CHAPTER 4

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 you too, Gen. You`ve been a great friend to me, and I will never forget your kindness," I replied, taking my handbag. I had to leave the premises to think through my next plans, but first, I had to see Kyle. He was a big coward. He couldn't even inform me about the divorce before sending Attorney Smith to serve the papers, making me look like a clueless fool.

As I stood outside his door, I contemplated my decision to give him a piece of mind. I was pained and hurt, but I didn't want him to relish that, nor did I want him to feel like he and his family had won the battle because I held something that would make him crawl to me someday.

`I wonder if you`re still the brave man I fell for in college or if you were just pretending to be, Kyle, I said, ignoring the confused gazes of the executives who sat around the table. I had walked into a meeting that Christine had failed to inform me about, but that wasn't an issue. 

It made my job easier.

I smiled, walking towards Kyle. `I gave you five years of my life. I left my family for you, my prestigious inheritance for you, and my self-respect for you, and in just one day, you made the fastest decision to cut me off, Kyle! For another woman, because I couldn't give you an heir!'

`Tessa, this isn't the place for that discussion. I`m having a crucial meeting, so, please, get out!` he glared sternly.

I chuckled, ignoring him. `I`m not leaving until I say everything I need to say, Kyle. Your mother used to make me feel like trash, and your sister? She did everything possible to remind me of my status as a `barren woman', and did you do anything to stop them? No . You stood by and gave them full permission to make my life a living graveyard. `

Kyle yelled, surprising the confused audience, "That's enough, Evie! My family did nothing wrong to you, so don't talk dirty about them!`

`Indeed.` I smiled, holding his gaze. `I`m glad you gave them full permission to end our marriage because I was already getting bored. I thought we loved each other, but no, our marriage was a pathetic fairytale with your boring sex. I hope Ava enjoys your `struggles` down there!`

I must have hit the nail as the men giggled quietly while Kyle`s face was red all over! Good one, Tessa!

`Just get out of my company, barren woman!` he yelled, banging his fists on the table. `You were thrash when you came into my family, and thrash you will return to.`

I giggled like a drunk teenager. `Mark this day, Kyle King. You will need to remember your words when we meet someday. Thank you for granting me my freedom.`

Kyle cursed under his breath, but I was already out of his office, holding myself together until I stepped into my office and collapsed on the chair. 

Vera would go crazy if she knew I finally stood up to Kyle in front of his esteemed guest. Though she would have wanted it to be in front of Dahila and Kathrine, this worked too. I was a total whack job inside, but I had been able to stay stable and serve Kyle with a word he wouldn't forget in a hurry.

Somehow, I knew something good would work out for me, but first, I had to leave the office because, in less than an hour, everyone would have gotten the news.

I stared at my desk, and the boxes fiddled with my personal effects and awards. Gen had done a great job packing my stuff, but I didn't want to return to my parents with a reminder of my past life. My phone buzzed, giving me a fright. It was Vera. 

`Hi, babes. Are you home already?'she asked, her voice cracking a bit.  

`No, I had to take care of a thing or two before leaving the office. I will call you once I am home and fully packed.`

She sighed, `Alright, babes. Promise me, you won't lay on your bed and cry over him because he's not worth it, nor are you. You deserve someone who will treat you like gold, Tessa, and not like a thrash. Grab your things and fly here by tomorrow. I can't wait to see you.`

I smiled, taking my bag and walking out of the office. `I promise I won't cry over him once I get home. You know, I thought he would fight for us after I overheard that conversation, but I was wrong. He couldn't defend me during dinner last night and talk about the divorce. He didn't even have the balls to come with his attire, so we could talk about it! I feel stupid, Vee.`

"Babes, don't blame yourself," she drawled. `You guys fell in love, but his family was never your biggest fan, so that explains why things ended up like this. I know it hurts so much, especially thinking about how you gave up everything to be with him, but trust me, you`re going to bounce back and deal with them.`

I smiled a little, stopping in front of the house, which Kyle and I had shared for five years. It was more than a house but a villa, but I preferred to call it home because of the memories we had built together. I glanced at the huge plant garden Kyle had built for me because I had a thing for flowers. `I`m home, babes. I will call you before leaving for the airport tomorrow, okay?`

She replied, `Alright. I will be expecting your call, darling. Bye`

There`s time for everything. A time to plant and a time to harvest. I have planted, and someday I will harvest. I touched my stomach slightly. The life there will be one of my biggest harvests, and I will ensure my baby doesn't suffer or be downgraded like I was.

`Good afternoon, ma,` Romina greeted, letting me in. 

I noticed my luggage was already packed, and immediately, I threw a questioning look at Romina. 

She avoided my gaze, hiding her trembling fingers. `I`m so sorry, ma'am, but the boss called an hour ago and instructed us to arrange your luggage before you returned. I`m sorry, ma`am. I was just doing my job.`

I smiled, staring at the luggage, and rested my gaze on her. `It's alright, Romina. You can take them to the guest room. I will be leaving tomorrow morning, not now. When did Kyle say he would be returning home?`

Romina replied, still avoiding my gaze, `He should be here in the next thirty minutes. He instructed me to make a special lunch because he's bringing home a guest.`

I swallowed, not wanting the latter part of her reply to have an effect on me. I had almost forgotten that Ava would be coming here once he picked her up from the airport, and Dahila would definitely accompany them. I had to prepare for her icy words and also do another showdown to welcome the new lady of the house.

I walked into the guest room and fell on my bed, breaking my promise to Vera immediately. Kyle and Tessa. It had such a nice ring, but we were no longer together just because he believed I couldn't give him a child. A part of me wanted to call him immediately and reveal the news to him, but I suppressed the urge. He didn't deserve to know. He was so quick to destroy our marriage without an iota of emotion so would telling him about the pregnancy change anything?

The door opened, and a figure stepped in. `Hello. Tessa.`