Larisa stared in disbelief at the phone in her hand, double-checking the caller ID to make sure it was indeed Clara calling her.
Ashley silently mouthed the words, "What does she want?", her expression full of surprise.
Larisa shrugged her shoulders, silently mouthing the words, "I don't know."
"Yes, it's me, Clara...Marcellus's one true love," Clara said.
Larisa half-heartedly chuckled as she asked, "True love?"
Clara had been unpleasantly arrogant and rude as of late, even going so far as to get into a heated argument with Larisa the day before her wedding, unbeknownst to Marcellus. When Marcellus's father heard of the disparity, he had to step in, ordering his guards to put Clara in confinement until after the wedding.
"It would be best for all of us if you remove yourself from Marcellus's life. You're an obstruction to his joy and he never truly loved you from the start - you were merely an undesired present given to him by his father," Clara uttered from the other end of the line. "I'm the one he truly loves," she concluded.
Larisa bit her lip and retorted, "If he truly loves you as you claim, why is he always moaning loudly while we make love so passionately at night?"
Clara cackled heartily from the other end of the phone before asserting, "You're nothing but a stand-in for me - a substitution that Marcellus resorts to whenever he's feeling randy or missing me. That's what he told me," she said with a mischievous giggle.
Larisa was speechless and at the moment she had no words to respond. She felt huge shame and guilt inside her and wished she could turn back the clock. But it was too late and she had to face the consequences.
At the end Clara spoke up again and said " I suggest you better sign those divorce papers since Marcellus is determined to start a new life with me " Clara said as she ended the call.
Larisa felt her heart break into pieces as she slowly put down the phone. It was at that moment she realized she was hopelessly in love with Marcellus and that he would never love her back.
Ashley flicked her gaze to Larisa, her expression full of curiosity, and asked, "What did she say?"
Larisa stayed quiet for a few moments before finally responding, "She said it's for the best that I sign the divorce papers, that I'm an obstruction to Marcellus's happiness, and that he never truly loved me."
"What?! It should be you threatening her, not the other way around! Forget about the true love part of it, you're his legal wife, Larisa. Clara's just his mistress," Ashley said, her voice rising in her fury. "Don't tell me you're seriously considering divorcing Marcellus just because of what she said?"
"I think it's what I have to do, Ashley," Larisa said, blinking her eyes in rapidly.
Ashley bit her lip before replying, "For crying out loud, Larisa. You need to stand up for yourself. Marcellus belongs to you now!".
Larisa ran her hand through her hair, somberly admitting, "But his heart isn't mine - I've been trying for two years to make him love me, and it hasn't worked." She took a deep breath.
"So you're giving up now? After two years?" Ashley asked, raising two of her fingers to emphasize her point.
"Ashley," Larisa murmured, "I'm pregnant. I just confirmed it at the hospital - I need to think of my baby before I do anything. Marcellus doesn't want me to have his child, but I do, and the only way I can keep this baby is by getting a divorce," she concluded.
"Wow!" Ashley exclaimed, placing her hands on Larisa's shoulders and shaking her lightly. "Congratulations! Looks like I'm going to be a godmother soon!" she said, smiling broadly.
Larisa chuckled lightly as Ashley shook her. "That's why I'm considering signing the divorce papers, even though deep down I'm still in love with Marcellus," she said, exhaling a heavy sigh.
****
After Larisa finished her visit with Ashley, she headed home and dozed off for two hours. The ringing of her phone shook her out of her sleep, and when she checked the caller ID, it was Anna Huxley, Marcellus's mother.
Larisa picked up the call, and then Marcellus's mother gently reminded her of the promise she'd made to visit her that day. "Oh, Mom, I'm so sorry - I completely forgot," she said apologetically.
"I understand, Larisa. Do me a favor and come visit me - I'm so bored," Mrs. Anna Huxley requested.
"I'll be there soon, Mom. Just give me an hour to get ready," Larisa responded, hastily standing up from the bed.
"I will, Larisa," Mrs. Huxley replied before ending the call. She had always held a special fondness for Larisa ever since she was a young girl, and she was overjoyed when Larisa and Marcellus tied the knot.
Larisa got dressed and called on James, her driver. She headed over to Marcellus's parent's mansion, its exterior design where as elegant as her beloved Marcellus's but with more flowers in the courtyard due to Mrs. Huxley's love of flowers
Larisa ventured into the living room. The walls were coated with a neutral shade and decorated with beautiful artwork, cozy throw pillows, and decorative accent pieces such as vibrant vases and sculptures.
She had a lengthy chat with Mrs. Huxley that lasted hours and had to be coerced into having lunch with her when Larisa stated she wasn't feeling hungry.
Larisa embraced Mrs. Huxley and kissed her goodbye before getting into the car. She was so worn out that she had to rest her head on the seat for a few moments.
Larisa's eyes began to drift close, solaced by the refreshing, soothing breeze coming in through the car window, giving her skin a gentle tingle.
Larisa closed her eyes and basked in the breeze, but the shrill ringing of her phone disrupted her peaceful reverie. She opened her bag and grabbed it, the caller ID revealing an unsaved number. She hesitated for a moment, pondering if it was Clara. Sighing, she picked it up, this time determined to fight back.
The caller asked, "Is this Mrs. Huxley?"
Larisa queried as soon as she realized it wasn't Clara, "Who are you?"
"It's me, Doctor Jane - you urgently need to come to the hospital immediately!"
Larisa exclaimed in surprise, "Now?!"Doctor Jane ended the call, replying, "Yes Mrs. Huxley, Now."Gently placing the phone down from her ear, Larisa turned to James and said, "Stop the car." She then took her handbag.Still driving, James asked, "What?""I said stop the car!" Larisa yelled.Pulling the car to the side of the road, James turned to face Larisa."I'll be stopping here," Larisa said. "I need to go somewhere important; you can go home.""But Mr. Huxley said...." James was still talking when Larisa opened the door of the car, waved her hands to stop a passing taxi, quickly entered it, and drove past James as the taxi driver drove away.Dumbfounded, James had no choice but to return home alone.Upon arriving at the hospital, Larisa swiftly disembarked from the taxi, paid the driver, and walked into the hospital. She arrived at Doctor Jane's office and gently knocked."Come in," Doctor Jane invited from inside the office.Nervously, Larisa opened the office door and stepped
Larisa screamed in distress and shielded her head with both hands while closing her eyes.Marcellus swiftly moved to hug Larisa, looking towards the two maids at the door in shock and yelling at them with a scowl. "What on earth was that?" he exclaimed, glaring at them with wide eyes. "You scared my wife!" he declared.Larisa was taken aback as she peered up at Marcellus. That was the first time she had heard him refer to her as his wife in front of her, although she was not sure if he had done so previously when she wasn't there. With a beaming smile, Larisa slowly rested her head on Marcellus's chest.The first maid bowed her head apologetically, saying, "I'm sorry, sir, it was a mistake."The second maid also lowered her head, adding remorsefully, "I'm so sorry, sir."The two maids had been covertly listening in on Marcellus and Larisa when they heard Marcellus's initial outcry from the master bedroom, unbeknownst to Mrs. Mary, the head maid. They both remained at the doorway with
Larisa was taken aback when Marcellus uttered those words, unable to comprehend the sudden change in behavior from the man who had professed his love to her a few hours earlier.Larisa was speechless, stammering in disbelief, unsure how to respond. "Ummm....I....I....," she stuttered, at a loss for words.Marcellus yelled in anger, "Why can't you talk? Did a cat suddenly cut out your tongue?"(Earlier).After having a meeting with the Foreign Engineer from the New Huxley Shopping Mall, which was aided by his secretary, Marcellus received a phone call from Clara Scott, his lover. Marcellus promptly rushed out of the hotel and made his way over to her apartment. Upon arriving, Clara welcomed him as per usual, eventually bringing up the discussion of the divorce.Clara fixed her gaze on Marcellus as she queried with a curious expression, "Has she finally signed the divorce papers?"Marcellus responded, "No, she hasn't signed them yet; I'd like to give her some extra time."Astonished tha
Mrs. Mary, in a state of shock, spoke out of her surprise as she stared at Marcellus, saying, "She... might still be in bed."The other maids, also taken aback, watched as he ascended the stairs, their gazes trailing him.Marcellus arrived at the Master bedroom and noticed Larisa lying on the bed. He went up to her and tapped her on her thigh, shouting, "Wake up, Larisa!" When she didn't move, he tapped her again and repeated his command, shaking her until she opened her eyes and turned her face toward him.Shocked to see Marcellus so early, with a displeased expression on his face, Larisa asked him, "What is it, Marcellus?" as she rubbed the sleep away from her eyes.Glaring down at her as she sat on the bed, Marcellus said sternly, "It's time you sign the divorce papers Larisa, it has been days already. I've had my fill, and I want you gone from my life for good."Larisa begged, "Marcellus, please give me more time to think." Marcellus questioned with a chuckle, "More time?" He the
Dear Marcellus,This letter is one of the most difficult I have ever had to write. I have loved you for so long and the memories of the years we've spent together will remain in my heart forever.There are so many moments in our relationship that I will never forget. I remember when I was a young girl and you took me to the restroom. You stood guard outside the door, protecting me from any harm. That wonderful moment when I felt so safe and loved—was something that I will never forget.I also remember the day you embraced me when I was scared. The door had swung open, and that loud sound startled me. I screamed and you came to me with open arms. I was highly emotional at that moment and it felt like a lifeline just to be in your presence.Unfortunately, after much reflection, I have come to the difficult decision that we should go our separate ways. This doesn't mean that I have stopped loving you, it simply means that I have to face the reality that this is best for both of us.You w
Larisa arrived at the Clark restaurant and noticed Zack sitting there, rubbing his hands nervously. She recognized him from the photo that Ashley had shown her before she left. In person, he was even more handsome than in the picture. His symmetrical facial features, strong jawline, and well-groomed hair gave him a masculine appearance, while his confident posture exuded self-assurance. Larisa smiled as she approached him."Hi Zack," Larisa said with a smile as she arrived at the table.Zack gazed up at Larisa and was stunned, admiring her for a moment as she looked gorgeous in her sexy short gown. His mouth hung open slightly in awe."Can I sit down now?" Larisa asked with a smile, looking at Zack.Larisa's words snapped Zack back to reality, and he quickly rose from his chair. "Please, sit," Zack said, gesturing towards the chair across from him. Who wouldn't fall in love with the stunning Larisa Madison?Zack introduced himself to Larisa as the Vice Chairman of Ford Group.Larisa w
Despite Charles's call, Marcellus kept walking as he crossed the road and headed to the restaurant. Upon arriving at the entrance, Marcellus stood and sent deadly stares to Zack while clenching his fists.As Zack laughed and chatted with Larisa, he didn't initially notice Marcellus's intense stares. However, when he lifted his head and caught Marcellus's gaze, he felt goosebumps all over his body. In a low whisper, he asked Larisa, "Do you know him?"" Who," Larisa asked in a low whisper.Zack responded by moving his head in a pointing gesture, without directly pointing at Marcellus, and said, "Him."Larisa quickly turned around and noticed Marcellus staring at them. She then turned her head back to face Zack and said, "I kind of know him, but he's not important. Don't bother." Larisa smiled awkwardly before adding, "Let's continue. Don't let him bother you."As Marcellus walked towards Larisa and Zack's table, Charles quickly grabbed hold of his arms and quietly dragged him out of th
As Zack drove the car towards Larisa's house, based on the address she had provided, there was an air of silence between them. He occasionally glanced over at Larisa, who was staring out of the window as he drove.As she gazed out of the window into the dark street, Larisa couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness about what had just happened. Marcellus's childish behavior, as he stared at them and even parked his car close to the restaurant, made her smile. She had always been the one chasing after Marcellus, so it felt more than gratifying to have him pursue her this time.Zack's car came to a stop in front of Larisa's house, but she was so lost in thought about everything that had just happened that she didn't immediately realize they had arrived. She was still smiling, lost in her world until Zack's voice brought her back to reality."Here we are," Zack said, glancing over at Larisa. However, she remained still, lost in thought as she stared out of the window. Zack then tapped h