Chapter 3 - The Old Queen Attacks

For a brief moment I consider not answering but it might be important. "Hello?"

"Have you spoken to Mr. Dwyer yet?" a chilling voice asks.

It takes me a minute to even recognize the voice.

"Mrs King? Is that you?" Yes, my dear mother-in-law insists on formalities and won’t let me call her anything other than Mrs. King despite all these years of me being her daughter-in-law.

"Well of course it’s me! Don’t you recognize the number?! Now answer the question! Did Dwyer drop off the paperwork? Did James talk to you yet? When are you moving out of the house? Dont take anything that doesn't belong to you! Remember you signed a prenup!" Mary demands.

Why on earth would I save the number for the wicked witch of the west? James’ mother, Madeline ‘Mary’ King, and the bane of everyone’s existence, only cares for image and reputation. When James and I first married, I truly tried to please her, to be a good daughter-in-law to her, but she much preferred my sister as a wife to her own son and she had no qualms about letting me know how much of a poor substitute I was compared to Carrie. Eventually, for my own mental health I just gave up trying to find my place within that side of the King family.

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"James is divorcing you, right? Carrie's returned home. I just ran into your mother at Harrington’s. She told me she’d just had brunch with Carrie and but they had to cut the brunch short as Carrie had to meet up with James. Now things can finally return to how they were supposed to be!”

“I haven’t talked to James. As far as I know, he’s still in Tokyo.” I lied, remembering that stupid television. “And I haven’t talked to my sister in over 5 years, so I wouldn’t know what she’s doing. Divorce is not something I would want to talk about to my mother in law, especially discussing something as private as that with anyone else than my husband! Don’t call me again, Mary!”

“How dare y-“ I disconnect the call, delete my text to James and start typing anew. Anger coursing through my body. Effing bitch.

“According to your mother, we’re divorcing now? Well then, would have been nice with a little heads up instead of the circus show on the news. But have Dwyer send the papers to Maggie and I’ll sign them soon. However, I would appreciate if you could keep it in your pants when you’re near Carrie until I’ve signed the papers. I still have an image to uphold after this and I don’t need the reputation of being the jilted wife screwed over by her husband and sister.” And hit send…and immediately regret it.

Dammit!

James doesn’t respond well to “attitude”.

I type out a new text “I’m sorry for the tone in the previous text. I just had a not so pleasant conversation with your mother. While our relationship may change hence forth, I want to express my desire to maintain a cordial and respectful relationship with you moving forward. This is a paper marriage, however I’d like to think that we have become friendly towards each other in the end, maybe even friends. I am glad I could help you gain your inheritance and for you to become to mogul you were always destined to be. Should I move out of the house, so you and Carrie can stay here in private or will you go to the penthouse apartment? Regards, Josie O’ Malley” and send it.

I text my friend and lawyer Maggie that she should be prepared for a delivery from Dwyer and that divorce is most likely in the cards for me. Luckily, I know Maggie has my back and is one of the few people who truly is not scared of Dwyer and his ruthless reputation, so she’s not afraid of going head to head with him. She’s not afraid of him as she’s also a freaking Rottweiler when it comes to her job. Her reputation even rivals Dwyers and they’re both insanely expensive lawyers due to how freaking good they are at winning at court. Thank God I stopped that bully in third grade, who tried to take Maggie’s lunch money from her. She’s stuck with me ever since and won’t charge me anything other than martinis and brownies.

I stare out the window into my lovely garden that’s in full bloom today. How ironic. The day my world explode is the day my love garden I’ve been waiting for, goes into full bloom. An English garden I made myself. If Carrie is coming here to live with James, I’m blowing the freaking garden up so she won’t get to enjoy my beautiful work! I might even blow up the house…hmm…better not. Dwyer would probably make me pay for a whole new house even though my lovely hubby has more money than God. He’s petty like that.

I sigh…and get up to clear the table and out the leftover brunch away. I’m almost done when the doorbell rings. After a couple of minutes, one of the maids storms through the kitchen door. “Madam!”

I frown at her “what wrong, Lisa? Who is at the door?” She looks distressed.

“Movers, Madam.”

“Movers?”

“Movers. The elder Mrs. King has sent a moving company and now several movers are standing in the foyer with boxes. Boxes so you can move out right way, Madam?”

That bitch doesn’t waste anytime, does she…