BENEATH THE ASHES : CEO Husband's Regret

Disturbed by the ray of sunlight seeping in through the curtains, Sophia rubs her tired eyes as she opens them slowly. 

Laying stomach down on the bed, she stares blankly at the foreign room wondering where she is. Remembering her marriage to Alexander, she groans and buries her head in the pillow, hitting her delicate hands clenched into a fist on the bed. Yay! I'm married urgh!

"Ouch" Sophia moans in pain at the movement of her hand. Confused, she turns her sore body and sits up while grimacing in pain.

"Did a truck run over me last night" she murmurs in confusion, as she runs her hand through her silky hair and caresses her temples, to soothe the throbbing pain that assaults her.

Taking a long look at herself, she notices the red marks and bruises, grabbing her hair tightly, she ignores the headache as she tries to remember last night's events.

Hazed memories flashes in her mind as she recollects her wild night with Alexander. 

' gasp' 

"No no no no" she cries in denial "pls pls no, this can't be happening" she falls back to the bed. 'That son of a potato took advantage of me?'

She remembered, but only till the moment he carried her to the room, everything after that remained blank. But it's obvious from the marks and pain in her lower part, that something happened last night after she lost consciousness.

Blushing in shame and regret, Sophia cursed in a low voice. damn you Alexander! 

" Stupid! Stupid! Why will you drink his whiskey" she slaps her head, gripping the sheets as she screams in frustration and shame.

Suppressing her outburst, she thinks about the night's event, who laced the drink? It's obviously not Alexander, so who's the culprit? Who has something to gain out of this?

"Olivia?" Sophia spat with hatred, fuming with anger. 

"It's definitely Olivia. If I'm not back in time, she'll be married to Alexander Right Now , and being the snake she is, she'll definitely try to take advantage to Alexander " Sophia grits her teeth in anger

"Once again, I fell into your trap Olivia" she spat, her tears filled eyes laced with immense hatred. " I haven't even asked for retribution for the past, and here you are again" Death will be too easy for you sister, I'll make you bleed!

Thinking back to her previous life, from the conversation of Daniel and Olivia, it's obvious Alexander didn't fall for her trick , because she said "he never touched her". So why did he.... he ... Sophia once again grips her hair in frustration. 

" That arrogant shitface, he….he took my first time" isn't he supposed to detest me? Even if I throw myself at him, he should have 'self control' as a man right? Tsk tsk. Sophia pouts, rolling her eyes in contempt.

Signing in resignation, she stands up to freshen up, only to fall back down to the bed from the pain, she sends another bout of profanities to Alexander, her face scrunched up in pain and anger as she mutters curses, while dragging her sore body to the bathroom.

Finally Dressed in a high collared, knee-length floral dress, Sophia stands in front of the mirror as she checks out her body for any visible marks.

"Such a wild animal" she murmurs in distaste as she tugs the sleeves of her dress to cover her wrists. 

While bathing she found out her whole body is littered with red glaring marks, she wonders if the great CEO did it on purpose to embarrass her. 

Thank goodness she didn't remember the whole episode. Now she's dressed like a nun, just to cover the bites and marks.

Picking her chanel bag and phone, which she had switched off since yesterday cause she knew Daniel will definitely call once he heard of her marriage. And she's not ready to interact with that 'piece of shit'. 

Taking a deep breath, she smothers her dress as she steps out of the room. Today, she plans to register her fashion design business. She's no longer the naive girl she once was, and she definitely won't leave her life in the hands of a man once again.

This will be her first step to freedom, officially registering her business, and from there , build an EMPIRE. Giving herself an encouraging smile, she went downstairs, hoping and fervently praying the shitface husband is not around.

'click click' the sound of her heels echoes as she descends the stairs, drawing the attention of the young man dressed formally in suit.

Standing up and straightening his suit, he gives a professional smile as he stretches out his hand to Sophia for a formal handshake.

" Pleasure to meet you Ms Sophia, I'm Matthew Lawson, Mr Brooks' Lawyer. I've been waiting for you for quite a while now, glad you could finally honor me with your presence" his voice laced with subtle dissatisfaction as he assessed his boss 'new wife. 

She's beautiful and composed, different from the snobby spoiled heiress he was expecting, but it still won't change a thing he thought. Who wakes up by 11:30 am on a working day?.

Catching the subtle dissatisfaction in his words, Sophia puts away her embarrassment and shakes his hand politely while wondering why he's here. She looks around trying to find her "husband" 

Noticing her actions, Williams told her

"Mr Brooks traveled out of the country at dawn ma'am, that's why I'm here on his behalf, he left some documents for you to sign, I'll appreciate it if you can read through and sign them now" he says handing her the folder on the table.

 He's been waiting for her for about an hour and half now, thank God for the old lady cook who served him tea.

Taking a seat on the sofa, Sophia takes the folder in confusion and goes through the documents inside. 

Her body froze in shock and disbelief, recomposing herself, she asks while making her voice as steady as possible. 

"What's the meaning of this? I need to speak to Alexander" she demands.

" I'm sorry I can't grant that request ma'am, like I said earlier, Mr Brooks is out of the country for Business, and he made me understand before leaving that he doesn't want to be disturbed, so if you're not satisfied with the arrangements you can let me know and I'll get back to him" he replies professionally.

Anger, shame, and pain course through Sophia as she grips the documents tightly. 

She wasn't expecting much from Alexander but she didn't think he would be this heartless, giving her no regard at all. Is she that worthless and insignificant to him?

After ravaging her like her beast the night before, he sends her a divorce contract the next day? He didn't even deem it necessary to be present. Sophia has never felt so insulted and humiliated.

The contract states; their marriage is going to last for three years in name only, she's not allowed to tell anyone or the public that she's married to him, she'll be given a luxury apartment in an high-end district in the city, plus a credit card containing a hundred million dollars, which serves as her welfare allowance for the next three years, she's not to contact him or any of his family at any point during the next three years, she can continue to live in the villa or move out if she desires but must return once it's three years, to sign the official divorce papers. 

"What if I refuse to sign the contract?" Sophia asked the lawyer defiantly.

" Mr Brooks says, you should think of the Bennet's corporation before you make a decision ma'am, his words being 'Xavier can't survive the hardship in prison' ma'am" he replies with a crooked smile

The threat is obvious, it's either she signs the contract and finalizes the divorce three years later or watch Bennet's corporation go bankrupt and her father rots in prison.

 'Wow wow, I'm impressed Alexander Brooks' Sophia thought mockingly 

Though she really doesn't care if her father rots in prison, the Bennet's corporation can not be destroyed, she owns 35% shares of the company and it's part of her plan to succeed in the business world.

Plus her father going to jail is also a stain on her own reputation as his daughter, it will limit her chances of collaborating with big companies when she's finally established.

Thinking of her long-term plans, Sophia knows she has to sign the contract.

'So I've just been used and discarded ?' she thought deprecatingly, her hatred rising, putting Alexander's name on 'number three' of her "most hated people's list". (No one can shake Olivia's and Daniel's place in first and second.)

Snapping her out of her daze, " Ms Bennett " Matthew calls out, not bothering to address her as Mrs Brooks, as if he's sure she's definitely going to sign the papers. He hands her a pen, hinting at her to put her signature.

Taking the pen with steady hands, Sophia goes over the contract once again and before signing she says,

" The apartment stated here, I want it sold and the money to be credited to the card" she looks at the lawyer, awaiting his answer.

Shocked at her request, he explains, " Ma'am, the apartment is in the most sought after area ma, it's a newly developed project and most influential people are even trying to get one of the apartments, are you sure you want to sell it?"

He couldn't help but wonder if her brain is broken because of the divorce, that's an hot pie that even he can't afford but only dream of, and she wants to sell it off just like that?

" I want to sell it, is it possible? Or there's a problem " Sophia questions with raised eyebrows. She's definitely not going to live in that house, she wants nothing to do with that arrogant bastard.

Since he's offering her money, she'll be a fool to reject it, she needs the capital to run her business, though it's considered a blow to her self esteem, but her pride can wait. She'll make him regret his choices one day.

She had planned to first register her business then go to her father to claim the profits of the 35% shares in her possession, but since such a pie landed in her laps, she's going to take it.

Claiming the shares is going to be a tough fight, and she currently has no chance of winning. She was going to use Alexander's name to pressure her father but it's no longer possible.

As for the previous night's event, she'll take it as spending it with a stranger, yes! A one night stand. This is not the time to cry over spilt milk.

"Sure it won't be a problem, but it will take a few days to process" Matthew replies . 

" Good, I expect to hear from you in two days Mr Lawson" Sophia says, signing the documents.

Handing him the papers, she stands up and gives him a tight smile

" I won't be seeing you off Mr Lawson " with that she picked her bag and phone and went back to the guest room. 

Things have changed and so do her plans, registering her business is going to be on hold till she gets a reply from Matthew and moves out of the villa.

" You've seen worse Sophia, he's just one of the numerous scumbags out there, so put yourself

together " she murmurs encouragingly, tears spilling from the corner of her eyes as she lays on the bed.