Chapter 2 - Refused

Marietta's POV

“He wants a divorce?” I repeated in shock. 

“Are you serious?” I felt relieved just as I heard Granny Lorette’s voice in the living room. 

I’m sure she will calm Michael. After all, she's always got my back.

“Michael, if this is all a joke, you can stop now.” I heard Granny Lorette lash out. 

“No! It’s not. I’m serious about this,” I heard Michael argue.

“I can’t stand this any longer, Grandmother,”

“I’m filing for a divorce. I’m sick and tired of her. I don’t even love Marietta. You forced me into this whole thing.” I heard Michael rage.

“Are you telling me that all through the years you’ve spent with her, you didn’t love Etta?” Granny Lorette questioned.

“You used your powers and your company shares to coerce me into marrying Etta. And to top it all, you are standing up for her?” Michael scoffed.

More tears flowed down my eyes when Michael shouted, causing me to peep from upstairs, where I was standing.

“She did what? She lost the baby?!” I heard him scream while talking to someone on the phone.

“Katty just lost the baby, Grandmother! She just lost her child. One of the heirs to the company you built and your grandchild! Did you know how my brother is going to take this?” 

Just as Michael announced, I gasped in shock. 

My eyes darted from Granny Lorette back to Michael as I held the door tight.

“What? Katty lost the baby?” I heard Michael’s grandmother, Granny Lorette, exclaim.

“Yes, she did. You should know by now that my brother wouldn't allow this slide. Lucian wouldn’t take it. And yet you want me to remain stuck with Etta, after killing your grandson?!” Michael asked.

“Listen, grandmother. I don’t want to be in this godforsaken relationship again. I cannot be stuck to a murderer. I cannot even bear to look at her anymore. She disgusts me.” Michael spoke in anger. 

“Fine, if you do not want this union again. I will reach out to my lawyers to arrange the divorce papers.”

 Just as I heard Granny Lorette speak about divorce papers, I broke down in tears.

“But mind you, I won’t allow her to live here in California. Since you do not want to see her anymore.” Granny Lorette started.

“ I also will be arranging her passport, and she will leave the country for somewhere she can start a new life.” She paused.

“She can’t survive here. I’ve been there. And I know how it feels. A divorced billionaire’s wife can barely survive in rich people’s social circles.” I heard Granny Lorette conclude, while Michael remained silent.

“What do you say?” Granny Lorette proposed.

“I’m good with it,” Michael responded while I watched him leave immediately.

I quickly closed my door as if nothing had happened, and burst into more tears. 

I covered my mouth so I won’t be heard.

“I can’t believe he hates me so much. He doesn’t even want to see my face.” I stuttered as tears flowed down my cheeks. 

“I thought he started to love me after our wedding. But no? He doesn’t?” I whispered. 

What do those passionate nights when we made love mean to him? Were they just nothing? The soft kisses? The hugs? The cuddles? The affectionate sex we had?

I wiped off my tears as my gaze landed on the pictures placed on the shelf beside my matrimonial bed. 

I heaved a sigh and reached out for it.

It comprised of myself and Michael in Granny Lorette’s hand as a baby, with my grandmother smiling beside her as well.

Decades ago, so I heard. My Grandmother was Granny Lorette’s best friend. 

The woman who has been like a mom to me, Laura, told me something important before she passed away from food poisoning a few months ago.

Laura wasn’t just my grandmother’s right hand—she was basically her personal assistant, and we’d always been close. 

My parents died when I was young, so my grandmother took me in and raised me.

Then, when I was ten, my grandmother died in a car accident. But Granny Lorette adopted me.

“Come here, Etty. I’ll take care of you, little pumpkin. One day, you’ll be the perfect match for Michael.” She kept saying that until, eventually, Michael and I grew up.

Since I was  little girl, I’ve always had a huge crush on Michael. 

Even Granny Lorette was aware of it. So she has always assured me that regardless of whatever happens, Michael will be mine.

Most times, whenever I see Michael with other girls, I glare at them. 

After all, I’m Michael’s best-fit fiancee.

“Your jealousy will only make you end up hurting others.” Michael had always warned me.

A knock had jolted me out of my thoughts, and it was no one else than  Granny Lorette.

I guess she must have heard me crying.

Now that she was here, I had a little glimpse of hope. 

I quickly wiped off my tears and turned towards Granny Lorette with a smile on my face. I don’t like her worrying about me. 

“Etty, I know you heard every discussion I had with Michael downstairs,” Granny Lorette closed in on me.

She hugged me tight, patting my back. I burst into more tears while she comforted me for almost twenty minutes.

Afterwards, she made me face her.

“Etty, I know you’ve always wanted to study art. How about I speak to your mother-in-law to process the passport so you can leave the country for France and forget all about that dickhead?” she asked, patting my back as more tears rolled down my cheeks. 

Left to me, I don’t want to divorce Michael. I love him.

“Thank you,” Was all I could say.

She was about to leave when she turned towards me, adjusting her glasses. 

“Remember this, Etty. Katty is someone who will be your sister-in-law; you don’t need to hurt her like this.” She spoke in a comforting, yet hurtful manner. 

I was speechless. I cannot believe Granny Lorette could say such to me.

 “Only when I feel you’ve learned your lesson will I allow you back into California.” Granny Lorette paused, opened the door, and left. 

Just after she closed the door, I felt so sick to my stomach.

Quickly I hurried towards the bathroom, throwing up consecutively. 

“What’s wrong with me?”