I stepped into the kitchen, my gaze falling on my father who was casually eating. I exchanged a regretful glance with Aunt Rosemary, who took a plate and began preparing dinner for me.
"Why are you here?" I questioned, my voice barely masking the tension.
"I heard your husband hasn't been home for a few days." His words were casual, his eyes fixed on me with a mocking glint as he continued to eat.
A wave of embarrassment washed over me, but I quickly regained my composure. "Are you worried that the financial support you've been leeching off will be cut off? Isn't it about time you stopped mooching off me?" I didn't care if Aunt Rosemary heard. There were no secrets in this house.
His cutlery clattered onto the plate with a loud bang. "Instead of whining, why don't you make yourself more attractive and keep your husband satisfied so he doesn't leave you? You're not getting any younger. Any man would prefer a young, alluring woman who could ignite their desires!"
Fury surged through me. I slammed my hands onto the table, standing up abruptly. "No man can be stolen unless he willingly strays! Even if I offered myself on a silver platter, if he doesn't want me, he wouldn't give me a second glance!"
Memories of my past attempts to win Andrew's affection flooded my mind. The realization hit me hard - his constant rejections were because his heart belonged to someone else. I felt pathetic. I had been a fool to nurture such high hopes.
"Even if we divorce, it's none of your business! If we do, it will be because I choose to! I'll do it for myself, without considering your greed. So, you better prepare to lose everything because you didn't work hard for any of it. No one can blame me anymore." With that, I stormed off to my room, the tears I had been holding back finally breaking free. I felt utterly alone. I had no close friends to confide in, I couldn't burden my family, and I didn't want to impose on Alyssa. I felt like I was losing my mind.
A soft knock on the door broke through my thoughts. It was Aunt Rosemary, a tray in her hands, carrying a pot of warm tea. As she entered, she took in the darkness that filled the room, quickly lighting the lampshade to cast a soft glow around. Her eyes found me on the floor by the bedside, my head bowed and resting on my arms, knees pulled up to support my posture.
Without a word, she gently patted my back, her touch offering a silent reassurance. "Everything will be alright," she murmured, her voice soft yet firm. With that, she quietly closed the door, leaving me alone once more.
Despite her usual stern demeanor and strict nature, Aunt Rosemary's actions in that moment revealed a genuine care and concern for us. In the midst of the turmoil, her presence was a comforting reminder that I wasn't completely alone.
I stood at the foot of the grand staircase, ready to make my way to the office, when a familiar face caught my eye. The woman in the red fitted dress, her long black hair exuding confidence in its silhouette, turned towards me as I descended. "Hello, Andrea! Nice to meet you again," she said, her smile piercing my heart with its familiarity.
Aunt Rosemary appeared beside me, apologetic. "I'm sorry, young madam. She insisted on coming in."
Taking a deep breath, I approached her without flinching. "Why are you here?" I asked, my voice laced with tension.
She laughed, her fingers caressing the elegant sofa as she walked, as if eyeing the house to become her own. "Andrew insists on living in my apartment, but I think it's time for us to move into a bigger house. He's not fit to live in such a small space."
My fists clenched, but I forced a smile onto my lips. "He chose to be with you, so he must learn to live a frugal life."
"Oh, did I not tell you that I am the daughter of the owner of the well-known fashion brand, Divine Couture?" She laughed, mocking my humble background. "Here's my proposal: I will give you fifty million dollars once you divorce Andrew Collins. I think that would be enough for you and your money-hungry family, right?"
My eyes rolled at her words. "This feels like déjà vu," I muttered softly. "Being Andrew's wife will earn me more than your cheap offer!" The tremble in my hands betrayed the anger building within me. This woman was getting under my skin.
"You're right. Finally, you said it," I heard my husband's voice behind me as he entered the house. "You are just like your family, full of greed," he said, his tone filled with disgust.
Embarrassment washed over me, but there was no turning back now. "Yes, you heard me right. I will not divorce you because of your money! None of you will be happy as long as I live!" With those words, I stormed out of the house and into my car, driving away as fast as I could, desperate to escape this hellish situation.
"Young master," Aunt Rosemary greeted him respectfully.
"Put her stuff in the guest room," he commanded, his tone brimming with impatience.
Confusion flickered in Aunt Rosemary's eyes as she sought clarification. "You mean...?"
Andrew's impatience grew, his words sharp. "Yes! Put Andrea's belongings in the guest room and move Kelly's belongings into the master bedroom!"
Aunt Rosemary was taken aback by the sudden change, but as a trusted butler, she understood the unspoken rule to never question the decisions of the head of the family. With a sense of urgency, she immediately instructed the servants, who scratched their heads in bewilderment at the unexpected turn of events.
I always yearned to catch his attention, to be noticed by him. It seemed like everyone knew about my feelings for him, and I could feel the pitying glances and mocking whispers that followed me. As I made my way home after class, I passed by the soccer field.
"Hey, return the soccer ball to me," a voice called out. I turned my head in the direction of the voice, seeing one of our schoolmates playing soccer.
I kicked the ball back to him, but it hit him harder than I intended. Surprised by my unexpected move, he taunted me, "Aren't you the girl who always follows Andrew?"
"It's none of your business," I responded coldly, ready to walk away. But he ran in front of me, blocking my path.
"Cutie, why don't you spend your time with me instead of wasting it on Andrew? You clearly know you don't have a chance, do you?" He scanned my face with a smirk, reaching out to touch my hair and tuck it behind my ears.
I instinctively dodged his touch, feeling uncomfortable with this stranger's advances. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice tinged with caution.
"Are you kidding me? I'm Oliver, the one who rules this school," he boasted proudly.
A smile tugged at the corner of my lips, and his face darkened as he leaned in closer to my ear. "Did you just laugh at me?" he whispered, his tone filled with anger.
Fear coursed through me as I trembled, unsure of what was coming next. He placed his hands on my shoulders and locked eyes with me. "Don't worry, I have a soft spot for people like you," he said, his voice dripping with condescension.
"People like me? What do you mean?" I wondered aloud, my curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, poor people like you who want to catch the attention of every rich guy," he sneered sarcastically. "Isn't that why you're so persistent in pursuing Andrew? Because his family owns a multinational company?"
Disbelief washed over me, hearing these words from his mouth. I had known that he was wealthy, but I had no idea he was this rich. Removing his hands from my shoulders, I kicked his leg in a swift motion. He groaned in pain, his anger evident in his eyes. He tried to retaliate, but I swiftly countered with a shoulder throw, leaving him on the ground, groaning in agony.
Leaving him behind, I walked away, the adrenaline pumping through my veins, a mix of excitement and determination fueling my steps. I refused to let anyone undermine me or my pursuit of happiness.
As I drove to the office, a bitter laugh escaped my lips, echoing through the confines of the car. I couldn't help but reflect on the irony of the situation. Here I was, sitting behind the wheel, reminiscing about the past. It seemed that no matter what I did, people always believed that my interest in Andrew stemmed from his wealth and influence.
I had endured countless rejections from him, each one cutting deeper than the last. Yet, despite the pain, I had foolishly held onto a glimmer of hope that things would change. We may have been forced into this marriage, but Andrew had never treated me so harshly before, not until he had asked me for a divorce.
The realization hit me like a tidal wave, crashing against the walls of my heart. I had been blind to the cracks in our relationship, clinging to the belief that love could conquer all.
As I parked the car and stepped out, a heavy weight settled upon my shoulders. The office building loomed before me, a stark reminder of the challenges I faced both personally and professionally.
"We've chosen Mr. Darkmore as the new branch manager," the announcement echoed through the office and met with a round of applause. The news hit me like a punch to the gut, choking back the disappointment that threatened to overwhelm me. Despite the praise I had received for my dedication and hard work, it seemed that fate had different plans in store for me. With a forced smile, I extended my hand to shake Mr. Darkmore's.
"I hope you're not jealous, Ms. Hart!" he laughed, the sound filling the room and creating an awkward atmosphere. "Don't be discouraged, alright?" His laughter seemed to mock me, adding salt to the wound.
"I know my time will come," I replied firmly, determined not to let this setback define me. With a heavy heart, I made my way through the bustling crowd, trying to maintain my composure.
"Ms. Hart! You've got a visitor," a colleague called out, interrupting my thoughts.
Stepping outside, I was greeted with a loud slap across my face. Time seemed to stand still as the office fell into a stunned silence, eyes filled with pity staring at me.
Anger surged within me as I grabbed my mother's hands and pulled her to a quieter place. "What is it this time?" I asked, my voice tinged with frustration.
My mother, Alice Hart, slapped me again, her fury evident in her actions. I held my cheeks, the sting of the blows matching the ache in my heart. This was all becoming too much to bear.
"You, ungrateful bitch!" she angrily exclaimed, her words filled with hostility. "It's been two months since you got married, and you're already considering divorce?"
Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself amidst the chaos of emotions swirling within me. "Mother, it's not that simple. Andrew and I... we're not meant to be together."
"What are you trying to say? How can you be so quick to give up? Have you forgotten about our family values? Divorce has never been an option for anyone in our family!" Her gaze filled with anger pierced through me, but I remained steadfast, refusing to let her words weaken my resolve. The weight of her accusations only strengthened my determination to assert my own needs and stand up for myself.
"Family values?" I scoffed, unable to contain my bitter laughter. "That's a new concept coming from you. Speaking of family values, all I've seen from you is a constant demand for money. Ever since I graduated high school, I've worked multiple part-time jobs just to support myself. And when I finally found a stable job after college, you continued to demand money from me. I entered into this marriage because you wanted my sister to marry a man you barely knew!"
A wicked glint flashed in her eyes as she contemplated her next words. "Oh, dear, yes! Your sister! How about I marry her off to an old, wealthy man so that we can stop burdening you with our financial demands?" Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, the callousness of her suggestion leaving me speechless.
Anger surged within me, fueled by a newfound determination to break free from the toxic cycle that had plagued our family. "No!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with resolve. "I won't allow you to sacrifice my sister's happiness for your own selfish desires. We deserve better than this, Mother. We deserve a life where love and happiness take precedence over money and societal expectations."
Her face contorted with a mix of anger and disbelief, but I held my ground, refusing to back down. "I will not let you dictate my choices any longer," I asserted firmly.
"We'll see, Drew," she warned, her voice dripping with a sense of ominous foreboding. I knew I had to be prepared for whatever was coming my way.
As I walked away from the confrontation, a mix of determination and apprehension filled my heart. I knew that breaking free from the grip of my mother's expectations would not be easy. There would be challenges and obstacles ahead, but I was ready to face them head-on.
As I sat at the dining table, awaiting the arrival of Andrew, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Grandpa Sebastian had summoned us for dinner, and I knew there was something important he wanted to discuss. Little did I know, my world was about to be turned upside down.
"Young master is here," the servant announced, breaking the silence in the room. Grandpa and I both turned our heads towards the entrance of the dining room, expecting to see Andrew. But what I saw shattered my heart into a million pieces. There stood my husband, hand in hand with his mistress, a painful reminder of his betrayal.
Jealousy surged within me, threatening to consume my emotions. But I fought to maintain a stoic expression, refusing to let them see the pain that coursed through my veins.
Grandpa's voice boomed through the room. "Are you trying to kill me?" he yelled, his words echoing with disappointment and disbelief. "Don't you have any respect left for me?"
My heart ached for Grandpa, especially considering his recent hospitalization. I felt a deep sadness and worry for him, knowing the pain he must be experiencing in this moment.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa," Andrew pleaded, his voice filled with desperation. "Please allow me to marry Kelly. She's a good girl. She comes from a decent family. She loves me for who I am, not because of my money." His gaze shifted to me, insinuating that I was only interested in his wealth.
Grandpa's face contorted with a mix of anger and sorrow. "You are exactly like your father," he said, his voice filled with the weight of past pain. "Leaving your wives for a vixen! Don't you remember the time when he left you and your mother for a young woman? Have you forgotten the pain?"
Andrew's pleas continued, his words filled with desperation. "Kelly is not what you think she is. I've loved her since I was young. I am happy that I finally found her. Please, Grandpa, I beg you. Allow me to divorce my wife."
A sudden silence filled the room as Grandpa's laughter pierced the air. "Your wife," he said, his voice dripping with irony. He reached out and held my hand, a gesture of reassurance. "I will grant your divorce."
Both Andrew and I looked at Grandpa. A mixture of sadness and tension washing over me. Instead of relief, a heavy weight settled in the pit of my stomachs. I could see the faintest hint of a smile on his face, but it brought no comfort. His words hung in the air, filling the room with a sense of despair and resignation.
As Grandpa uttered those words, there was no glimmer of hope in his eyes. Instead, we saw a weariness, a deep sadness that seemed to consume him. The atmosphere in the room grew even more somber, as the weight of his decision settled upon us.
"But," he continued, his tone firm. "You can only divorce her once you have produced an heir." I was left dumbfounded, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.
"I'll give you one month," Grandpa declared, his voice unwavering. "If you can't produce an heir within that time, then I won't change my mind."
Confusion and disbelief clouded my thoughts as I tried to comprehend the situation. Was this all planned? Did Grandpa truly believe that this was the solution?
Andrew confronted me, his voice filled with hatred and disgust. He pulled me out of my chair, his eyes piercing into mine. "Did you plan all this?" he spat, bursting with anger.
Grandpa intervened, his voice cutting through the tension. "Don't blame her," he said, his words firm. "This is my gift for you, Andrea. Once you bear a child, you can keep it. I will still support you and your baby, but no one can take it away from you. I promise."
I stood there, stunned by the turn of events.