GENEVIEVE Tessa ROBERTS
I smiled weakly, settling into the chair and texting Vera the latest update. I shuddered a bit thinking about my new status, but I managed to keep myself stable. I couldn't afford to create a scene in the office, and there was also a life growing in me. I gently rubbed my stomach as I took a final glance at my wedding photo and threw it into the bin.
`Are you okay, boss?` Gen asked, rushing towards me. I didn't realise I had been crying until Gen dabbed my face, and my eyes followed her gaze to my drenched blouse.
I sniffed, standing up, `Yeah... I just received sad news, Gen. I will be returning to my hometown; my family needs me. It was really nice working with you, dear friend.`
She hugged me tightly, releasing me when I shuddered. `I am going to miss you, Boss. I do hope all is well at home.
I nodded, not wanting to release the news of my divorce. I decided to leave it for Christine, Kyle, or Dahila. I won't be the announcer of my defeat.
`I will miss you too, Gen. You`ve been a great friend to me, and I will never forget your kindness," I replied, taking my handbag. I had to leave the premises to think through my next plans, but first, I had to see Kyle. He was a big coward. He couldn't even inform me about the divorce before sending Attorney Smith to serve the papers, making me look like a clueless fool.
As I stood outside his door, I contemplated my decision to give him a piece of mind. I was pained and hurt, but I didn't want him to relish that, nor did I want him to feel like he and his family had won the battle because I held something that would make him crawl to me someday.
`I wonder if you`re still the brave man I fell for in college or if you were just pretending to be, Kyle, I said, ignoring the confused gazes of the executives who sat around the table. I had walked into a meeting that Christine had failed to inform me about, but that wasn't an issue.
It made my job easier.
I smiled, walking towards Kyle. `I gave you five years of my life. I left my family for you, my prestigious inheritance for you, and my self-respect for you, and in just one day, you made the fastest decision to cut me off, Kyle! For another woman, because I couldn't give you an heir!'
`Tessa, this isn't the place for that discussion. I`m having a crucial meeting, so, please, get out!` he glared sternly.
I chuckled, ignoring him. `I`m not leaving until I say everything I need to say, Kyle. Your mother used to make me feel like trash, and your sister? She did everything possible to remind me of my status as a `barren woman', and did you do anything to stop them? No . You stood by and gave them full permission to make my life a living graveyard. `
Kyle yelled, surprising the confused audience, "That's enough, Evie! My family did nothing wrong to you, so don't talk dirty about them!`
`Indeed.` I smiled, holding his gaze. `I`m glad you gave them full permission to end our marriage because I was already getting bored. I thought we loved each other, but no, our marriage was a pathetic fairytale with your boring sex. I hope Ava enjoys your `struggles` down there!`
I must have hit the nail as the men giggled quietly while Kyle`s face was red all over! Good one, Tessa!
`Just get out of my company, barren woman!` he yelled, banging his fists on the table. `You were thrash when you came into my family, and thrash you will return to.`
I giggled like a drunk teenager. `Mark this day, Kyle King. You will need to remember your words when we meet someday. Thank you for granting me my freedom.`
Kyle cursed under his breath, but I was already out of his office, holding myself together until I stepped into my office and collapsed on the chair.
Vera would go crazy if she knew I finally stood up to Kyle in front of his esteemed guest. Though she would have wanted it to be in front of Dahila and Kathrine, this worked too. I was a total whack job inside, but I had been able to stay stable and serve Kyle with a word he wouldn't forget in a hurry.
Somehow, I knew something good would work out for me, but first, I had to leave the office because, in less than an hour, everyone would have gotten the news.
I stared at my desk, and the boxes fiddled with my personal effects and awards. Gen had done a great job packing my stuff, but I didn't want to return to my parents with a reminder of my past life. My phone buzzed, giving me a fright. It was Vera.
`Hi, babes. Are you home already?'she asked, her voice cracking a bit.
`No, I had to take care of a thing or two before leaving the office. I will call you once I am home and fully packed.`
She sighed, `Alright, babes. Promise me, you won't lay on your bed and cry over him because he's not worth it, nor are you. You deserve someone who will treat you like gold, Tessa, and not like a thrash. Grab your things and fly here by tomorrow. I can't wait to see you.`
I smiled, taking my bag and walking out of the office. `I promise I won't cry over him once I get home. You know, I thought he would fight for us after I overheard that conversation, but I was wrong. He couldn't defend me during dinner last night and talk about the divorce. He didn't even have the balls to come with his attire, so we could talk about it! I feel stupid, Vee.`
"Babes, don't blame yourself," she drawled. `You guys fell in love, but his family was never your biggest fan, so that explains why things ended up like this. I know it hurts so much, especially thinking about how you gave up everything to be with him, but trust me, you`re going to bounce back and deal with them.`
I smiled a little, stopping in front of the house, which Kyle and I had shared for five years. It was more than a house but a villa, but I preferred to call it home because of the memories we had built together. I glanced at the huge plant garden Kyle had built for me because I had a thing for flowers. `I`m home, babes. I will call you before leaving for the airport tomorrow, okay?`
She replied, `Alright. I will be expecting your call, darling. Bye`
There`s time for everything. A time to plant and a time to harvest. I have planted, and someday I will harvest. I touched my stomach slightly. The life there will be one of my biggest harvests, and I will ensure my baby doesn't suffer or be downgraded like I was.
`Good afternoon, ma,` Romina greeted, letting me in.
I noticed my luggage was already packed, and immediately, I threw a questioning look at Romina.
She avoided my gaze, hiding her trembling fingers. `I`m so sorry, ma'am, but the boss called an hour ago and instructed us to arrange your luggage before you returned. I`m sorry, ma`am. I was just doing my job.`
I smiled, staring at the luggage, and rested my gaze on her. `It's alright, Romina. You can take them to the guest room. I will be leaving tomorrow morning, not now. When did Kyle say he would be returning home?`
Romina replied, still avoiding my gaze, `He should be here in the next thirty minutes. He instructed me to make a special lunch because he's bringing home a guest.`
I swallowed, not wanting the latter part of her reply to have an effect on me. I had almost forgotten that Ava would be coming here once he picked her up from the airport, and Dahila would definitely accompany them. I had to prepare for her icy words and also do another showdown to welcome the new lady of the house.
I walked into the guest room and fell on my bed, breaking my promise to Vera immediately. Kyle and Tessa. It had such a nice ring, but we were no longer together just because he believed I couldn't give him a child. A part of me wanted to call him immediately and reveal the news to him, but I suppressed the urge. He didn't deserve to know. He was so quick to destroy our marriage without an iota of emotion so would telling him about the pregnancy change anything?
The door opened, and a figure stepped in. `Hello. Tessa.`
GENEVIEVE Tessa Roberts I opened my mouth and closed it again. It can't be her. The figure is a young lady with flattened blond hair, a shapely figure, and glossy skin. She had full, perky cheeks and alert eyes. `You don`t remember me? It's Navalie Rhodes. The girl you stole Kyle from in college?` I gasped at the recognition. Ava Rhodes. They had been friends in college until Kyle started showing interest in her, and Ava got jealous. Their friendship fell apart, and they became sworn enemies. At last, Ava had gotten what she wanted—Kyle. The sweet twist of fate! `I remember you, Ava. It's good to see you after so many years. I heard you started a fashion label in France. Are you here to expand the business?` She laughed, taking a full glance at me. `That's none of your business, Mrs. King. Oh, sorry, you are just plain Miss Roberts. You know, it's funny how you fought hard to keep Kyle, and he divorced you in less than a day with nothing to compensate you. That's so pathetic, dear
Kyle KingI watched Tessa and the chauffeur arrange her luggage in the Porsche while my mother taunted her. I should stop my mom, but Tessa was taking care of her by giving her the silent treatment, and it was working well. I smiled a bit and dropped to the bed. I was going to miss Tessa, but not for long. I finally had the woman I had always wanted in my life—Ava—and from our last-night conversations, I know it won't be long before a baby comes into the family.I groaned, trying to suppress the memories of Tessa, but they won. Tessa was that college girl who was popular because of her grades and her family. She had few friends, and one was Ava, whom he had eyes on. He tried to get Ava, but she wasn't ready for a deep relationship, even though she liked him. So, he decided to go for Tessa, who had been crushing on him. She didn't know his family needed an heir, and marriage was the only way he could take the position. He hid from her and made sure he pretended he was in love with her
GENEVIEVE Tessa ROBERTSThe flight home was long and pretty boring because I kept thinking about what Kyle said and the years I invested in his life. Closing the book I was reading, I yawned, and the phone conversation I had with Vera slowly replayed.`I still can't believe that Kyle left you for Ava! That`s a step down, honestly, and I think he should have done better.` Vera said.I sighed, massaging my temples. `Forget it, Vee. I am just glad I am out of that house and coming home. I also have a surprise for you too.`She groaned, `You know I don't like surprises, so please spill the beans right now!``No. You've got to wait until I land in Arizona. I have really missed home and my parents. I hope you didn't tell them?` I asked, remembering the last fight I had with my mom.`I didn`t. I still feel you should have called and informed them about the latest update. I am sure they would forgive you immediately, Tessa. It's been six years already.` she replied sadly.The fight between me
Genevive Tessa Robert`Dad, is there a problem?'I asked.He heaved, `I am just shocked you left the father of your child and came here. That`s a big sacrifice, Tessa.` `It isn`t, Dad. He divorced me before I could even deliver the news to him, and he made me feel like I wasn't worth fighting for. His family never liked me, and he made it clear that I was barren, so I had no use in his household anymore.` `But you should have stayed. I know you agreed to the condition, but you can't raise a child on your own, Tessa.` Dad stretched, staring sternly at me.Mom coughed, clearing her throat a bit. `She's not returning to that household if that's what you are implying, honey. We`re going to support our only daughter to raise our grandchild and also ensure those lowly fools pay for making her life miserable.`I smiled, hugging mom. She always knew how to convince Dad and stand up for what she believed in. Also, the announcement of my pregnancy softened her heart immediately. She had always
Genevive Tessa RobertThe weeks passed quickly, and the next month came. I still hadn't started showing signs of pregnancy, i.e., that bump, but the cravings were there, and the chef, Santiago, was always available to take care of me.Vera had also become a regular visitor, and even after pleading with her to move in, she refused, insisting that my parents were overly nice. She had a feeling something was up. I gave up after that and accepted her visits like a child receiving his first Christmas gift.I stood up from the bed and strolled into the kitchen. Santiago was preparing his special chicken soup and other dishes I knew nothing of but had a good feeling about my baby, and I would be able to take them. `What're you thinking of, Madame?` Santiago asked over a pot of boiling chicken soup. `Nothing really. I`m just wondering how my parents survived staying in this big house after I left. I am sure a lot of times they travelled because, knowing the Roberts, they treasure exotic tri
Genevive Tessa Robert`I didn't mean to disrespect her, mom. I am just reminding her of her place in the family. She might be the elder one, but I am the one who remained and stood by you and Dad.` James replied, gaining the approval of other people on the table apart from my parents.I breathed hard, trying to suppress the anger rising up. I am carrying a child. I don't need this kind of negative feeling, but somebody needs to put James in his place. Thankfully, Dad came to the rescue.Dad raised his right hand, silencing everyone. `James, you`re right, but do I need to remind you about your failure as the company's head of operations? Your exorbitant parties that sucked our profits? The investments you made that made us lose investors and shareholders? If I hadn't sent you that seminar, maybe we would be sleeping on the streets at the moment.`James stuttered, `But, Dad, I apologised for the mistakes and went to the seminar because it was the right thing to do. Also, I don't know wh
Kyle KingIt's been two months since Tessa left and Ava moved into the King's family. Ava had been so nice and kind to me, and I was grateful I made the decision to let Tessa go.However, there was a little problem. Ava had suddenly turned me to her money machine, and my mom had approved it. She didn't care that the profits of the company were reducing since there wasn't any reasonable business idea or strategy to use to draw in customers. A message popped up on my laptop screen. A notification mail on a business proposal was submitted to one of our crucial clients. I hurriedly read through the document and paused when I saw the usual apology I have been getting all week from other clients.I needed to think outside the box; if not, the company would crumble and my dad`s relatives would be on my neck.I started reading through the latest business projects when I came across a headline talking about my divorce from Tessa. The article reviewed the progress of the company while Tessa wa
Genivive Tessa RobertJames had spoken to my parents, but I had yet to get a positive response or a meeting, so I decided to focus on changing my wardrobe a bit and get some dresses that would fit as my stomach grew.Due to Vera's persistence in determining the gender of the baby, I scheduled an ultrasound in the next two months. It was an early decision, but I wanted to be organised and be able to make plans without waiting for a father figure.At night, I still thought about Kyle, but with disgust and hatred. According to Dad, the KIng`s company was slowly losing customers and investors due to our divorce. That served him right. He was in a hurry to get rid of me but forgot that in the business world, a bad rumour could ruin your reputation. Also, every now and then, some strange journalist would call in for a statement and clarification of physical abuse, but I wasn't ready for that publicity yet. There will be time for that, and Kyle wouldn't see it coming. Checking my outfit—a