[06]

BEATRICE:

I wondered what my ex-husband would say after I told him the truth that this child he was facing was his own son. Would he ask for my forgiveness? Would he grovel in front of me? Would he regret divorcing me?

Would he identify Grayson as his son? You have to remember that the only thing Grayson had inherited from his dad was the color of his hair. Nothing else. The man whom he believed I cheated with was dark color. 

Don’t you wait for his forgiveness. Why would he do that? Drake was one proud man. Remember how he heartlessly told you that you cheated on your marriage? Who knows? Maybe he would say that the child's father was the man in the hotel. Drake was capable of doing such things. Saying I cheated on him over some pictures? Damn him to hell!

If he would stop, he would feel that the child was his and the best evidence for that was a DNA test. The question was, would I allow him to have a DNA test? I did not think so. My love for my ex-husband had dissipated, and the only thing that was left was my hatred for him. 

I folded my arms in front of my chest when he lost his tongue. It serves you right. 

"If you have nothing to say, we will go now."

“Is he my…”

“Why would he be yours? Do you remember the pictures you showed me five years ago?”

He clenched his teeth.

Why was I bringing up my past? That painful past that I also wanted to bury. 

“About what I said five years ago, I am sorry.”

I scoffed. “Sorry? Are you sure that you are sorry?” I spat.

“Mommy? Are you two fighting?”

“We are not,” Drake said as fast as he could. “Your mom and I are only talking, little guy. Please don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you or you Mom.”

The way he talked had changed. Back then, he was always angry. When he talked to me, the tone of his voice always raised a few octaves. For three years, I blamed myself why he was like that. It was because of our family tradition that he was forced to marry someone whom he did not even love. 

"Beatrice...can we talk?"

Grayson was squirming at my back. He was dying to know who the man I was talking with was. Will I tell him the truth? The child had been asking about his dad. If I did not tell him, did it not feel as if I was punishing him too if I did not tell Drake and him the truth?

"I'm busy. Grayson has his homework, and we need to study."

"Who is the child you are with?" he asked, his eyes glued on Grayson. 

Did you already feel that my son is yours, Drake? Did you already regret divorcing me? Good. Because I really wanted you to regret divorcing me. I begged you not to. Then you have to blackmail me in telling my family that I cheated on our marriage which did not happen at all. 

"He is my son."

“Where is his dad?”

“Why do you care? I don’t think it’s your problem, Drake.”

"Mommy? May I come out now?" 

What was there to hide? I should display Grayson in front of my ex-husband so that he would regret divorcing me. So that he would regret hurting me.

"Yes, Grayson. You may come out now."

He did and stood next to me while his eyes were glued to his dad. "Who is he, Mommy?"

This bastard? He was your dad, an asshole. "He was Mom's... friend before."

Drake's face darkened. "Friend? Since when we became friends, Beatrice?"

He had the audacity to be mad at me. What an asshole!

Fine. We never became friends as a married couple. It was an arranged marriage, following our tradition, both families taking care of the advantage. Drake never treated me as his friend. I was merely a tool. No. A decoration on his marriage life. He never treated me like his wife. But instead, an animal whom he would spill his seed just to have a child. He was obsessed with having a child, and when we both thought there would be no hope, he left me. No. He divorced me just like that.

He was a complete asshole and he did not know how much I suffered giving birth alone. Taking care of my son alone. When I was in the hospital, I was also alone. Without the generosity of the other people who were also taking care of their sick family members, I did not think I would be able to come out alive.

All those days, I was tempted, very much tempted to call this bastard and seek his help. Even for once, without even thinking if he would question the birth of my son or not. But in the end, I chose not to disturb him anymore. He already vomited me and what was my assurance that he would pity me?

I was glad I did not call him during those times or I would regret them for the rest of my life. 

"Oh. I am so sorry. That was another man," I taunted. “My memories are jumbled. It’s nice seeing you after a long time, Drake. I was surprised to see you. This is an unexpected reunion. Imagine, five years? How many children do you have now?”

“If you are that curious about my private life, we can talk about it over some coffee.”

“No,” I said, turning him down without giving it a thought. “We have a lot of things to do in the house.”

“Where do you live? Do you still live in that house?”

I snorted. “Are you crazy? Why would I live in a house that would only give painful memories? I had sold everything just to move on like you did. Including all the things that you had given me. Cars. Jewelries. House.”

His eyes widened, before he was able to get hold of his emotions. 

“I did say that you have the right to dispose of them.”

“Yes. It’s nice meeting you, Drake.” I wished we would never see each other again. Grabbing Grayson's hand, I was about to leave him, when he suddenly blocked my way. 

I raised one eyebrow at him. “What are you doing?”

"Beatrice. Can we talk?"

"We are talking and if you want to do it alone, I don't think I can do it. My son and I are already busy."

Grayson tugged my hand. "Mommy, is he some bad guy?"

Drake's face softened instantly as if he was reminded that he was also facing our son. It was only me who knew it was our son. 

"Sorry, little guy. I'm not some bad guy. I am Mommy's..." he trailed off and watched my reaction. 

What did he think? That his statement would shake me? 

"If you are not the bad guy, Mister, who are you? Why do you talk to my mom?"

Drake’s eyes wandered to me and back to Grayson. "I am your Mommy's husband."