101

Stina Radiance was an intelligent woman. But love had turned her into a delightful fool who lost all sense of logic along the way. But this morning, she had decided something big for her life. She descended the stairs to the second floor, lugging her two suitcases behind her while Taahirah Beyond’s obnoxious voice trailed behind her like a foul stench. “Hey there, sis-in-law, what’s the rush? Want to leave our cozy little nest?” Stina simply shot her a quick glance and continued her descent, paying no mind to the girl who had turned her life into a never-ending nightmare. “Hey, I’m talkin’ to you!” Taahirah whined Within seconds, Stina collided with none other than Zyren Beyond’s mother, Quiyana Lewis, as she reached the first floor. This wealthy woman had always looked down on her, seeing her as nothing more than a weed or a parasite to be crushed underfoot. Quiyana cast a disgusted look in her direction. “Where in the world do you think you’re hauling those suitcases off to? Got some stolen goods hidden away in there, perhaps?” She said in mockingly. After playing the dutiful daughter-in-law for three long years, Stina knew all too well that Quiyana was the root cause of all her troubles. In the past, she would have swallowed her pride, spoken carefully and respectfully, and even tried to reason with her. But not anymore. Stina had no intention of wasting her precious time on feeding her mother-in-law’s insatiable ego. She no longer wanted Zyren Beyond, and as for this cantankerous old woman? To hell with her. “Say whatever you please, Mrs. Beyond,” Stina smirked. Stina, the once gentle and obedient soul, was no more. Quiyana Lewis, who had grown accustomed to her daughter-in-law’s timid nature, was in for a surprise. Suddenly, a disrespectful tone spilled from Stina’s lips, igniting a fire within Quiyana’s chest. Her face flushed a deep crimson, a mix of anger and disbelief. “Stina Radiance!” Quiyana screeched in fury. “Is this how you treat your elders?” “Do you still consider me your mother-in-law?” Quiyana demanded. Stina glanced at her mother-in-law, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “I’m sorry, my dear mother-in-law,” Stina retorted, her tone dripping with mockery. “Soon, you won’t be my mother-in-law anymore.” Before Quiyana could respond, the blaring sound of a car horn pierced through the tension, signaling the arrival of an escape route for Stina. “I’m leaving your house, Mrs. Beyond,” Stina declared, her smile unyielding. “All the things I left in the room? You can do whatever you want with them. Throw them away or burn them. It’s your choice.” A sharp gaze accompanied her words as if daring Quiyana to object. Slowly dragging her suitcase behind her, Stina made her way towards the exit gate of Beyond’s mansion. *** “Hi, Sti, its nice to see you here...” Yma welcomed her. “Thanks, babe ..., thanks for picking me up.” Stina replied. “Here, the papers you asked for,” Yma handed the documents to Stina. Stina Radiance sat comfortably in her Porsche as she leafed through the divorce agreement with a satisfied smile. The terms were fair and reasonable, just as she had hoped. Yma Turner, her partner and confidant, glanced at her and couldn’t help but speak, her voice light and cheerful, “Is it really that simple? And are you sure of the path you’re taking?” All Yma knew was that Stina was deathly in love with her cold, heartless husband. She had willingly spent three years wasting away for that selfish man. But now, suddenly, Stina had the initiative to divorce him. Stina Radiance closed her pen, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “What else is there to do?” She couldn’t help but laugh. “The true love of Zyren Beyond has returned. And I know I’m going to lose badly.” Yma glanced at Stina with a look of concern, but when Stina glanced back quickly, Yma averted her eyes. Yma knew Stina disliked being pitied the most. And didn’t like it when other people looked at her as weak. Stina Radiance has always clung to the belief that love has the power to melt even the most frozen of hearts, but Zyren Beyond was an exception. However, her unwavering faith in this notion eventually faded, and she gave in without fighting. Despite sharing a bed with Zyren Beyond every night, she has accepted that her husband’s heart always belongs to someone else— his ex fiance-Zyana Baker. Three years ago, Stina Radiance put her pride and shame on the line. She had boldly and shamelessly proposed to Zyren. And asked for marriage to return her favor. For three long years, she had held the title of Mrs. Beyond in vain and inner torment. Now that Zyiana Baker had returned, Stina knew it was only fitting to step aside and make way for the woman. Who Zyren deemed more worthy of being his wife than she was. Their marriage was miserable. She and Zyren for three years, never really being together as a couple. He considered her a disgusting object, and he never touched her. Had Stina been a machine, it could be said that she was rusty because it’s never been used. But it was a secret to be kept, lest the world mock her for her foolishness and naivety in the name of love. Three years was enough, she thought. It should be enough to make up for her seven years of foolish secret love. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. No, she did not want to look weak in anyone’s eyes, even in Yma’s. Stina was a free-spirited woman, but it was natural for anyone to feel upset when a decade of love ended like this. The bright red sports car stopped, and Yma Turner lifted her sunglasses, a bright smile gracing her face. “Here we are, Sti! Go with confidence, for I will always be by your side!” With a grateful smile, Stina Radiance replied, “Thank you, Yma. I will face the battlefield head-on, without fear and trepidation!” She said, trying to convince herself that she could go beyond this. But how? She wondered. How could she deliver the divorce agreement in front of Zyren Beyond dominantly and gracefully? It was a difficult task. Especially when her little heart still held something she was trying to bury deep. “Come on, Stina, he’s just Zyren. A selfish man you need to get out of your life...” Stina muttered encouragingly to herself. Stina walked in, holding the divorce agreement in her hand. This wasn’t her first time at Gotrays, and it certainly wasn’t the first time she’d met the receptionist who was always dismissive of her. “Miss Radiance, without the appointment, you cant go up.” The timid receptionist said firmly, her voice dripping with disdain. Stina raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Oh, how delightfully arrogant of you,” she replied, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Do you honestly believe I need an appointment to see my husband?” “Husband?” The receptionist chuckled sarcastically to her. The receptionist crossed her arms, her disdainful expression deepening. "Mr. Beyond is a busy man, and if everyone is allowed to see him without an appointment, what’s the point of me being the receptionist?” she retorted, her voice filled with a mixture of annoyance and superiority. Even a receptionist at soon to be her ex husband’s office could give her such a hard time. For three years, she had never even called her Mrs. Beyond. Needless to say, however, Zyren Beyond did not care about this at all. Stina chuckled softly, her amusement evident. “It seems like the employee training at Gortrays needs a significant improvement. They really don’t teach good manners, do they?” she remarked, her words dripping with disdain. The receptionist’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger crossing her face. “Well, Miss Radiance, you do not have special privileges here. You still need to follow the rules,” she shot back, her tone defiant. Stina’s confidence remained unshaken as she confidently walked towards the elevator, her high heels squeaking on the marble floor. She turned her head, her voice laced with superiority. “Tell your boss I’m on my way to his office. And I am damn sure, he’ll be thrilled to see me,” she said dismissively, ignoring the receptionist’s annoyed shout. The receptionist stood there in shock, momentarily stunned by Stina’s audacity. However, her disdain quickly resurfaced, and she snorted in annoyance. Determined to make her point, she swiftly picked up the phone to inform her boss of the unexpected incident.