Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
As I pulled up to dad’s mansion, I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the inevitable confrontation. I knew he wouldn’t be pleased with me showing up without Mark; he always wants me to scurry after Mark like some lost pup- py. For a while, I’d admit, I had actually scurried after him. I had practically changed my life to satisfy them. I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.
I made the short walk to the mansion’s courtyard; the courtyard faced the well kept garden. I had admired the garden when I first came. It was where I pre- ferred to spend my time whenever they were fawning over Bella. The garden looked even more beautiful and we’ll tend to. I was sure mum must have gone
bunkers as she instructed the household gardeners on how to trim it right.
–
The area was already bustling with activities. The servants were already up and down attending to the guests young and old that were seated around ta- bles, each person clad in luxurious outfits and jewelry. Some young girls stood
by the colorful shrubs, wine glasses in their delicate grip. They picked at the
flowers as they chatted, lightly covering their m*uths as they laughed.
I spotted dad chatting with some of the guests, his patronizing smile on dis- play. The moment his eyes landed on me, his smile faltered. He said something to his guests and walked over to me. I could feel his disapproval in his gaze, his strides… it was wafting off him in multifolds.
I met him halfway but he passed by me, gritting out, “Follow me.”
I rolled my eyes and did as he asked. He walked ahead a bit more and stopped a good feet away from any of his guest’s earshot.
The moment he stopped and faced me, he went straight to the point, throwing
his obvious question at me. “Why did you come alone?” His voice was stern and sharp, cutting through the festive air like a knife.
I met his gaze with defiance, refusing to let his cold tone pull me down like it used to when I first found them. “I didn’t feel like chasing after Mark today,” I re-
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Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
torted, my tone laced with indifference. The world won’t end just because I did n’t cower behind my husband at your party.”
He regarded me for a while, clearly surprised at my response. His brow fur- rowed in frustration and he took a deep breath, “What’s with Mark’s assistant
calling around looking for you last time?”
I shrugged, not bothering to offer an explanation. “I don’t know,” I replied fl*p- pantly, my brows raised, “Why don’t you ask who called you? Or better still ask
Mark himself.”
His eyes narrowed, obviously mad at my demeanor and also wondering why I was suddenly being rude. But I didn’t care what he thought. I was tired of con- stantly trying to please everyone, especially when it came to them.
“Since the last time we spoke, your line hasn’t been going through. Why is that?”
We spoke? I tried to recall when he had called and we spoke. He usually just
called, barked orders and then hung up.
“Oh really?” I pretended to look shocked then I fished out my phone from my bag; with my brows pulled down, I fiddled with it. “What might have happened?”
“Cut the bullshit, Sydney. You blocked his number,” mum appeared by his side, glaring at me. Since I reunited with my parents, I didn’t think mum had ever
smiled at me. Oh, she did. On my wedding day.
“Oh really?”
Mum’s m*uth opened and she took a step forward but dad stopped her. “Don’t
sweat it, Clarissa. We don’t have time for that besides,” his eyes swept the
crowd, “not here or now.”
“Where’s Mark?” He faced me and repeated his question from earlier.
Just then, the sound as a car pulled over drifted to us. Even though we were all
looking towards the car, I pointed at it. “There’s your almighty Mark.”
Mark stepped out of the backseat,his head raised high as he feebly dusted on
his jacket.
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Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
After him, a blonde head emerged beside him. She wore a huge grin and clung
to Mark.
I watched them, just like everyone else in the courtyard. Yes, they commanded the attention. With their arms linked and a grin on Bella’s face, they looked like the real formidable couple. The perfect one.
“Aww,” my voice dripped with contempt, “Don’t they look good together? Confi- dently waltzing in with his mistress.”
“Keep your voice down, lady!” I turned to dad and found his gaze on me. “Don’t
yap nonsense. There are a lot of guests here. Don’t embarrass me.”
He turned back to them and I could see his eyes darting about. “Goodness. What are these two thinking?” He murmured, if he could will the both of them
apart, I was sure he’d have.
“What nonsense?” I arched a brow. They must have sensed the edge in my
tone because mum and dad turned to me. “Telling everyone that your beloved
Bella eloped with someone else on her wedding day,” my arched brow rode high-
er, “That nonsense?”
“Sydney!” Dad’s teeth were clenched as he glared. Mum’s palm came on his
shoulder.
“I ask, dad, what nonsense?” I continued, unstoppable. “That your darling Mark
got dumped by his lover and fiancée on the day they were to be made man and
wife?”
Mum’s eyes widened and she glanced behind her. “Sydney. Stop it!”
I took a step forward. I cocked my head and frowned. “Or is it the nonsense that your little princess Bella is a slut who seduces her brother–in–law?” I enunci-
ated the word ‘slut‘ and made sure it stuck.
The look that crossed their faces would have worried me a little if we were
alone because then, I was sure one of their palms would have connected with
my cheeks but not here, there were far too many people – too many of their elite
society and they cared too much about their image to do anything.
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Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
The day I prepared to come back to my parents had been one of the happiest days of my life. Even though while growing up, I felt abandoned by them, I had still yearned to meet them someday. I had been disappointed. I had felt unwant ed especially with Bella around.
Then the wedding bells rang and Bella didn’t seem excited like I had expected. It wasn’t very shocking when, on the day of the wedding, she fled. She had left a letter. I had been the one to find it and I read it before taking the letter mum and dad. She wrote – Mum, dad, I’ve met my true love and I’m leaving with him. Don’t bother to find me.
Spoilt brat! I thought.
It had first sounded like a joke to be honest but we couldn’t find Bella and time was drawing near. I remember pitying the man she was to marry; he fell in love with a woman who didn’t want him. I pitied my parents too. I wondered how they’d break the news to the man.
Up until they asked me to take her place. At first, they pleaded and made count- less promises with the sweetest smiles. I had refused. I couldn’t deceive a man
on the day that was to be one of the happiest of his days. Then they had started to threaten me. Dad had torn my dress from my b*dy and mom threw Bella’s
wedding dress at me.
The staff that were supposed to dress Bella up were called into the room.
“Dress her up as fast as you can. There’s no time,” dad had ordered with a sneer.
“At least, you’d be useful,” mom spat, her sweet smile long gone and both of
them left the room.
I couldn’t stop the tears from pouring down my face until I was fully dressed.
The makeup artist had to redo my makeup thrice.
Before Mark and I walked into the hall, I heard dad from outside – announce
solemnly. “It’s both a joyous and sad day for my family.” There was a dramatic
pause before he continued, “One of my daughters is getting married to the love
of her life today, while the other has flown out of the country for a heart
surgery.”
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Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
Of course, the crowd was swayed and they felt sorry for Mr and Mrs Michael and their daughters.
“How dare you say such a thing about your sister!” I was thrown out of my remi- nisce and in a blur,I saw mum’s hand fly towards me. I took a quick step back and caught her arm.
I held it and met her blazing gaze. “Try to touch me one more time and I’ll spill the whole truth to Mark.” I threw her arms away from me. “Think of what will hap- pen then.”
“Michael,” with a polite smile, Mark shook hands with dad. “Happy birthday.”
Dad cleared his voice, “Thank you, Mark.”
“Happy birthday, dad!” Bella’s ever sweet voice rang out, probably unaware of the tension in the air while Mark was looking between me, dad and mum.
Mum closed the space between her and Mark and they hugged. “Thank you for showing up, Mark.” Her smile shone as if her face hadn’t just been red from
anger.
She sidestepped and pulled Bella into a hug. Her voice softened. “Sweetheart, how are you?”
“I’m fine, mum.” Then she moved to dad too, plainly ignoring me
I took a few steps back and allowed them to finish with their pleasantries be- fore I made my own announcement. All the while, as I watched them, I felt
Marks gaze on me.
Finally, I clapped my hands, putting on the sweetest smile I could conjure up. “Attention everyone!”
Dad’s head whipped to turn to me as everyone present turned too. “Don’t you
dare!” Dad’s voice was a low growl.
I ignored him and turned to the guests. “I have some good news to announce.” I paused, gauging everyone’s reaction. Some murmured amongst themselves
while some had their gaze fixated on me in curiosity.
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Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
With a smirk, and gushy feeling coursing through me, I made my announce- ment. “I’m getting a divorce from Mark Torres!”
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