[ Adeline ]“What?”She was baffled.“Yes, Mom’s condition is delicate and she needs proper medical care and healthy environment to live her rest of life peacefully. Both you and I know that it’s not possible at our father’s house. He treats her like his maid.” I said, bitterness filled my heart.“That son of a bitch. He didn’t tell me anything about Mom’s heart attack, even Mom answered my calls like nothing had happened. She never loved me more than you to share her pains and joys with me.” She said with hurt in her voice.“She didn’t tell me either, it was our father who called me and blackmailed me. Xavier came up with the idea of bringing her to our house so we can take good care of her and we’re doing our best until Emily showed up and…” I paused as agony filled me.“Well, it’s your husband’s fault that he’s keeping his first wife while he boasts of everlasting love with you.” She said in a taunting way but somewhere she was right and I had to agree that Xavier was taking longer
[ Adeline ]Xavier had been very uncomfortable around his family members in his mother’s house, who are family for namesake. I had no idea how he was coping up. We were heading to meet his father in his study room when we came face to face with Linda. She had a weird calmness on her face but what shocked me more was, the two women living under the same room, alive and unhurt.As long as I remember, Grandma hated Linda. I guess time changes everything. We just didn’t notice it coming.“Good evening, Mrs. Linwood.” Xavier showed his formal respect to her. I am always proud of my husband who never forgets his manners even the other person is his worst enemy.I remained silent since I am not as lenient as my husband.“Oh, you both are finally here. Arnold had been very impatient to see you.” She said.“We are going to meet him in his study if you excuse us.” Xavier replied to her.“Oh, please. You may. I was going to join the other family members.” She said gesturing us to go ahead.“Ther
[ Xavier ]I failed to process everything which happened right in front of my eyes. Emily was standing in my father’s house with crossed hands and hateful stares on her from three people whom I love and the others waited for the drama to unfold.“Dad, what is she doing here? My Mom nearly had another heart attack because this wench decided to show up at Adeline’s house with her act of innocence but I won’t bear her sight here.” Addison lost her temper. Her eyes were shooting daggers at Emily whose face was red with embarassment.I felt bad for her but her attempts to reinvolve in my complex family seemed to give her more pain than salvation.“Addison, this is not your house and you have no right to disrespect my guest. So, either sit down quietly or leave. We won’t stop you.” Dad reprimanded her and her face was worth seeing.“Sit down. Addie. Do not make a scene here. If Dad has called her here means he has something to share with all of us.” Arthur whispered to her.I walked up to E
[ Adeline ]“What the hell! You think I am going to live a peasant girl’s life and watch this family enjoying an urban life here. IMPOSSIBLE!” Melissa screamed.Karma serves best.“Alright then donate it to charity but remember you won’t receive a single penny from this family and whatever I gave you, it’s for your mother since you are capable of earning for yourself, Melissa.” Arnold said and his tone was non-negotiable.“Honey, you have done more than enough for this petty girl and her mother.” Linda said sweetly to him, I bet she was thinking about her share because last time Arnold ripped her off from her rights and access to enormous wealth.“Linda, you can keep the house we are currently living in, it will be yours until your death and a sum of two-hundred million will be deposited in your account. I hope it will sustain you for next twenty years. Lead a simple life now and devote yourself to the God’s service.” Arnold announced for her and her smirk disappeared.I didn’t feel b
[ Adeline ]Tensed silence dominated the cold AC air inside the car as we drove back to our house from Arnold’s house. I was sitting beside my husband whereas a very silent and uncomfortable Emily was on my other side. I insisted to drop her off at the house, she refused initially but I had to act on front of my husband.After all, it was the matter of only a night, tomorrow she’ll be gone from our lives forever and I thanked Arnold for being fair and considerate for my future.“Xavier, can you drop me off at my friend’s house, it’s in the next block?” Emily broke the silence.“No, you’re staying at the mansion for tonight. You can pack your stuff while I arrange an apartment for you by the end of next day. We’ll get divorce but I’d make sure that you don’t lack anything. It is the least I can do for you and please, don’t stop me. You’re still my responsibility.” He responded.Jealousy burned my heart, I wanted to push her out of the car but I had to refrain myself from making any stu
[ Adeline ]“I want to have a child, Xav.” I finally expressed my wish to my husband and gauzed his reaction, he dropped the chopsticks down and gave me a clueless look.“What?” He asked me in a baffled tone, the frown between his brows forced me to regret my decision of expressing my wish to him who didn’t seem to ready for such life changing conversations after a hectic dinner.“Just forget it and let’s finish our food. The park is also about to be closed.” I tried to dodge the topic but his blank face made me even guiltier and somewhat angry on my impulsiveness. It wasn’t the right time or place for such discussions.“No, how can I forget that my wife asked me to have a child.” He said placing his tray on the bench.I looked down at my lap in embarrassment. I should have waited a little longer.“Hey, look at me, Ade. I know you haven’t blurted it like that. We need to talk about it. So, just tell me why do you say that you want to have a child?” He insisted me to share my thoughts
[ Xavier ]I felt elated, actually on the top of the world when Adeline expressed her wish of having our child. I hadn’t to ask her, my wife herself gave me a reason to love her even more. “What are you thinking, my love?” Adeline’s sweet voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I tilted my head to her side and shook my head.“We narrow escaped the watchmen, just imagine what might happen if they caught us in the middle of our act.” I teased her.“I told you that it was the real fun.” She grinned.“I think tonight we should rest. Tomorrow is going to be a hectic day for all of us.” I said and our feet halted in the foyer of our house.“Everything happens for a reason, Xav and I am sure Arnold has seen something coming up. He is trying to protect all of us.” She said. I could see relief in her eyes as tomorrow, I and Emily will file for a divorce.My father has the best attorney at his service and it’d not be a big problem for us to finalize the divorc
[ Arthur ]How could my own father do this to me?He left nothing for me, instead he is forcing me to work like a servant under my stepbrother and my ex-wife. I hate them both with my guts but my father failed to see the efforts I had taken over the years to make him proud me so he sees me as successful and smart as Xavier but for him, only his elder son has the abilities to continue the family legacy and make him even prouder.“I am going to kill you, Xavier!” I screamed and chugged the empty bottle on the ground. It shattered into pieces and reflected the light.“Arthur, what are you doing? You could have hurt yourself. You stupid boy.” My mother who rushed inside the room, scolded me.I lifted my drowsy eyelids to glance at her who was shaking her head in disappointment. I tried to stand on my feet but fell back again.“Come on, Arthur. Why the hell did you drink this much? You have to use your brain more than before because we’re on the brink of losing everything that we had been