Chapter 1: The Bitter Price Of Love

Olivia scanned through the documents happily, eager to break the news of her company's biggest contract with a major company, to her husband, James.

She stopped right at the door of her home trying to calm herself a bit before going in, her eagerness increasing with every step.

She walked into the sitting room only to be met by a devastated look from James. She hurried over to where he was sitting, suddenly forgetting everything about the contract.

She sat beside him, hauling his hands in hers. “What's going on?” She asked with a look of concern, her eyes ever glued to his face.

He heaved a sigh and turned to face her. His eyes burned with an uneasy intensity which left Olivia more stunned and confused.

“I'm sure you were just about to announce to me yet another major contract, like you always did. You always return home with exciting news about your company, but what do I get from mine? Nothing but rejections and failure,” James complained bitterly.

“Oh, please don't say that about your company. You and I know whatever I have is yours, and I would surely not sit back and watch your company crumble. I love you, James, so much that I can do anything for you.” Olivia's eyes narrowed with a burning desire as she said those words.

Once again, James recovered his spark as he heard her make those promises to him. He moved closer to her, close enough that she could feel his warm breath against her face.

He held her hands passionately, squeezing his face so that he could gain even more pity from her. “Do you really love me, Liv?”

Olivia was taken aback, she was somewhat surprised that James was still asking her that. She nodded nonetheless, masking her shock with a faint smile. “Of course, you know the answer to that already. You really do not expect me to answer that, do you?”

“I will take that as a yes.” James remarked. “If you love me indeed like you claim, why don't you make me the CEO of your company? You know whatever I have is yours, and you trust me to handle the company well, don't you?”

Olivia was caught off guard at the request James had made. She really couldn't believe this was what has been going on in his mind all this while.

She peered into his icy and pleading eyes, and her heart melted away instantly. She didn't need to give it much thought anyway since James looked promising, and he was the love of her life.

“Okay, fine. I'll get my lawyer to make the necessary changes making you the new CEO, if that would make you happy.”

James was over the moon at her response. He jumped on his feet, pinning Olivia tight to himself. “Thank you so much, darling. I always knew I could trust you for anything.” He exclaimed excitedly, now letting go of her. “You know what? I promise you here and now to never let you down, not even for once. I will make sure the company never stops growing. You can also stop working, because I want to treat you like the princess you are.”

“It's fine, James. I did it because I love you, don't let me down,” Olivia replied.

“Of course, you know I won't do a thing like that.” He stated, his voice convincing, as he brought his face close to hers, his expression calm and relaxing. He brushed his lips onto hers slowly, savouring every moment of their kiss. “Thank you, Liv.” He muttered in a hushed voice.

***

Barely some weeks after signing James in as the new CEO of her company, Olivia's life took a drastic turn. Her previously loving and caring mother-in-law turned into a beast overnight, giving Olivia every reason to believe that she owned nothing anymore, since the affairs of her company were now being managed by her son.

“You do nothing else but sit back at home and take up the role of a miserable housewife who has nothing else to offer but doing the dishes and every other dirty chores in the house. You are in no way fit for my son.” She had once said to her.

Olivia's heart bled watching her once sweet mother-in-law make life a living hell for her all of a sudden. She had never wanted to inform James about his mother's ill treatment of her, but this time, she couldn't stand the heat anymore. She really had to open up to him.

James was getting ready for work as usual, dressed in a tailored suit and a pair of corporate black pants, which fitted him just perfectly.

He brushed his hair into perfection, applying a lavender fragrance, which was just his most preferred of other fragrances. He grabbed his suitcase and marched down the stairs to have his breakfast.

His mother ushered him into the dining room, placing before him a blend of pancakes and waffles – his exact favorite.

“I made you this for breakfast. I can't sit back and watch my son die of malnourishment anymore.” She said, laying off the covers of the meal.

The food became instantly appetizing by merely taking a look at it. James didn't hesitate one bit. He reached out for the cutlery set and began to relish every bit of the food, savouring every bit of its taste.

He nodded after so many bites and chews, his face glistening with fulfillment. “Thank you so much for this nice treat, mom. I just realized I haven't been well fed in a long time.” He remarked as he cleaned his hands with the table napkin in front of him.

He got to his feet, embracing his mother for a while. Afterwards, he stepped out to the garage, where the cars were parked.

He was about to drive out when he saw Olivia running towards the car. He stopped to find out what she was up to.

As soon as the car stopped, Olivia got in and sat at the passenger's seat next to him.

She folded her arms across each other, her face a mask of anger and disappointment.

James stopped for a moment as he studied her countenance. A sense of unease settled over him, the air thick with tension.

“What's with the face?” He asked, finally breaking the awkward silence between them.

Olivia's eyes turned pale, her expression even more disturbing. She turned her gaze at James, her eyes piercing with anger.

“Why does your mother suddenly despise me even after I made you the CEO of my company, at the expense of my own future?” She quizzed, her voice thick with regret.

“What do you mean?” James asked, obviously taken aback by her question. He was gradually growing impatient, and of course, he was aware of everything his mother had been doing to her at his back, but he never thought she would be bold enough to speak to him about it.

Olivia's eyes flushed with determination as she adjusted her gaze once again.

A teardrop escaped from her eyes, but she managed to hold back the tears from falling.

“Your mother has done nothing but ridicule me these past weeks. Now tell me, is it a crime that I decided to make you the new CEO? Why does she suddenly feel I'm the reason why your company had no significant wins?”

“That's simply because it's the fact.” James blurted out nonchalantly, taking her by surprise. “What do you really think you are? My savior? Oh, because you made me a CEO, you think you have every right to do whatever you wish in this family? No, of course not, sweetheart. I won't let that happen. As a matter of fact, you are nothing but our maid right now. Get that into your skull and stop being insecure.”

Olivia froze in shock as those words echoed repeatedly in her mind, piercing deep into her soul. James had never spoken to her in that manner before.

She had done nothing but elevate him to where he was at this point, and all he could do was call her names?