Chapter 7 THE FINAL SIGNATURE

The morning crept in quickly as though it knew Cardi couldn't wait to get it all done with Dennis.

It was the day of Cardi's divorce. She reached for her favorite crimson tube jumpsuit-fierce, sleek, and daring, just like the woman she'd become. She found the perfect pair of shoes to go with it; her two hundred thousand dollar wedge heel from Horak.

She slipped in her jumpsuit and her heels and was ready to go after a few makeup touches.

She looked at her figure in the mirror and saw how perfect it was. She's still a gem and even if Dennis can't see it anymore, she knows she's endowed with an incomparable beauty. "You are the most beautiful girl in the world, Cardi." She said looking at herself in the mirror, her shoulders held high.

She picked up her handbag and headed out.

"Cardi," Dillard Belmont, called out to her.

"Good morning father." She said, wrapping her arms around him for a hug.

"Diana told me everything , and she said you're signing divorce papers with Dennis today." He said, holding her chin in his palms.

"Yes dad. And don't worry about me, I've moved on, I don't feel broken about it." Cardi explained.

"Of course, I trust my girl." Dillard Belmont smiled. "And don't forget to go with some guards, Cardi-I don't trust that thug a bit."

Cardi felt a bit off as she didn't want Dennis knowing about her affluence yet. "Okay dad." She agreed just to deflect her dad.

"You're lying to me, Cardi" Her dad said quickly, he saw through her pretence. "I know you want to handle things your way and I understand that, that's why I'm yet to take action against Dennis-but you have to be careful Cardi, you are the Belmonts head."

"Don't worry about me dad. By the way, I cut off the lifeline I'd been feeding into his company daily-let's see how long before he collapses." Cardi smirked.

"I know, Diana told me."

"Damn Diana! Does she have to say everything, leaving nothing for me to share!?" Cardi chuckled.

Dillard Belmont laughed. "You should know her by now. I hope that makes you happy though?"

"The funds I stopped... it's just something he doesn't deserve anymore. Of course I'm happy wrecking him."

"Nice one, Cardi." Dillard Belmont nodded, a mysterious smile playing on his face, "And always remember, come what may, I got your back."

"Thanks daddy" Cardi pecked her dad quickly and left, she couldn't see the depth that there was to her father's last statement.

The drive across town to the lawyers office was long and tiring for Cardi. She was finally there and she made her way in there alone, telling her bodyguards to wait in the car.

The security ushered her to the lawyers office where she found Dennis and the lawyer already seated waiting for her.

Memories flashed Cardi's mind.

This was the same lawyer who had joined them two years ago. She remembered the joy in their faces when they held the pen in turns to sign in their bond-now they are here to sign out.

Dennis on the other hand was absolutely flabbergasted by her looks and aura. She was putting on a dress he had never seen before and she looked so sexy and expensive in it.

"I've been with her for two years and she never wore this? I'm sure it's a treasure dress her grandma passed down to her" he concluded in his heart delusioning himself.

The commanding scent of her cologne flooded the room, as if announcing her arrival before she even spoke. Dennis was overwhelmed, but he never runs out of words when it comes to humiliating Cardi.

"Next time, try not to drown yourself in knock-off perfume-it's offensive to high society." Dennis mocked her, a side smirk playing on his face.

"Where do I get to sign, Duke?" Cardi asked, completely ignoring Dennis. She had no intention of battling words with him, she's far out of his league already-she was never even in his league to begin with.

"Now this is my problem with you." Dennis snapped out, while maintaining his aura in front of their lawyer. "Cardi, you are so disrespectful. Should I remind you that prominent men are in the room? And at the very least, greeting shows a sign of respect!"

"Maybe I should remind you, you don't deserve any bit of it!" Cardi snapped, locking gaze with him. "Respect is earned, Dennis. You forfeited yours." She added as she elegantly walked over to pick up the pen and paper the lawyer was holding out to her.

Dennis was astonished.

"Where the fuck is she getting her confidence from?" he thought within himself.

"What if what Silas was saying was right? Cardi... Cardi has a top secret she hid from me for two years? What could it be? Is that what's making her confident? Does she have a rich boyfriend? Was she cheating on me all through?"

Dennis had a lot of questions in his head and he had answers to none.

"Why would it matter anyways? She can never be as rich as Andrea. Even if she borrows costumes to fake a rich life, she can never get the fame... influence and power Andrea has. So her efforts are useless, I will never be impressed or consider taking her back." Dennis concluded, a smirk playing on his face as he chuckled slightly.

"Careful how you talk to a man with powerful connections, Cardi. One call from me and your world changes." Dennis ranted, trying his best to belittle her.

Deep down, Dennis was scared of one thing-Cardi demanding money from him. Although he's already worked his way with his lawyer, he still wishes she mentions nothing about it, so she wouldn't know his financial situation deteriorated.

Cardi who was still going through her mental healing phase, ignored all his rantings and threats like he didn't exist at all.

She signed the papers and headed for the door. She paused after sliding open the door and turned to face Dennis. She had noticed the chain she gave to him was no longer on his neck. The chain was the symbol of his love for her, he had promised her never to take it off at any cost. For his neck to be bare only meant one thing to Cardi-Indeed she no longer exists anywhere in his heart.

Cardi still couldn't fathom how a man who had loved her with his whole existence would change in a second, in the middle of sex! Because up until that second he pulled out, she never doubted his love for her one day. Indeed Dennis plays mind games. He's a manipulator and he's only using Andrea. She would definitely teach him a lesson.

With a deadly gaze and broken heart Cardi asked, "Dennis, remember when you told me 'life without me is pointless'?"

Dennis was quiet as he was anticipating where she was headed to with her words.

"You were right, Dennis-life without me is pointless. You're just too blind to realize it yet." Cardi's voice was magnetic.

She immediately walked away, leaving the door open behind her. It was on purpose so Dennis would get more of her as she walked away.

And of course Dennis was staring.

She walked like she owned the world-and for the first time, Dennis feared she just might

Mr. Duke, who was completely thrown back by her words and the confidence that came with it, turned to Dennis and said, "Dude, you gotta watch your back. That lady doesn't sound like she's letting you off the hook that easily."

"She broke!" Dennis snapped, taking his eyes off the exit. "She ain't got anything on me" Dennis replied, clearly unmoved by what was going on.

"You didn't notice her shoes, did you?"

"Nope! What about them?" Dennis lifted a brow.

"They are from Horak. Horak makes the most expensive and designer quality shoes for the first class in America, including the Presidents. Where do you think she'll borrow a Horak product from? Are you sure you know your ex-wife, Dennis?" Duke's voice was concerned and curious.

Dennis was speechless. The price tag on her shoes didn't scare him-it was the unsettling realization that he never really knew the woman he once married.

"You should do some research on your ex-wife, Dennis. I'm sure she's more than you know." Duke suggested, extending a cigarette and a lighter to his friend.

"You are right. I should do that." Dennis was talking when the buzzing of his phone snapped him, it was a call from Silas.

"Hey buddy, I've found you a buyer." Silas said delightedly, immediately Dennis picked the call.