A Gift of Love for Christmas

Needing Freedom

Lyra's POV

‘Thanks a million,’ I thanked the florist happily as I walked out of her shop. I knew my husband Logan loved flowers even if he didn't say it out loud.

It was his birthday and I decided to surprise him at his law firm. My name is Lyra and I am the wife of a millionaire lawyer.

After our marriage, Logan made sure that I didn't work. Everything I needed was provided for. I had a four-year-old son, Charlie.

No, my life was far from perfect. My husband Logan might be one of the richest lawyers in the city, but he also liked being in control of things at home. I had come to love him and the way he demanded to be obeyed. As far as I obeyed him, there was no problem.

I got out of my car when I got to his office and checked to see if my makeup was still okay. I also made sure there were no wrinkles in my dress. Logan hated tardiness.

I carried the flower and the chocolate I bought from the back seat and walked briskly into the building. The chocolate and flowers were just the tip of the iceberg. I had food prepared for dinner for just the two of us. My son Charlie was already at my close friend's place. That way we would have the whole house to ourselves.

I was greeted at the reception downstairs by the receptionist who recognized me and immediately stood up to greet me.

‘You are welcome, ma'am. Good to see you,’ she said smiling.

‘Thank you. Is Logan in?’ I asked returning her smile.

‘Of course. He is. Should I call him to let him know you are here?’ She asked.

‘No. I think I would rather surprise him,’ I said then walked to the elevator. I pressed the button on his floor, and the door closed.

I had been to the office on several occasions mostly to deliver his lunch. One thing about Logan was that he liked me being on the standby whenever he needed me hence his insistence that I didn't work at all.

His secretary was not on seat when I got to his floor so I just assumed that she must have stepped out before I came in. Since it was my husband's office, I didn't need to see the secretary compulsorily before going into his office.

I walked to his door and raised my hand to knock but I changed my mind. I dropped my hand to the knob and turned it, then burst in shouting ‘Surprise,’ but the scene in front of me made me drop the flower and the chocolate box.

I stood there as my husband and his secretary scampered for decency. The secretary dared to wear her clothes carefully without any hurry, then walked past me, glaring at me.

‘Logan, you promised me that this was never going to happen again,’ I said as tears welled up in my eyes.

‘I promised you, darling; I can explain,’ Logan said as he tried to tuck his shirt in but failed miserably as the shirt refused to cooperate with him.

‘What is your explanation, Logan? Did she seduce you? Were you too drunk to know what you were doing? Or perhaps you thought she was me? Take your pick, you lying bastard,' I said, screaming at the top of my voice as tears ran down my face.

‘You need to keep it down. This is an office, please,’ Logan said, coming closer to me.

‘Does it look like I care to you? I can scream this building down, you two-faced son of a b***h,’ I said, crying bitterly.

‘If only you would just calm down and let us talk about this,’ Logan said and I glared at him.

‘There is nothing you want to say that I want to listen to you damn i***t,’ I said.

‘Stop with the name calling Lyra; I said I can explain,’ Logan said, sounding very annoyed.

‘You can take your explanation and shove it up your ass you pig. Your secretary Logan. You stooped as low as sleeping with your secretary on your office table. Who else have you been sleeping with here? Your receptionist? The head of HR? You are nothing but a dog,' I said passionately.

‘I said I can explain,’ Logan said shouting.

‘No, there is no need to explain anything. Thankfully enough you are a lawyer. Draw up our divorce papers so that I can sign them. I am done with this sham we call a marriage,’ I said and turned to leave his office.

‘How dare you say that. I will not allow you to tarnish my reputation. Do you know how much people hold me in high esteem in this town?’ Logan said angrily, making me stop in my tracks and turn back to face him.

‘If only people knew you were a pig,’ I said, shaking my head sadly before I added, ‘I don't care about your reputation or who the hell you are. All I am saying is that I will be going home now and waiting for the papers.’

I left not looking back even though I heard him cursing me out. I didn't care. The last time I caught him doing the same thing, I had told him I was going to my friend's place and he had thought I was gone and brought a woman to our house, our matrimonial bed. Meanwhile, I had forgotten to take extra clothes for Charlie and I had come back to meet him sleeping with another woman in our bed.

He apologized and told me it was the last time he would cheat on me. I had believed him and forgiven him. That wasn't the first time I caught him, though, but I had gullibly forgiven him each time.

His secretary was back in her station and shamelessly glaring at me. I didn't say anything to her because I had nothing to say to her. Logan had caused the disrespect.

I got to my car and drove off with my mind preoccupied with what to do next. My mind was made up, there was no going back. I was going to divorce him. The only thing that bothered my mind was where to go from there.

‘Hey, what is wrong with you?’ My friend Angel asked as I got into her house.

Angel was the only friend I had in the whole town. We became friends after I got a job in a company she also worked for. I had to stop working three months after I got married, but we remained friends, and she adored Charlie.

‘Mama,’ Charlie said, running to hug my leg. I carried him up and kissed his cheeks while trying my best to smile at him.

‘What happened, Lyra? You were not supposed to be back for him until tomorrow?’ Angel asked looking worried. I knew that my look at that moment would be worrisome.

‘I caught Logan sleeping with his secretary on his office table. They had files thrown to the floor,’ I said as I dropped Charlie so that he could return to his toys and slumped on Angel’s couch.

‘Again? Why is Logan so unrepentant?’ Angel said, looking angry. ‘What are you going to do now?’ Angel asked, suddenly, looking tired.

‘I am divorcing him,’ I said and Angel gasped in surprise.

‘Are you sure that is going to work? He is a lawyer remember?’ Angel said.

‘It is better that he is a lawyer. He should be able to draft the divorce papers within the hour,’ I said rubbing my temple as I would feel the start of a headache.

‘I doubt if he will do that. The best thing you can do is to get another lawyer to do it for you,’ Angel said and I turned to look at her.

‘Why are you encouraging me to divorce him?’ I asked Angel. She has never once spoken against Logan, so I was surprised that she was doing just that.

‘That is because it is long overdue. He practically controls you. You have no mind of your own anymore, he won't even allow you to visit your parents for holidays, and yet he has the effrontery to cheat. Come on, it is only natural that I support you.’

Angel and I talked some more before I left her house with Charlie. When I got to the house, I took all my expensive

Jewelry and hid them. I brought out boxes and started arranging my clothes and those of Charlie.

When Logan eventually came late in the night as he usually did, he hit the roof when he saw that I had my bags packed.

‘There is no way I am granting you a divorce. I can't allow you to ruin my reputation,’ Logan said, badging into the guest room where I was sleeping with Charlie.

‘Fine. I am going to get a lawyer and drag your ass to court,’ I said without raising my head from the pillow.

‘Okay. Let's see how you defeat a lawyer in court,’ Logan said grinning.

‘I will get my freedom from you, Logan, whether you like it or not. I am ready to fight dirty with you for it,’ I said.

‘I dare you to drag my name in the mud,’ Logan said.

‘Then give me what I want,’ I said gently.

‘I will not grant you any divorce. You are not going to make me a laughing stock,’ he said then stormed out of the room.

I closed my mind from any evasive thought so that I could sleep. Luckily enough, I was able to sleep.

The next morning, I was trying to make breakfast for myself and Charlie when Logan came into the kitchen; I paid him no attention. I just concentrated on what I was doing.

Suddenly, I felt a sting on my neck, and I felt dizzy immediately. I turned around to see Logan holding a syringe in his hand.

I opened my mouth to ask him what was happening and why he had injected me, but I fell with a loud thud, and then everything went black.