The Jaded Empress

“Mrs. Coleman?Mrs. Coleman?”The mediator’s voice interrupted my thoughts of dying.I looked over at the pretty young woman sitting on my left and smiled. We were sitting in my lawyer’s conference room.It was bright and shiny with floor to ceiling windows, with a happy look over the city line.But inside I felt numb.The beauty of the city felt like a balm over my heart.I took a deep breath and spoke clearly.My firm and steady my voice came out shocked even me.

“As of today, I’m no longer Mrs. Coleman, just Egeria Hellstorm.My lawyer will provide the documents on how we will settle.”I saw Kevin smirked when I said that.Soon that smirk is gonna fade so I easily smirked back at him enjoying the confusion that crawled across his stupid face.

“Here’s what we’re offering.The house is not even on table.It was purchased through the Risher Group Holdings using money that her mother left.Mr. Coleman did not contribute any money for the renovating or upkeep.Insurance and property taxes were also paid by my client.”My lawyer, Aaliyah Timmons, my ex’s sister, said as she slid the documents over to the mediator.

“Wait, what does that mean?”Kevin asked as confusion overtook his arrogant smirk that was all over his face.His lawyer’s arrogant smirked also faded.Jim Collins became more irritable as he read through the property documents and the deed.He then turned and looked at Kevin with irritation on his face.Jim and Kevin were frat brothers and he, like Kevin, is extremely handsome.In fact, I had a crush on Jim but he wasn’t interested in me.Jim stood 6’1 with green eyes a ruddy complexion and an adorable crooked smile.

“Kevin, you said you contributed to the house?Your name isn’t even on the deed bro.It’s under the Risher Group Holdings, LLC.Dude, you get quarterly payouts from this group remember?You have a 3% interest in this company.”He looked up again at Kevin shaking his head.“You have no claim on the house.”

“We are willing to offer a fair deal for the three percent holdings that you currently have.For each share we will pay one million dollars.”My big brother Samuel continued.He’s a real shark as a trust and estate attorney.

“That house is worth twenty million!My shares should be worth at least ten!I’m not fucking taking this so called deal!”Kevin shouted.

“Mr. Coleman!”Chastised the mediator.“You will show respect in my office.”For someone her age, the way she controls the room is really a credit to our mentor Abigail Thomas.“It also appears that you signed a prenup.”

“Wait, bro a prenup?”Jim said incredulously.The Mediator handed the documents over to Jim and the look of irritation enveloped his handsome features.

I smiled and looked at my ex-husband.“The frailty of being smart Kevin is the need for an audience.”I looked over at the pregnant 22 year old woman and shook my head.She is a beautiful Asian woman with creamy pale skin sharp big eyes and despite her large belly, she was very petite.“Isn’t that right Jessica?”She visibly froze and then looked over at Kevin.

“What do you mean?”She asked in frail voice.I just nodded my head and turned back to the mediator.

“Carmen, we’re starting a family and that house would be perfect for our baby?”Kevin tried to reason with me.

“What does that have to do with me?That’s a you problem Mr. Coleman.In our pre-nup there is an infidelity clause that we both signed.I stayed true to our vows.I loved you fiercely for six years and this is what I get in return?You trying to raise your bastard with your whore in my house!”I felt my voice rising and I saw the mediator giving me a warning look.

“I fell out of love.What can I say?I loved you for as long as I could.I met Jess and it was love at first sight.She had the energy and time for me.All you think about is work.You don’t take your wifely duties seriously and now I’m finally having a child and you can’t stand my happiness.Just let me go Gerry.”I’ve always hated that stupid nickname he gave me.But I can’t lie, that statement hurt me.I wanted to have a child five years ago.He said we needed to become stable in our careers.How did I not see all the glaring warning signs?

I finally looked at him, I mean really looked at him.Kevin is handsome, I mean fine as hell.Tall with smooth dark chocolate skin and piercing dark eyes that’ll make any woman immediately open her legs.And his smile, oh goodness that smile is God’s gift to the world.It’s dazzling with two adorable dimples on each side.That’s the end of his good characteristics.We met when I graduated from Spellman.

Our first date he took me to a mom and pop Italian restaurant, and it was magical.The restaurant was small and intimate with single white candles in the middle of white cloth covered tables.The lighting was low and the smell of fragrant marinara sauce drifted through the air.“This place is amazing!”I gushed as he pulled out my chair for me.

“This is my favorite place to eat when I’m in Atlanta.”He said as he flashed that charming smile of his.I instantly felt myself swooning.

“What do you recommend?”I asked as I looked over the menu.There was a brief moment of silence before he repled.

“Um, you can never go wrong with the spaghetti.”He chuckled nervously.Red flag number one.I later found out that he just chose a random restaurant.I looked at him for a moment knowing he was lying but I thought I just give him face.

“Spaghetti does sound nice, but I think I’ll try the calamari risotto.”He just nodded his uninterested.I then spoke in Italian to the immigrant waiter and asked for the sommelier.He smiled in relief and left quickly.

“You speak Italian?He asked mildly interested.Red flag number two.

“I speak three other languages besides English.Italian, Mandarin and Spanish.”He looked impressed and I felt my stupid heart flutter.

“I tried learning different languages but couldn’t be bothered with it.I have so many other things going on around me.Being an investment banker I can pay people to translate it for me.That’s how I met Ben Tucci, he was Obama’s translator.It’s funny how small these circles are you know?I mean, I’ve met Jay-Z and Bey, Jennifer Aniston, who is incredibly hot, and lots more famous people.That’s how I built my business from the ground up, positioning myself around important people.I’m not ashamed because no one becomes successful on grit alone.You need important trains to get you to your destination, you know what I mean?”He chuckled to himself as if he just gave life altering advice.This was red flag three, arrogance, I knew it but I ignored it was mean sitting across from this beautiful, educated and successful man.Instead, I just smiled and waited for my food.And that has been our marriage for six years, me shrinking myself to accommodate his narcissist behavior.

His younger sister, Aalyiah and I were best friends but she was not excited about me dating then marrying her brother.On my day before my wedding she said, “Egeria, who Kevin says he is, is a not who he is truly.Be careful and always protect yourself.Don’t be a fool in love babe.”

Subconsciously, her warning stayed with me.The morning of our wedding, I had him sign a prenup that almost ended our relationship, what a bummer.I mean throughout our relationship I have documented everything.I looked him in his face and replied, “The house is not in your name Mr. Coleman.Its own my brother and me.Your attempt to appeal to my emotions while simultaneously insulting me is extremely stupid.You and your whore will have to make other accommodations to raise your illegitimate son.”I sighed and stood up.“The offer is more than fair and you have until five o’clock today to sign or the deal is off the table and we go to court.”I didn’t look at them as I walked out of the conference room.

Once we were in the elevator I took the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Egeria, you did great.Did you see Jim’s face?I can guarantee he’s gonna fire him as a client.I mean Kevin really kepthim in the dark.”My brother said.He then paused and looked at me.“I know you’re hurting, but he’s just a punk ass bitch whocan’t tell the difference between fish eyes and pearl.”I smiled unable to say anything because I knew I was gonna cry.

“Why didn’t I listen to the second smartest person I know.”I said laughing while crying.

“Second, who’s first?”She playfully demanded.

“Me of course.”I teased.

“Then which number am I?”Sam asked.

“Third big brother?”

“Aalyiah should be number one little sister.”

“Traitor!”I said with mocked anger.We all laughed and continued to the elevator.

“Excuse me are you Kevin Carmichael’s wife?”A velvety chocolate voice called from behind us.We all turned around and saw a tall Asian man with shoulder length hair looking at me.He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days.He smiled at me but I saw something in his eyes that I’ve only ever saw in mine, heartbreak.

“Ex-wife now, um, what can I do for you.”I asked cautiously.

“So you know he’s been sleeping with my wife?She isn’t sure who the father of the child is as of right now.But I’m sure she’s gonna choose the money guy.”He laughed but we both didn’t find this situation funny.

“What’s your name?”My brother asked as he pulled out a notebook and pen.

“Liu Bei Ye, no um my western name is Seven, Seven Liu.Jessica Wen, or her birth name is Wen Su Qin.”He was nervous and angry at the same time.We’ve been married for eight months and when she told me she was pregnant I was over the moon, they she said that it may not be mine.I really loved her even though I knew she didn’t love me.”I saw tears shinning in his eyes and then the tears began to fall out of mine.Heartbreak recognizing heartbreak I reached out and pulled him into a tight hug as we both cried out our pain.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, but my big brother always says, trash takes itself out.”Sam laughed followed by the rest of us.

“Here’s my therapist card.She got me through the beginning of the bullshit.”I said as I hand him the card.I thought about it and then handed him my card.“Misery loves company.”He took the card with a sad smile and left.

“Are you thinking forgetting one by getting under another?”Aaliyah said as she wiggled her eyebrows.Sam cleared his throat in that uncomfortable way he wants to run away.I laughed and hugged her.

“After what your brother did to me, girl, the last thing on my mind is another man.”I paused and looked over at where Seven exited.“Its that broken look in his eyes.That was the same look I had in my eyes when I found out the lovely Ms. Jessica.I almost killed myself because the pain was overbearing.I just wanted him to not feel that pain.”I turned and looked at Aaliyah and smiled.“Thank you sister for pulling me out of that cesspool, because had you not shown up, I would have left this world feeling so wrong.”She pulled me into a tight hug and I felt the tears I refused to shed come out.

“Mama is so disappointed in you Leelee.”We all turned around and there stood the biggest mistake of my life.

“Mama’s disappointment is not something I really care about Mr. Carmichael.And last I checked, I severed ties with the Carmichael family.”When Aaliyah found out that her mother, Victoria Carmichael, not only knew of the fair but also facilitated it, she cut all ties and took her biological father’s last name, Timmons.“A woman who cheats on every man that loved her would surely raise a piece of shit son just like her.”She grabbed my hand and we all left.I noticed my brother looking at her with adoration.I nodded my head with approval, they are a really good match.

As we neared my brother’s Tesla, I looked over and saw Seven speaking animatedly on the phone in Mandarin.I lived in a Shanghai for five years and was fluent in Mandarin so naturally I found myself listening in on his conversation.“She’s been having an affair!No, I absolutely do not care that she’s the daughter of an official.Dad, she’s having an affair with a married man and she’s possibly carrying his child!What makes you think I’m gonna stay and allow myself to be cuckold?”He paused and then his face relaxed.“Thanks mom for being understanding.She’s not worthy and will never be accepted by the Order of the Jade.”Another pause, “My time is running out.I need to find my Queen or everything goes Liu Qing Ma.”

“What’s he saying?”My brother asked out of curiosity.While I was in China he went to Nigeria and Japan.We all thought that he would find a wife from one of those countries.

“He thought he found a good woman and I’m guessing he’s gonna lose his inheritance if he doesn’t find another one.”I said shaking my head sadly.“He said she was unworthy to be his Queen.That was odd I think.”We got into my brother’s car and left.