CHAPTER 7

GENEVIEVE Tessa ROBERTS

The 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 and my parents started the day I announced Kyle King was my boyfriend. My parents had been against it because they didn't like the King's family due to reports about their unkindness, greediness, selfishness, and downgrading behavior. I was stupidly in love, and I didn`t listen to them, even when they threatened to cut me off from the family`s businesses.

The day I agreed to marry Kyle, my dad, Mr. Roberts, sent a letter that spelled the word `disowned` and warned me not to return except if I could get a grandchild for the family. It had been painful, then hopeful when I thought the condition was quite easy, but as the years flew by and there was no sign of a child coming through, I almost gave up until the visit to Doc. Brown`s office.

My greatest worry was their acceptance. I have missed my family so much that at nights in the King's home, I would step outside and stare at the moon and wonder what they were doing at that time. If they had been in Nashville, the humiliations, insults, and ridicule would never have happened because my parents were one of the richest families in the country and the King's weren't up to them.

`You`re right, Vee. I should have called them, but it's been five years since I saw them, and it feels better if I just informed them physically. Don`t forget, they made it clear that I shouldn't call them, no matter what. I have to go; my flight is next.` I replied.

She had muttered ` see you soon` and the line went dead. 

Get your seatbelts on, everyone. We`re about to land,` the pilot announced, dragging me back to reality. 

Home is here.

`Veeeeee!!` I screamed like a child, waving my hands furiously, as I noticed her among the crowd.  

She rushed, almost bumping into a teenager. `It`s so good to see you, girlfriend. I really missed you.`

`I have missed you too, but you know we saw you last month when you came to Nashville for a business conference, right?`  

`Well, you won't blame a baby for missing her best friend, right?` She winked, arranging my luggage into the boot. 

I checked my mail to see if there was any reply from the jobs I applied for at Forbes, but there was nothing. I needed a job even though the money Kyle sent to me was still sitting comfortably in my account and waiting for me to spend it.

`So, are you prepared for Roberts?` Vee asked, falling on the bed.  

We were in her mansion because she had protested against my decision to sleep in a hotel, and according to her, I was new in town, so I wasn't aware of the new dangers lurking around.

I yawned, cuddling the fluffy pillow. `I think I am ready. It shouldn't be hard to plead, accept that I was wrong, and also inform them about the 'surprise.`

Her eyes glowed, grabbing my hands. `Please tell me the surprise immediately. Did you get the Forbes job? An offer from Drover`s automobiles?``

`No. I`m pregnant, Vee, and yes, I didn't inform Kyle before leaving. He didn't need to know.` I said it in one breath.

`Wow, girl! Congratulations, and thank God you didn't tell Kyle. He is a worthless piece, and honestly, your child doesn`t need that man.`

I nodded, rubbing my stomach. `You`re right, dear. I need to register for check-ups at the hospital and start preparing for the baby. You know, I am so glad for this baby, and I can't wait to cradle him or her.`

She giggled, sniffing a bit. `You`re making me emotional, Tessa, and I am so happy that you finally won. Five years of pain and humiliation for a child you carry now. I can`t wait to see the facial expression of the King`s family when they find out someday.`

If they ever know,.

`Thank you, Vee. I don't want to see this as a victory, but as a blessing and a peace offering to my family. This child would be the reason I will get to speak to my parents and finally have the peace I crave.`

She sat up, adjusting her nightgown. 'I know the meeting will go well. Besides, I think your parents would welcome you without hesitation. Your brother, James, hasn`t been doing too well with the business, so you coming in would make a huge difference.`

James. I had almost forgotten I had a younger brother who despised me. James never respected me as his elder sister because, according to him, I always stole his shine and had all our parents' attention while he was served sadness and loneliness. After I got disowned, James sent a short message celebrating his victory. I haven't spoken to him since then.

I shrugged. `I hope it goes well, babe. I need their wealth to break the King's family for everything they did to me.` 

`Don`t worry, you will get revenge, Tessa, and I will make sure of that,` Vee replied, hugging me.

The Roberts family was the biggest in Arizona and the second richest in the country. They dealt in oil, automobiles, and airlines, and had several stocks in banks and engineering firms. They also owned the biggest electronic brand in the country. 

I stood outside the gates of the Roberts villa and wondered if it was a good idea to have come, but I knew it was the right decision. They needed to know before the news reached them from Nashville. Thankfully, the divorce had been on the low, and Dahila wanted me to go without raising the eyebrows of her elite friends.

I checked my outfit—a dark, flowery gown and sandals—because I felt more comfortable in flats. The guards made a few calls, and after waiting for thirty minutes, I walked into the mansion and settled down. The interiors were still the same, but my photos were missing from the portraits on the wall. 

Wow. My parents moved on after I was disowned. I wanted to feel shocked, but I couldn`t because I knew it was expected. Who keeps the memory of a child who spat on her parents faces because of a man who would later divorce her?

`So, you finally came to your senses, Tessa. Welcome back,` Mrs. Robert said, settling on the couch opposite me.

I breathed, arranging my words. I couldn`t mess up at this moment. `Good morning, Mom. Yeah, I am back, finally. I realised Nashville wasn`t home, and I also really missed you and Dad. Where`s he?`

`I am here, a calm, masculine voice replied, walking in. `I was surprised when the guards informed us that you were around. I thought the King`s family were your `only` family, so what are you doing here?`

There was no need to beat around the bush. It was now or never.

`Kyle decided I wasn't worthy of his love anymore, so he divorced me and didn't hesitate to take a girlfriend.` I muttered, slowly looking at them. `I am sorry for not listening to your guys advice and for not reaching out, even though you disowned me. I could have returned home and begged for your forgiveness, but I wanted to prove that Kyle really loved me.`

Mum settled near me, drawing me close. `You don't need to apologise, Tessa. We forgave you long ago, but we are the Roberts, dear. You accepted our condition, and we waited for our grandson, but we got nothing. Is that the real reason Kyle filed for a divorce?` 

I nodded, staring at her. `Yes, but he didn't know I was already pregnant, mom.` 

`What?` Dad yelled, scaring me a bit.

Was he not supposed to be happy?