They were still talking when Desmond walked in with Daniella, holding hands like couples.
"Wow! My son and my potential daughter-in-law are here already! They look like a perfect match from heaven." Desmond's mother stepped forward and embraced her son.
"Desmond!" Anabel called. "How can you cheat on me?"
He turned his attention to Anabel. "I don't understand. What are you talking about?"
"Do you want to deny it? Don't even try to. I called you this afternoon to share some good news with you, only to find out that you are cheating on me. I guess the husband snatcher picked up the call and left it so I could listen to her sick moans."
"I've warned you to desist from calling my potential daughter-in-law a husband snatcher!" Desmond's mother intervened. "What good news do you have for him other than telling him that you found another sex style that will make you pregnant?"
"Son." She turned to Desmond. "You don't have to be hiding it from her. You are doing the right thing. Daniella is perfect for you. You two look good together."
"I'm still waiting for my answer, Desmond." Anabel alerted.
"Why are you disturbing me? Even if I cheated, it's not my fault. For two years, you have not given me a child. Not even a miscarriage."
"But it's not my fault… I'm perfectly okay."
"Oh! It's my son's fault? Is that what you are trying to say? You mean my son is impotent?" Desmond's mother asked.
"I didn't say that."
"Anyway, even if it's what she means." Daniella spoke up. "I have evidence to prove that Desmond is perfectly okay. Yesterday, I got my test result. I'm 2 months pregnant for Desmond."
"Wow! This is great news! You are pregnant with my son's child?"
"You didn't tell me," Desmond said.
"I want it to be a surprise, and I think that this is the right time. To prove that you are a real man." She dipped her hand in her handbag and pulled out the test result. "Here is the test result."
"Wow! This is great! I'm going to be a father." Desmond hugged her.
"Yes, very soon. What gender do you wish? A boy or a girl?" Daniella asked.
"Any gender. I don't care if it's a boy or a girl. What matters is that you are pregnant and I'm going to be a father soon," Desmond replied and gave her another hug.
"Now! I think it's time for you to sign the divorce letter. It's now obvious that you are barren." Mrs. Elizabeth turned to Desmond. "I think you will support me this time and divorce her for good. You can confirm that she's barren. You had been wasting your money and strength on her. Divorce her immediately."
"What if I'm pregnant?" Anabel countered, and the room went silent, then Bella burst out in laughter.
"You? Pregnant? No way! So because Daniella is pregnant, you too want to claim to be pregnant as well. Brother, don't listen to her. She's lying."
"You pathetic liar." Desmond's mother sneered at her. "You were never pregnant for two whole years. Now you have become pregnant all of a sudden. Do you take us for fools?"
"But I'm telling the truth. That is the good news I was talking about."
"Anabel, Why are you lying?" Daniella spoke up. "I know you don't want to lose Desmond because of his money, but it shouldn't make you lie. Just accept the fact that you are barren. You cannot be pregnant."
"How could you? You think I will fall for your cheap lies?" Desmond asked.
"I'm not lying. I'm with the test result." She picked it out of her handbag and stretched out her hand to give it to Desmond, and Daniella snatched it from her."
She scanned through it and shook her head in disgust. "This must be a fake test result. I won't let Desmond fall for this." She tore the paper into pieces and threw it at Anabel.
"Why will you tear that report? It's legit and not fake."
"Just shut up, Anabel!" Desmond cautioned her. "I can't believe you can do this. So you have become so desperate to the point of forging a fake pregnancy report."
"You all have to believe me. The test result is not fake."
"Desmond, Will you stand there and listen to this pathetic liar? This is the perfect time to divorce her. Daniella is the perfect wife for you. You can see that she's pregnant for you." The mother said.
"What if the child she's carrying is not his own?" Anabel questioned, and Desmond turned to her in anger.
"How dare you!" Desmond slapped her hard across the face, and she lost balance and fell on the floor. "How can you accuse my future wife of infidelity? I can tolerate any other thing but not this."
"Can you stop this drama and divorce her?" Mrs. Elizabeth couldn't wait for Desmond to divorce her.
"I don't think it's good. Let her stay. She doesn't have anywhere to go." Desmond replied.
"What are you saying?"
"Let her stay. She will be good as a house help." The word pierced into Anabel like an arrow. She couldn't believe he just called her a maid.
Daniella frowned and held his arm. "But I don't need a maid. She can poison me out of jealousy. You know she's angry you are bringing me in.
"Don't say that about her." Desmond cautioned her. "Anabel is not like that."
"Are you defending Anabel?" Bella asked, "Daniella is right. Send Anabel away. She's a parasite."
"Anabel, get back to the room. We will talk later." Desmond said, and Anabel hesitated before leaving. She knew she was free to go back to her father's house, but she didn't want to lose Desmond, even after the humiliations.
"So you are going to let her stay?" Daniella asked just as Anabel went out of view.
"She's still my wife. I can't let her go. She will be here, helping us with house chores since she's very good at it. Anabel won't harm you, but if you are afraid she will poison you, then be in charge of cooking." He said and left to meet Anabel.
When they got home, Anabel watched in admiration as Desmond unloaded her bags one by one. He had told her not to touch anything. There was something deeply comforting in the way he insisted on doing it all himself. It was as if carrying her luggage was his way of carrying her heart back into their shared life. Once everything was inside, Desmond led her through the familiar hallway, past the living room, and up the stairs to their bedroom. Anabel’s heart beat faster with every step. She hadn’t been in this space for months. Not since everything fell apart. She didn’t know what to expect. But when Desmond opened the door and stepped aside to let her in, her breath caught in her throat. The room was exactly as she had left it. The soft cream curtains are still hung by the windows. Her favorite throw blanket was folded neatly at the foot of the bed. The books on her nightstand seemed untouched, still stacked in the same order. She didn't take anyone when she left. And on the dresse
After the joyful occasion, Anabel returned to her room, packed her bags, and brought them downstairs. Jethro met her at the door and took the luggage from her hands. “Let me help you with that,” he said and took them from her, then headed toward Desmond’s car parked in the driveway. Desmond was still talking with Anabel's mother. When he was done, he took Anabel's hand and led her out to the front passenger seat. “Your throne awaits,” he said with a playful grin, opening the door for her. Anabel laughed softly and stepped in, settling into the seat with a content sigh. Behind them, Mrs. Elizabeth and Bella climbed into the back seat, chatting quietly, still glowing from the evening’s joy. Desmond closed the door, walked around to the driver’s side, and slid in behind the wheel. As the engine purred to life, Anabel’s family stood at the entrance, waving them off. Sir Orton, Lady Orton, and Jethro smiled and waved until the car disappeared out of their sight. The drive began smoot
“Now,” Sir Orton began again, “before we move on to the feast, there’s something I want to ask, something we all want to hear.” The room became silent, and Anabel, along with Desmond, looked up in curiosity. Sir Orton turned to her with a serious gaze. “Anabel, my only daughter… Do you truly want to accept Desmond again? Do you want to marry him? Not out of pressure, not out of nostalgia, but from your heart?” All eyes turned to her, and the room held its breath. Anabel’s lips curved into a gentle smile. She turned her head slowly to look at Desmond, who was already watching her with eyes full of love. There was no hesitation in her gaze, no doubt in her heart. “I love him,” she said. “I’ve loved him through the pain, through the silence, through the distance. And yes… I will marry him again and again.” A collective sigh of joy swept through the room. Desmond’s heart swelled, his eyes glistening with emotion. He reached for her hand across the table and held it tightly. Sir Orto
Just then, Sir Orton and his wife entered the room, followed by Jethro. Sir Orton wore black trousers and a white shirt. “Ah, Desmond,” Sir Orton said, extending his hand. “It’s good to see you again. And… who are they? Your mom and sister?" "Exactly. They are my family. I know you haven't met them before." They exchanged greetings, handshakes, and warm embraces. Both families were very happy to see each other. Once everyone was seated, Sir Orton cleared his throat gently and began to speak. “I must say,” he began with a calm voice, “this is a day I have looked forward to for a long time. Seeing both families gathered here, not in tension or misunderstanding, but in peace and joy. It fills my heart with joy. It gardens me.” He turned to Desmond and Anabel. “When two people find their way back to each other after walking through fire, it means their bond is stronger than ever. I’ve watched my daughter grow through pain, and I’ve seen the little change in you, Desmond. This reuni
His mother finally showed up and paused when she saw him fidgeting. “Relax, Desmond,” she said with a knowing smile. “You will get there. And everything will go well.” “I know, Mom,” he said, standing up. “I just… I want this to be perfect.” She walked over and straightened the collar of his blazer. “It already is. You have done the hard part. You have won her heart again. Today is just a celebration of that.” She said, and he smiled, grateful for her assurance. A few minutes later, Bella showed up, heels clicking against the tiled floor. “Okay, okay, I’m ready!” she said, grabbing her purse from the couch. “Alright, let’s go before Desmond wears a hole in the floor.” The mom said, and they chuckled and made their way out. As they stepped out of the house and into the car, Desmond took a deep breath. The road ahead wasn’t just a drive, It was a journey back to where his heart had always belonged. At Anabel’s house, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation and exciteme
Her hands trembled. “No… no, this wasn’t here. You added this. This wasn’t the version he gave to me!” She complained, and the lawyer shook his head. “These are the exact papers he showed you. It’s in the system. It’s been notarized and filed. You signed it. You agreed to it.” The DPO stepped forward. “You have three minutes to gather your personal belongings and leave the premises.” Stacey’s eyes widened as the pieces fell into place. She turned to Jethro, stunned. “You… you planned this?” "I gave you a chance, Stella. I told her you will regret it, but you didn’t believe me. I'm here to have my company back. Take your personal belongings and leave." Stella’s voice cracked as she pleaded, “Jethro, please. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—” But he didn’t flinch. “You think you can use me. You tried to take what wasn’t yours. Now it’s time to go.” With tears in her eyes, Stella gathered her things and walked out, her head bowed in shame. Once she was gone, Jethro turned to Sta