“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 11

Chapter 10: Sign the divorce papers.

***\-Thomas POV:***

I stared at Raymond with complete confusion. What the hell was going on? Where was she? Walking slowing, I began to speak.

*“Are you telling me she hasn’t come home this week? At all?”*

Raymond shook his head nervously; he had no idea what was going on.

*“No sir. We assumed you all were still at the Crest Estate. Has something happened to Madam Rabena?”*

That question hit me like a ton, a lot had happened to her. So where was she and why hadn’t she come home? Lowering my voice, I answered Raymond who was now staring at me with great concern.

*“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”*

I walked off and went straight to me study. I tried calling Rabena again, over and over it going to her voicemail. I was starting to wonder if her phone was still dead or if she had decided to block me. I decided to call Dani to see if maybe they returned to the Crest Estate.

*“What do you mean she and Damon left? Where did they go?”*

*“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. So, she hasn’t come back there?”*

*“No not at all.”*

Suddenly, there was pause in Danielle’s voice.

*“I wonder if…well, maybe she’s just doing all of this to get your attention for not visiting her.”*

I paused and thought for a moment, could Rabena really be THAT petty? It would make sense, and now she’s dragged Damon into this mess. After letting out a sigh of relief, I spoke with Dani a bit more.

*“You’re probably right. I don’t know why I even bothered worrying. Well, if she wants to play games, she’ll just have to make her way home on her own.”*

Danielle let out a light giggle.

*“I just hate that she’s involved Damon, she knows how much he cares about her. It’s selfish that she’s turning him against the family.”*

I could hear light sobs on the other end of the phone, poor Danielle was crying. I would never forgive Rabena for this! First she ruined Dani’s birthday week being jealous and now she’s running away and dragging her clueless brother into it! When she came back home I would most certainly make her pay for this. I decided to buy Dani something to cheer her up when suddenly there was a knock on my study door.

*“Yes, come in.”*

Raymond stepped in with a nervous expression on his face.

“Sir, there is someone here to see you. He said he is a carrier.”

Carrier. Was I waiting on documents? Walking back into the foyer, I could see a short stubby man holding a manila colored envelop. Turning his head with a smile he began to speak.

*“Are you Lockwood?”*

*“I am. But who are…”*

*“Excellent! Then these are for you.”*

Before I could finish my sentence, the man handed me the folder with a large smile on his face. Confused I began to open the envelop.

*“What is this?”*

*“You’ve been served; you’ll have five days to contest. Have a great day.”*

Before I could say anything else, the man walked back out of the mansion. Now ripping open the folder I snatched out the papers.

DIVORCE PAPERS!

Rabena had filed for divorce! What the fuck! This didn’t make any sense! When had she done this! With my hands trembling I pulled my cell back out of my pocket and called her again.

*“This is Rabena, please leave a message at th-”*

In a heat of rage, I threw my phone at the wall. As the phone shattered, I rushed to my study to call my lawyer. If Rabena thought I would sign those papers, she had another thing coming! I immediately called Sylvester to update him on what was going on. Shocked, he began to speak.

*“What the hell happened this past week? Why does she want a divorce?”*

*“How the hell should I know!”*

*“Well, this isn’t good, if you get a divorce your grandmother is going to give the company to your cousin Tyler.”*

I gritted my teeth hard. Tyler was my cousin, both he and I were the same age. However, because my father was the CEO before he passed, my grandmother decided to pass it on to me under the condition I marry Rabena. Dammit! That woman is about to ruin everything!

On Monday, I headed into the office. I needed to find Rabena quick and get her under control but first I needed to contest these divorce papers. Pulling out my work phone, I called my assistant.

*“Andrew, I need you to trace back the last steps of my wife from Monday April 5th. Her last known whereabouts was Memorial Hope Hospital. Also track the whereabouts of her brother Damon.”*

Andrew sat in silence for a moment before responding.

*“Um, did something happened sir? Why is Ms. Rabena miss-”*

*“Stop asking me questions and do as I say!”*

I barked with irritation at my assistant, I didn’t have time for a game of questions. As I turned on my computer, my cell began to ring, from an unknown number.

*“This is Lockwood.”*

*“Mr. Lockwood, very nice to speak with you. I’m Pera Tremell, Ms. Rabena’s lawyer.”*

I could feel my chest start cave; she already has a lawyer! Irritated, I tried to maintain my cool.

*“What can I do for you Ms. Tremell.”*

Pera took a quick pause before speaking.

*“I trust you received your papers, correct? Regarding the divorce, my client would like to know when you will be signing and submitting.”*

I felt like I was eating crushed glass. Her client. When the hell did Rabena obtain counsel and with what money! I had gone out my way to keep her on a short financial leash and the Crests didn’t provide her with any money. What was going on?

*“I did receive the papers, though I’m afraid there’s been some sort of misunderstanding. You see, I have no intentions of divorcing my wife.”*

I could hear a faint sound of laughter from this Pera person before she responded.

*“Mr. Lockwood, I think it would be in your best interest if you just signed the papers.”*

*“Who the hell do you think you are! Do you know who you’re dealing with! I won’t sign shit! So, if she’s doing this because she thinks she can get money-”*

*“Actually, my client is willing to walk away without anything. No money, no property, nothing. Just a divorce.”*

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Nothing? She wanted nothing. Did Rabena want to divorce me that bad?

*“Mr. Lockwood, are you still with me?”*

*“Y-Yes. I’m still here. The answer is still no.”*

*“I would really reconsider if I were you.”*

My patience was running thin.

*“I don’t give a shit what you think! Tell my ‘wife’ I will not be divorcing her.”*

Silence.

“I really did not want to do this as I’d hope we could resolve this amicably.”

Suddenly, there was a beep on my phone. A text message came through. When I opened it, my eyes nearly jumped out their sockets. It was picture of me and Danielle kissing each other. Suddenly, all the color drained from my face.

“Where did you get this?”

I spoke in a low and defeated tone.

“That’s not important Mr. Lockwood. My client informed me that your grandmother, the chairwoman of Lockwood Corp would be most unpleased if she saw this photo. Now she’s willing to take full responsibility for the divorce as to not affect your chances of becoming CEO. Please, sign the papers.”

With that she hung up the phone, as I sat in my office looking like a complete fool.