Claiming His Wife

  CLAIMING

  His Wife

  NIOMIE ROLAND

  Claiming His Wife

  Copyright © 2019 Niomie Roland

  All rights reserved.

  Claiming His Wife is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to events, locations, or persons living or dead is coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying form without written permission of the author, Niomie Roland.

  Books may be purchased in quantity and/or special sales by contacting the publisher, Niomie Roland, by email at alanasaunders_2011@hotmail.com.

  Editing: Tanisha Stewart

  www.tanishastewartauthor.com

  First Edition

  Published in the United States of America

  by Niomie Roland

  Dedication

  To my mom who has always been my biggest supporter. From my first salty meal you said was the best food you’ve eaten and to always encouraging me to write despite my elementary school teachers’ complaints about my essays being “too long.”

  Table of Contents

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  EPILOGUE

  CLAIMING

  His Wife

  NIOMIE ROLAND

  PROLOGUE

  THE FAMILY MANSION SEEMED STRANGELY DEVOID of human presence.

  Kalilah did not hear the usual hustle and bustle of the maids. Bates, her family’s butler waved at her as he headed up the spiral staircase of her parent’s mansion. It was a good thing since she did not want to have an audience for what she was about to discuss with her father. In addition to that, she looked a mess. Her face was streaked with dried tears from all the crying she had been doing since leaving Finn. Finn.

  She thought about Finn, the love of her life, and took a deep breath. She remembered when they met, and how everything changed for her. She didn’t think that being in love was on the table at nineteen, but when she met Finn, she felt butterflies in her tummy. From their very first meeting, she’d known her life wouldn’t be the same. She knew he was the one from their first magical kiss.

  But she had been wrong about him. Wrong about everything she believed. Her life was now shattered. All the hopes and dreams she had for the two of them were now gone. She was here to put an end to the lies Finn told her before their relationship went any further. She raised her hand and knocked on her father’s office door, and a voice from the other side beckoned her inside.

  Entering her father’s office, she saw that both her parents were present. Maybe this would be easier with her mom here. Her father Richard was seated at his desk and was the male version of his beautiful daughter Kalilah. He was tall and sturdy, and his sunken brown eyes and clean beard made him look even more handsome. As she walked into her father’s office, she noted the scent of her father’s expensive cologne in the air. His table was arranged neatly with files and his sleek personal computer.

  Kalilah’s mother, Katherine, sat on a chair opposite her husband and was dripped in gold, which further highlighted her caramel skin. Kalilah had inherited her mom’s curly hair, which was currently hidden by the gold scarf that adorned her head. Mrs. Anderson’s light brown eyes were focused on her manicure until her daughter walked in. Katherine was beautiful; she had a slender physique and could easily pass for a 30-year-old even though she was almost 50. She rearranged her loose blouse and crossed her legs as she faced her daughter.

  “You look absolutely haggard, Kalilah. You know better than to be in such disarray. You’re a reflection of your father and myself,” her mom chastised. Kalilah opened her mouth to respond but her mom went on. “Have you thought about a location for the wedding reception?” Kalilah swallowed a sob. There would be no reception.

  Kalilah cleared her throat and said, “I haven’t, I…” Her father finally glanced up at her, and she was hastily interrupted by him.

  “I was speaking to Finn earlier…” She knew all about their talk and how she was the prize to be traded. She had already spent all morning crying and she couldn’t afford to let any more tears fall. Finn’s betrayal shattered her very core.

  “I know, Father, and that’s why...”

  “Do not interrupt me, young woman, let me finish!” He bellowed as he fastened his vintage wristwatch on his wrist. “Finn told me that you wanted a small reception and I don’t think that’ll do.”

  She knew it was time to speak up, and so she did.

  “Father I have something to say.” Kalilah took a deep breath again, willing her tears to remain at bay. “I do not want a wedding at all. I no longer wish to marry Finn. It’s over between us.” After she said it, the picture of Finn’s face when she had confronted him and broken up with him earlier came to mind, but she shrugged it away. She wouldn’t allow herself to be fooled by him again. He seemed so surprised by the breakup and had tried unsuccessfully to change her mind.

  “What did you just say, girl?” Her father asked in a stern tone of voice. Kalilah shuddered where she stood.

  “Father, please, let me explain!”

  “Explain what? Did Finn raise his hand to you or take advantage of you?” Her mom asked finally chiming into the conversation.

  He was a monster, but not that kind of monster.

  “Of course not, Mother.” How could she even think such a thing? Finn was capable of many things; lies and betrayal, yes, but not violence to a woman.

  “What’s the issue?” Asked her father, who was looking at her intently.

  Kalilah bit her lips, forgetting that she was wearing a matte lipstick. “I no longer wish to marry Finn or even be in a relationship with him. He used me to get ahead in your company and I am determined to not be anyone’s pawn. He isn’t who he claims to be.”

  Her father bellowed in laughter and swiveled in his chair. Kalilah didn’t understand what was humorous about what she said.

  When he was finally calm, he said, “You have no idea what you’re talking about Kalilah,” and then waved dismissively at her.

  “Father, if you have any care for me, you will listen to me and allow me to make my own marital decisions. Please, Father,” she pleaded, standing her ground, resolutely. She was cut off again.

  “Do you not understand the importance of this union? What it means for the future of Anderson Realty? Our company must remain in this family. I am not about to let you ruin that over your silly whims, girl.”

  Kalilah flinched. If only he cared more about his daughters, and their feelings, more than his business.

  She knew she had to forge ahead. She hoped that he saw her side of things.

  “Marriage is for a lifetime, Father. It should be between two people who love and trust each other.”

  “Don’t you love Finn? Weren’t you gallivanting behind my back with him?”

  “I was…”

  Her father slammed his large hand on his desk. The action startled both women in the room and Kalilah took a step back.

  “Calm down, darling,” Katherine told her husband, and in return Richard placed a hand over his wife’s. Her mom then turned to her and said, “Kalilah, you must do as your father says. He knows what’s best for you.”

  “But Mother, I no longer wish to marry Finn. I broke up with him earlier,” she pleaded, still hoping that this one time they would listen to her.

  “Enough with this foolishness. I’ll hear no more of this nonsense. Finn has an excellent business mindset and will make a fine husband. You will marry Finn, and Anderson Realty will remain in the family.” Of course, that was all he cared about; not her; never her. She fought the urge to roll her teary eyes.

  “Why do you hate me, Father?” She asked in between sobs.

  “If by hate you mean, sending you and your sister to private schools, allowing you both to travel the world and giving you unlimited access to all of my credit cards then yes. I suppose I hate you.”

  “Father please just listen to me. I won’t marry Finn. I swear it on my life that I won’t marry that user.”

  “Are you talking back to me girl? The audacity!” Her father barked.

  “I am so sorry, Father, I didn’t mean to talk back to you.” Her tears formed a river down her cheeks.

  “You forget your place, Kalilah. You will do as your father says,” Katherine added placing your other hand on top of her husband’s.

  She mustered up her last bit of courage, raised her chin and said, “I won’t do it and you can’t force me to.” She could barely recognize her own voice.

  Her father looked toward his wife and then he looked in her direction as if surveying his prey. Kalilah knew instantly that her last bit of defiance was about to cost her dearly. And it was confirmed by her father’s next words.

  “Daughter, you have two options.” He picked up his office phone and turned it in her direction.

  “Call Finn now and tell him you made a mistake and you still wish to marry him, thereby securing our company’s future - your future - or, you can kiss goodbye to every luxury I have afforded you and leave my house tonight with only the clothes on your back.”

  The ultimatum hit her hard. She gasped, losing her footing for a moment. Kalil
ah knew that tone, and she knew there was no use trying to convince her parents overwise. They had already made up their mind and dealt their final, painful card, and didn’t care that she was a casualty in their ambitions.

  She weighed the options placed before her by her father and cringed as she thought of a way to get out of this predicament. Then, suddenly, she remembered the acceptance letter she received from the University of Washington a month ago, which she had chucked aside, and knew right away what she would do.

  “What’s your decision, Kalilah?” Katherine asked softly. If Kalilah didn’t know better, she would mistake her mother’s tone as compassionate, but she knew better. Her mother was incapable of empathy.

  Kalilah’s previous somber countenance faded as a summery smile spread across her face.

  CHAPTER 1

  THE POWERFUL ENGINE RUMBLED AT THE CURB as her driver made a slow turn and came to a stop. Kalilah took a deep breath. No time like the present to survey her surroundings. She had thought she was ready – she whipped herself into a frenzy of righteous purpose before she left the airport earlier. Her steely demeanor remained in place until she crossed the 520E highway from Dorval to Montréal and the feeling of coming home enveloped her.

  The sway of familiar sights of French signs – the metro, Tim Horton’s, and orange cones – brought back old memories. Who would have thought that she would have nostalgia to battle, in addition to the mission that brought her here? The 15-floor office building of Anderson Realty that she was now looking up at brought on the most reminiscent feelings. It stood strong, imposing, and blocking out the sun’s rays with its magnificence. It was a testament to her failure… No, not failure.

  To the great injustice that they had done her.

  She was now back to finally put an end to the biggest mistake she’d ever made in her adult life. At twenty-five-years old and a recent graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle, Kalilah knew it was time to put an end the five-year façade. She was finally ready to live her own life in her own truth.

  She breathed in the cool interior air of the car before her now steady hand reached for the door.

  “Do I wait in the lobby for you, Miss?” her driver asked in his heavy Haitian accent. The kind gesture, however small, boosted her confidence.

  “No, thank you, Owen, I will be but a minute,” she assured him.

  Kalilah had only met him earlier at the airport, and they had talked about quite a few things during the ride to downtown Montréal. She’d learned that he was originally from Haiti, and that he and his wife had moved to Quebec to join his wife’s sister after the massive earthquake had hit the island years ago.

  “Bonne chance, Madame,” he replied and Kalilah sighed inwardly. Apparently, her inner consternation hadn’t been missed. That wouldn’t do; she had too much to fight for and she couldn’t afford to hesitate or show weakness, especially to her ex-husband Finn. The slow burn of anger in her belly at the thought of him was a welcome sensation.

  She had matured much over the years she was away.

  Being alone in a new city, at twenty with no family to depend on for emotional support, had forced her to become self-reliant. It still rattled her mind just thinking about her growth, which had come during her college days majorly. She managed to emancipate herself from the chains of her past that held her back. The need for stepping out from under her parents’ control had dawned upon her years ago, and she had ridden that wave gracefully and willfully. It was about time too, considering the circumstances under which she had left Montréal. She had to show that strength today in other to get what she came back for. She was no longer that lovesick puppy willing to believe that being in love solved all problems and that the world belonged to her.

  Yanking open the taxi’s door with an uncharacteristic defiance, she slid out the backseat and slammed the door shut behind her. Standing outside the car, the building was an even larger behemoth. Its hulking height was overpowering – it reminded her of the two men who had caused her life to be in such disarray. The building threatened to suck the steel right out of her soul; she wouldn’t allow it. She was a woman on a mission.

  Squaring her shoulders, Kalilah pushed forward. Putting one foot in front of the other would likely cost her dearly, but this was the only place she could come to get what she wanted. God help her and Finn, because she was determined to fully be free of them.

  The lobby doors of Anderson Realty opened with a smooth hiss and the doorman bowed slightly at the waist as he ushered her in. Her heels clicked on the smooth, polished stone floors as she advanced toward the elevators. The large receptionist desk was empty. The understated opulence of the open space was an improvement over the last time she was here.

  This new design was clean, bright, and airy. The stone was a perfect contrast to the textured walls and gold, stainless steel details. She took in the sparse furnishings, which consisted of five gold wire chairs covered with white sheepskin padding, strategically positioned around a glass coffee table situated in the center of the lobby. The last time she was here, the place was filled with grey carpet and dark walls. She turned from her survey of the room and stepped into the already open elevator. She pressed the familiar numbers of the floor where his office was located. When the elevator finally reached the 15th floor, she walked confidently toward a middle-aged Asian receptionist waiting with a patient smile. Kalilah couldn’t remember this woman working here before she left.

  She must be new, she thought.

  “I am here to see Fi—Mr. Tremblay.” She had almost said Finn but had bitten her tongue. She wanted to keep this meeting as professional as possible.

  The receptionist only inclined her head slightly as if she’d missed the almost faux pas.

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  Kalilah clenched her fist and then took a deep breath to calm herself. All week she had debated if she should book an appointment. One part of her thought it best, but the other part of her, that rebellious side she had discovered years ago when she had first met him – the person she loved most and was ready to do anything to be with – vehemently refused to give her enemies any warning before she struck.

  Enemies? The thought struck something deep within her heart.

  “Tell him it’s Kalilah Anderson. He knows who I am,” she replied, witnessing the receptionist widening her eyes.

  “Of course, ma’am; please have a seat while I check if Mr. Tremblay is free.”

  Kalilah turned back to study the open room. Marble floors, glass walls, and subtle hints of gold scattered throughout the decor were a long way from the white walls, black trim, and tiled floors she remembered. Which reminded her, she needed to be nothing like that twenty-year-old girl who had cried herself to sleep for so many nights, wondering why she wasn’t enough for him.

  “Madame,” the soft voice grabbed her attention and she turned toward the receptionist again,

  “Please proceed to the very end of this hallway.” She pointed to an area Kalilah had never seen before. “Mr. Tremblay's administrative assistant will be waiting for you.” The choice of words brought a wry smile to her lips. An administrative assistant and a receptionist – business must be booming! she thought to herself.

  The clicking of her heels filled the silence as she strode down the hallway. She passed several smaller offices until she came face to face with a stocky woman whose straight black hair was filled with grey strands. She regarded Kalilah with barely concealed curiosity.

  “Madame Anderson?” she asked, her blue eyes brightening as she outstretched her hand.

  Kalilah accepted the cool hands in hers and offered a small smile.

  “Oui, c’est moi. Quel est votre nom?” She hadn’t spoken the language in five years and was surprised by how quickly it came back to her.

  “Please, call me Sabrina,” she responded politely, in English, and then made a gesture with her hand. “Right this way. Mr. Tremblay is waiting for you. You’re lucky to have come at this time, since he doesn’t have any impending meetings.”

  Kalilah murmured something unintelligible under her breath at that snippet of information but didn’t offer any response to Finn’s assistant. She intended for this meeting to be short and quick.