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 wanted a grandchild and finally, she had gotten her wish.
I knew if I wanted to get into the family good books, I had to play my cards well and convince mom first. She had fallen for everything, and now it remained the chairman and boss of the family: Mr. Roberts.
`Dad… I know you`re worried about how I am going to survive without Kyle, but trust me, I have a plan that would help in times of financial stress. Also, I have been applying for remote and part-time jobs while I look for ways to invest the money that Kyle paid me.`
Dad sighed, settling near me. `It's alright, dear. Your mom has already won me over. We will support you fully and ensure you have a stress-free schedule.`
I grinned, hugging him. I wasn't expecting them to forgive me so easily, but maybe the years of my absence in their lives had made them soft. There was one more thing I needed to ask them for, and I wasn't sure they would agree.
`Dad, Mum. I appreciate both of you for forgiving me and also for promising to stand by me and my baby. I am grateful. I also have a request. Can I move into the penthouse? I would like to stay closer with you guys, but I don't want to intrude on or disturb your space.`
`You can move in, Tessa, but I would have to send in maids, guards, and a good chef. I don't want you or our grandchild to lack anything. If it's okay, Vera can also move in with you so that you won't get lonely,` mom replied, smiling.
`Thank you, Mom and Dad,` I yelled, hugging Mom tightly.
The next plan was to return as one of the executives of the Roberts Dynasty.
After a long lunch with my parents and some short visits to old friends and colleagues, I decided to visit the hospital. Mom wanted to follow me, but an appointment with a crucial client was scheduled at the same time, so Dad decided to follow me.
`I hope Kyle didn't hit you throughout your stay in his house? Dad asked suddenly, facing me.
We were settled in the doctor's waiting room, reading through different pamphlets and exchanging ideas on my food plan, when he suddenly went quiet. I had thought it was because he was expecting his first grandchild, but now I know better.
I breathed in, remembering the first time Kyle had slapped me. That evening had started well until his mother showed up and decided to ruin everything by insulting me for being unteachable and stupid. As usual, I kept quiet and smiled while I threw away the dinner I had worked for hours to prepare. I didn't even bother to look at Kyle because he sat there, encouraging his mom and laughing as she called the meals I prepared `garbage fit for my family.`
A few hours later, Kyle came into the bedroom and demanded I join him and his mom in a family game. I was shocked and told him off. I can still recall the heated conversation that night.
`You made it clear tonight that I wasn't your wife, just a maid who you could ridicule and make fun of at any given time. I am not interested, Kyle!` I screamed, ignoring his knotted eyebrows.
He yanked me up, `Don`t you ever scream at me like that again in your life, or you will regret it! If you don't want to play the game, then don't. You can sit in the room and forget about leaving the house this week!
I glared coldly at him. `Of course, Kyle. I would rather stay here than play a game with that crazy bully you call a mother. Even my house matron in my old boarding school is so much better and kinder than your mother. She`s a brute and an ugly snake who did not train you well, fool!`
And that was how I felt a stinging slap on my face. Then he pushed me and walked away.
I stayed home all week, but he made sure I worked and sent every file or project that needed to be completed. I had no choice but to do them, and later, due to the love I had for him, I begged for forgiveness.
The second time, I stood up to his mother and Katherine at a family gathering. They did everything to make me feel like an outsider and even changed my name to barren and encouraged other relatives to call me that. After several attempts at trying to make Kyle warn them, I decided to do it myself, but it turned bad.
Dahila was quick to act and blamed Kyle for pampering me. She claimed I had insulted the family name and wondered how Kyle fell in love with a wretch. I wanted to defend myself, but Kyle stopped me by using his palm on my face.
I couldn't tell my father everything, but I couldn't lie to him, so I decided to just give him a bit of the truth.
`He did, Dad, but I forgave him. They were just slaps, and it was during the early years of our marriage. His mother was pretty manipulative and controlling.`
Dad clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. `That son of a..."! Why didn't you call us, Tessa? We would have flown to Nashville and dealt with him or sent our men to destroy him!`
I smiled, holding his hands. `I was under a contract with you guys. I was disowned by you guys, and being a proud Robert, I didn't want to seem like a scaredy cat who couldn't take care of her marriage. I am so sorry, Dad.`
`No need to apologise, but I will make sure that fool regrets ever laying his hands on you. Also, the condescending remarks and slavery duties you took, I am going to ensure he pays for that too.`
The doctor appeared before I could respond. I smiled a bit as a sign of understanding and focused on the doctor as the consultation started.
I love Arizona due to the calmness and kindness of everyone. I was done with my activities for the day, so I decided to visit an old friend`s cafe and have a nice plate of pancakes. These days, I crave the wrong things, and my mom has explained it as one of the symptoms of pregnancy.
After the visit from the hospital, Dad decided I would stay in the main house because the doctor complained about my eating pattern. I was never a food person, and once I got swamped with work activities, I lost my appetite.
The doctor had taken note of everything as I tried to exonerate myself from the blame of avoiding meals. He created a healthy food schedule and emphasised to my dad that I must follow it religiously.
I took another bite and meditated on the taste while I watched a couple across the room giggle and exchange kisses. I smiled, suppressing the thoughts of Kyle, and focused on the activities I would be doing while I stayed at my parents house.
Maybe I will resume painting. I had stopped immediately, and I got into the king's house. Dahila defined it as a street profession and didn`t want it in her son`s house. However, when she discovered a painting I did was sold for a million dollars back in college, she manipulated Kyle to make me do one for the company. She sold it, and I was given an award of invisibility, or should I say nothing?
She expected me to fight and demand for my share but I didn`t due to Kyle. He had promised settle me but i guess, he forgot because he never mentioned the artwork again.
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
GENEVIEVE Tessa Robert'Stop crying, babes. You will get through this. Don't forget your family background and mine too. We've got all the resources to deal with Kyle and his family.’I sniffed, trying to stop the tears. “I know, babes, but I am still hurt. How could he do this? I am so worthless that I don't deserve some sense of happiness.”She smiled, lifting my chin. “You're worthy of every bit of love and happiness, Tessa. Don't let Kyle's dislike for you and disregard make you think otherwise. He's not worth it, nor is he worth your tears, okay?”“Okay, thank you for the pep talk. You're the best friend ever. Also, thanks for saving my ass at the store. You saved me from fresh gossip.”She grinned and said, “You're welcome, babes. There's one question, though. Why did you insist on buying the necklace set? You know your mom wouldn't approve of you spending a lot on a birthday gift.”She was right. Mom wouldn't be so excited when she discovers how much I paid for it, but she will
Genevieve Tessa RobertI 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 ni
Kyle KingsI know I shouldn't have listened to my mom and Ava when they brought up the idea of logging into Tessa`s account and retrieving the money. Reading through the mail I sent her now, I felt awful, but I pushed through the feeling. I needed the money more than her at the moment, and she also didn't quite deserve anything for me since she didn't give me a child. It was unfair, but life was unfair too.I picked up my phone and sent a message to Xavier. We needed him during the meeting. Something made me pause. The mail I mistakenly sent to Tessa. I hoped she wouldn`t inform her parents not to allow me to participate in the project. She wouldn't dare do that to me. Besides, through a friend in Arizona, I knew she wasn't part of the family business, which meant her parents were yet to forgive her for leaving them for me.Tessa. I scrolled through the mail she sent and imagined how furious she would be now. I sighed. My conscience was doing a great job, making me feel guilty. I sho
Kyle King`Mom, when will you be available?` I asked, cutting her short. `I am already at your house with your fiance, Kyle. Get here immediately, you close from work. Please don`t bring Xavier with you, alright,'she replied, hanging up the call.I sighed, picking up my briefcase, `We will meet at the club house after I am done with Ava and my mom."`Xavier stood up, glancing at his wrist watch. `I thought we were supposed to meet at your place by seven o'clock? Never mind, I will call you once I get to the clubhouse. Good luck solving your mother`s issue.``Wait,` I called out. `Do you think I should return the money to Tessa?`I still felt guilty, even though everything in me tried to justify my actions, but my conscience was unstable.`It's up to you, bro. I told you it was a stupid idea, but you listened to your mom as always. I can`t give you any advice because you won't listen to me. You know, bro, you should stop involving me in your family affairs because, according to your p