The Heiress's Rise To Power: From Divorce To Dominance

1.

Samantha's POV

"You imbecile!" Laylani snapped and the next thing I knew, her palms connected with my cheeks, giving me a resounding slap that sent my ears ringing.

I gasped as my hands went to my cheeks that stung from the impact of the slap. I looked at my mother-in-law, tears blurring my vision.

"How could you be so clueless?" She barked, her body trembling as a result of the anger. "Don't you know how to do anything right? How dare you tell me you want to quit your job? Do you have any idea how much help that particular one has been to us?" She yelled at me, her shrill voice echoing through the hallways.

I stared at her as hot tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn't bring myself to say anything to her. Haven't I done enough? I worked multiple jobs and have practically been providing for this family. After Nathan, my husband's company suffered a major loss, I took it upon myself to help support the family. So far, I have six jobs and the stress is taking a toll on my mental health.

After quitting the sixth one prior to the doctor's instructions, my mother-in-law assumes I've committed a huge offense.

I've been married to my husband for three years and believe me when I say, I haven't had a moment of peace since I stepped into this house. He had promised me the whole world and I ditched my family, ignoring their warnings and got married to him, but he practically turned me into his personal punching bag while his family rained several insults on me, blaming me for the collapse of their company's fortunes.

Sometimes I wondered if the universe was punishing me for marrying him against my parents' orders, but I still loved him, and I'm willing to bear it all, so I did the only thing I've gotten used to doing for the past three years.

"I'm sorry, mother." I apologized, but she just scoffed and looked at me like I was some piece of shit.

"Sorry can't solve this, Samantha. You better go back to that company and withdraw the resignation letter you submitted. Tell them you were senseless and have made a mistake, and take that job back. How can you be so heartless? You're the reason we're in this mess. Immediately my son married you, things fell apart. You have to suffer for your bad luck. Do not make me repeat myself!"

"Mother, please, I might break down anytime soon. I can still support the family with the remaining five jobs. I need to be alive to take care of the family, don't I?" I asked her, hoping she would understand me.

"I don't care about any of that. If you want to die, you can die now, and I would have no regrets whatsoever. I would be the happiest person at your funeral!" She snapped and I couldn't believe my ears. This was the same woman who was sick in the hospital with no way of survival, and I had to donate my blood to her. How could she say this to me? She owe me her life!

"I don't want to waste my time with you, Samantha. Get lost!" She pushed me away and wiped her hand with a napkin as if I were some kind of dirt.

I stood with tears in my eyes. I couldn't bring myself to move from where I stood. She turned, and her eyes met with mine.

"Have you gone deaf? I said move! Beat it!" She shooed me with her hands and I wiped my tears.

Slowly, I turned and started walking away from her as I made my way to the living room. As long as Nathan still loved me, I will make this marriage work and endure everything from them.

I walked to the drawer and took out some pain relieves. My head and body were aching badly, and I needed rest. A goodnight sleep would do the trick.

I reached for the drawer, but someone slapped my hands away.

"What do you think you're doing?" Lucas, Nathan's junior brother asked.

"I want to get some pain reliefs. I'm feeling pains-"

"That's none of my business!" He snapped at me and I flinched. "Mum asked us to stop you from touching anything in this house. Apparently, your bad luck is beginning to rub off on everybody. Very soon, she is going to throw your dirty and stinky ass out of this house." He mused, mockery dripping from his tone.

"I need to get the pain reliefs. Besides, I bought this drawer with my money!" I argued back. He was one person I won't allow talk to me anyhow, he liked. He had stolen my money to gamble numerous times, and I've been quiet about it, but I won't watch him disrespect me.

He rolled his eyes. "You are banned from touching it. I don't care if it was your money, Samantha. Anyway, I have a big game tonight, and I need a thousand dollars from you." He clicked his tongue and I scoffed.

"You aren't getting a dime from me." I answered and turned to leave.

"I knew you'd say no, so I helped myself with your credit card,"

I turned to face him, my fists tightened. He threw the credit card at me.

"It's empty now. Make it quick and fill it with money. I need to get the latest sneakers by Friday." He winked at me and walked away.

I sighed and picked the credit card from the floor. Another card empty! Just how am I going to survive with all these happening to me!

With a sigh, I turned to leave the living room but heard the sound of the door. When I turned, Nathan walked into the room and I rushed to welcome him with a smile on my face; a smile he didn't return. I've gotten used to the frown he always had on his face whenever he looked at me, though.

"Welcome back, honey," I reached to take his suitcase from him, but he pushed me away.

"Haven't I warned you not to welcome me, touch me or touch my things?" He asked, and I sucked in a breath.

"I'm sorry." I lowered my head, and he walked in, but what I didn't expect was a woman with him. He linked her hand with his and beamed at her. Whoa! I'd give anything for him to smile at me like that.

I took a closer look at the woman and realized she was a Sullivan; a wealthy and renowned family in New York and business associates with the Salvadors. I knew her too well. What could she be doing here? Did she have a business offer for Nathan? If that was it, then it would be good because the Salvadors could step in as well.

My eyes lit up with smiles and I went to join them on the couch. I was quite uncomfortable with how clingy she was with Nathan, but I said no words to avoid him getting mad at me.

"Sam," Nathan called, and my heart skipped a bit. I couldn't recall the last time he called me this way, and in such a gentle manner either. I gave him a small smile. "I'd like to introduce you to Bianca, my girlfriend."

I blinked.

"Pardon?" I asked because there was no way I heard him well the first time.

"You aren't deaf, so you can clearly hear me, but I'll repeat myself so it would stick to your head. Bianca Sullivan is my girlfriend." He intertwined their fingers and my head sparked.

"Girlfriend? You've got to be kidding me!" I snapped at him. This was unbelievable. There's no way she's his girlfriend.

"I'm not kidding. She is beautiful, rich, and elegant, totally the kind of woman I want for myself. So, I want you to go into your room, pack your things and get out of my house."

"What? Why?" I asked.

He brought out a file and slammed it on the desk in the room.

"I'm divorcing you!" He announced, and my eyes widened.

What!

2.

Samantha's POV

"This marriage isn't working out the way I want it, Samantha. I don't feel the need to keep trying to make it work out and-"

"What are you saying, Nathan? I am the only one who has been trying to make this marriage work for three years; three shitty years, Nath. You can't call for a divorce out of the blue, not after everything I've done to make all these work out." I conveyed, hoping he would get the hint that he had done nothing in this marriage except telling me how much he wanted me to work hard to provide for the family, and reminding me that I am the reason his company went bankrupt.

He glared at me, his face contorting into a stern frown. "What did you just say? I have tried making this marriage work. How dare you tell me you are the only one putting effort? I still kept you after you ruined me. Marrying you brought my company down in shambles and I tolerated you for three fucking years. Haven't I done enough?" He yelled, drawing the attention of Laylani and her son, Lucas.

They came out of their rooms and came to us.

"What is going on here?" Laylani asked. "I am sure Samantha is responsible for your outbursts." She snorted with her arms folded.

"You are right, mother. I want a divorce!" He announced, and my heart broke at the smile that spread across Laylani's lips.

"Hallelujah! I thought this day would never come. You have done well, My son. I've been waiting for the day you'd throw this piece of garbage out of this house." She hollered in jubilation and tears rolled down my cheeks.

Nathan turned to face me. "You see? Nobody wants you here. You are no longer needed, so sign the divorce papers and leave immediately. I need to spend quality time with Bianca and that won't be possible with your annoying face all over the house!" He grunted in displeasure.

I got on my knees and clasped my palms. "Please, we can't end up this way. If you leave me, I'll have nowhere else to go. You can't divorce me this way, Nath. Whatever is the problem, we can sort it out. Please!" I dropped my pride and pleaded with him. I loved him so much and wouldn't want him to do this to me.

"It's over, Samantha. I feel nothing for you! Your face is so annoying and disgusting to me. I just wished you'd disappear from the surface of the earth, so I wouldn't have to see you or remember you. Sign the damn papers and get the hell out!" He yelled but I shook my head.

"Please, Nath-"

"Sign the papers, witch! We do not need you here anymore!" Laylani snapped and I burst into tears.

My eyes went to Bianca, who stood and walked to where I knelt. "Don't you think you're being too cheap? He said he doesn't want you, girl. Let him be and get out!" She snapped at me.

"He is my husband!" I fired back, my chest heaving.

"Not anymore, witch," She sassed and I gasped. I had no idea Bianca was this type of person. How could she come into someone else's house and take her husband? "He is mine now. You are a broke ass bitch with nothing to bring to the table. Do your poor ass some good and leave while I'm still being nice." She warned, her eyes glued on me with nothing but murderous intent in it.

"Nathan," I called and held his trousers, but he yanked my hands away. "Nathan, please. We can make this work. Don't push me away, Nathan!" I held him, but he pushed me away from him.

I was about to meet him again, but Bianca blocked my path. She pulled me up, and before I knew what was happening, a slap landed on my cheeks, causing my vision to turn black for a second.

When my eyes cleared, I met her angry ones.

"Your husband told me a lot about you, bitch! You made him go bankrupt and couldn't keep the family together. He wants a divorce, and you have the nerves to want him back? How dare you?"

I was dumbfounded. This was totally not what I was expecting. Bianca! Slapped me?

"I really wanted to be nice and make you leave peacefully, but you've left me no choice. Boys!" She called, and two men walked into the living room. They were so huge that I could picture myself as an ant. They stared down at me with scary looks on their faces. "Throw this bitch out of this house!" She ordered, and before I knew it, they grabbed me.

"Hey! Let me go! Nathan!" I looked at him, but he folded his arms and just watched me. "Nathan, please!" I pleaded but he just looked away.

"Don't worry about Nathan. I'm wealthy and will take good care of him and my mother-in-law." She looked at Laylani, who smiled at her. I looked at Lucas, he didn't say anything and walked away.

All my pleas met deaf ears as the men threw me out of the house like I was some kind of thief. The door opened, revealing Lucas. Before I could say anything, he threw my clothes at me and chuckled.

"You came with nothing, and you leave with nothing. I didn't know getting rid of you would be this easy." He mocked and slammed the door shut. The door opened again, and the divorce paper was thrown at me.

My eyes went to the clothes scattered on the floor and the handbag on the floor. How could he do this to me? All these years, I put up with everything they did to me with hope that one day, it would all be over, but what did I get in return? Pain! Mockery! Disgrace and First Class Embarrassment!

I should have known that giving up everything to be with him was a mistake. I should have stuck to my parents' advice.

I wiped my tears and stood to my feet with the divorce paper. I picked up my handbag, discarded the clothes on the floor and walked away from the premises. As I walked on the road, one thing was sure, and one thing became clear to me.

Nathan didn't love me. He just loved money and has shown me how much of a monster he can be. He made that bitch slap me and made me go through hell all these years. I won't let him off the hook this easily.

He will pay for causing me such amount of pain. I'll sign the divorce papers alright, but I will make him regret it. He will come looking for me and then, I won't show him mercy.

Time to go back to where I truly belonged and where I am valued.

I reached into my handbag and brought out my phone. I scrolled through my contacts and dialed the number I had kept hidden for almost three years.

"Hello, Sam! You finally called!" Linda's voice boomed through the phone and I smiled. I just realized how much I've missed her.

"Linda, tell mum and dad that I'm coming home," I said and she shrieked.

"Finally! I will definitely do that. They will be so happy." She exclaimed and I sighed.

"Tell the driver to come pick me up. I'll text you the address." I ordered and she hummed in response.

"Why are you coming back all of a sudden though?" She asked and I sucked in a breath.

"I need to claim what rightfully belongs to me and kick some damn asses while at it!"

3.

Samantha's POV

I walked out of the car and heaved a deep breath as I stared at my parents' huge mansion. A familiar feeling crept to my stomach as I sucked in a breath and made my way into the house.

For three years, I stayed away from them, neglected the family name and followed Nathan. For three years, I cut off all links and connections with them because I wouldn't want them finding out where I lived with Nathan, and come to avoid my true identity getting exposed.

One reason I had stayed away from them and followed Nathan was because Father wanted me to take over the family business and also get married to Aiden, one of the wealthiest and youngest billionaires in all of New York City. I knew it was for business and I wanted to marry for love, which fueled my determination to leave everything behind and marry Nathan.

I just realized how much of a stupid fool I had been then.

As I walked in through the door, maids had already lined up to welcome me. I walked past them with my head held high. I was sick and tired of being the lady who would get pushed around by everybody. This time, I'm going to take control of my life and my destiny.

"Welcome back, Sam," Linda hugged me the minute she set her eyes on me. "You've really lost a lot of weight. Your father will not be pleased." She turned me around and I sighed.

"I know, right? Let's leave that behind, P.A. I can't go see father like this. I need to get dressed." I gave her a small smile and she nodded.

"Way ahead of ya! Before you came, I already made the maids prepare your bath and your clothes. Let's go," She held my hand and led me to my room, causing me to smile. Linda hadn't changed a bit. She has been my Personal Assistant for a long time now, and we are more like sisters, considering that she's the only person who completely understand me.

In a few minutes, I had already gone through a makeover. I looked at my reflection and saw a beauty I didn't realize I had until now. With a sigh, I made my way to the living room, gathering the courage to face my father after ditching him for three years.

Linda gave me a look of reassurance and guided me to the living room. Father was seated on the couch with his legs crossed and a glass of wine in his hand. He had a plain expression on his face and my heart skipped a bit. Mother was seated beside him, looking as young as ever with her blonde hair rolled into a bun while my half sister, Estella, sat with her arms folded. Obviously, she wasn't happy to see me.

I walked to where father and mother were seated and knelt in front of them.

"So you finally came back after three whole years, Sam." Father drawled, his deep and manly voice sending shivers down my spine.

"I am sorry, Father. I regret my actions and my decisions. Please accept my apology." I lowered my head and clasped my fingers together.

There was silence for a while and at a point, I became frightened that he would get angry and send me away or chase me away from his presence. I saw his hand reach to mine, and he held them together.

I looked up at him, and he had a smile on his face. "Welcome back, Samantha. I have been waiting for you. I knew this wasn't going to last. I knew that gold digger wouldn't know the value of what he had."

I blinked. What was Father talking about?

"Your father have been watching you, Sam. He knew all you were going through and even though it hurt all of us, he didn't lift a finger because you said you didn't want our help. You don't need to apologize. We are just happy you came to your senses early enough." Mother explained everything to me and I sighed.

"Now that you are back, you can take over the company now as the new CEO and marry Aiden Callymore."

"Dad-"

"No excuses, Samantha. Marrying Aiden will be the best thing that will happen to both companies. You've neglected your duties for three years, it's time for you to face them."

"But dad, I have no idea who Aiden is. I can't just marry someone I don't know anything about!" I stood to my feet.

"You knew about Nathan and still went through hell in his hand. Aiden is different, Sam. Who knows? Things might actually work out between you two. Don't disappoint me by refusing," He said with a tone of finality and I sighed.

It wasn't going to be a long marriage anyway. It would just be on paper, no feelings attached, what's the worst that could happen?

"Very well, Father." I sighed and he clapped his hand.

"That's my daughter. I already sent a message to Aiden. He is on his way!" Father exclaimed and I just lowered my head. As long as I got my revenge on Nathan, I'm okay.

"This is so unfair, daddy! She left us for three years. She came back just today, and you're ready to hand over the company to her?" Estella asked and I rolled my eyes.

"Stay out of this, Estella. Samantha is the perfect person for the job. She isn't into drugs." He said, and I could not the mockery in his voice. That shut Estella up, and I was glad it did. She had always been a pain in the neck.

The door to the living room opened and everybody stood to their feet.

"He's here." Linda announced.

I looked at them, wondering who this Aiden of a man was that commanded so much respect. And just immediately, I felt a chill and a tall guy walked into the room. I could swear I got goosebumps. He was like the most beautiful man I have ever seen. He has ocean blue eyes and striking, thick eyebrows.

His face was chiseled like he was carved from stone, and his jawline was sharp and defined. His nose was straight and pointed, and his lips were full and pink. His hair was dark and wavy, styled to perfection.

He was dressed in a black suit that fit him perfectly, and he exuded an air of confidence and power. His eyes met with mine first, and he smiled at me, causing my knees to become weak.

He walked to where I stood and stretched out his hand for a handshake. "We finally meet, wifey."