Chapter Eleven

-- Grizelda --

I felt bored in my own welcome party. I realized how much I wasn't used to my own set of rich people. They were pompous and proud. At least, the ones that were currently present at the party hosted because of me. I had to keep my smile while they all eagerly came to greet and talk to me. The men came off as irritating.

They knew I wasn't married and they thought they could use the opportunity to show off their assets in conversations and throw nothing other than wealth from their mouths. I fought hard from reminding them that they couldn't be compared to my father's, so what was the essence of bragging to me about it? Couldn't they be sensible enough to know that money was far the least of my concern?

I needed a real man for goodness sake!

In the middle of conversations, my mind pondered off to Leo. Somehow, I felt uncomfortable that he was with me at the party. I had tried to convince my parents to let me leave him behind at home under the care of my hired nannies, but they insisted that I brought him along.

Vicky also promised to keep him by her side and let him stay clear of me, assuring that no one would even notice he was my son. And I sincerely hoped it would be true. I hadn't felt so much anxiety in months. I couldn't get myself to stop overthinking it and it was irritating. I couldn't wait for all these to be over so I could get back home and rest. After all, the party was my parent's idea, not mine, both of them eager to reintroduce me back into their buoyant world after being able to escape from it for so long.

The set of people I was talking to suddenly went quiet around me. At first, I thought it was because they noticed I wasn't listening to a word they were saying and then I realized their eyes were targeted on something else behind. Slowly, I turned around and the carefully forced smile I'd been holding on my face finally dropped two tons. The blood from my face drained and I went completely pale.

Standing right in front of me was my ex husband, Alexander Kingston, himself. I wasn't expecting to see him at my welcome party, but there he was, staring at me like he was thinking the exact same thing. The devastation in his hazel eyes could be seen from even a mile away. But that wasn't the point. Who the hell invited him to my party?!

"Grizelda." He said my name and my guts clenched.

Suddenly, the past was rubbed right into my face. The accusations, the lies, the way he'd stood back and watched while the divorce papers were thrown at me to sign whether I wanted to or not and how I was easily replaced in his life. How he belonged to Lucy, now.

He was the past I had to heal from. The reason I was compelled to become the woman I was. The reason hatred had become my driving force and revenge my weapon.

"Baby!" To make things worse, Lucy came into view, immediately linking hands with him and reminding me of the voice that was capable of making me lose appetite for even my favorite meal. "Oh, my God, I've been looking for you everywhere. Where had you gone? And why are you..." Her eyes fell on mine and suddenly, the rest of her words hung in her throat.

She gasped and I read the horror in her eyes. I knew what it meant. None of them had expected to meet me at this party. Maybe James William's daughter. But not me.

Without the need to make out an order, two bouncers which were posted nearby stepped forward, as if coming to my aid and quickly grabbed Alex and Lucy by their hands arms. The sight was wonderful to watch, although I felt satisfaction would be far from my reach if I allowed the bouncers succeed in their aim.

Kicking them out of my party? That would be too lenient. I wanted more than that to happen. I needed to see them rot in regret. Just a moment from now and my father would officially announce my presence soon. I was eager to see the pitiful reactions on their faces, to realize what a shame to have lost someone like me in their lives.

"Wait." I called out to the bouncers and they stopped. "Leave them."

The bouncers did as they were told, releasing them at once. Then, I took another second to glare at Alex before turning around and walking the opposite direction. My father began the announcement and I felt prepared for it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, while I announce the core figure for this wonderful gathering..." He had climbed the stage and received a microphone. Even he seemed filled with glee as he proudly told the world about me. It felt like he'd waited long enough for this moment. "Please welcome, Miss Grizelda Williams, my blood and my world."

I happily rose up the stage where the spotlight was on me, the moment finally bringing goosebumps to my soul. For the first time, I felt powerful standing next to my father in front of so many people. I took the microphone into my hand and turned around, facing my guests with a grateful smile.

My eyes wandered, finally resting on Alex and Lucy where they stood. They had just the expression I needed them to have and my smile curved even higher. I felt satisfaction running through my bones as I held the microphone tightly under my breath.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for joining us tonight. It is of my pleasure to be celebrated by you while I return into the family business. As we all know, It would not have been possible without the help of my parents and loving sister after what I went through in the past few years. But I'm over it now and I couldn't be prouder of the woman I've become." The cheers grew louder, silencing me for a while, everyone seemingly happy for me, although I could only be sure of ten percent.

In the eyes of the rest of my guests, there was envy, lust, other selfish aims, and there was horror, resting in the gaze of Alex and Lucy. I opened my mouth to say more then stopped mid attempt. The blood drained from my face. A little hand amongst the crowd was waving at me and while my head registered, it was Leo.

My sweet baby.

Panic engulfed me. I ran my eyes around him, doing a careful search for Vicky. She wasn’t with him as she promised me and I knew I couldn't just walk up to him after leaving the stage. Not while all eyes would still be on me. My eyes landed back on Alex. He wasn't far from Leo either.

Shit!