THE CEO WHO CRAVED FOR MY MERCY

Delaney POV

"Delaney, serve me a cup of tea now!" Victoria's sharp command cut through the kitchen. I paused, wiping my hands on the towel. It's my mother-in -law My husband's mother.

"I want Earl Grey, strong! Hurry, I don't want to wait!" Victoria's irritated voice echoed, each word dripping with disdain. Five years of living under her roof had conditioned me to her verbal jabs, but the sting lingered, like a familiar ache.

Upon finishing, I entered the living room, carefully balancing a tray with the steaming teapot and fine china cup, setting it delicately before Victoria.

"Here, Mother," I said softly, offering her the tea. Her disdainful smirk twisted her lips. Five years, yet her disdain remained unchanged. I let out a weary sigh, turning to leave, but her icy voice halted me.

Victoria's face contorted in rage. "What a disgust!" she shrieked, slamming the cup to the floor, shattering porcelain and spilling tea everywhere.

"I'm sorry, Mother; I'll make another," I murmured, scrubbing the floor. Her blazing eyes locked onto mine as she rose, her trembling finger pointing accusatory.

"You're useless! Unworthy of my son! You'll never be part of this family!" she spat, venom coating each syllable. I lowered my head, resignation weighing heavier with each blow, as I mechanically wiped the shattered remnants, tears of despair clinging to my lashes.

The door creaked open, and a hesitant voice broke the tense silence. "Auntie? What's wrong?" Liana's eyes widened, her gaze locking onto mine, filled with a mix of concern and curiosity. Her smirk faltered for a moment before twisting into a sly, knowing smile, her eyes glinting with malicious amusement as she took in the scene: Victoria's thunderous expression and my tear-stained face.

"This Useless woman! She's a disgrace!" Victoria's grip on Liana's hand tightened, her eyes blazing with indignation as she glared at me, while Liana's smirk deepened, her gaze flashing with triumph.

Liana's sly smile grew wider. "Aunt Victoria, you need to see this," she said, producing a damning photo, her eyes glinting.

"You!" Victoria hissed, her voice dripping with venom. Her piercing gaze cut through me, unleashing a maelstrom of emotions.

Victoria's voice trembled with rage. "You deceitful, unfaithful woman! How dare you shred my son's heart with your infidelity?" I felt a chill run down my spine. Liana's smirk, radiant with victory, only deepened my perplexity.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about, Mother!" I protested, taking cautious steps forward. Liana's eyes flashed with malice as she hurled papers at my face.

"You still dare to lie!" Liana's voice cracked with anguish. I gingerly picked up the scattered photos, my heart racing while looking at the pictures.

"It's a misunderstanding!" I pleaded but Liana's sarcastic chuckle cut me off. This man in the picture is not my lover, it's my cousin Shaun.

"How could you!" Victoria's words trembled. "You're cheating to my son and you have the audacity to stand here lying to me?! I know you are only after my son's wealth!" Her slapped stung, but her words cut deeper.

Liana's sly smile pierced me. Desperation fueled my touch as I reached for Victoria's hand, silently begging her to see the truth. But Victoria shoved me back.

"It's not what you think! Please let me explain" I implored, tears welling up. Victoria's hand cracked against my face once more, her anger and hurt merging into a heartbreaking rejection.

"You dare deny it?" Victoria's voice echoed, her breath hot against my face. "You shameless, deceitful woman!" Her hand rose, poised for another slap, but Liana intervened.

"Aunt Victoria, James deserves the truth," Liana implored, grasping her hand, her eyes locked on mine with determination.

"Mom, please listen that guy was-" I stammered but Liana's slap cut me off, leaving my truth unspoken. Pain and shock seared my face.

"Shut up, Delaney!" Liana hissed. "Your love was a facade. You're a gold-digger, exploiting James' wealth. Your desperation reeks." Her clenched jaw trembled with rage.

I stood frozen, words caught in my throat. Desperate to correct their misperception, I silently gathered the scattered photos, each crumpled image piercing my heart like a fresh accusation

"What's happening here?" James' voice cut through the tension, his footsteps echoing ominously. Paralyzed, I held my breath, the scattered photos trembling in my hands.

Liana rushed to James, grasping his arm possessively. "James," she cooed, her eyes locking onto his. Witnessing their intimate gesture, a stabbing pang pierced my chest.

Victoria snatched the photos from my grasp, thrusting them at James. "This cheater!" she spat. "This deceitful woman's betrayal stares you right in the face!"

His gaze froze, transfixed by the incriminating photos. James's clenched jaw and whitening knuckles betrayed his simmering fury.

"James, please! I am not cheating on you." I begged, grasping his hand. But he jerked it away, his touch abandoning mine like a severed lifeline. Off balance, I stumbled backward, crashing onto the cold floor.

Tears streaming down my face, I grasped his hand again, my voice trembling. "James, I love you. How could you think I'd betray you?" My eyes locked onto his, pleading for faith.

Liana's voice dripped venom. "Don't be blinded, James. The proof's irrefutable. She's deceiving you."

"Liana's telling the truth, James. This woman's deception is staggering." Victoria's words sliced through the air

"James, please! I love you more than anything. Don't let doubt shred our love." My voice cracked. I reached out, but he recoiled, his eyes filled with anguish and distrust.

Tears scalded my cheeks as James's indifference pierced my soul. Why wouldn't he trust me?

"Enough, Delaney!" James shouted. His eyes blazing accusation. "I've seen you with him before. I foolishly thought he was just a friend, but now I see the truth." His words cut like a dagger, fueled by betrayal.

Liana's smirk twisted into a snarl. "Explain this!" She thrust the photo forward. "The intimate hug, the tender kiss on your forehead, hands entwined... Don't play innocent, Delaney. Your deceit is nakedly obvious."

"Throw her out, James! I won't breathe the same air as this manipulative liar!" Victoria's demand cut through the air.

I shook my head, desperation clawing at my heart. No, James wouldn't abandon me. He must see the truth.

"James, no! Please, believe me!" I begged, my voice cracking amidst uncontrollable sobs.

Leave. Now, Denaley. I've had enough." James's voice was cold and final.

"No, this can't be happening!" I sobbed, desperation clinging to my words. "I love you, James! You know that!"

James's grip tightened around my wrist, his eyes icy. He dragged me outside, shoveled me, and I crumpled to the ground, gravel biting my skin.

Tears blurred my vision as I struggled to regain composure. My pleading eyes locked onto James, but his resolve was unshakeable. My gaze shifted, and my heart sank further. Liana's hand rested possessively on James's shoulder, her smirk a triumphant dagger to my shattered soul.

"Take your filthy things and get out! You're never welcome here again, you shameless, deceitful woman!" Victoria's words echoed as she hurled my belongings at me

Overwhelmed by anguish, I wept uncontrollably, witnessing the cruel truth. Liana, James' childhood friend, had long harbored resentment toward me, fueled by jealousy. Victoria's disdain ran deeper, driven by her desire for wealth and status. She had always favored Liana, whose affluent parents eclipsed my humble background.

Liana's shrill command pierced the air. "Leave, Denaley!"

I pleaded with tear-filled eyes, but James's heart seemed petrified, his expression unyielding.

"James..." My voice trembled, a desperate whisper.

He cast one glacial glance, then turned away. The heavy rain swallowed me whole, leaving me abandoned, shattered and alone.