[ Adeline ]The contract sitting in front of my eyes pushed me into an internal battle. In last few days, I had seen a different aspect of life. Xavier was still a stranger to me to some extent. I know very less about him even though we have been in touch since we met. He revealed less about himself except what I should know to balance transparency between us.I was contemplating with the clauses I would want to include in the contract when my cell phone buzzed showing a private number. It brought frown on my forehead since very few people have my personal phone number. With suspicion, I picked the call and put it near my ear.“Hello, who’s speaking?” I asked in a cold tone.“It’s me, my dear ex-wife. I hope my wife gave you a good lesson last night. Consider it as our return gift.” I heard Arthur’s tenacious laughing after he said the words to me.I gritted my teeth. Addison attacked me, I could be seriously injured and this man was having fun. “You know I can easily send your pret
Adeline ]“Do you have any idea why your father is calling all of us for a family dinner?” I asked Xavier who was sitting quietly beside me while the driver drove the car towards Arnold’s house.“I have no clue just like you. My father has a habit to surprise us with his decisions. I just hope he doesn’t drop a bomb over our heads.” He sighed. He reeked of cigarette.I have observed him. He drinks or smokes whenever he’s stressed over something.“Xavier, you know you can tell me anything unless it’s too personal.” I tried to scratch the hard surface of my husband.He craned his neck in my side and shook his head, “It’s nothing, Adeline. I just don’t want to be around Linda and Arthur. The make me feel outcast. They tried their best to turn my father against me and to some extent, they succeeded. Dad sent me to boarding school and then to London for my higher studies I used to crave for my father’s love since my mother died.” He looked down on his lap.A powerful and intimidating man
[ Adeline ]"Let's get seated and offer our prayers, children. I hope you haven't forgotten your manners with age." Arnold said.Addison rolled her eyes but had no courage to deny him. I surpressed my laugh as she was never into religious or spiritual life.We took our respective seats on the rectangular dining table with Arnold on the head chair. Linda seated on her left side with her children while we chose to sit on the ring side opposite to them.The dishes were served with expensive wine from Arnold’s collection. We offered our prayers and then he asked us to eat first but the tension on the table could be cut through knife. Everyone was desperate to hear him. "Honey, please spill the beans why you have called our children for a dinner all of a sudden." Linda tried to poke the old man, she looked more impatient than any of us.I could see clouds of uncertainties in her eyes as she stared at her husband to speak up."Shal we have our meal first? I do not want the efforts of our
[ Adeline ]"This is nonsense! I won't accept this sham." Arthur threw the papers in the air."Yes, it's unacceptable, Mr. Linwood. How can you do this to us?" Addison exclaimed beside us.Linda’s expressions weren't different but she refrained herself from bursting out like her son and daughter-in-law. She seemed cry in anguish any moment."Please, calm down, my young bloods. I have edited my will for a reason." Arnold was extremely calm in this situation."Dad, why are you doing this? You know, I was satisfied with whatever I have received from you." Xavier said very calmly but his voice was thick with emotions."Honey, you could have thought about it before writing your will again. You're practically throwing our son out of your inheritance." Linda said in a low voice."Linda, you're my wife and an amazing life partner that I could ever ask for and that's why I gave you the villa and 10,000 acres of fertile land on our Texas property. A sum of 30 million will be paid to you annuall
[ Adeline ]It's hard to imagine living without one's parents. Currently, Xavier was dealing with the unexpected news of his father's worsening health. He has a few months or maximum year to live when you know, death is slowly approaching you with gradual steps, you can feel it around you or your loved ones, the feeling is terrible.You live every moment in fear of losing them. For Xavier, his father is the last family after his mother and his first wife's tragic death.I watched him from a distance. He was sitting near the pool with a bottle of whiskey, his head hung low.I contemplated whether I should talk to him or let him accept the truth in his solitary spirit. I barely know him and it was an intimate level of conversation.After fighting with my brain and heart for some time, I finally decided to talk to him. He has been a great support to me. I should do the same for him."Can I sit here?" I softly asked him."Hmm." He slowly hummed.I occupied the empty space beside him and g
[ Adeline ]“I love this place, I mean it.” I looked around the small diner, it was homely and the mouth watering aroma of pizza and pasta intensified my hunger. We gave our orders and waited for it to arrive with a bottle of local Italian wine.“I told you and it’s been a very long time since I last ate here. I actually wanted to bring you here.” He said with a small smile.“With Emily, I guess.” I said giving him a raised look.“Yes, it was the night of Valentine’s Day. We escaped the crazy party of our friend because they were drunk their butts. It was the night when she broke the news of her pregnancy. It was the happiest night of our lives.” He told me with a flash of sadness and I regretted my question.“I am sorry, Xavier. I shouldn’t have brought the subject. I know she is a sore subject for you since you madly loved her. I promise I’ll be more careful with my words.” I apologized feeling guilty. He somehow felt light after the hearing the devastating news of his father’s incu
[ Adeline ]“Very well. So, you want to divorce me when your motive will be served?” Xavier asked me, his tone sounded sharper and deeper than usual. I didn’t like the hint of sarcasm in his tone.“I can’t put it in that way but yes, we both deserve stability in our lives and I don’t think we’d ever be able to see each other more than just partners for the same motive or more like good friends.” I said what I feel about the basic concept of our marriage.He was standing near the huge window, his back was facing me so I couldn’t decipher his expressions.“You can’t predict the future, Adeline but if it’s your choice then I wouldn’t object. You’re free to end this marriage whenever you wish.” He said in a blank tone.“I think it’s better for both of us, Xavier. I don’t want to complicate anything between us.” I said.“You’ll get the revised contract tomorrow at eleven. You’ll just have to sign them.” Xavier said.“Okay.” I chipped slowly and stood up to leave but I didn’t feel good. He
[ Adeline ]“Mrs. Linwood, you’re wasting our time. I am not here to have coffee with the person I adore least. So, make it quick.” I said taking a sip from the expresso.“Well, you’re not my most favourite person either.” She chuckled, “I don’t from where to start, my husband surprised everyone last night, you agree with me, right?” She swirled her cup while we watch the birds in the garden. I was getting really late for my office but scratching this woman’s surface to seek my answers was also crucial.“It was but it isn’t related to our conversation?” I gave her a questioning look.“Oh, it is, my dear.” She said. She was still not dropping the act and I didn’t had the day to bear her hollow show of an elite lady.“Well, then let’s talk about Arnold’s will. I guess you want to talk about it only because I reap the fruit of your hard work and patience of years.” I didn’t hide the pun in my words.“You’re partially right here but it’s not entirely true. I always aim for big, Adeline. I