Dedicated to Iyanuoluwa-Temi for the wonderful cover above ❤. Thanks guys for over 1k reads✨.

APRIL'S POV***

"April?" I swallowed hard and jolted my head up to look at Ian who was standing on the stairs.

"April are you alright?" he asked and stretched his hand for support. I tried to avoid his gaze because of my clumsiness. Jordan came to stand beside Ian and sent me glares before walking upstairs.

I felt like punching him hard but clenched my fists and I snorted. Ian helped me to stand on one toe because my left toe hurt really bad. He placed me gently on the three seated couch in the living room and pulled my leg a little. I winced in pain. He rubbed his palm gently on my big toe and massaged it.

"How much did you hear?" Ian asked and passed me a smug smile.

"Nothing enough to clear my curiosity" I shrugged and inhaled sharply.

'This has to work' 'You think it's easy?' 'I am doing my best'

Those words kept replaying in my head causing me my sanity. I wish I never eaves dropped because one, my evening has been ruined and two I kept plundering on so many possibilities. I had finally gotten on Jordan's bad side not like I have been on his good side anyways.

"I swear Ian, I didn't eavesdrop. I was just coming down stairs when I heard faint voices" I rapped in one breathe without being asked. Ian chucked lightly and twisted my toe a bit, I hissed in pain and he muttered soothing words.

"April, I am sorry about what you're going through. Jordan is going through a lot Give him time, he will come around" he clasped his hands apologetically when the real dude is unrepentant.

I just nodded and passed him a small smile. The pain in my feet had lessened after his soothing massage, can Jordan be any better? At least if could do ten percent of what Ian has done, life will be much better for me here. He stood upright as he was squatting by the foot of the bed and planted a kiss on my forehead. I swear I felt goosebumps, I haven't been kissed like this before.

"I have to get going. Take care and remember, I am just a ring away" he said with a reassuring smile. "Thank you for coming Ian" I replied. He began to walk towards the door and soon he slammed it shut causing a shrill sound. I rolled my eyes and lazily dragged myself up from the couch, leaping on one foot. I decided against going upstairs and settled on the four seated couch.

~•~

For the next three days, Jordan kept treating me like trash like I didn't exist in the mansion. I got really frustrated about the whole scenario. Tessa couldn't come over to keep me company because she has been busy with work lately though I began my online schooling yesterday. Aaron helped me to set everything up including my registration, so it wasn't stressful.

We were having dinner of fried Irish and egg sauce. Jordan was sitting at the edge of the table. He was wearing a creamy color kaftan and as usual looked dead handsome without any effort. He was busy with his phone like nothing else mattered and I sucked in my breathe.

I kept stealing glances at him but he didn't even look my way. After a moment of vexation, I dropped my fork on the ceramic plate causing a shrill sound. I wanted to use that as a prevail to talk to him by apologizing but the look he gave me sealed my lips.

Why did I want to badly have a conversation with him.

"You know what Jordan? I've had enough" I blotted out and banged the table. He didn't look up from his phone, completely not bothered by my agitation. I stared at him not smiling at all.

"Just stop being nosy" he replied through gritted teeth and returned his gaze to his food, anger began to rile up in me. Hot stream of tears found their way down to my cheekbone. I titled my head to the side and wiped off some of those traitorous tears with my palms. I tried to soothe my rage by taking a deep breathe but it bottled up, the pain in my heart pierced like a tidal force.

"Nosy?" I chuckled darkly and sniffed. "Does that explain why you took away my life and happiness! God dammit Jordan" I thumped the tabled weakly and raked my hands in my hair. "You know I had a life though not a perfect one though but we were a happy family but what did you do? You took every... thing.. away.." I screamed with exasperation and began to scatter things on the table not minding the consequences.

Damn the ramifications

My tears glided down to my face and found it's way to my jawline. I was visibly shaken. "Eve... ry... thi.... ng" I broke in his presence, something I tried really hard to avoid. I didn't want him to think that his incessant action touched my yellow spot even though I knew I was lying to myself because it did one hundred percent.

He clenched his jaw and looked up from his food, our eyes locked. I didn't look away but stared right back even though I forgot to breathe.

"Enough April! One more word and I....

"You will what? ehh What will you do that you haven't done already?" I coughed to clear my sore throat. "It's not enough Jordan" I emphasized his name to send my message well "I won't let you make stupid decisions in my life" I spat out and stroked my chest, emphasizing that it was my life. The pain was unbearable, tears brimmed at the edge of my eyes after I was done.

"One more thing" I raised a finger and coughed lightly "A food for your thought. You're the meanest and the most heartless person I have crossed path with" the tears continued to flow freely and I felt my energy drained. It was like a pipe was connected to me and everything sucked out. Jordan shot his eyes and when he opened them I wished he never did.

His murderous stare left me cold. His eyes were darkening and the veins popped out and for a moment I saw the beast inside him about to unleash. The veins on his neck and his clenched fist scared me to my bones.

I heard him breathe hard before leaving the dinning area. I released a quick breath and narrowed my eyes to the damage I had caused on the dinning table. I jerked up and ran upstairs as if could escape reality by doing so but I didn't relent. I stopped at some point to catch my breathe a little holding unto the railings.

When I reached my room, I shut the door and crawled to the bed and clasped my eyelids, welcoming the darkness that enveloped me.

~•~
The amount of sunlight streaming in through the window was so bright that I groaned inwardly. My eyelids fluttered open, straining to focus through the sunlight. I sat up abruptly and leaned my back against the dashboard. The large wall clock came into view revealing the time to be 8:45 pm as realization dawned on me.

"Aah, I almost forgot my online classes scheduled by 10:am" I said to myself and pulled the floral duvet off. I rushed to bathroom to get my business done for the day though I was still wearing yesterday's clothes because I drifted off early.

I immediately brushed off the memories of yesterday's incident when it threatened to replay. Staring back at me from the mirror was a lady whom I barely recognized.

She was a complete mess with her hair disheveled though it was packed in a bun but only a handful held the hair band together. Her face held dark eye bags and her eyes looked weak. Her mouth was a bit swollen with a mark across her face that had dried up a little.

She was in pain

I was in pain

I stripped out of my clothes with the small amount of strength I could muster though my bomber shot gave me a tough time to pull off. I released my hair by untying my head band and sluggishly found my way to the bathtub. I laid there and turned the on shower.

I buried myself in the cold calming water, realizing that it suited my pain. I raked my hair to loosen the tangled strands and applied my shampoo, scrubbing as much as I could . I used my dryer in the closet to dry off.

I wore a strapless short jumpsuit and left the room for the kitchen. I had a quick breakfast of toasted bread and beverage and hurried back to the room for my class. I wouldn't want to be late.

My classes lasted for four straight hours. After the class, I was so exhausted so I decided to take a nap. It wouldn't be a bad idea since I could study in the evening. When I woke up it was sharp seven already and I felt hungry. I slipped into my buggy slippers and my stomach grumbled in return.

'hold on kiddo' I patted my stomach.

Yeah I talked to myself lately since I
was all by myself. I would ask a question and end up giving myself a reply. I plugged my ear pods and walked through the hallway.

I was on my way to the kitchen when I noticed a door in the hallway slightly open. My curiosity got the best part of me because the only room in use was my room and Jordan's study. The maids stayed in the yard where a mini mansion was erected.

I peeped into the room and observed that the place was dark. The only light that reflected in the room was from the bathroom. I took slow inaudible steps towards the bathroom but felt some uncanny feelings.

I almost gasped at the sight in from of me but I was quick to cover my mouth. Jordan was punching the mirror in front of him. His muscles popped out and he looked like he was bathed with sweat.

He snorted and gave a heavy punch, the mirror shattered into bits. My eyes traveled to his bloody knuckles, some of the pieces where buried in his skin. My eyes traced the pool of blood on the floor, my heart leaped into my chest and I froze.

'Has he been doing this often'

Cold chills ran down my spine and I managed to leave the room quietly without being clumsy this time. The hunger I felt minutes ago vanished like it never came. I sat on the bed and the picture of a punching mirror kept replaying.

"Alright, I'm going to pretend like I never saw anything and sleep" I reassured myself and straightened on the bed but it was a huge lie, a reality I couldn't deny. I decided to ring Ian,

'Yes he was the best person to speak to at the moment'

I placed a video call across to him and he picked after the first ring. He was wearing a plain red polo and still looked strikingly handsome without even trying.

"Hey April" he smiled showing off his perfect set of teeth.

"Hey" I replied and felt nervous. He stared like he was taking in my features.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

"Fine humm, fine..." I trailed off and rubbed my palm nervously.

"Is everything Alright?" concerned laced in his voice.

" It's Jordan" I sighed "I saw hi.. m he was humm" I kept shuttering like a six year old confessing her guilt.

"Talk to me" his raspy voice was demanding. I told him everything not missing any part out.

'Fuck he's doing it again' he muttered under his breathe.

"Doing what?" I asked eagerly.

"It's nothing. I am coming there" I felt disappointed that he didn't tell me. He hung up before I could even reply.

'Wait a minute. He is coming here?" I slipped into my slippers and hurried downstairs waiting for the worst that could happen.

I swallowed hard as I watched Ian's retreating figure walked upstairs into Jordan's room. He had arrived a while ago and told me to wait for him in the living room while he went upstairs with clenched fists.

I tried to put the puzzle together but it didn't fit because I was clueless so I just picked my phone to keep myself busy. A bang on the door upstairs made me jerk my head up and I caught sight of Ian approaching the stairs with an angry demeanor.

"Why was he angry?"

I stood up and tried to talk to him but he bit me to it.

"April, get the things you need. You'll be staying with Tessa until Jordan regains his senses" he dead panned. I was completely lost, why would he tell me to leave Jordan?

"She's is not stepping out of this house" Jordan's voice echoed from upstairs.

"And why is that? She obviously doesn't matter to you since you treat her like shit" Ian countered.

"Ian leave my wife alone" he said through gritted teeth and I was shocked to my bones.

So I am still somebody's wife? bami

"You wife?" Ian chuckled darkly "You know what? I am not going to exchange words with you because it's pointless" he turned to me again "April get your things" he deadpanned.

I had never witnessed this side of Ian, he wasn't flashing me his cute and warm smile like he always does. I know Jordan has done the worst things as a husband and I had dreamt of this day but right now I couldn't.

"April please stay. I'll try" Jordan said with a defeated expression, stopping me in my tracks. His eyes no longer flashed anger, it looked weak. My heart beat sped and the I blushed within hearing those words come from him. He walked back upstairs, taking steady steps.

"April, are you sure you want to do this? I could still do something" Ian stroked my shoulders and his eyes burned with concern. I went down to my memory lane immediately.

Two months ago, dad had asked me the same question. I choose to stay with Jordan from the beginning and I am not backing out now.

I held his hands and flashed him a reassuring smile "I will be fine" I replied with those cliché words I was found of telling my loved ones these days.

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

End of chapter eleven

I am really sorry guys for the late update and there will be steady updates from now

The incident of a punching mirror, what can you say about that?

Hmm, April doesn't want to go after being told

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