Chapter 2

Nathan

After another day of clashing with my siblings over the billion dollar estate my parents left behind, I'm once again wishing there was a will. What hurts the most is they didn't know that was the fate they would meet that day.

Now that it's evening, here I am, on my way to see Miranda. She's the only one who makes me forget about all this misery around me.

I hope Layla signs the divorce papers soon. That way, I don't have to see her face when I get home. Even having breakfast with her is unbearable.

The sight of her only reminds me of the huge losses I suffered. Before my parents, it was our baby. I was so excited to be a father that I already had so much planned.

She lost the baby early in the second trimester due to a health condition but that didn't make it any easier.

Seeing her just reminds me of how unhappy I am with her now. In my life, she symbolizes loss and I don't want that. I already have enough to deal with.

Not only that, but Miranda, the girl I was so in love with during my college years, returned and now I just want to be with her. I don't even care whenever Layla sees us together. I've told her I'm not attracted to her anymore and I mean it.

When Layla initially had the miscarriage, Miranda was already back in my life and she was the one that I leaned on for support. It was then that I realized I still wanted to be with her.

And when I lost both my parents, she was once again there for me. Ever since then, I see no use of having Layla as my wife. My parents, who chose her for me, are no more. I should be free to live as I want and not be reminded of all that I've lost.

When the car pulls up to the hotel and I'm inside the suite, I find Miranda standing by the large window in a body-hugging dress. She has the perfect figure and I'm so attracted to her.

We make out for a while and then she pulls away, sitting in my lap.

"Did Layla finally say she'll sign the divorce papers? It's been a few weeks now." She trails her hand along my collarbone.

"Not yet, but I'll make sure she does. And guess what's going to happen after that?"

"What is it?"

"I'll make you my wife."

She screams with excitement as she swings her feet.

When I'm with Miranda, I'm happy and at peace but when I'm with Layla, it's depressing and I end up drinking more. I don't want that for myself.

If she still refuses to sign the papers, I'll have to do something more to make her leave.

~

The morning traffic's always testing my level of patience. I'm on my way back home as I need to grab some documents.

Just the thought of going there and seeing Layla is already so depressing.

Once I make it through the traffic and arrive home, I head straight to my bedroom and find the divorce papers on the bed.

Wondering why they're here, I check through them and my heart actually starts racing as I furrow my eyebrows. She's signed them?

Struggling to process what I'm feeling, I sit down on the bed with a heavy sigh.

I bring the papers up to my face again and her signature's right there.

I finally got what I wanted, to be free, so what's this uncomfortable feeling in my chest?

After a few minutes of silence, I nod to myself with a chuckle. I guess I'm just shocked that she's finally done it.

Though I’ve only come home to get some documents, I head over to her room so I can talk to her about leaving my house.

As soon as I step inside her bedroom, I narrow my eyes as I look at the table where she usually keeps her cosmetics. It's empty.

I even check the drawers and wardrobe. It's all empty and there's no sign of her suitcases.

Wondering what's going on, I rush back to my bedroom and reach for my phone to call her.

As her phone rings, I pace with a hand on my waist.

"Hello?" she says from the other end of the line.

"Where are you?"

"Did you see the signed divorce papers?" Unlike before, her tone is firm.

"Yes, but where are you? Your bedroom's empty."

"That doesn't matter. I gave you what you desperately wanted so this is it. If it's anything to do with the divorce, if I missed anything, give me a call. If not, don't call me."

"Layla-"

At the sound of a beep from her end, I look down at my phone screen in disbelief. She just hung up on me, something she's never done before ever since we met.

With a grunt, I throw my phone on the bed a little too hard. It almost slides all the way to the other side but stops right on the edge of the bed.

Now that I don't know where she is, my body temperature begins to rise. Even after I turn on the air conditioner and loosen my necktie and buttons, I still can't seem to calm down.

I ruffle my hair as I sit down on the bed, wondering what it is I'm supposed to do now. Layla signing the papers has left me confused.

When I remind myself that I came to look for certain documents, I go through my files and I'm a little rough with it. What's gotten into me?

Even after I find what I'm looking for, I still can't seem to calm down.

After she begged me for so long, she just woke up and decided to sign them? How's that possible?

I'm so curious about where she is that I end up calling her greedy mother. I barely talk to her but in this case, I have no choice. She's been constantly begging me not to divorce her daughter. I know it's only because of the luxuries she's had access to.

"Good morning, my son," she says from the other end of the line.

"Where's Layla?" My tone is urgent.

"She's not here. Isn't she with you?"

"No, she left after signing the divorce papers."

"What? She signed them?"

"Just tell me where she is." I shut my eyes, frustrated.

"I don't know, alright?" She raises her voice at me. "How could this happen? You two were supposed to work things out and-"

Clenching my jaw, I abruptly end the call and dial Pamela's number instead. She has to know where Layla is since they're best friends.

"Hello?" she says from the other end of the line.

"Is Layla with you?"

"What's wrong?"

"Just answer the question! Is she with you?"

"No, she's not. Please calm down and tell me what's-"

Once again, I abruptly end the call and this time, toss the phone on the bed.

I approach the large window and stretch my neck a few times to compose myself. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and exhale.

Why am I even doing all this? I should be happy and look forward to brighter days. In the end, nothing else matters. This is exactly what I wanted and I got it. Now I can finally make Miranda my wife.

However, no matter how hard I try, my curiosity gets the best of me even as I drive to the office. Where's Layla?