BEATRICE:Drake's eyes were contorted with pain before he hid it away. “I was wrong for pressuring you to give me a child. Now I understand that you no longer have any control of that, Beatrice.” His head hung. “Please accept my apologies.”Very wrong. Especially if he made me feel that it was my fault for not being able to conceive after being married for how many years? He kept on wondering how he was able to impregnate others with ease, while it took a long time for his wife to do that. “You can act as if you're sorry, but you're not going to fool me into believing your statement.”He stepped forward and attempted to touch me, but I slapped his hands away out of reflex.I must not let him touch me or else, whatever I built for five years might crumble into dust. I did not trust myself if our skin touched. Inhaling deeply, I asked, "Do you even regret divorcing me? The kind of regret you felt not because of being pregnant with Grayson at that time, but because you really did car
BEATRICE:It was already three o'clock in the afternoon. I was already late in fetching Grayson at his school, but I could not leave the baby alone without her mother. I've been trying to reach Jamie Finnerty, the baby's mother, through the phone but still there was no sign of her. She said she would be back in the afternoon, but now… she won't answer her phone which she never did, especially if she was not with her daughter. I hoped Jamie was safe.If she took longer than what she had promised to me, I hoped she was fine wherever she was.I stopped thinking when the baby reached my hair, as if silently telling me that there should be nothing to be worried about. Cassandra Finnerty. The baby did not look after her mother. Even if I did not see her Dad, I had an idea that the child took after the father. I smiled when the baby reached my hair. I had no problem if Jamie would take longer than what she had promised to since the baby was already well-feed. I had given her smashed po
BEATRICE:Drake did say that he won’t leave in the morning. He did what he had promised. My chest tightened as I continued to watch the two. Grayson…there was no hesitation on him as he played with Drake. It seemed that he already felt that the man he was with was his real Dad. Cassandra flapped her tiny hands wildly as if she was trying to reach out to Grayson and Drake. “Gray,” she said.“Yes, Cassandra. That's our Grayson. And he will be playing with you later when we get home, okay? Do you like that?” I coed. She squealed in happiness as if she understood what I asked. My gaze went back to Grayson and Drake as the latter pushed the swing back and forth. I sighed as I continued watching the father and son. They easily jived as if this was not the first time that they were playing like that. And my son’s happiness was plastered all over his face. Would he be able to smile even more if I told him the truth? Realization hit me hard.He was looking for a Daddy’s figure and no
BEATRICE:How could Grayson ask things like that with my ex-husband listening? I did not want Drake to get weird ideas. He might think that I wanted to have another child coming from him which was not the case. I loved children, don’t get me wrong. But right now, Grayson was already enough in my life. For now. If I ever have to have another child, it would be from someone who would never blackmail or divorce me. It would be from someone who loved me with all his heart. How would I be able to get impregnated when I didn't even have a man in my life? It was ludicrous. Plus the way Drake was watching me was unsettling. It looked as if he was curious about my answer too. I would never give him the satisfaction. "Mommy's not going to get pregnant, Grayson. If Mommy wants to have another baby, it will take a long time. Right now, there are a lot of things that need Mommy's attention." Like paying my mountains of bills and a lot more to come. Having a man in my life was not something I ne
BEATRICE:I hated Drake. I even vowed not to be friends again with him. Was I partly to be blamed if I could not stop myself from getting angry at my ex-husband after everything he did in the past?You cannot blame the child for asking. He did not know what happened between you and Drake. If you want him to understand, why don't you tell him the truth that the man whom you are with is his Dad?Grayson tugged my hand. "Mommy?"I locked gazes with Drake, and there was no fury in his eyes; instead, there was shame. He knew that he was to be blamed for everything that happened. He could not force me to tell Grayson the truth. "I'm not angry, Grayson. Mommy is just tired today.”His eyes softened, understanding evident in his eyes. My son had already matured and in a couple of years, someone would be protecting me from assholes. "You may take a rest when we reach the house, Mommy. I will clean the house for you, okay? Cassy and I will play so that you may rest. You see, Mommy? You're a
BEATRICE:Of course, it was meant to be a joke, stated in a serious tone, but the way I see it, Drake was buying my statement. His face darkened which I had a fun time watching. On a serious note, why was he angry when it was clear he gave all those assets to me? Was it because he did not expect I was capable of wasting his money on other men aside from him? “Don’t joke like that,” Drake stated.I snorted. “Am I? What if I am telling the truth? Would you get mad at me for spending your money on men you don't even know?”He heaved a long sigh. “It was a conjugal property, Beatrice. I also said that you are free to sell those properties if you want,” he declared through gritted teeth. “Though, I did not like what I heard. Those men…those assholes were only after your money.”I scoffed. “I’m glad you remembered them. Whatever happened, you don’t have any say in them anyway.”He opened his mouth but closed it again.“Beatrice…” He was buying my statement? “Those properties cost a few
BEATRICE:"Tell me that you're lying, Beatrice.""I am not lying, Christina. You can see it for yourself. My ex-husband is here and I need you to be here to guard the kids while we buy groceries.""What. The. I thought we talked about this?”I chewed on my bottom lips. “We did, but—”“Don't tell me he is paying for the groceries.""He will," I mumbled. "Why? Why? I can pay for it! As long as you don't accept that jerk's money."She had the money to do so, but how could I tell her that I was already embarrassed as I continued accepting her help? If you're that shy, what difference did it have with your ex-husband? The difference was that this was my first time accepting his offer. The first and the last. Which I hoped I would be doing. "I already accepted it." And I could save a lot. Just this once. I did not have any choice but to accept his money. I heard her mutter endless curses that I felt made my ear bleed. I could not blame her. She was the one who had witnessed how I suffe
BEATRICE:"You've been sighing a lot, Beatrice. Did Christina's statement bother you?" Drake asked as he drove me off towards the grocery store. It was only a couple of fifteen minutes away from my apartment. Sometimes, I would usually take a taxi, and sometimes, Christina would drop me off so that I could save time. Of course, everything happened behind my brother's back.I threw my gaze at the mirror and sighed again. "Did you know what she said?"He shook his head. "I did not. She whispered it to you. May I know what she whispered? It sure drags your energy away.""It does not concern you, Drake," I lied.How could I fall for this jerk again? I was not that foolish. Loving someone for the second time even knowing that he would leave me in the end? No, thank you. I would rather be alone with my son than be with a man who would only stress me out. "Sorry if I pry, Beatrice. It only bothered me that you've been affected that much."Clenching my fist, I stated, "This will be the last
BEATRICE:Something about the board losing their trust on you? I wanted to ask, but no words would come out of my mouth.Why was it so difficult to ask him?“Hey. Are you okay?”Are you okay? Why can’t you tell me the truth? Why do you suffer in silence, Drake? Don’t you believe that I could help you, too? We are all in this together, right? Why don’t you let me join your suffering? I want to help you with it. So please…at least let me join you.“I am. How about you?”He chuckled. “I am fine. How about you?”“You’re acting weird, Beatrice. But to answer your question. Yes. I am fine. I am always fine whenever you are with me. I forgot all my problems because there is you, doll.”“Tell me how much the company meant to you.”“It’s my life,” he answered. “I worked hard for it. That was the result of working too much because of our absence, doll. I promised myself that I would make it successful so that when you returned, I could offer it to you.”"You did well, babe. I am so proud of you
BEATRICE:Seeing my reaction, Mom clicked her tongue together. "Based on your reaction, I assume that your ex-husband did not say anything to you about it.""He...He did not, Mom.""The board of directors agreed that if he did not do something to save the company, they will pull off the remaining of these stocks and what do you think will happen?""Worse case scenario, the company will continue to have losses and would eventually file for bankruptcy.""What about his people? Do you think he is fine with that? He will blame himself for what happened and he's the only one who knows what will happen."I clenched my fist. "Why are you telling me these things, Mom?" She shrugged off her shoulders. "I was surprised that you were able to have a child.""When Drake divorced me, I didn't know that I was already carrying a child during that time.""I won't question that child. He took a lot after you which is fine with me.""What do you want, Mom?""You? What can you do to save your ex-husband
BEATRICE:Mom and Dad. I wanted to rush to their side and hugged them until they found it difficult to breathe, hoping that a tight embrace would fulfill the countless years of not seeing each other. Back then, I was still debating on whether I would see them face to face, but now... I was glad that Drake had pushed me to meet them. My heart felt like it weighed a ton. Dad's eyes simmered with tears, while Mom... I did not know what she was thinking. She wore a poker face. Mom was always like that. Unreadable. My other siblings called her Ice Queen Mother, for showing rare affection towards us. I always scolded them for calling Mom that, but they would only say that it was Mom's fault for being smart like that.I was the one who fulfilled the emotions my siblings craved. I thought it was enough, but it was not. Despite Mom's personality, they still wanted to feel her affection. "Mommy. Who are they?""Your grandparents," I whispered.They finally reached our table."Beatrice,"
BEATRICE:Guilt washed over my chest, knowing the tragedy that fell on Zereka's life. Poor child. I should have known that she had suffered. If I did, I should have been patient with her."Oh, my goodness, Drake. Are you telling the truth?""I'm the only one who knows about it, and I hope you will not tell a single soul, doll. She will kill me for sure. The tough exterior was only a facade, because she did not want others to treat her weakly. Deep inside, she was still thirteen years old I saw crying for her Mom's name. Please be patient with her, doll. I know it's unfair to you...""It's fine." Now that I know that child's background, how could I be a bitch? "I called her a bitch. She might be hating me for that.""You also cannot be blamed.""I want to meet Zereka again and who knows? Maybe we will be friends in the end. How about children? Does she want children? Do you think she will like Grayson?""I saw her staking your social media account and stare at Grayson. So, maybe she li
BEATRICE:“I told him I was going,” I explained. "He invited me at first, saying he will have a better chance than him being alone.""Oh, great. Does Everette know about that?"I shook my head. "He did not know anything. If you tell him right now, that's the only time he will know about the plan.""There's only a slim chance that they will invest in his company and do you know the percentage? Only one percent, Beatrice. After what he did to you, for divorcing you, do you think they will forgive you easily? You two became the talk among your relatives. They keep on asking questions about you and your ex-husband. However, when your Mom snarled and scolded them, they became silent. However, the rumors of your separation did not stop, angering Clara even more. Everette and I were witnesses to that. When you disappear from the family, the rumors become even worse.""More than five years had passed, Maybe she had forgiven what happened?" I hoped she did. And if she did not? I no longer
BEATRICE:“Beatrice? Are you still there?”What a bastard.He knows that Christina had her miscarriage, yet he called her?“Yes, I am here. What is it again?”“Is there no chance that the two will reconcile?”Exhaling, I inquired, “Did you call because he asked you?”“I was about to call you even if he did not call. But he got the right timing. He called me first before I was able to call you.”“Christina, the next time he calls you, don’t answer it.”“Why?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity. "Did something happen between you two that I was not aware of?"I bit the inside of my cheeks, debating if I should tell her or not.She's still not fully recovered, Beatrice. what if she will be sent to the hospital again, because of stress?There was a point, there. "N-No. Nothing happened.""So why are you evading him as if he is bringing the plague?""I-It's because of Drake. I have decided that I will give him a chance."I heard her mutter a few curses in the background. With a faint v
BEATRICE:Relax. Don’t fret. Control yourself, Beatrice. You will not lose your control because of that woman.“Did you hear me? She pulled my hair!”“Why would Beatrice do that, Zereka? She’s not the type to—”She sniffed. “You never listened to me, Drakey. You always believed that I was making a scene. That I am lying to you. How could I do that? I love you so much that I will never ever lie to you,” she declared, cutting off his words before he could even finish it. Rude. Every time she said that she loved her brother, the hair on my arms would always stand. It always felt like it had a double meaning. “Do you know what she called me? A bitch, Drake. I’m only eighteen years old and someone already called me a bitch!”“Beatrice. Is that true?”“What do you want to hear, Drake?” I asked. “Tell me so that I will tell you right away. Don’t waste my time anymore.”“Doll… I’m not saying anything wrong. All I wanted is you to tell me your side. I don't want to take sides as much as pos
BEATRICE:If Drake was here, I would never know why Zereka was here. If Drake was here, she would keep on pretending to be the sweet little sister of his. She could fool anyone with that sweet face of hers. "I'm sorry, but you don't have a say on that, too. We have chosen ourselves to love each other and even if a million people would be against our path, our love will remain strong. That includes you, by the way."It was a cheesy statement. I never thought the time would come when I would say those words, but here it was.She threw back her head and laughed. "Love? Are you freaking kidding me? Don't tell me that kind of bullshit. Love does not exist. Only lust." I was taken aback at her curse. My forehead knotted seeing how she bawled her palms into a fist. "Are you perhaps..." Did she perhaps not experience how to be in love? That she did not know how it felt? That she believed it was all lies? Right. I remembered. This woman was Drake's half-sister. And Drake's family had n
BEATRICE:DADDY?I admit that this woman could pass as Drake's daughter. They looked so much alike. Their nose. Their eyes. The shape of their faces. Maybe she was the one whom he was talking to in the past? About having a child but then his partner never let him see them?She looked so young. She looked after Drake. The resemblance between them was undeniable. My eyes shifted back to Drake and the newcomer. "Zereka. Will you stop playing pranks? Beatrice might believe that you are my child. You always fool a lot of people already. Quit doing that right now. This is a company and not your playing ground. What are you? A child?” Drake scolded. The child did not say anything at all. Instead, she laughed out loud while holding her tummy. "Drakey! You should have seen the look on her eyes. She looked as if she had seen a ghost. Oh, my goodness. Your woman is so gullible. I don’t like her anymore."I faltered. A child who did not know how to filter her words was the best of all. "St