The Lockout

I drove into our penthouse's driveway, burdened with empty boxes. It had been two weeks since I served Liam with divorce papers, and I was here to pick up some of my personal items and vital documents. The sooner I can cut ties with this place, the better.

As I reached the front door, a feeling of uneasiness settled over me. Something felt odd. I entered the same security code that we had used for years.

" Nothing happened".

I tried again, this time more carefully, but still nothing. The keypad blinked red, denying me entry to my own home.

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, disbelief giving way to anger. Had Liam really changed the locks?

I fumbled for my phone, scrolling to Liam's number. It rang once, twice, three times before going to voicemail. "Liam," I hissed, not bothering to hide the venom in my voice. "I'm outside the house. You changed the code? Really? Call me back immediately. I need to get my things."

As I ended the call, my phone started to ring. For a minute, I thought Liam was calling back, but the screen showed an unfamiliar number.

"Hello?" I responded, my voice tense.

"Mrs. Ashton?" This is Sarah from the First National Bank. I'm calling to confirm your approval to close your joint accounts with Mr. Ashton. "Are you aware of the change?"

The Earth appeared to tilt on its axis. "What? No, I am unaware of any changes. "What is going on?"

Sarah's voice had a wary tone. "Mr. Ashton has began the process of closing all joint accounts. We need your permission to proceed. Given the significant amounts involved, we wanted to confirm personally with you."

I was able to get a temporary freeze put on all joint accounts after having a heated discussion with the bank supervisor. Still, the harm was done. It was even more repulsive than I had expected when Liam revealed his hand.

I tried Liam's number once more, becoming more and more enraged with each missed call. At last, I recorded another voicemail. "You've crossed too much, Liam. Trying to deactivate our accounts, changing the house code? This clearly violates the terms of the divorce we are now going through. I'm coming to your workplace in an hour if you don't return my call."

My thoughts racing, I paced in front of the house. My passport, bank paperwork, and birth certificate were all necessary. Inside were valuables I couldn't part with, jewelry, clothes, and everything.

After an hour of silence from Liam, I followed through on my threat. I got in my car and went to his workplace, my knuckles white against the steering wheel. How did we get to this? The man I had cherished, the father of my unborn children, was now deliberately attempting to ruin me.

With a determined rage, I marched towards the entrance of Liam's office building after pulling into the parking lot. My heels clicked against the pavement. I watched the security guard stiffen as I got closer to the front desk.

"I'm here to see Liam Ashton," I declared, refusing to back down.

Amanda, his secretary, appeared really uneasy with sadness in her eyes. I apologize Mrs. Ashton, but Mr. Ashton had directed that you are not to be let on the premises.

It felt like I had been slapped. "Excuse me?"

"Those are my orders, ma'am," the security man said, approaching closer. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

The injustice of it all overwhelmed me like a tidal wave. "This is ridiculous!" I'm his wife. He can't simply lock me out of everything!"

Just then, the elevator rang, and Liam stepped out into the hallway. Our gazes connected, and I caught a glimpse of something - regret? fear? - before his face hardened into an expression of coldness.

"Diane," he continued quietly, "I thought I made it clear that you're not welcome here anymore."

I surged toward him, fury driving me forward. "How dare you, Liam?" Changing the house code, attempting to terminate our accounts, and restricting me from your office? Do you truly believe you can simply eliminate me from your life like that?"

Liam clinched his jaw. "You served me with divorce papers, Diane. What were you expecting? That we would keep playing happy families?

"I expected basic human decency!" I shouted, without caring who heard. "I expected you to respect our marriage vows and not sleep with my sister! And I fully expected you to respect the law amid our divorce processes!"

Liam grabbed my arm and tried to steer me towards the exit. I pulled away from him. "Don't touch me," I hissed.

"Keep your voice down," Liam said his gaze darting across the lobby. "You're making a scene."

"Oh, I'll make a scene alright," I replied. "Do you want war, Liam? You sure will sure have one. I will fight you for every cash, every property, and everything we have built together. "And when I'm finished, you'll wish you hadn't crossed me."

Liam's cheeks paled slightly, but he remained composed. "You are upset, Diane. Go home - oh no, you can't. Perhaps you should call Sophie. I'm sure she'd welcome you in."

The low punch hit home, and my eyes started to prickle with tears. But I wouldn't let him witness my tears. Rather, I made a straight face and met his gaze directly. "Liam, this isn't over," I murmured in a hushed, threatening voice. Not in the slightest.

I need immediate entry into the house so I can get my belongings." With a chilly reply, Liam said, "Your things will be sent to you."

"Now, please leave before I have security escort you out." I was left standing in the foyer, trembling with anger and shame, as he turned and headed back to the elevator.

As I got into my car, I rested my hand on my still flat stomach tears streaming down my cjeeks. "Don't worry, little ones," I said softly to my unborn children. "Mommy's going to make sure you have the future you deserve, with or without your father."