“Nothing seems to affect her, Mom. It has been over five hours now since she ate, and she's still looking strong and healthy.” Grey lamented in panic.With her mouth wide open in shock, Mrs. Shun asked, “Are you sure you poisoned the food?”“Of course, yes. She's not an ordinary human, maybe.”“Could it be that she saw you when you were mixing the poison?” His mother asked again.“Not at all! Lila was searching for the licence.”Mute and shocked at the mysterious survival of Lila after eating the poisoned food, they both sat on the couch, thinking of a way out. “The maid! Mum, I think the maid knows something about this!” Grey exclaimed.“What about the maid? Why would you think she knows something about it?”“She was the only one downstairs when it happened. Think of it, mom. The food was in the dining room, but it ended up in the kitchen. I know what I'm saying. Laura is behind this.” Grey emphasised.“Laura!” Mrs. Shun shouted.“Yes, ma'am.” “To my room now.” Mrs. Shun instructed
Chapter 12The Evidence The sight of Grey standing before her only brought back terrible memories of her marriage. That night that he caused her first miscarriage was the most terrible night of her life she could ever forget. Remembering how Grey pushed her to the floor the moment she informed him that she had secured another job—at least one that could help them run the family before he continued searching for another job—was enough to make her despise him.“Oh, so now you're mocking me as a jobless man already, Lila.” He took the employment letter from her hands and tore it into pieces.“Grey, please, stop!” She screamed as she struggled to collect the letter from him.Grey deliberately pushed her onto the slippery tiles. Hitting her head badly, she lost consciousness immediately. Grey ignored her lying body on the floor and dashed out of the room. “Next time, you'll learn your lesson.”Lila was still lying half-dead on the floor thirty minutes after he left.“Unless I've gotten
“Here, you can have it now.” Without any greetings, Grey handed the papers over to Lila immediately she opened the door to him.Lila quickly opened the file to have a glance of the papers before she could utter anything.“Do you care for some breakfast?” Lila said with a light grin, wincing at him. Her mind was full of joy as she saw the unhiddened depression in Grey's face. She actually felt like laughing out loud for the torture she's giving him at the moment, but the respect she still hold for their union in the past won't allow her to do that. Grey centred a fierce look at her, he knew she was just trying to make a gesture of him. He nodded before he gave an answer, “No, thank you. So you think you can use food that easily and end my existence.”“Oh, my bad.” Lila responded reluctantly.“I was only trying to be nice and welcoming. I never knew your quaint mother has finally succeeded in conditioning your mind to this rotten belief that I'm after your life.”Grey's heart burnt as
“As if I care!” Lila hissed. Shrugging her shoulders, Charia said coldly, “I'll not force decisions on you. I can only advise you in the best way I can. It's your choice to still decide if you'd take the advice or not.” The expression on her face and her tone could send notes of anger to Lila. “Alright, what do you suggest I do now?” Lila stood and left her couch and sat closer to Charia before letting the question out again calmly. Charia was hesitant to reply. As if she's dumb, she stared at Lila without an eye blink. “Charia!” She trembled as Lila startled her out of her world of imagination. “I asked you a question,” “Oh! Sorry.” Charia wiped her face as one who just woke up from sleep. “Are you okay, at all?” Lila asked, panicked. It has been long she saw Charia lost in thoughts as this. “Y–yeah. I'm fine.” “I suggest you follow your mind. If left on your own, what would you have done?” Charia's soft tone echoed. After a moment of silence, “I'll leave the country.” Lila
Chapter 15FRUSTRATION “You and I have no business together, so I don't see any reason why I should take your call. In fact, I need to delete this contact once I'm done cooking.” Lila mumbled as she stood and looked at Grey's name on her screen. She hissed and dropped the phone back on the table to continue her kitchen chores.“Just call and hear him out, first.” A voice within her persuaded her, and she reluctantly carried the phone and dialed Grey's contact.“Hey, Lila,” Grey called out and took a deep breath on the other end of the phone the moment Lila received the call.“Finally, thank God you picked up my call.” He said calmly.“What? I can't believe this is Grey talking.” Lila took the phone off her ear, increasing the screen brightness to check if truly it was Grey that was on the other end of the phone.“Wow! I never knew divorce can humble a man like him,” she thought to herself and smiled.Before now, Lila's mind was always brimming with fear anytime she missed a call from
Chapter 16SO RUDE“This is past 2 o'clock, and I have to make it there before 4:00 pm." Lila mumbled and hissed continually as she looked at every passing second on her phone. Her unceasing hissed dragged the attention of everyone in the minibus. They wondered what could be making a young and pretty woman as such to be hissing like one old woman who was thinking of the difference of life in the past and the hardship of the current times.What puzzled them most was that she doesn't look pregnant. Of course she has to be at the Grace hospital before 4:00 pm, or else she won't be able to see her father because the hospital rule is that visitation ends by 4 o'clock.Lila centered an angry gaze at the driver, who was driving at a moderate speed. She wished she could just take the sterry from him and asked all passengers to drop down so that she could fire the car on gear 3 to her destination.Her uneasiness in the car was becoming unbearable for some passengers who got irritated by her h
Chapter 17 STAMMERING “Aren't I supposed to be seen here as well? Or am I in the wrong ward? Lila asked politely, still wearing the intoxicating smile on her ravishing face. “N–no. You're in the right place. Pardon me for asking,” Mrs. Shun, who never ceased to raise her voice and display her bossy nature to Lila, suddenly turned into a stammerrer. She turned her face slowly to look at Ma'am Elena, who was seated beside Lila's father, and she saw the confusion in her face, which was very evident. They couldn't say anything to each other and communicated with only eye contact. “Gosh! I just hope that this girl hasn't been here for long listening to our conversation. Oh! We’re finished,” Mrs. Shun thought inwardly, and coincidentally, that was the same thought running through Elena's mind, but there was no way they could say a word to each other about what they think and how they feel. “Thank you for coming, Mrs. Shun. I know you didn't come because of me, but he's still
Chapter 18Lila stepped out to take her leave. The time was fast approaching 8:00 p.m.; it was late already, and the minibuses were scanty on the road. The few that were still available were either filled with passengers or were not going towards her destination. Lila stood for a while trying to find a shuttle that could take her home.As she stood by the road, her mind raced back to her mother-in-law and stepmother’s conversation.“So after taking my mother's life, they're now after my life?” Lila folded her arms as she stood in disbelief of the women's plan. She suddenly became lost in thought until she was tranced out of her thoughts by a minibus that has been honking incessantly from afar, but she paid no attention.“Where to? Madam,” The bus conductor’s voice startled Lila from her imaginary world.“M-main flower, thank you!” She said with her shaky voice and occupied the last available seat in the bus.Something was awful about her, which most people noticed in the car.Everyo
CHAPTER 62SET IN OF KARMA “Call the IT department immediately. This has never happened, and it cannot happen now!” Grey instructed.Since the breaking of that news to him, his eyes darkened, and his brain got disoriented. Feigning concern, Cynthia's face assumed a perplexed look as she watched her husband drop his food and begin to pace back and forth in the room. “Honey, please talk to me. Maybe it's something I can help with,” she said with an intricate smile. “Grey! What is it? You can't keep us in suspense like this forever!” His mother asked impatiently. It has been long since she raised a voice at Grey like that, and she jerked him out of a pool of thoughts in silence. Nodding his head, he began, “The website, yeah, the website.”“What happened to the website? You still haven't said anything!” Margret insisted, her heart began to sink in fear, seeing how profusely Grey was sweating even under the fan.“I think the company website has been hacked,” he finally pulled himsel
CHAPTER 61THE ACCOUNT HAS BEEN HACKED. Cynthia couldn't believe what she just heard. How could Grey just blacklist her from all of Shun's establishments? What would now become of her? A poor housewife? Never! She can't sit and watch herself turn into a subject of ridicule by the people around her.“I have to do something and maintain my steez,” she said to herself.“Ho—honey, "I said, Shut up!” Grey cut her words mercilessly and pinned her in place with a dark and menacing gaze. Cynthia was inflamed, but she couldn't snuff out the anger she was feeling, because the anger in Grey's eyes looked like he'd dismember her if she dared to create a fuss. “Can we please meet up tonight? It's urgent.” She grabbed her phone as soon as they reached home and sent a text to Brian. Without hesitation, she sent him the address of the venue.“Why the urgent call? Aren't you supposed to be with your husband by now?” Brian demanded to see Cynthia. She couldn't voice a word but only threw an expre
CHAPTER 60BLACKLIST CYNTHIA Cynthia's feet got stuck on the spot for a few seconds. Everyone was beginning to wonder what could be wrong.She turned, hoping that it was Grey's voice and she'd see him waving at her to stop right there, but she realized it was only a whisper from her weird imaginations as she was only able to be met by his angry eyes glaring at her. His expression was deeply bathed in a dangerous frown that she can't predict the outcome if she fails to comply with the apology conditions.Right behind her, on her left-hand side, she sighted Brian, who winked at her and shook his head as their eyes met.She could read from his expression that he was not in support of her apologizing, but what would be her fate with Grey if she decided to go by what a total stranger wants? Besides, she has not accomplished her mission in the Shun’s family yet.“Miss Ricks, I'm sincerely sorry for what happened yesterday. Please find a place in your heart to forgive me,” Cynthia said a
CHAPTER 59APOLOGY WITH PRIDEHearing those words, old Mrs. Shun clenched her fist as soon as she ended the call. Breathing heavily like someone who had just escaped being killed, her countenance changed with her face growing darker with anger at every passing second, raising tension in the minds of all who were at the table, but no one dared to ask.“Mo–ther, is—” Grey tried to demand from her what could be the problem, but he instantly went mute the moment the resounding slap launched on Cynthia by his mother echoed in his ear, followed by the rattling sound of a falling chair.“Ahhh!” Cynthia let out a loud scream of pain, her palms married to her cheeks. Grey can't remember when he last saw his mother with such anger and frustration in her eyes.Old Mrs. Shun had tried all she could to restrain herself from slapping that bitch of a daughter-in-law, but she couldn't until she finally hit herEveryone's eyes widened and their brows raised in shock.“Better pray we fix this mess you
CHAPTER 58. THE REAL CULPRIT “Why not display the footage if she insists!” Some people in the background suggested in murmurs.Cynthia began to feel nervous; she tried everything possible to refute the idea of wasting their time to go through the CCTV, but it was futile. One after the other, the sharp ones who had been making videos with their phones slowly dropped them down, folding their arms as they anticipated the video.Cynthia felt dejected as she watched the security scroll through the footage. She knows that she'll be exposed once the video is made available.“Ahhhhhhh.” The crowd exclaimed with their mouths agape. Everyone's face changed as they watched how Cynthia slipped the watch into Lila's handbag when they walked past her.The crowd that was once throwing accusatory looks at Lila got stiffened, and they began throwing apologetic looks at her. Cynthia was so embarrassed that she couldn't stand the ramblings of the angry mob.She lowered her head and tried to secretl
Chapter 57SHE'S A THIEFLila sneered and continued her shopping as if she cared less about the woman.To show the woman that she's not afraid of her, Lila kept an eye on her direction of movement.“Over there; I think I've seen the type of jewelry I've been looking for all this while,” Lila said to her partner who was romantically helping her out in holding the shopping basket.“Yes, here is it,” she said and tapped him to halt his steps as soon as they approached the woman who was trying to shy away from her earlier.Cynthia looked at her in disdain with bloodshot eyes.Lila acted as if she never knew her from anywhere but made sure she raised her voice and acted more intimately to provoke more anger in Cynthia.Seeing how the man was assisting Lila like they're a newly wed couple only reminds her of everything that happened yesterday.“Never! You can never go free today, Lila! I must teach you a lesson you'll ever regret!” She thought to herself as her heart pumped faster than usua
CHAPTER 56THE SHOPPING MALLAs usual, they both drove home in different cars. From the moment Derrick claimed Lila to be his invited guest and decided to be overprotective of her, Grey didn't have a good expression. Every second of the smile Derrick shared with the woman was provocative, steering out every ounce of jealousy in him.Cynthia also was heartbroken. The one and only birthday she had ever taken out her time to organize turned out to be the worst party ever. She couldn't appear in the clothes a celebrant ought to have appeared in because of some malicious woman, who turned out to be the center of attraction instead of her.“I believe that you're not blind, Cynthia,” a husky voice retorted the moment she attempted moving up the stairs to her room.Cynthia retraced her steps. She actually saw the old woman seated on the couch, but because her day had been messed up, she decided to pass without any greetings.“Hmmmm,” Cynthia took a deep breath and growled, looking angrily a
CHAPTER 55 “Don't you have some little shame in you, Miss Ricks? Look how you're flaunting yourself on a married man in public." Cynthia rambled as soon as she got close to them and pushed Lila away from her husband's grip, which made her almost slip on the floor.Lila remained mute. She calmed herself down because she knew it would be pointless arguing with a demented woman.“Well, congratulations on your new achievement, Mr. & Mrs. Grey Shun. And to you, Mrs. Shun, I wish you a glamorous birthday. It's really nice meeting you, and I hope we meet again,” Lila said politely and sashayed back to her partner with her smiles, ignoring the bitter looks Cynthia was throwing at her.“I said it! I know Derrick can never be associated with any good person in this life!” She continued.“Enough! Cynthia, this is the last time I'll ever tolerate you talking ill of my brother again!” Grey yelled with a thunderous voice, which began to draw unwanted attention to their side. He had gotten enough
CHAPTER 54EXCHANGE OF PARTNERS Cynthia slowly dropped her hands, which were clenched to Grey's shoulders, with an absent-minded look on her face. “Are you okay? You look tired,” Grey observed with a bit of concern when he saw the mood swing in his wife immediately after his mother left.“What did she tell her?” He wondered.“Isn't this what you wanted? That I go dance with your good-for-nothing brother while you dance with your mistress?” You and your mother are so despicable, Grey!” She said hoarsely with teary red eyes and made an attempt to move.“Where do you think you're going?” Grey demanded while he held her wrist tightly, drawing her back with force.“Let go of my hands! You're hurting me!” Cynthia screamed, hitting his hand hard with a violent pull of her wrist out of his grip.“What are those two doing? Fighting in an event they planned?” Derrick, whose eyes had been glued to them since he noticed their silly dance steps, muttered loudly with a frown.“Well, that's what w