Chapter 33 Chapter Thirty Three
With a sigh of resignation, I boarded another taxi and headed for the Torres man-
sion. I knew it was where Grandma Doris would be. The mansion was more her
own than Rose’s.
But since Grandma Doris was barely around, her vivacious nature would not al- low her stay stuck in a place; she didn’t allow her age or responsibilities to cl*p
her wings, the mansion was solely left in Rose’s care since Mark didn’t stay at the mansion, leaving Rose the opportunity to wad around the place bullying and commanding others – her best traits.
As I entered the compound of the Torres mansion, right in the garage of the
mansion was the car I left at Milli bar yesterday. It was probably driven over by
Mark. Good, then I can just go with it when I’m leaving here.
My mind was still occupied with the prospect of seeing Grandma and what she
might have to say when I was pulled out of my thoughts by Grandma’s shrill
voice.
“Sydney!” Her voice might be weak but her b*dy definitely wasn’t. I watched, a
mixture of happiness and admiration coursing through me, as Doris leapt out of
the entrance of the mansion and ran towards me, her arms outstretched. Fir an
old woman she sure was physically fit.
Mark emerged behind her, his face looked gloomy and his hands were dipped
in his pocket as he nodded at my presence. Rose was by her side, her usual
scowl on display and she directed a sneer my way.
I met Doris halfway and she pulled me into a tight hug, “My daughter in law,”
she murmured softly and endearingly. “My God, I’ve missed you.”
I closed my eyes and let her warmth seep into me. I sighed contentedly. Since I
found my parents and got introduced to both worlds, Grandma Doris was the on-
ly one who had shown me something akin to love – a motherly love.
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“I miss you too,” I whispered and allowed my arm to go around her small frame and hug her back.
“Long time no see, Grandma,” I said when we pulled apart. My eyes skimmed her face and I could tell how happy she was, her face held that tanned glow and she looked even learned and experienced than she did when she left. “I almost thought you were never coming back again.”
Her b*dy shook as she chuckled at my words. “Trust me, Sydney, it was tempt- ing but if I didn’t, who would look after my grandson that has refused to grow?”
I giggled. “I know, right? It would be sad if he went astray because his Grandma
wasn’t around.”
Much to Rose’s disdain, Doris and I burst out laughing. From my peripheral vi- sion, I saw her roll her eyes then she turned on her heels and strutted back in- side. It was glaring that she didn’t like the relationship between Doris and I
more than she liked the one I was in with her son.
“Come on, let’s go in,” she gave me a pat on my forearm and I followed her in. I made sure to show Mark my displeasure with a glare as I passed by him. I
could feel the bleak heat emanating off him as he silently walked behind us.
“Gosh, you look tired,” Grandma commented when we took our seats in the
grand living room. She smiled at the servants and ordered them to bring us or- ange juice. Then she turned to me, “Tell me, did anyone try to mistreat you while
I was gone? Who is it? Tell me so I can teach them a lesson they’d never for- get.” Her tone sounded light and humorous but the expression on her face said. otherwise; it was a no–nonsense expression that looked like she would actually get in a fight if she had to.
Well, where do I start from? There’s Mark, for one. There’s Doris, Joel and San-
dra. There’s Bella. Just to mention a few. It would give me intense joy to see her deal with them and make them regret what they did to me and Grace.
But instead of listing those names for her and going ahead to weep at her feet how they’ve all been wicked to me, I simply smiled at the gnawing concern in her eyes. “Grandma, I’m fine.”
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She turned her gaze to Mark who sat opposite from her, one leg regally
propped on the other. Rose was perched beside him, a permanent scowl on her
face. She glared at him, “Are you sure?”
I giggled, “I’m sure, Doris. One mention of your name and they always retreat.”
She seemed to be struggling to drag her glare away from Mark. Then she mut-
tered, “As they should.”
One of the servants arrived with three boxes of wine in a tray, another placed
glass stools before each of us and then we were all served orange juice.
The silence in the room stretched as Doris sipped her wine. She lowered her vip and glanced at each of us. “Come on, don’t just watch me drink,” she ges- tured at our glasses, “Drink to your fill.”
Reluctantly, each of us picked up our glasses and drank.
I could tell from the tense air in the room the one Doris was trying to clear away – she was going to talk about the divorce and she wouldn’t just talk about
it, she would try to stop me from divorcing her grandson.
I highly respect Doris but I couldn’t just agree. I couldn’t give up all my efforts to end this and just agree to stay with Mark. I couldn’t keep hurting myself and living this life anymore. Every time I saw either Mark or Bella, all that I could think of was both of them entwined in bed, butt n*ked. How could I continue to pretend like nothing had happened? How could he continue to act like it was
okay?
Since we all seemed to be hesitating,I decided to bring up the topic. I dropped my half emptied glass of orange juice on the stool and faced Grandma, “Grand- ma, I want to divorce Mark.” And there, it was out. Grandma was frozen for a nanosecond before she pulled herself together. “I was the one who proposed it,” I continued, “I don’t think it’s unknown knowledge that I am not happy in this marriage.” I passed her a pleading eye, “I hope you can support my decision.”
“I don’t want a divorce,” Mark’s voice sounded, almost interrupting me. His face still held that bleak expression as she glared at me.
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Rose snapped her gaze to her son, highly displeased by his utterance. “Mark, stop talking nonsense.” She told him, “If you divorce Sydney, I will introduce you to someone better, a much better girl from a better family. I’ve promised you.”
“Mom, please,” Mark bit out harshly at his mom without even sparing her a glance. Rose stared opened m*uthed at her son,
Shock and anger written all over her face.
Doris looked at the both of them and slightly shook his head, the expression on her face was a telltale of her disappointment. She turned to me, her eyes as- sessing me like she was trying to communicate her mind without actually speak- ing. Finally, she spoke up, “It must be my grandson’s fault.”
“Grandma, I know you and Mark have made an agreement about the inheri- tance of shares.” Grandma looked quite stunned at my revelation and I nodded, “Yes, Grandma, I know about the whole thing.” Maybe not the whole thing but atleast, I had an inkling of what was going on. I tried to keep my voice steady, “I
appreciate it but I don’t want to be tied to the inheritance of shares. So even
when we divorce, there is no need to punish him,” I threw a brief glance in
Mark’s way before facing Grandma again, “He may not be a good husband,” I
shrugged subtly, “At least to me, but he is a good heir.”
I
Doris‘ eyes lit up in surprise and I could feel Mark’s gaze on me. They both obvi-
ously didn’t expect me to speak well of the man I so desperately wanted out of
my life but it was the truth. If Mark remained Grandma Doris‘ heir, then she would, one day, die a happy death, knowing that the company was in good
hands.
She looked at me then her gaze switched to Mark with an unfathomable expres- sion. She then held my gaze. “Sydney dear, can we speak privately?”
I stared back at her and I knew that there would be lots of convincing and plead- ing and I would have to firmly stand my ground if I intend to really go on with
the divorce.
“Sure,” I answered, my voice definite as I made my intent clear. “But I would not change my decision no matter what.”
Chapter 33 Chapter Thirty Three
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