chapter 2

Camilla’s POV

A few staff members saw me crying as I fled the premises of the company but I couldn't care less about their glances or gossip that spread about me being fired.

I was totally disorganized and my heart pounded heavily and I could barely hold my phone without shaking.

I thought of going back home, but I couldn't. I don't want to see anyone, especially my mother-in-law who complains about everything I do.

I booked a taxi and went back to my parent's house.

I needed to speak with someone, and there was only one person in my mind; my mother. Only she can understand and judge the matter without taking sides.

As I entered our compound, I heard people laughing loudly in our living room, which made me angry.

But as I entered, I met my parents and Nancy laughing, gisting, and enjoying drinks while I was feeling hurt and betrayed by my sister and husband.

Seeing Nancy sent a chill down my spine.

“Nancy?” I yelled, my voice shaking. “How dare you sleep with my husband?” I yelled, making their laughter stop.

Nancy smirked, resting her back on the chair. “You were just a placeholder for me, Camilla. Daniel was mine at first, and that is what he will always be. Besides, he needs a real woman, not a useless, half-dead, infertile woman like you.”

Her words felt like a knife, cutting through my heart.

“What do you mean half-dead, infertile woman, Nancy? There's nothing wrong with me.”

Nancy scoffed. “Everyone knows about your disease, and that makes you a half-dead woman.”

So Daniel announced to everyone that I have PCOS even though I was already treated for it.

“You should be grateful to me for coming back home, our family would be wretched if not for me.”

All her words hit me like a sledgehammer. This is my sister who I have always looked up to in everything, she has always supported me and taught me everything I know, and always told me to make better use of my time. How could my role model do this to me? How dare she mock me heartlessly.

“You are a shameless person, Nancy.” I spat angrily. “You slept with my husband, broke my marriage and now you even dared to mock me.”

Nancy didn't even flinch. “We’ve been having sex all along kid sis. We never for once leave each other, I even attend international seminars and dinners with him whenever he travels. I'm the woman he needs, not you.”

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at her.

This has been going on for a long, and I don't even know. Does it mean she even sent the video intentionally?

I turned to face my parents, as I had been expecting them to say something, but they were not surprised, which made me more furious.

“Dad, Mom, do you also know about this?” My voice cracked as tears dripped down my cheeks.

My father didn't even bat an eye, he only sipped out of his fruit juice and avoided my gaze.

My whole body went limp and tears kept flowing down my cheeks. I felt utterly betrayed, hurt beyond measure. My family has turned against me and they are not hiding it.

My mother stood up, came closer to me, and touched my shoulder as if her touch would heal my broken heart.

“Stop making a big deal out of nothing, Camilla,” she said in a tone that made my blood boil. “You were unable to give Daniel a child, which is why we call your sister back home and remember that our family is surviving due to the Caspain's help. Please, don't ruin everything with your feelings.”

“Mom!” I yelled as I staggered to the back. “Did you plan this all along? Why…why are you all supporting her? Am I not also your child?”

“You are still young, Camilla. You will find your own man who will love you.” my mother said, trying to console me, but I’m not having it.

Before I could speak, the door opened, and some men entered with different boxes, drinks, and gifts, which were all wrapped. Daniel and his mother also entered behind them.

I didn't even know when their car had entered the compound as I was too consumed in my pain.

My mouth was wide open as I watched how they greeted each other warmly with smiles on their faces. My parents were beaming with pride.

“We are here to do the right thing because Nancy is well-presentable as Daniel’s wife.” Mrs. Caspain said, facing my parents then she stared at Nancy and smiled at her.

My knees felt weak and I quickly grabbed a chair to support myself. I had thought Daniel’s mother, whom I've been taking care of for three years, would at least pretend to support me, but no, they all ganged up against me.

At that moment, Nancy jumped up and ran towards Daniel to hug him, her hands wrapped around his neck as if she had already won.

“You should be happy for us, Camilla.” she mocked. “I'm sure you will find a man who will tolerate you and accept you one day.”

“You are a monster!” I yelled angrily.

“Ohh, that reminds me. Have you gone to pack your things at Daniel’s house or do you want me to throw them on the streets?” she chuckled.

Without saying a word, I moved closer to Nancy and slapped her across her face. I raised my hand to give her another slap but Daniel pushed me away, making me hit the ground.

“Enough!” Daniel roared. “That is why I never wanted you. You are nothing but a disgrace and a lowlife.” His face was devoid of emotion as if he wanted to pounce on me.

“How dare you slap my daughter?” My father spat, his face twisted with rage. “Is this what I get for raising you, a bastard who I took as mine?”

The room spun as his words sank in and I felt empty inside.

“Bas...bastard? What do you mean, Dad? Am I not your daughter?” I asked, anxiously waiting for him to say it's a lie that I'm his daughter and not a bastard or an orphan.

I have always bragged about my parents' love for me to people, but everything about me seems to be a lie now. I don't have a parent? Who, then, are my parents? Why didn't they tell me all this time? Different thoughts filled my head.

“Yes, you are a bastard, a rejected child. My wife and I picked you up by the roadside when your parents abandoned you and is this what you will give us in return for caring for you? You just choose to be a rebellious child till the end.”

I felt my knees felt weak, but I managed to stand because I didn't want them to see me break down again, not after everything they had done.

I felt used, betrayal, hurt, and embarrassment, running through my body.

It was at that moment that I realized that I was never a part of that family. They only took care of me so they could make me do their dirty work while their daughter enjoyed the work I had done.

I recalled that my father and mother were not surprised and didn't bother calling Nancy three years ago when she ran away from home. They just told me that I would marry Daniel in place of Nancy since she ran away from home.

I thought they loved me, I didn't know they were only using me as a pawn in their game.

“You have not signed the divorce papers yet!” Daniel’s voice rang out again.

Did he bring the divorce papers here? At that moment, I realized Daniel never really wanted me from the beginning.

My lips quivered as I looked at the papers Daniel threw at me. I took a deep breath and shakily grabbed the papers, signed them, and threw them at him.

“I don't want to ever meet you again in my life, Daniel,” I said as I collected myself together, carried my bag, and walked out, but Dad stopped me as I was going.

“I dare you to walk out of that door, Camilla. You will sit down as a part of this family and celebrate with us as it should be. If you leave this house, then you never come back, I don't want to see your face again. ” he roared.

I felt sad at first but I stood my ground.

I turned back to look at everyone one last time before meeting my father's gaze.

“I was never a part of your family before, because I am not your daughter,” I said, my voice unwavering.

They were all shocked at my words, but I couldn't care less.

Without another word, I walked out the front door, into the new, uncertain future that awaited me.