The silent tap on my door forces me into a stop as I was currently rummaging through the draws in my bedroom, my mind occupied by Tyson's neck tie that I've been hell bent on finding.
Navy blue with grey polka dots. That was his favorite neck tie and after coming home last week, I realized I didn't find it in our laundry. So I put it upon myself to look for it.
Before I could say a word, the door pushed open and Michael, Tyson's younger brother who had arrived from school to stay with us from a few days popped his head in.
"Kate, aren't you going for the dinner at the backyard?"
I'm surprised. I never heard about any dinner.
"Mom and everyone arrived." He adds.
"Everyone? Is there a special occasion?"
He shrugs his shoulders before disappearing. I'm confused for a considerable amount of time as I was never informed about any dinner, let alone with the entire family.
I changed into a real silk dress and rushed out.
At the backyard, on top of the stone tiles grounds was a long dinner table, occupied by most of Tyson's family. His mother, Abigail is seated at the top side, his younger sister, Rebecca, always so cunning seated next to her.
I notice Tyson's uncle, Jamal and his family – his wife Carol and child Austine and Isabelle seated opposite of them.
Tyson's late father's sister, Maggie is seated right across too and surprisingly, Tyson's cousin, Lucas who has become his closest friend is seated next to him too.
I see a chair reserved for me and a few more empty seats.
This is the first time a dinner is happening outside the house and I just had a bad feeling about it. Everyone at the table were people of power, as Tyson's family are very powerful and influencial people who ran multiple empires across the countries.
Once seated, Tyson takes up his glass "thank you everyone for coming. Tonight, I have a beautiful announcement."
As if on cue, a hear clicking of shoes from up front and I looked to see Stella walking in, her hand cradling her semi protruding stomach.
Stella gives me a sly smile before going over to Tyson who takes her hand admiringly. My heart stopped.
"Everyone, Stella and I are expecting a child. An heir to the Vezuela empire!"
Everyone in the table clapped excitedly, excited mumures exchange.
But I just sat there, feeling betrayed. Tyson was supposed to be my husband, how could he betray me like this, getting someone else pregnant? I felt angry but chose not to show it, so I joined in clasping my hands.
"Congratulations" I manage to say.
Stella who doesn't seem so pleased each time she set her eyes on me smiles fakely and replied "thank you so much."
I catch hold of Tyson's eyes and I didn't know if it was pity or regret I saw in them. How could he do this to me? And surprising me like this.
While the talks continue, Stella walks behind me to take a seat but leans over me and whispers "don't be too pissed, Kate, I'm only doing what you couldn't do. This is what the Vezuela empire needs."
I wanted to slap her, but instead I whisper back "be careful, Stella. Just because you got pregnant doesn't make you so special."
"Well at least I got pregnant."
"That's enough." Tyson cuts in. He thought that would appease me? No
"Excuse me, I need some air." I say and rose up, leaving the dinner.
With every step that I took, I felt a sharp pain in my chest.
In the confines of my room, I was dwindling in the thoughts of Tyson's betrayal. I was too lost in my thoughts to notice Tyson's presence in the room, not until he called my name.
"Please, don't. I don't need to hear anything. You made your choice." I cut him off.
"Stella, it's for the company." He said defensively.
I laugh at his selfish joke. "For the company? Or for yourself! You slept with Stella and got her pregnant and you stand there to tell me it's for the company? What company Tyson?!"
"I didn't want it to happen this way, Kate..."
"But you did it and you consented to it!"
Suddenly, we hear a drum splitting scream from outside followed by a crash.
Scared, we both run outside to find Stella collapsed on the floor.
"Stella!" Tyson calls as he crouches over her, aiding her "call the doctor!" He screamed.
I stood there, watching as he tended to her, fear in his voice. And everything made sense to me then. He was scared, in the ways I've never seen before. He wasn't just scared about the child, he was scared for Stella.
Which begged the question: was there more reasons why Stella is really here in my family?
