5.

ARTEMIS

The cold night air kissed my skin as the heavy doors closed behind us, sealing away the stares and the humiliation in the hall. I remained quiet, following Kieran in a daze, my hand still in his as he led me further away from the building I called home for the last five years.

My mind was still spinning. I still couldn’t believe that everything was over. Van signed the divorce. I took Kieran’s hand, not knowing what I had just accepted. I was angry, scared, confused, and maybe I was also grieving.

It still felt like a dream. How had my life collapsed and changed so much in the span of one evening? If someone had told me this morning that this was how the day would end, I would have cursed them out.

I watched Kieran, or rather, the back of his head. He hadn’t said a word to me, and I wonder if he would tell me why he did what he did today. Why he ruined my life and offered me solace at the same time.

Kieran led me to a sleek black car. I must admit that the man had taste. I wasn’t one who was familiar with automobiles, but that wasn’t needed to know that the car before me could buy all the cars Van had.

A driver stood waiting beside the car. He opened the back door with a slight bow when we approached.

“Mr Archibald,” He greeted, and his brows raised mildly in surprise when Theon gestured for me to enter the car.

I glanced at Theon as he settled beside me and waited for the car door to shut before I asked quietly, “Why did you do this?”

His eyes flickered to mine. He remained calm and cold “You didn’t deserve to live such a miserable life,” he answered.

I waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. “That’s not a good answer, Mr Archibald. You don’t know me, so why would you rescue me? I never said I needed to be rescued”

My frustration grew when he said nothing, but I caught the faint smile at the corner of his lips. This wasn’t for nothing, and I was going to find out.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked instead, knowing I wouldn’t get any more answers if I pushed, but that didn’t mean that I had given up.

“You’ll see,” he said simply and went back to staring outside the window.

The ride was silent after that, but my mind brewed with possibilities. I tried to think, to plan what my next step would be, how to start my life all over again, but I couldn’t come up with anything.

My mind was plagued with images of Van celebrating at the thought of discarding me, but my thoughts took a back seat when the car pulled up to a massive gate that opened to an even bigger compound.

Sure, Van’s house was a mansion, but this was something out of a dream. The compound was so extravagant, it felt far-fetched. It was grand, imposing, with long-length mirrors as walls. You know those unreal mansions you see on pinterest boards.

Everything screamed generational wealth and untouchable power.

“Come on,” Kieran called, and it was then I realised the car had stopped at the entrance and Kieran had stepped out of the car.

My cheeks tinged pink with shame at having been caught shamelessly ogling, but I scrambled off the car and followed him inside the house.

The inside of the house was even more breathtaking than the outside, and Kieran stopped in front of the grand stairs and turned to me.

“One thing I’m certain of is that you aren’t weak, Artemis,” He said, his voice smooth and deep “So don’t think I did what I did tonight because you are.”

“Then why did you save me?” I asked again, “I never asked you to”

“No,” he agreed, “But someone had to. That life you had with Van, it wasn’t one, and you know it”

“You don’t want to tell me? Fine,” I snapped, getting angry at being toyed with “At least tell me what you want from me? You didn’t bring me here because you are the nicest man alive”

Kieran smiled, the sight unnerving “I’m not in a rush. Besides, it’s very late. Let’s talk tomorrow”

“No. I want answers now. It’s the least I deserve from you after you messed up my life” His eyes darkened with my statement, but he said nothing. Instead, he gestured to one of the maids who was passing, and she hurried to us.

“Show the guest to a room to sleep and make sure she gets everything she needs”

“Mr Archibald,” I called when he turned and walked away, leaving me with the maid “Did he just dismiss me?” I growled lowly, my glare burning a hole in his back, but he still didn’t turn.

“Please, follow me, Miss,” The maid said after Kieran turned the corner.

I sighed in defeat but followed the maid through the halls as she led me to the room I was supposed to stay in. I wasn’t surprised when the room was equally luxurious, like the rest of the house.

“Press this button if you need anything, and someone will be here to attend to you,” The maid said softly, then left the room.

The minute the door closed behind her, the silence forced everything to come crashing down. I fell to the floor on that spot, but I couldn’t cry despite the misery that overwhelmed me.

I had no home, no husband and no dignity left. With shaky hands, I called my parents.

“Artemis, where are you? What happened?” my mother cried as soon as she answered the call “We ran out after you, but you were gone”

Her broken voice forced the tears down, and I whimpered while trying to control the sobs.

“I’m fine,” I choked out, cleaning my eyes, “I’m safe”

“I’m so sorry that you have useless parents that couldn’t defend you,” Mom sobbed “We couldn’t protect you and let you get humiliated like that”

“Mom, stop. Please,” I cried harder, “We both know this is all my fault. I let Van into our lives and gave him the key to destroy everything, but I promise, I will fix this”

“Where are you?” My father asked next.

“Mr Archibald took me to his place. I don’t know why, but he promised to talk tomorrow. I would probably be able to come home after we discuss,”

“Are you sure he won’t hurt you? I don’t trust that man helped you because he is kind. The reputation that exceeds him is scary. You don’t want to be entangled with a man like that,” He warned.

“Don’t worry, Dad. I do not plan to let another man take advantage of me. No matter who he is, I won’t let what happened with Van repeat itself,” I assured him.

“Be careful, honey,” My mom added, fear in her voice, “I don’t want you getting hurt again.”

“I won’t.”

When the call ended, I sat in silence. For the first time, my mind gave me vivid images of everything that happened tonight, and before I knew it, angry tears were streaming down my face.

I wanted to stop crying so bad because I knew it wouldn't change anything but I couldn't help it. The images were so vivid, horrifying and shameful. I was angry at myself, at Van, and at Kieran and I was letting it all out.

With the pain in my chest, I swore. No matter what, I would find out what Kieran was up to. I wouldn't let him do the same thing Van did. He already humiliated me enough.