Chapter 5 BROKEN HEARTS

"I didn't kill him, I loved Vince...." I cried weakly, shivering, cowering in a corner, praying these people would stop waterboarding me.

"She's still not talking," someone said, and I tried to adjust my eyes to the darkness to find the people doing this.

My body was tired of crying, and I was about to pass out. I turned and threw up on the hard floor.

I heard a loud sigh. "Okay, we're doing this the hard way," someone said. "Bring the battery."

That didn't sound good. My heart rate spiked. I was cold, wet, and hungry. It was too much.

"What? Please, no. Stop! I'm innocent!" I sobbed.

"We will electrocute you to death if you don't tell us how you killed Vince Sterling," one man threatened, and that made my tears fall harder.

"I didn't kill him! Who are you people?" My voice cracked in the darkness.

"She's still running her mouth," one man chuckled.

"Alright, do it," another ordered.

"No, please, no! No! No!" I screamed. "Get away from me!"

I heard the door open, but there was still no light.

What time was it?

How long has it been?

"Is she alive?" a new voice asked.

"Yes."

"Keep it that way," he said.

"Hey Eva, tell us why you killed Vince," the new person asked, the same question they'd been repeating for hours.

"I did no such thing. It was my brother, Kings-"

"Shut her up," he snapped.

"No, please, stop! Please!" I cried as my body jolted with electric sparks.

And then I faded into nothingness.

24 HOURS EARLIER

Smiling brightly and fixing my newly styled hair, I dropped the groceries on the kitchen table and hurried to my husband's study.

He wasn't there, so I rushed to the store where he always worked on his machines when he was bored.

I wanted Vince to tell me how nice my hair looked and maybe-just maybe-we could have a repeat of last night.

He had made my body rock with orgasms, had me screaming his name. Flashbacks made my legs clench, and I struggled to hide my pink cheeks.

"I heard you're about to divorce little Miss Stupid. Had your fill of her already?" I heard a familiar voice as I reached the door. I froze.

"Take your words back, Kingsley. That's unacceptable in my house," I heard Vince say, and I felt proud that someone other than Kord finally stood up to my horrible brother.

Leaning in, I listened.

"Pardon me, mister. I was talking about your lovely wife, Eva. I heard you're planning a divorce. You got bored?" Kingsley's mocking voice made my stomach twist.

"Hand me the screwdriver, will you? And no, I've been too selfish and angry. I didn't see how I was damaging her. I've done too much. I have to let her go. Once I find a good nurse, I'll finalize the divorce," Vince said, and every ounce of excitement in my body evaporated.

He was serious about the divorce. I meant nothing to Vince.

I couldn't move away. I just listened.

"Wow. I mean, we all expected the divorce, but this soon? Are you sure she learned her lesson?" Kingsley asked, ever the opportunist.

"There's no lesson to be learned, Kingsley. Eva is a good person. I should apologize for what I put her through these past months. She fainted from the stress of taking care of me. I've been a terrible person, and now the best thing I can do is set her free. As much as I like her being around, and how much I love her cooking, I have to let her go. The divorce will be."

As Vince calmly continued, Kingsley rudely cut in.

"What do you mean you're divorcing her? Are you forgetting what she did to you? You're a cripple because of her!" Kingsley flared, I knew he was on the way to a nasty crash out.

"Grab a drink and stop screaming, buddy." Vince continued ever coolly.

"She did nothing. That engagement to Michelle was a mistake, and I'm more than happy Eva stopped it, mistake or not."

Kingsley chuckled dryly "That piglet," he spat, and I gasped.

"That's my wife you're talking about. Watch your mouth. She's also your sister, for God's sake," Vince warned.

"Chill, man. You know I was only joking. When did you become a softie? Besides, She's adopted, it's not like-"

"She's my wife and your sister. Show some respect when you speak about her," Vince said sharply.

"I respect her enough. She's just too... dumb for my liking," Kingsley pressed, and Vince sighed.

"Don't talk about her like that, Kingsley. That's my last warning. Say one more insult, and I'll throw you out, friendship or not. Now hand me the screwdriver"

I was a little happy.

Vince didn't love me, but he cared about me enough to defend me in my absence.

I knew Kingsley would be seething with anger since he didn't have the chance to bully me like always.

"I cannot believe this!" Kingsley shouted. "She planned all this, the failed engagement and you have lost your manhood...!"

"Lost my manhood...? What the fuck has gotten into you Kingsley?" Vince sounded genuinely surprised at his friend.

"Eva has been in love with you all her life, she fantasizes about you. She's been clawing her way to get to you", Kingsley continued.

"I don't see how that's a problem. We all fall in love", Vince said, still calm.

"She wants your money, Vince! She's using you, keep her and teach her a lesson", Kingsley lied.

"Is this about my money, or you just don't care for your sister?"

"I don't give a fuck about that ugly thing. I just want her to pay for what she did to you! Look how pathetic you've become in a wheelchair begging to be fed and handed things" Kingsley cursed, and my hand flew to my chest.

And then I saw it.

Kord was right, Kingsley hated Vince.

His tone was laced with hatred and anger, and I was surprised Vince was still calm.

He finally spoke up "You crossed the line, get out of my house."

"Chasing me out because of that useless little thing?!" Kingsley spat "You can't possibly be serious!"

"I'll have security escort you out. I never want to see you again, and stay away from my wife..."

"Or what?" Kingsley sneered. "What are you going to do, Vince?"

"You think you are better than me because of your money or power? You stupid fool! I am a Van Cleve and if not for some certain circumstances, I would still be bigger than you. You are a thief, you stole Michelle from me only to lose her like a coward, and now you're pinning after a girl who's supposed to be wiping your shoes!" My brother spewed hateful words at me and my husband.

Vince laughed for the first time since the argument started.

"Even in this chair, you'll never be me or better than me Kingsley. I now see you for who you are. Nothing but a disgrace to your family and our friendship. Michelle chose me over you and even after she left you still can't have her".

"look at your miserable self. You're a leech living off me and getting benefits from using my name!" Vince said firmly at Kingsley and I almost cracked a smile.

"Get out of my house, Kingsley!" Now Vince sounded angry. "Now!!!!"

Kingsley was silent.

There was silence.

"You're no longer my friend. And I'll make sure everyone knows what kind of person you are-" before Vince could finish talking, Kingsley screamed.

A loud crash and then there was a struggle.

I pushed the door open-and saw Vince on the floor, no longer in his wheelchair, bleeding and fighting to get away.

Kingsley was on top of him, stabbing him repeatedly with a screwdriver.

"No! no! Get away from him!" I screamed.

Kingsley froze, pulling away from Vince, blood covering his hands.

"I didn't mean it," he whispered.

"You killed him!" I cried and dropped to my husband's body, gently cradling his limp head in my hands. "What did you do?!!!"

"Shut up!"

"Vince, honey, wake up please!" I sobbed, caressing his bloodied face.

"Murderer!" I lunged at Kingsley still crying.

I hurriedly pulled out my phone to call the police, but my world came to a sick stop.

Whack!

My head exploded with a painful headache after the blow it received, and I collapsed on the floor next to my husband. My phone fell out of my hand and clattered on the ground.

"Is he dead? I don't want to go to jail" I heard Kingsley panicking to someone else.

"You won't"

It was Kaitlyn.

I lost consciousness.

Then, darkness swallowed me.

*******************

PRESENT TIME

Tatiana wore black.

Her eyes were red and swollen with hate and pure anger.

"Tatiana, I loved Vince. I would never hurt him..." I sobbed weakly.

"You ruined his engagement to Michelle," she said coldly.

"It was a mistake. I... I loved him."

"You took my son from me, all because of jealousy and obsession. You deserve to die!" She slapped me hard.

"I didn't kill Vince," I whimpered, cradling my face.

"He was going to divorce you, and you killed him because you wanted his money!"

"What? No, please believe me."

"Shut your mouth, you cheap liar! I'm going to pay you back for what you did!"

"I'm innocent" I wailed "I would never..."

"Explain the six hundred million dollars missing from his account Eva!" she demanded and wiped her tears.

"It wasn't me, Tatiana. I swear."

"And the Chanel bag you have? It's Limited edition. Worth millions!" She accused

"Vince gave it to me," I whispered.

"What?" Tatiana laughed bitterly. "He hated you! He wasn't aware of your existence till you ruined his engagement"

"He was angry... it wasn't hate," I pleaded.

Tatiana raised a hand to silence me.

"Enough!" she hissed. "I see you're pregnant with my grandchild, but you'll never see it grow."

"Don't do this..."

"That baby will carry the Sterling name, but you will be erased from its life."