Hatred, regret and resentment surged through me.
A suffocating ache gripped my chest as I dropped onto the bedside, sobbing hoarsely. Suddenly everything went dead silent around me.
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to calm down. I never imagined Timothy had already fathered a child with Rosalia—and that he’d married me only because he was simply afraid to deny his father’s command.
All the sweet romance I'd ever felt vanished in an instant, replaced by fear and despair. A fierce will to survive drove me to dial a number I’d sworn never to touch again.
The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before an aged voice answered. “My dear, have you finally learned to regret?”
My throat tightened, my nose stung. " I can come back, but you must promise to help me destroy everything Timothy and Rosalia have built."
Dad chuckled softly. “Good. That's my girl. When should I come pick you up?”
I took a deep breath, my voice cold as ice, “In three days. I need to clean up everything here first. Also, look into something for me.”
My dad seemed startled, “What is it?"
“I want to know why Timothy is convinced you and Mom are murderers.”
For a moment, my dad fell silent. He replied solemnly, “Claudine, I can only warn you to stay away from Timothy and your mother-in-law Carola.”
With that, dad hung up the phone. It only mande my suspicions deepened.
While Timothy was showering, I called my lawyer again. “I want to divorce Timothy Becker. Prepare all the paperwork.”
He replied promptly, “Understood, Young Miss. I'll deliver all documents personally tomorrow evening.”
***
That night in the hotel bed, Timothy showed no intimacy. Truly, it felt as if our bond had suddenly stopped overnight.
Just as I was drifting off, he suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist. He spoke with his usual passion and softness, “Once we get back, I'll make it up to you.”
A wave of curiosity washed over me. All this time, what had been his true feelings as we played this charade?
My throat felt dry as I forced out a hoarse whisper, “Timothy, did you ever truly love me?”
He didn't answer. His warm, steady breath brushed my ear, mingled with the soft hum of his snoring. That night, I couldn't sleep at all. I laid stiffly in his arms until dawn.
***
We returned home the next day at noon. Timothy had business at his company and went straight from the airport to the office.
When I opened the door, I froze instantly. Rosalia was sitting seductively on the sofa, eating a fruit platter with an expression of pure enjoyment.
She deliberately wore a tight mermaid dress, revealing her slightly rounded baby bump. My mother-in-law Carola was sitting beside her, frowning as she looked around the room.
My back stiffened, remembering my dad's warning from yesterday. Suddenly I felt anxious.
Rosalia turned her head and saw me. She smiled so broadly and with carefree, “Ms. Claudine! You’re back?”
Carola immediately stood up, her face darkening. “You come back without so much as a word? I truly don't understand why Timothy married such an ill-mannered girl like you!”
Anger surged within me, but I bit my lip hard. Before I could speak, a sharp pain shot across my face.
Carola had strode over and slapped my face hard. “Three years of marriage and you can't even lay an egg!” she snarled
Her gaze swept over my flat stomach, followed by a cold snort. “You've picked up those sleazy tricks from those telenovelas, haven't you? You dared to sneak off to the hospital for an abortion?”
My face burned with pain as I covered it, my vision blurring. Yet, fury blazed in my eyes as I glared at her sharp, cruel face. I shout out, “Hey, who's the sleazy one here? You or your son?”
My gaze snapped to Rosalia on the sofa, my teeth grinding. “While your son was kissing someone on some random street in Victory Capital, I got into a car accident and had my baby taken away from me!”
I emphasized, “You should ask Tim why he did this to me!”
