Avaline King
I wanted to make my last day in the United Kingdom a memorable one, so all night while everyone slept, I stayed up and browsed various places I could visit, but one place caught my interest. It was a book club that was holding a fashion-themed session. I used to be a lover of books years ago before I focused my creativity on getting fashion gigs for the family and myself.
However, my love for books didn’t die. No. I kept them close to my heart, and upon entering the King's family, I knew I had made the right decision because I discovered Kyle was a lover of books too. Although I never revived my interest, some days when I was bored, I strolled into his library and picked up captivating titles and scanned through them.
I registered for the book club and read through their events. They had a lot of activities, and everything was packed with glamour, spiciness, and uniqueness. I couldn’t help but wonder if they would be open to new members. Okay, visiting members.
An hour later, I received a letter from Attorney Smith. I read through the content and threw it in the trash bin. It’s been three months since the divorce saga started, and Attorney Smith has tried everything from scheduled meetings to written emails to convince me to stay, but I wasn’t ready to let Kyle go.
No one really understood how much I loved Kyle, not even my parents. They believe I was pulling an act by staying in a marriage that provided enough financial and social security.
They were wrong, though. I had loved Kyle right from college, and even after I declined his marriage offer,. I still loved him, and I couldn’t watch Tessa take him away from me just like that. Not after the perfect picture I had built for us. I wished I had done enough drama to infuse my message into her stubborn head, but it was too late. Probably, once I returned to Nashville, I could think of something else—mind-blowing to deal with her finally.
I strolled into the kitchen and prepared spaghetti, rice, and chicken sauce. It was a special treat for myself, but I changed my mind and it remained a good portion for Xavier, who was still recovering from a little accident that happened on his way. Only heaven knew where he went.
By noon, I had ordered a taxi since Kyle had taken his car from me. I arrived at the book club's location and stood outside, watching people go in and out of the city library. Why didn’t I suspect that book clubs like this ended in places where no one really visited? My opinion changed immediately when I stepped in. The library wasn't a library per se, but one of those internet spaces or hubs where you pay to use their WiFi and charge your phone while you work. It was epic. I paid the compulsory one-hundred dollar membership card when a voice stopped me. Tessa.
‘You should stop following me around, Ava. The cops here aren’t afraid of King's family like in Nashville, and once I tell them there’s a stalker who’s following my children, they won’t hesitate to arrest you.‘ Tessa said, smiling.
I glared at her and said, ‘I didn’t follow you here but came for the book club event. You do know that I don’t wake up all day thinking about you, right? You're still nothing to me, piece of crap!’
She smiled, clearly not affected by her response. ‘Right. I heard you will be leaving the United Kingdom in the evening. Did you get tired of monitoring Kyle’s every move, or did you finally realise he doesn’t want you anymore?’
‘That’s none of your business, Tessa! I would advise you to stay away from me throughout this book session.’
She nodded but said nothing. I smiled. I still knew how to keep Tessain in her rightful place. I had a feeling that she might try to make trouble during the session, so I sat far away from her and paid little attention to the discussion section.
We were divided into groups to play the roles in the drama book they had read. It was at this point that I found out the reason for the fashion-themed book session.
Anyway, I focused on getting my role prepared by rehearsing the lines. Luckily, the play was something I had read in high school. I noticed Tessa’s group seemed to be the best, as everyone watched them rehearse and review their roles. I felt a ping of jealousy, and by the time we resumed the play, I was angry and pissed.
Tessa acted perfectly, but I noticed everything she said almost described me and my fallen marriage to Kyle. She confirmed it when she acted on my pathetic transparent gown incident and the pathetic way I pleaded for forgiveness from Kyle, which was acted on by one of the church guys.
I stood up, drawing attention, and said, ‘That’s enough, Tessa! I thought you would have the sense to keep my marriage to Kyle as a private business, but clearly, you are a jealous fling who’s still hoping Kyle will take her back. Anyway, flash news: Kyle would never leave me for you and those things you call children. Grow up!’
I noticed everywhere was silent as I took my seat. I had started a drama, and I wasn’t sure I would like the end.
She smiled, looking dignified. ‘You’re unhinged, Ava. I thought after our little encounter and Kyle’s advice you would change, but I was wrong. You are clearly disturbed anyhow, so I won’t trade words with you, dear. But know this: I don’t need Kyle in my life, unlike you, whose only source of income is nude modelling. Once you get to Nashville, put your life together and stop acting like the world revolves around you.’
I shook my head, hating the murmurs from everyone: ‘I will show how unhinged I can, Tessa. I'm going to show you.’
Geneveive Tessa Robert‘You could have seen the way she behaved yesterday, Vee. She could have harmed me if not for the members' intervention. Is it my fault that the play the club chose has similarities with her marriage, huh? I am just grateful that yesterday was her last day here. I am not looking forward to seeing her again.’Vera threw a piece of popcorn in her mouth, crunching noisily. ‘Sorry about the noise,’ she started. ‘Avaline is a jealous woman, and honestly, I don’t know what Kyle saw in her. You said she’s leaving today, right?’I nodded, ‘Yeah, while Kyle will be leaving on Saturday. I can’t wait for them to leave. It’s been months of drama, and I really need peace.’‘We all need it. So, what’s up with the kids? Are you going to tell them about their daddy?’‘No, that is too early. Besides, I am not ready to let him into their lives right now. He’s too late for the opportunity.'Vera sighed. ‘I know you’re going to hate me for saying this, but I have to. I think you sho
Geneveive Tessa RobertI paced the room, ignoring the concerned looks on Vera’s face. My kids were still missing. The cops hadn’t been able to find Avaline, but only Dahila, who claimed she knew nothing. They were supposed to leave for the airport around the same time the kids closed, but Avaline didn’t show up. Kyle had been helpful, though. He had reached out to everyone who knew Avaline, and the only clue was that she had called her mom and cried all through the conversation. She had also apologized for something she had to do. Kyle suspected the ‘something’ was the kids.I knew I should have been extra careful after that day at the book club. She had openly threatened me, and I had taken it less seriously. My kids. I would literally do anything just to see them again. Anything. My parents had arrested Mrs. Nancy and the principal for their carelessness. They were also planning on suing the school for their negligence. I told them not to do that yet until we got a new update from
Genevieve Tessa Roberts I was fidgeting. I heaved a deep sigh and pulled the hem of my dress to cover my knees. Taking a glance at the wristwatch strapped to my wrist, I noted with great angst that it's been over twenty minutes since the Doctor walked out of the room on an excuse to get back to me soon. Sighing again, I rubbed my palms together before picking up my phone to check if I had any missed calls or anything of the sort but nothing stood out to me. I started to put my phone away when the door opened and I stopped and turned toward the woman that had walked in. Sitting up in my seat, my eyes followed Doctor Brown’s movement till she finally settled back in her seat which was right in front of me, separated by a huge desk that had a bunch of stuff I wasn't interested in on it. “Sorry for the long wait, Mrs. King. Here is the test result.” She smiled softly before handing me the results. I hesitated for a second, my heart leaping with what I didn't know as I eyed the unse
Genevieve Tessa Roberts My body stopped moving but my fingers didn't. I stood there, eyes wide with disbelief and apparent shock as I listened to my husband, Kyle go on and on about a lot of things I was too shocked to decipher. He was talking to Xavier, his childhood best friend who had always been in our lives. I had no idea what to say to that or what to think. My heart must have died on the spot because I suddenly found it hard to breathe. Grasping the fabric of my coat, I willed myself to take in deep sharp breaths but it was extremely hard. All I felt was pain. Excruciating pain that rendered me numb. “But, do you really think that you need to do that? Maybe you should take more tests or consider another option. IVF? Surrogacy?” Xavier was talking, asking the mother fucker I called my husband. “IVF, we have already done and concluded. Nothing's worked out. My mother would have my head at the thought of surrogacy. You know how uptight she is and how she wouldn't bend to the sc
Genevieve Tessa Roberts I laid in bed quietly with tears in my eyes, waiting. Five years that I'd been married to Kyle and I'd never received that level of disrespect. The disrespect was too much. I couldn't take it and the more I thought about it, the more the tears wouldn't stop flowing. I hated to think for even a second that it was because of me that this was happening. I knew exactly the time Dahlia and Katherine finished dinner and left. I also listened as he went straight to his study instead of coming to the room. My heart clenched. The Kyle I had married would have come into the room to check on me. Scratch that, he would have cautioned his mother the moment she opened her mouth and came around to check up on me to see if I was okay. The more I thought about it all, the more it hurt and it got increasingly harder for me to stop the tears. Kyle finally walked into the room at around two in the morning. The room was dark but I watched him move about, shuffling things and arra
GENEVIEVE Tessa ROBERTS I smiled weakly, settling into the chair and texting Vera the latest update. I shuddered a bit thinking about my new status, but I managed to keep myself stable. I couldn't afford to create a scene in the office, and there was also a life growing in me. I gently rubbed my stomach as I took a final glance at my wedding photo and threw it into the bin. `Are you okay, boss?` Gen asked, rushing towards me. I didn't realise I had been crying until Gen dabbed my face, and my eyes followed her gaze to my drenched blouse. I sniffed, standing up, `Yeah... I just received sad news, Gen. I will be returning to my hometown; my family needs me. It was really nice working with you, dear friend.` She hugged me tightly, releasing me when I shuddered. `I am going to miss you, Boss. I do hope all is well at home. I nodded, not wanting to release the news of my divorce. I decided to leave it for Christine, Kyle, or Dahila. I won't be the announcer of my defeat. `I will miss
GENEVIEVE Tessa Roberts I opened my mouth and closed it again. It can't be her. The figure is a young lady with flattened blond hair, a shapely figure, and glossy skin. She had full, perky cheeks and alert eyes. `You don`t remember me? It's Navalie Rhodes. The girl you stole Kyle from in college?` I gasped at the recognition. Ava Rhodes. They had been friends in college until Kyle started showing interest in her, and Ava got jealous. Their friendship fell apart, and they became sworn enemies. At last, Ava had gotten what she wanted—Kyle. The sweet twist of fate! `I remember you, Ava. It's good to see you after so many years. I heard you started a fashion label in France. Are you here to expand the business?` She laughed, taking a full glance at me. `That's none of your business, Mrs. King. Oh, sorry, you are just plain Miss Roberts. You know, it's funny how you fought hard to keep Kyle, and he divorced you in less than a day with nothing to compensate you. That's so pathetic, dear
Kyle KingI watched Tessa and the chauffeur arrange her luggage in the Porsche while my mother taunted her. I should stop my mom, but Tessa was taking care of her by giving her the silent treatment, and it was working well. I smiled a bit and dropped to the bed. I was going to miss Tessa, but not for long. I finally had the woman I had always wanted in my life—Ava—and from our last-night conversations, I know it won't be long before a baby comes into the family.I groaned, trying to suppress the memories of Tessa, but they won. Tessa was that college girl who was popular because of her grades and her family. She had few friends, and one was Ava, whom he had eyes on. He tried to get Ava, but she wasn't ready for a deep relationship, even though she liked him. So, he decided to go for Tessa, who had been crushing on him. She didn't know his family needed an heir, and marriage was the only way he could take the position. He hid from her and made sure he pretended he was in love with her