Chapter 17. Dealing With Her Maya's POV Larry's gaze was on me like he was hurt , like he wished I'd stepped up instead and ad told him the wife was me and not her . But the truth is , he also didn't try to rectify it . He didn't tell the man he had presumed wrong and I'm his wife to claim m that title . That was because I'm not I wouldn't ever be able to The man left and then my gaze landed on the person who had been standing behind him Marvin His gaze was darkened and I could tell he was angry , but he did his best to mask it . Then his gaze darted from me to Larry . " Hey there , " Marvin greeted him as he came to stand beside me . " Hi " Larry's voice was restrained , like he didn't want to speak with Marvin because he might have stolen his project , his two years worth of money . Marvin's gaze cascaded over Brandy in disgust before he moved the gaze back to me . " Let's go in he stretched his hand over to me "I stared for a moment , not taking the hand and then Larry's voice came . " She's my wife , and I will be walking in with her he said and Marvin chuckled , our gaze going to Larry . " Walk in with her ? Not when she's clinging to you " Marvin nudged his head at Brandy who suddenly started groaning in pain again . " Can you walk ? " Larry asked Brandy as he tried to take her hands off him but she wouldn't budge . Instead she kept groaning . " It hurts like hell , Larry " she groaned , her voice seductive . Her drama was boring me , so I took Marvin's hand and walked into the party , leaving them behind . " We need to talk , Mayat I'm glad he knew that . He took my hand as we exited the party into the less noisy areas around the bathroom . " Maya , about the company " he said , and I cut him off . " When were you going to tell me ? " I asked , getting furious . " You wouldn't call me , you wouldn't text me , and you wouldn't pick my calls or reply to my messages . You just kept reading them without responding " he said , I knew you were angry , and I didn't want to invade your privacy by showing up in front of you " he added He was right . He craved my attention for those three years , but I didn't give it to him . Instead , I was just glad he kept sending me messages about how his day went , and sometimes what he ate . And there I should have noticed that he had a job , he was a boss , but I never thought about it thwatched you from afar , Maya , " he said . " I followed you , and saw that you were happy . That alone made me happy " he said , and I stared at him , short of words . Ise ? What else are you " What else ? are you hiding from me , Marvin ? " I asked . I was breaking , my body was breaking down because of everything . " You can leave the marriage , Maya . I will protect you , I will be here for you " he said and then I wiped the lone tears that were streaking down my face . 25 DONUS " I'm leaving the marriage , Marvin . But I don't need you to protect me , I won't be needing your help " I told him . " Not when your whole riches was built on the money I took from him " I told him and turned to leave , but he grabbed me , forcing me to face him . " No , Maya " his voice was swift , clear . v gaze squinted . got here myself , without anyone's help , without Larry Jonathan's money " he said and my gaze I wanted him to tell me more , to give a more detailed explanation . " True . I took the money and ran abroad , but that was Hardin's idea " That was his friend , the doctor who lied to me . " But trust me , I never used it . I realized it was a bad idea , but I couldn't come back right away , I had issues at the airport " he explained No ! That couldn't be true . I thought ..... I thought he used the money . " But then the next week , I made up my mind not to come back as a failure . I wanted to make it and I did . On my own . Maya " he said and I gulped . Thoughts of how things must have been for him for the last three years clawing at me . He didn't have to go through all that , he has me but still went through hell to make it all by himself But DOW I was glad , he was back , wealthy and powerful . " The 2.5 million naira is untouched , Maya . I couldn't bring myself to spend it " he said and I felt quilt take all over me " I'm sorry , Marvin . I didn't know " I told him , voice trembling . " We are cool now , Maya . We are " he said , and I nodded , holding back my tears . " Do you want me to teach them a lesson ? Your husband and that manipulative whore ? " He asked , now holding my shoulders . I shook my head , strongly opposing that . " No , Marvin . I don't want to stoop low to that " I told him and I was glad he understood . We walked back to the party together . " Hey , Mr. Vinn , " some business partners called out to him . Our name had become a powerful name , I was thankful to Marvin for that . " It's okay , go " I told him when I saw as he thought about whether to leave me behind or not . He didn't let go , instead he took me along to meet with the business partners . They exchanged pleasantries and the men's gaze looked over at me curiously . " Oh , this is my sister . Meet Maya Vinn " Marvin said , a smile on his face . I smiled as I offered greetings to the men Marvin was proud to introduce me as his sister , unlike Larry who couldn't tell that man I was his wife . Marvin talked business with the men and I found it so boring , so uninteresting . Then I secretly excused myself . Walking away from them , I hadn't taken much steps when Brandy appeared in front of me " Having fun with your so - called brother , huh ? " She asked and I sighed annoyingly . 3/1 Honestly , I want to stop dealing with her , but she just kept appearing in front of me I