore" Selina yelled.

"Call your brother and his fake wife to get here immediately!" Selina barked.

Jennifer nodded and went to carry out the task.

She smiled in triumph at the success of her plan.

She and Mia had embarked on a mission to separate Nicholas and Anna.

Mia is her best friend, and she still wants her to marry Nicholas despite the scandal that happened the previous year.

She believes Mia would be a perfect wife for Nicholas.

Their plan had yielded some fruit after they discreetly followed Anna to work one day and saw her with different men over the next few days.

Curiosity had brought Jennifer into the office that afternoon when she realized the real truth behind everything.