CHAPTER 14

Genevieve Tessa Robert

I nodded, mapping out my plan. Dad wouldn't resist me when I used his grandchild as leverage. If he agrees, it will remain, mom. Yeah, her birthday gift will do the magic.

“Okay, I feel your idea would work; thank you,” I replied, gathering the dishes. 

He patted my shoulder and said, “Sincerely, I am glad you're home. I kind of missed your competitive and dark glares.”

“Really, James? I thought I was the senior sister who stole your shine. I am really surprised you missed me. Really surprised,” I emphasized.

He grinned, his brown eyes glowing. “Ola, you're still that sister that stole my shine, but I forgave you after your marriage. I finally got what I wanted, so having you wasn't worth it anymore.”

Little wonder he was nice to me when I arrived.

“Alright, James. Thank you for your kindness so far. If it makes you feel better, you know I also missed you too.”

He smiled, giving me a tight hug and walking away. My dear junior brother had finally grown up.

The night came slowly, like I wanted, and since sleep had decided to evade me, I sat outside, checking my social media accounts to see if Kyle had messed with them. I had changed the passwords for every account after the store incident. Vera had also followed me to my banks to remove Kyle as the second signatory.

I was advised to sue Kyle, but I didn't want that drama yet. Also, I felt it would be best to let my parents know about the plans since I would need their resources. 

It would also not be bad to have them around when Kyle returns, begging for forgiveness; that's after I am done with him. He won't be coming, and my attack would be a nice surprise.

I stumbled on an announcement from King's company. Christine had probably forgotten to remove me from their mailing list. According to the mail, they would be having a meeting on the Robert project, and they needed all hands on deck. There were also some sentences on the company's recent drop from the stock market and an emphasis on everyone attending the meeting. 

I scrolled through the mail to see if there was any information about what the proposal would be about, but I got nothing. Just a reminder of Kyle's short break. 

So, James was right. Kyle hadn't submitted his proposal for the project. I read through the mail carefully and noted a few things that would be helpful if I was going to help Dad with the selection process.

“Why aren't you sleeping? Mom asked, almost giving me a fright. She had the gift of walking into a room without drawing attention to herself. I used to suspect it was because of her days as a ballerina, but Dad blamed it on her being lightweight.

I smiled, switching off my laptop. If she saw the mail, she would be demanding a full explanation of what I was up to. Knowing how easily I broke down when it came to herstern queries, it wouldn't be hard for her to make me start spewing everything. 

“I couldn't sleep because I was thinking of your birthday and how much I have missed since I got married.”

She settled near me, smiling. “My birthday can't be the reason you're worried, dear. You know how I appreciate small gatherings, and your dad has ensured everyone on the birthday list has been invited and has been warned not to bring extra bodies. So, tell me the real reason. Is it all about Kyle? Do you miss him?”

I scrunch my nose, looking disgusted. “I can't miss that man, not after everything he did to me. He also made it clear that our marriage was a paste, a waste of time, and loveless. Tell me, mom, how can I miss such a man?”

I couldn't believe mom would think that I was unable to sleep because of Kyle! That was ridiculous. I wish I could tell her I slept well at night after going through my plans to destroy him, but I couldn't. Not yet.

“Alright, so why are you still up? Is it my grandchild?” She asked, taking a full glance at me. “Tessa, you haven't been eating well. Look at your bones!”

I did a check on my body, wondering how I had lost weight. Sometimes, I couldn't understand Mom. How can she say I was losing weight after she ensured Santiago followed the meal timetable religiously? 

“Mom,” I sighed, “I have been eating, and I'm sure I have added a kilo or two. Besides, your grandchild makes me crave strange meals, and Santiago has been doing his best to satisfy me.

She stared at me again. “I know about the strange cravings; Santiago informed me about them, but I still feel you're losing weight, and my grandchild isn't happy about it.”

I chuckled. “Come on, mom. Alright, I will tell you why I was up. I was checking through my mail and remembered I was jobless now. Have you thought about what James told you?”

“Yeah, your dad and I would talk to you about it after my party. We want to make sure that whatever decision we take doesn't stress you.”

I replied, “Okay, mom. I will be expecting the meeting. Also, I need a little favour.”

I wanted to check in at the hair salon in the morning, but I was currently broke. I couldn't tell mom about how Kyle got me dirty yet, but I could form some lies to get the cash. 

“What's it? Do you need money for something?” she asked, typing into her phone.

“Well,” I drawled, “I can't access my account because the account officer is working on a couple of things for me, so, please, I need a little loan until you and Dad decide to employ me.”

She smiled and said, “We're your parents, Tessa. You don't need to be afraid to ask us for things. I have sent one million dollars to you and to our grandson. Use it wisely.”

She bade me goodnight while I squealed with joy, staring at the alert. This will do for the hair salon and getting an outfit for mom's birthday party. I knew her dignified friends were going to be there, and I didn't want word going around that the disowned daughter of the Robert family attended her mom's party in a garbage gown. 

I checked through my favourite online shopping store to see if there was anything I could order without leaving the house, but all I saw were bridal gowns and some hot chic dresses. I was tempted to pick one of them, but knowing how modest my dad could be, I thought against it.

There was no need to give the old man a heart attack before he gave me a job.

A mail came in from the King's company. It was an apology for sending me a previous mail and a notification about removing me from the mailing list. I shrugged. I already got what I wanted, so their apology was a waste.

I decided to do something stupid. I crafted mail informing them that their apology was unnecessary and they should focus on necessary things like reviving their financial status before applying for the Robert project. I also advised them to review Kyle's account because he had some money that didn't belong to him.

I smiled, sending the message. If it was Christine who sent the mail, she would be wagging her tongue tomorrow, but if it was Kyle, he would be furious and might send a demeaning letter or warning. I knew my ex-husband.

After an hour of playing games, a message popped up. It was sent from Kyle's personal email. Great. I had a feeling he was the one handling the mail. Christine would never exchange her night rest for a night job, even if it paid millions. She loved her sleep so much.

The mail opened immediately. I clicked on it, and the words were all in capital letters:

I THOUGHT YOU HAD GROWN UP ALREADY, TESSA. YOU SHOULD LEARN TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE DEAD TO ME, AND YOUR ADVICE DOESN'T MATTER. AND ABOUT YOUR MONEY, YOU DIDN'T DESERVE IT, THAT'S WHY I TOOK IT BACK. DO NOT REPLY THIS EMAIL BECAUSE I HAVE REPORTED YOUR EMAIL, BARREN!" 

I sucked my breath, dialing his number immediately, but he was busy. That cheat had the audacity to tell me I didn't deserve the money I worked five years for and even call me barren! 

Dear Lord, did this man really deserve to be the father of my child?

I wanted to regret being pregnant, but I stopped myself. I wouldn't be here in Arizona with my family, who truly cared about me, if not for the pregnancy. I wouldn't have known Kyle's true intention of marrying me if not for the pregnancy. I wouldn't have known that my hunch about our marriage was a loveless fairytale if not for the pregnancy, so I was grateful.

Kyle King, your downfall was coming soon!