CUTTHROAT

Copyright © 2025 by Octavia Grant

Published by Author Octavia Grant Presents

This novel is a fiction work. Any resemblance to actual events, real people, living or dead, organizations, establishments or locales are products of the author’s imagination. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission from the publisher and writer. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

EPILOGUE

MEET THE AUTHOR

PROLOGUE

Well, hello stranger. What brings you here? Wait, let me guess. The reason you’re here is because you’re curious about the things that are being discussed in the news.

Am I right?

You don’t have to answer that. I already know I’m right. Anytime something devastating happens to a family, and it’s reported on the news, everyone’s morbid curiosity takes over. Typing the victim’s name into a search engine or social media just to see what you can find. Then clicking on every family member with an open profile and messaging them questions as if they’re obligated to answer. I’m willing to bet that’s what you did too.

Ever since that article was released about me, my social media notifications have been going crazy. Strangers are so curious about matters that do not concern them. Correction, not curious, just fucking nosy. You being here proves that I’m right. Since everything came out, I gained 23.5K social media followers.

Now I’ll admit, I am a bad bitch. But I’m no model or celebrity. So, I can’t believe 23,500 new people have started following me. Originally, I only had 900 followers, this increase has to be a world record for a person that’s not a celebrity, influencer, or Only Fans Content Creator.

No, I’m a woman of substance. I’m an Investment Banker. My career in investment banking focuses on international banking and working with multinational clients. I bet you weren’t expecting to hear that, but it’s true. It’s crazy, I’m telling you my business, and I have yet to properly introduce myself.

My name is Eden Marie Shelton. But everyone calls me “Edy.” As I said, I’m the US Investment Banker for Rashid Zayed International Banque founded in Saudi Arabia, and, you know what, none of that is important. I’m sure you guys don’t want to hear about my career, how well traveled I am, or my hefty salary.

No, you all found me because you’re interested in the Shelton drama. So here goes. All the speculations about me in the news are correct. Yeah, I did all that shit, and I don’t feel bad about it. I have no shame in what I did. See, I was once a damn good woman. I didn’t allow my accomplishments, my degrees, or my money to turn me into a modern woman.

There were times that I worked up to eighty hours a week and I still found time to cook my man dinner, wash his clothes, and make sure he was well satisfied in the bedroom. On nights where I was too tired to open my legs, I stayed on my knees. I apologize if that was TMI, but I wanted to prove the point that there was nothing that I wouldn’t do for my man. His needs always came first.

I gave that man 100% of me even when I wasn’t operating to my full capacity. And how did he repay me; he played me, and I couldn’t have that. Most people would say, “just move on,” but where’s the fun in that?

That man looked me in my eyes in front of God and said that he would love honor and obey me, and that was a lie. He humiliated and embarrassed me. The only thing that would make us even was some good Old Testament retribution. My ex needed to feel my pain, and I made sure he did.

You may ask if taking revenge made me feel better. The answer is no because I wasn’t seeking revenge. Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance is an act of justice. I was seeking vengeance and that damn sure made me feel great. The Bible says, vengeance is mine, and it was.

Since you’re here, get comfortable. Let’s take a look back over my life and I’m going to tell you exactly why I turned into a cutthroat bitch.

CHAPTER 1

A bright smile spread across Eden’s face when “The Husband” flashed on her phone’s screen. She saw her husband every day, slept with him every night, yet butterflies still filled her stomach as if she had just met him. Drying her hands, she tapped the green icon and answered the call.

“Hey Babe. How’s your day?” Eden asked as she mixed the ingredients for a vegetarian lasagna.

She refused to give up meat, but her husband refused to eat it. He hadn’t eaten any form of flesh since the age of twelve. After working more than twelve-hour days, it drained her to come home and cook two different meals, but she did what she had to because her man deserved whatever he wanted.

“My day has gotten better now that I’m talking to you,” Jermaine admitted.

Eden’s smile resembled the Cheshire Cat’s. All her pearly whites and the empty spaces where her wisdom teeth once resided were on full display. After five years of marriage, Jermaine still made her feel like a kid at Christmas.

“Jermaine, stop making me smile,” she blushed as she stirred the egg and ricotta cheese mixture.

“It’s my job to keep that smile on your pretty face. Making sure my wife is happy is how I keep the other men away,”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that. Happy wife. Happy life. And I am very happy,” Eden admitted.

Jermaine couldn’t see it, but he knew she was smiling. A slight pain poked at his heart. He knew he had a good woman, but the world was filled with so many other women. Who was he to deny the other women the opportunity to experience a ride on the Jermaine Express.

“I love you, Eden,” Jermaine blurted truthfully.

Eden froze at the sound of her name coming from her husband’s mouth. He hadn’t called her by her birth name in so long that she didn’t think he remembered it. Truthfully, she didn’t even use her government name when conducting business. She knew now that something was wrong.

“Ok Jermaine, what’s wrong? You never call me Eden. It doesn’t even sound right coming out of your mouth. Whose ass do I have to beat for messing with my man?” Eden asked jokily, but seriously.

Jermaine laughed.

“Calm down killer. Nothing is wrong. Nothing that I can’t handle,” Jermaine joked. “I hear a lot of moving around in the background. What are you doing?” Jermaine asked as he read the incoming text messages on his iPhone.

“You know I’d never let the head of the household come home to an empty plate. I’m making you a vegetarian lasagna and a rainbow salad. By the time you get here, dinner will be ready,” Eden said as she removed the phone from her ear and put it on speaker, because for the life of her, she could never keep up with her AirPods.

“Awww Babe. You know your lasagna is my favorite, but it’s Thursday. I’ll be here at the office late as usual. I thought bringing Malcolm on as a Partner would lighten my workload, but it’s making shit worse,” Jermaine said while responding quickly to the second incoming text.

“Now I see why you called me Eden,” Eden sighed as she shook her head. “You know I love Malcolm, but he doesn’t know what being a partner means. He wants to be in control. He wants your spot. Sometimes friends and family simply can’t work together. It’s a sad fact,” Eden shrugged.

“You’re right. What are you doing now, I still hear a lot of movement?”

“I’m packing all this shit up. You know how much prep work goes into your specialty lasagna. This will be dinner for Tuesday,” Eden admitted.

As much as she loved her man. She would’ve never gone through the trouble of making a lasagna if she had remembered what the day was. Work had driven her so crazy that she had to dip into her ‘on the clock liquor stash’ more than once to calm her nerves.

“I’m sorry babe. Look, do me a favor,”

“What?”

“Go get a glass of wine and unwind. When I get home, I’ll eat the stress out of you,”

Jermaine’s third leg turned to stone at the thought of burying his face in between his wife’s legs. It amazed him how satisfying her sent him over the edge.

Eden’s clit pulsated. Jermaine made it his business to devour her to the point of unconsciousness and she loved him for that. She was more than ready for the Earth-shattering orgasm she’d receive.

“Don’t make me come to your office and spread eagle on your desk Mr. Shelton. I’m overdue for some office sex,” Eden said as she slid her fingers inside her leggings.

Jermaine’s erection instantly died. The moment he started mixing business with pleasure, he knew the days of having his wife coming to his office were over.

“Those office romp days are over. Your screaming ass almost got me fired. You refuse to be quiet,” He laughed as he thought back to a simpler time in their marriage.

“Stop blowing my back out so well and I’ll stop screaming,” Eden joked. “But seriously Babe, is the Malcom situation the only thing bothering you?” Eden asked, she knew his joking right before a meeting meant something else was going on.

Jermaine inhaled.

He had approached this topic in the past, but every time he did, Eden shot the idea down. He was hoping that this time would be different. Exhaling, he got ready to shoot his shot.

“Yeah, there is something else on my mind. I was calling to gage your temperature,”

“Gage my temperature? Why?”

“Edy, I think, know I know that we’re ready. We’ve been married for a while; our lives are stable, and I think it’s time we started our own family. Add some little Shelton’s to this large nest. I want my own legacy. Watching you take birth control pills makes me feel like you don’t want kids with me. I’m your husband, not some dude you just met,” Jermaine said truthfully.

In the beginning of their relationship, they were both enthralled with finishing their degrees and landing careers within their field. He understood that Eden didn’t want children before she was married. But they had been married for five years now. Though he had a lot of maturing to do as a man, he was positive that the only woman he wanted to bare his children was Eden Marie Merci Shelton.

Eden sighed.

She had shot this conversation down so many times. But now, she was ready.

“You’re right,” She admitted.

His eyes nearly popped out of his head. Jermaine was stunned. This was the response that he wanted, but he honestly wasn’t expecting it. For years she had shot the kid talk down, but now she was all for it. He didn’t know what to say. Instead of saying anything he sat speechless.

Eden laughed. She knew her response had caught him off guard.

“Your silence says a lot. Look, you’re right. I apologize for making you feel like a boyfriend. In all actuality, I’ve always wanted children. I’m just afraid,” Eden said honestly.

“Afraid of what?”

“I’m afraid of not doing a good job. My parents raised us girls to focus on our brains and disregard our beauty. That’s why when someone compliments my looks instead of accomplishments, it angers me because I’m so much more than a pretty face.

Eve and I are extremely hardworking and giving, but Envy acts like the spawn of Satan. That bothers me. I never understood what happened to make her act the way she does. I don’t want my kid to turn out like her,” Eden admitted.

Jermaine nodded even though Eden couldn’t see him. He now understood her hesitance. Her sister, Envy, was bat shit crazy. She was only concerned with herself. She stole her parents’ identity, Eden’s debit card, and stole Eve’s car and wrecked it.

“Edy, our children will be perfect because we will raise them in a healthy household, filled with love. Throw those pills away. I got something big for you when I get home,”

Eden giggled.

“I’ll throw them in the trash. I’m about to call Eve over here to drink with me. You know how we get. So, if I’m passed out drunk when you get here; Fuck me anyway.”

Jermaine laughed.

“I love you,”

“I love you,”

She wasn’t an ‘I love you, too’ kind of woman. She loved her husband genuinely. Even if he hadn’t said it, she would have.

As soon as she dialed Eve’s number, the phone was instantly answered.

“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. Hey stranger,” Eve mocked. It had been over a week since she last spoke with Eden. They normally spoke every day.

“Damn, did the phone even ring? I missed you, Eve Marie!” Eden sang jovially. Eve and Eden were two years apart, but they acted as if they shared the womb together.

“I can’t tell that you missed me. It’s been nine days since our last text. Anyway, I’m hungry what did you cook?” Eve asked.

“I didn’t cook anything. I was making Jermaine a vegetarian lasagna, but he’s working late. So, I was going to eat leftovers and invite you over to get drunk with me,”

“Vegetarian lasagna? I definitely wouldn’t eat no shit like that, and I don’t want any leftovers. I want some freshly prepared food before I have my drinks,” Eve said as she pulled on a pair of ripped skinny jeans and Baby Tee.

Eden sucked her teeth.

“I should’ve known a shake down was coming with your bougee ass. Let’s go to Ribeye’s,”

“Ribeye’s! Now you’re talking my bougee ass language. I’m already dressed. Come pick me up!”

“I’m on the way,” Eden said before ending the call.

The drive to Eve’s house was done in complete silence. Though she agreed to throw her birth control away, truthfully, she was apprehensive for more than one reason. Her job was her life. She worked hard to land the position that she had, and she was filled with pride to be one of a few black women to work for such a prestigious bank.

Questions ran through Eden’s head quickly. How would her life change after becoming a mom? Would she have to stop traveling internationally? Could she travel with a newborn?

“I’m not giving up my job?” Eden said though no one was around to hear her.

She recalled her mother saying that quitting her job was the worst thing she’d ever done. By giving her husband complete control of her livelihood, she lost pieces of herself. Her father was old fashioned and didn’t want nannies or maids tending to his children. Yes, Jermaine was a great provider, but she didn’t want to lose her identity to motherhood.

By the time she pulled into Eve’s driveway she was mentally exhausted. The thoughts running through her head had her reeling. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t hear when Eve opened the car door.

“Girl, I’m starving,” Eve said as she slid in the passenger seat and closed the door.

Out of nowhere, Eden burst into tears.

CHAPTER 2

Eve jumped at the sound of her sister’s primal war cry. They had been joking and laughing roughly twenty minutes ago, now Eden was wailing like a banshee. Confused was an understatement as to how she now felt.

“What the hell? What’s going on?”

Eden continued to sob. She wanted to speak, but she was filled with so many emotions that tears were all she had to offer.

“Edy-”

“I’m fine Eve. I just…it’s just a lot going on in my head and I’m just trying to make sense of it all. Believe it or not, these are tears of joy,” Eden admitted.

Somehow, she felt that telling her sister the truth would make her appear like a bad wife. She felt horrible for wanting to prioritize her career over motherhood.

“Tears of joy has you crying those ugly ass tears. What is going on Edy?” Eve asked. She wasn’t buying the tears of joy speech.

“I’m serious. Everything is all good,”

Eve looked skeptical but she wasn’t going to pry. Eden would share what was on her mind when she was ready.

“Come get in the passenger seat. Emotional driving is a recipe for disaster. I’ll drive but you’re still paying,” Eve joked, she knew it would make her sister laugh.

Eden did as she expected. Laughter instantly replaced her tears.

“You’re so crazy with your cheap ass,” Eden laughed while wiping the wetness from her face.

“You were just all smiles twenty minutes ago. Now you’re crying. But I’m crazy. Yeah right,”

“These are tears of joy,” Eden lied. “Jermaine wants me to throw away my birth control. I want that too, at least I thought I wanted that. I’m unsure of what I want. Will I have to give up my job? I would die if I had to leave such a prestigious bank just to be a mom,” Eden cried.

She knew her words sounded selfish, but Rashid Zayed International Banque was not a bank that a person could simply apply to. The company didn’t even post open positions. It was invitation only. When a position needed to be filled, the bank’s internal recruiters would reach out to potential applicants by viewing their employment qualifications via their LinkedIn. Giving up employment with such a prestigious bank seemed like a death sentence.

“Eden,”

“I love what I do. I love having to take a flight to meet some of my clients. I don’t want to change my life or lifestyle. I know that sounds selfish but-”

“But nothing. You are not mommy. The days of being a stay-at-home mom are over. I’m a flight attendant with two kids. My life hasn’t changed. You’re terrified about being a parent and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a new experience and it’s ok if you’re scared.

Between me, Mommy, and my kids, your baby will be well taken care of when you have to work. Calm down everything will be ok,”

Eden wanted to cry all over again. She knew that she would’ve been able to trust Eve with her feelings without judgement. The fact that she doubted their bond made her feel horrible.

“You’re right. I just, I’m just-”

More tears erupted.

“Girl, why are you crying now? You know what, we might need to skip Ribeye’s and go to Walgreen’s to get you a pregnancy test. This new emotional you has me thinking that you’re already knocked up,” Eve said as she patted Eden’s flat stomach.

Eden shook her head. She knew she wasn’t pregnant. She had just thrown her pack of pills away.

“You always know how to make me feel better. I love your-”

Eden’s sentence stopped and her eyes squinted as she tried to process what her eyes were seeing.

“I love your big head too,” Eve said sweetly, but Eden ignored the sentiments. She was too focused on what was in front of her. It wasn’t every day that a Bentley was parked in front of a family friendly steakhouse.

“That’s Jermaine’s car. Why would Jermaine be parked at Longhorns?” Eden asked herself unaware that she had asked the question aloud.

Eve looked to the left at the Franchise steakhouse, saw the black Flying Spur, but thought nothing of it.

“He’s probably having a meeting. You said he has meetings every Thursday,” Eve shrugged.

Eden tuned Eve completely out. The only thing she could focus on were the drums now pounding in her head.

“Turn in,” Eden said dryly.

“Why?” Eve asked while scrunching her face.

“Turn into Longhorn’s right fucking now,” Eden said slowly, making sure to annunciate the syllables of each word.

The hair on the back of Eve’s neck stood on end. She had never seen her sister like this. The joy that always brightened her face had been replaced with something dark and malevolent.

“Eden I’m sure there’s a reasonably good explanation for why he’s there. You know he’s not on a date, because his bougee ass doesn’t eat meat. I’m sure it’s only a dinner meeting with colleagues,” Eve added.

Eden looked at Eve as if she had lost her mind.

“Do I look stupid to you? I may be a good woman, but I ain’t never been a dumb bitch. If this was a dinner meeting with colleagues or clients, the parking lot would be filled with luxury cars, not Honda’s, Ford’s and Hyundai’s. It seems like you have a problem with turning into the restaurant. You must know something that I don’t know,” Eden said through clinched teeth.

Eve gasped. Never in their entire life had Eden accused her of something so disrespectful. It was now her turn to cry.

“Edy, are you serious? You know I-”

“This is what I know. My husband said he’d be at the office late. But with my own 20/20 vision I can see that that’s clearly a lie. I don’t see any other luxury cars in this cheap ass parking lot to suggest that any of Le Bleu’s stakeholders or shareholders are here.

The Story Continues on BooksBarbecue!

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