Chapter 9

Amanda had the impression, even just a little, that she could somehow be civil to Keith in the future. It’s just a thought. A spur of the moment. It’s the good side of her that still wanted to make things right even if he had wronged her deeply. But seeing his existence right now, invalidates everything good she wanted to do.

If looks could kill, he’s probably dead on that spot right now.

Anger rose inside of her at the sight of Keith Harris. How dare he show his arrogant face to her again?

Wasn’t he the one who wanted her gone? Now, what’s his deal showing in front of her as if he had still every right to do so?

Keith tried to reach her, moving a step forward. On instinct, Amanda retreated a few steps back. She shook her head at him, her eyes were filled with tears once more as her hate for the man exceeded her grief.

Amanda can’t believe herself that she could loathe someone this hard. It was all his fault that she experienced these misfortunes one after another!

“Leave, when I can still hold my anger, Keith,” she said, her eyes were murderous with the intent to harm Keith if he moved any closer.

“A—manda,” Keith sighed as he tried to find the words. He looked utterly defeated. “I am sorry for what happened to your parents—”

“I don’t need your pity,” her words were sharp. She needs to stand her ground before him. And she will not retaliate anymore. “In fact your presence was never welcome here…”

“So if I were you, you will leave this place and you will never show your face to me again. Ever!”

Amanda turned around and walked towards Alma’s car. Her best friend was probably waiting for her inside the car. Maybe Alma hadn’t noticed Keith since she’s still pretty far from the parking lot. If her best friend does, Keith will not leave this place unscathed.

But a strong hand held her hand that made her stop on her tracks. Amanda looked back to see Keith who was the impudent who dared touch her!

Next thing she knew, her palm landed on his face hard. Keith’s head turned to the other side due to the sudden impact. He was stunned for a second before he turned to her.

“You have no right to touch me with your filthy hands!” Amanda hissed at him. “We are already divorced…”

“You have no business to me as I am to you. Be gone, Keith!”

However, Keith was a pushover. He took her hand again and again even if she shoved it off.

“What else do you want?” She was getting impatient. The audacity of this man to appear before her after all he’d done.

How shameless! If Keith was still expecting that same old Amanda that will freely submit herself to whatever he wishes, then dream on! That part of her was already dead, buried alongside the bodies of her parents.

She’s not that Amanda anymore. The misfortunes had taken a toll on her, made her realize she can’t be the same person anymore. If she wants to stay sane and alive in this cruel world, change is constant.

And among the plans she wanted to accomplish, seeing her ex-husband begged for mercy was one of her agenda.

They were already over when he chose that woman over her. She was no longer Mrs. Keith Harris. His presence doesn't matter to her anymore. She viewed Keith as a nuisance, nothing but a mere sore in her eyes.

Keith was almost pleading. “Please, Amanda…”

“Can we atleast talk?”

“Talk? What else do we have to talk about?” Amanda looked at him with that ridiculous look. “

Please, just leave already. I’m tired of everything that happened. I need to take some rest.”

“Let’s talk about us, Amanda,” Keith compelled her, his grip never even loosened a bit. “We need to…”

“I know this is not the right time but, you and I, we have a lot of things to talk about.”

Keits was always domineering, always setting his personal interest over others. She never won over him even on the slightest of things before. His words and decisions were absolute inside and outside of their home. But that was before when she was still the naive wife who abided truly to the wishes of her husband.

Amanda couldn’t help but to wonder what was happening to him. Keith will never resort to acting helpless in front of her. He was too proud for that.

It bothered her that Keith exerted effort just to seek her for this reason. Then a horrible idea almost petrified her on the spot, her eyes widened on the realization.

Did he, by any chance, learn about her pregnancy? On instinct, she held her still small lump with her free hand. All the hatred she felt at the moment was gone and was replaced by fear not for her life but for her baby.

With his power and wealth, Keith could impose anything in just a snap of his fingers. And Amanda, even if she will have to go against the world, would master all her strength to protect the child inside of her. She would never let anyone, even her ex-husband, to hurt the child. She’ll protect her child even if it costs her life!

Even Keith had the change of heart knowing about her pregnancy, Amanda thought it was too late. She’ll never let the man use the child on his schemes or to take advantage of him or her. Her ex-husband was incapable of caring for someone unless they have some worth. In her experience, Keith had treated her that way. At least, maybe he faked those three years of marriage being happy with her out of consideration for their arranged marriage.

Amanda won’t let Keith monopolize her life again.

She looked at Keith’s eyes for the first time. His blue eyes were never expressive towards her. She always felt it was a little bit cold. Now, his eyes showed fear. Keith was being desperate.

Amanda can’t believe that she had fallen for the likes of him. Indeed love was blind. Or rather she perceived her fondness for the man as love rather than a mere infatuation. Now, the same man had ruined her and her idea of love.

Amanda was sure she would never love again in fear of the same outcome. She would never let herself fall in love so recklessly.

“Keith, you are wasting both of our time,” she said as she freed herself from his grasp. “Like I said, there’s nothing that we need to talk about.”

“You already put an end to our marriage. That means I don’t care about you anymore. You are nothing to me now.” And she left him without looking back and get inside Alma’s car.

~*~

Just what his grandfather has said, the said clause was written in one of the conditions in the contract.

Keith couldn’t believe what was written in the contract. He was dumbfounded when he read it and he didn’t know what to do especially with the clause that his grandfather had mentioned to him.

He really needed an heir. He felt that he was tricked with the given condition. He could only have an heir to Amanda, his first wife. How in the world did his grandfather think of that?

How did he not know about that? He felt so stupid. He suddenly remembered how he humiliated Amanda when she came into his office when she witnessed his unfaithfulness.

That was the time that he said words that he could have not said if he only knew that condition existed on the contract for him to take the highest position in the company.

Keith heaved a sigh as he thought about all of the things that had happened for the past few days. He never thought that after the divorce, he would be in such a miserable situation.

He checked the contract and it was definitely valid because it was signed by his grandfather. If he wouldn’t be able to give him an heir when he reached thirty, and that would be five years from now, the position as a CEO would be returned to his grandfather.

If an unfortunate event happened and his grandfather died, it was the only time that the clause would not be applied. He could take over without the heir from his first wife.

His mind was in turmoil. What was that for his grandfather? He didn’t know what was running in his head when he did the contract.

That was just ridiculous! Even though he wanted the CEO position so much, there was no way that he would kill his own grandfather for that.

That moment, Keith knew that there was no way for him but to swallow his pride and his ego. He needed to pursue Amanda back so he could get the position.