2. An Orchestrated Plan

I gasped. 

His words are like bombshells and I actually pinched myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.

D- Divorce? 

“B- But…” I stammered, suddenly losing the ability to speak. 

I don't understand his words.

Maybe I do, but I can't bring myself to digest them.

“I know, our contract is supposed to end in three months,” Raymond continued, his tone dry. 

It's as if he couldn't wait to tell me this. 

As if he has come right here after waking up to lift this load off his shoulder.

Did I do something wrong? 

Did I fail in pleasing him? 

Why does he want a divorce all of a sudden?

As I grappled with confusion, Raymond reached out and patted my hair. 

It's as if he can read my mind. “You've done a good job. In fact, I'll double your pay. Get ready. We'll meet Grandpa later. Remember our initial plan.”

Our plan is to divorce after the contract ends. 

I'll tell his grandfather that I can no longer be with him, and Raymond will happily release me.

No- I can't. 

I grabbed his hands, almost instinctively as he's about to stand up.

Raymond stares at me, confusion swirling in his eyes for a second. And then, his expression relaxed. 

“I've almost forgotten. You wanted to tell me something.”

I gulped. 

He has just proposed a divorce. 

How can I have the courage to tell him about my pregnancy?

Will his reaction be anger or disappointment? Or will he take back his words? 

I gathered my resolve, not letting the devastation consume me.

Right now, I feel like breaking down. Just hearing the word ‘Divorce’ has my heart sinking in despair. 

I can't live without him.

“Raymond, I'm-”

“Good morning, My Love.” Someone barged in, interrupting my words.

Sitting in a wheelchair, the lady entered my room, her face shining with a radiant smile. 

It's not the way she addressed Raymond that astonishes me only.

It's the lady herself. 

Cassie? 

I can't believe my eyes. What's my sister doing here? 

Why did she call him ‘My Love’ when-

“How did you get here?” Raymond seemed surprised as well. 

His actions were gentle as he carefully held the back of Cassie’s wheelchair. 

How did she end up in a wheelchair?

I'm not seeing things, am I?

My sister disappeared three years ago without a trace.

How can she suddenly appear in my home and address my husband as her love?

“The driver brought me,” Cassie answered his question all while staring at me. “I couldn't wait to see you, Ray. Have you told Blair about it?”

Raymond looked hesitant.

What's he supposed to tell me?

“It's okay, I'll do it.” Cassie smiled sweetly. “I've missed my sister anyway. And we have a lot of catch-ups to do.” 

“Mm. I'll make breakfast,” Raymond replied. 

“Please make my favorite.” Cassie leaned forward and pecked him on the lips, right before my eyes. 

I staggered, already on my feet. 

What's happening?

Seeing him behaving so intimately with my sister, my heart can't help but break into pieces. 

I just hope it's not what I'm thinking. 

“I can see all the questions in your eyes…” Cassie wheeled her chair forward after Raymond left the room.

Maintaining eye contact with me, her tone dripped with mockery as she scoffed. “I'll cut to the chase. Raymond married you because I asked him to. I wasn't ready to settle down yet when his grandfather threatened him with the CEO's position. Well now that I'm back, you may leave, Blair.”

Hearing Cassie's revelation, I can't hide my shock. 

I shook my head, unable to believe it. 

Cassie must be pulling my legs. She loves pranking me after all.

How can she and Raymond be in a relationship without me knowing? 

“Oh, you're so naive.” Cassie chuckled. “You actually don't think Raymond will keep you forever, do you?”

But, why? 

All these years, I've been thinking Raymond found me on his own.

I thought he proposed the contract marriage purposely. 

I thought he had an inkling about my feelings that's why he chose me.

If I'd known that Cassie orchestrated all this, would I have agreed?

“You could have asked him to have a contract marriage with someone else.” Anger built up in my chest, my tone as cold as ice. “Why me? Cassie, you always knew that-”

“You love Ray, I know.” Cassie smiled. “How does it feel to have something valuable snatched from you? I wanted you to experience what it feels like to be with Ray, and then have you lose him. It does hurt, right?”

Right.

It hurt like hell!

Of all the afflictions Cassie has inflicted on me, this is the most painful.

She has known right from the start that I'm in love with Raymond.

How can she be so cruel?

“How can you be so stupid?” Cassie rolled her eyes. “You really think I'll let you have what you want? Remember how you snatched my mother from me.”

Her voice went a pitch higher, her eyes flashing with the same hate she has always had for me. “Raymond will do nothing with a filthy girl like you. Your fantasy ends here, Blair. Start packing up.”

I stood still. 

The more I witness this side of my sister, the more confused I become.

How can she be so heartless? 

Just because our Mum left her Dad and married my Dad, Cassie has been hating me ever since we first met.

Instead of being my big sister, she made my life hell.

During high school and college, she'd always gang up with her group of friends to bully me. 

She hates me to the core, and along the line, I stopped trying to make things work. 

“And oh, for your information.” Cassie paused as she turned the wheelchair towards the door. “Haven't you guessed who caused Uncle Greg's accident three years ago?”

Three years ago, my father was hit by a truck on his way back from the construction site.

He fell into a coma and the hospital requested a huge amount of money to keep him on life support.

Coincidentally, not long after that, Raymond approached me with the contract. 

No way!