chapter 2

Kaylee's POV 

   I froze, completely rooted to my spot. My ears buzzed with Daniel's last words and no matter how many times they echoed in my ears, I just couldn't make any sense of it. 

“What? My skin buzzed with more than one emotion,none of them positive in anyway. My stomach churned and I felt something stir in the pit of my stomach. “I don't understand.” 

Daniel said nothing and his stance made me all the more nervous. I could feel the eyes behind me boring holes into my back. I was sure they had a million questions on their mind, the same way I had mine too. 

“You're joking.” I burst into laughter. Honestly, now that I thought of it, it couldn't be more than a prank. Daniel was known for playing a couple of pranks now and then, even when they were extreme and I wouldn't be surprised if he chose to play one today. “This has to be some kind of prank. Am I right guys?’ 

My laughs turned into a nervous chuckle as I turned behind me. I was hoping for even the tiniest bit of support from the crowd beyond me, but the uncertainty written on their faces was definitely not a good sign. 

“It's not.” Daniel didn't even give me the chance to turn back to him before bursting my bubble. 

“Daniel, stop.” I shook my head furiously. “Just stop. Today is your birthday not April fools day. you forget?” 

“Not at all.” His voice was cold. “ In fact, I'm going to make an announcement, simply because today is my birthday.” 

My mouth went slightly agape as I watched the next events unfold. Without so much as a glance in my direction, Daniel took a hold of the mystery woman's hand. In a couple of strides, they had sidestepped me and walked deeper into the living room. 

“Good evening everyone.” My husband's voice rang throughout the room. “Thank you for coming out to celebrate me today, and since today is a joyous day, I think it's only right to introduce the woman who brings joy to my life.”

“Ladies and gentlemen.” He continued, and I swear my heart skipped a beat. “I'll like you all to meet Liliana, my fiancee.” 

The silence that settled in the room was maddening, which was a huge contrast to how I was feeling inside. Fire stoked my insides and I could make out beads of sweat lining on my forehead. 

“And that's not all.” Daniel was beaming. “ Liliana and I are expecting a baby to join our growing family. Did I mention she's my fiancee too?”

“A toast.” Daniel cheered, as he plucked a champagne flute from the table. With a flourish and an even wider grin, he hoisted the glasses up in the air. “To our growing family.” 

Nobody moved, but apparently, it meant nothing to the new couple. After the toast, I watched as the duo made their way upstairs..

“Um,” someone cleared her throat in the crowd. “I think its time we left.” 

That was all it took to get the crowd going. One by one, I watched my invited guests file out of my house. Most of them held pitiful gazes, and I wouldn't say I blamed them. I was too rooted to my spot, shock freezing all of my nervous system. My breath hitched in my throat and my vision blurred a bit.

“I think you should get some rest.” Someone whispered beside me after a little while. I recognized the voice immediately, it was one of my neighbors. “And don't worry about it, everything will be okay by tomorrow.” 

§§§§§§§§§§§§§§

I slowly peeled my eyes open and a loud throbbing in my head was the first thing I was greeted with. Aches spread through my body and I almost contemplated staying rooted to my spot. After sucking in deep breaths for what seemed like forever , I finally summoned the courage to get up. The moment I stood on my feet, the memories from yesterday rushed at me. 

Daniel's words and his announcement echoed in my ears, and I felt the tears coming on again. My vision blurred, until I decided to snap myself out of it. 

.

“Everything will be okay.’ I whispered to no one in particular. I was taking my neighbors advice from yesterday. After she'd led the crowd out of the house, she'd also stayed back to help me clean up. Before she left, her parting words stuck with me. She'd advised me to keep my hopes up for the morning. Anything could happen, including a miracle, and heaven knows I needed that more than anything right now. 

After shrugging into one of the robes in the guest bedroom, I made my way downstairs. As I took the stairs, low muffles and laughter reached my ears. My heart dropped to my feet for the umpteenth time since yesterday and I fought the urge to throw up again. As I neared the dining room, I muttered to myself, trying desperately to convince myself that it was nothing but a prank. Daniel had probably hired that lady to pose as his fiancee, just to prank me. Even though it was a little bit extreme, I would totally forgive him if he came clean. 

All I needed to do was have our chef make breakfast for us, then we could talk over it. Or so I thought.

My heart broke into a million pieces more when I stumbled on the duo at the table, both of them eating and laughing. My breath hitched in my throat when Daniel turned to me. His gaze on me barely lingered too. One minute he was staring at me, and the next, he was back to feeding Liliana breakfast.

I couldn't believe my eyes. As I stared at the two, recognition struck me in the gut. I recognized his so called fiancee from somewhere. I just needed to remember where. 

It didn't take too long for it to click. Daniel's fiancee was none other than Liliana, his ex girlfriend from college who dumped him to pursue her modeling career. 

“Here.” My eyes snapped back to Daniel walking towards me. When he'd stopped in front of me, he handed me a brown envelope. 

“What's this?” I was barely done opening the letter when he dropped the bombshell. 

“Divorce papers.” He let out slowly. “I'm done with this marriage.”