Berielle’s POV:
“You have to divorce my son. I am not going to hear another word about it.” Josephine, my mother in law, threw the papers on my face. Well, I have seen it coming the day Benjamin, the grandpa of my husband died. The marriage between Zen and I was his wish and we got married upon seeing how hell bent he was and how much he wanted to see his only grandson get married in his life.
However, my parents in law were totally against this arrangement and they remained quiet when Benjamin was alive but the day he died, they started giving me a hard time.
I do not blame them. I just do not match with their aristocratic background. I am just an orphan who grew up in a shelter and went to a third class university. To be honest, even if I spend my entire life working my ass off, I will never be able to afford a single pair of slippers which they wear in their home.
Everything would have been alright if my husband was on my side. However, in the 2 years of our marriage, I haven’t seen him more than 7 times. He is so cold and indifferent that whenever I see him I fear that I might freeze with him. Although it’s better that we do not share any sort of sentiments.
Still this is a divorce we are discussing and I need to talk to him before making any decision. This marriage happened because he agreed. No one put a gun against his head when he took the vows. Thus, I need to hear from his mouth that he wants divorce.
“Mom, why don’t you give me some time? When Zen will be back, I will talk to him and sign the papers.” I tried to put my fears aside as I looked at the lady who did not look like a mother of a 30 year old son. She was dressed into the top notch designers from head to toe. Her hair neatly tied into an elegant bun, a mint colored silk dress which hugged her body like it is made just for her, diamond tops shining in her ears and huge diamond rings-that are of the size of a brick-in her fingers. Moreover, there is not a single wrinkle on her face. She is an epitome of grace.
However, at the moment, the disdain which she is carrying for me… It doesn’t go well with her demeanor.
“Don’t you even dare to drag Zen in this mess! He married you just because he loved his grandfather too much. He couldn’t say no to him. Furthermore, he was sick. It was his last wish. But this time, it will be my decision.” She placed her index finger on her chest as she spoke with authority and looked at my bedridden state, “You have nothing. No money, no background neither education nor a job. On top of that, I do not want a crippled daughter in law for my son. Sign these damn papers now and I will give you so much money that you will be able to have a better life. Consider it a compensation.”
My hands were shaking in my lap. My vision was getting blurry as I tried my best to swallow these tears. I do not want to cry in front of her. I do not want her to see me so vulnerable. Moreover, she is right. I have nothing to offer to her perfect son. Never in my life will I be confident enough to stand next to him proudly, as his wife. The past two years which I have spent in the Warner family, they have given me nothing but an inferiority complex. I also want to get out of this hell hole. But is it too much to talk to my husband once?
“What are you thinking?” She raised a brow, “Don’t tell me you are thinking of demanding a lump sum from us?”
“I am not. I want nothing from you and your family.” I snapped. My voice was low but it was firm and this is the first time I have talked back to her. That’s why the surprise in her eyes was evident.
“How can you be so cruel? I had an accident just 2 days ago. My leg is completely smashed. I am not able to sit properly, let alone stand up and divorce is the only thing you can think of right now?” My voice was shaking. It is better to pour out all the lava that has been burning me up from inside rather than quietly watch them trample all over me. I will leave this family anyways.
“What are you-“ She was completely bewildered.
“You are so proud of your status and money, aren’t you?” I glared, “Let me tell you, one day this will strangle you to death and you will remember every single word which you have ever said to me.” I clenched the file and opened it harshly. Divorce agreement was written in bold letters.
For some reason, those two words made me choke. Deep down, I was looking forward to this marriage. It’s not because I was greedy or anything like that. I have never lived with a family before. I thought I might be able to have my own people. People who will support me, encourage me, wish me well, but perhaps that was too much to ask for.
I have always been unlucky. Why did I even dare to have dreams? I do not deserve to dream either.
I pulled out the pen from the file holder as I signed the paper. While doing so, what I found more surprising was the fact that Zen Warner has already signed it. I was suddenly splashed by reality.
He doesn't want me in his life.
He must have been so happy to get rid of me.
Moreover, why did I even think of talking to him in the first place? When he has already divorced me.
I threw the file in the exact same manner as my mother in law… well my ex-mother in law did a few minutes ago. She was flabbergasted.
“YOU-“ She screamed at the top of her lungs, “How dare you, you pathetic wench!”
She might be all prim and proper on the outside but from inside, she is rotten to her core. Not even her posh british accent could conceal her hatred towards me.
I rolled my eyes at her and looked outside the window. Winter foliage was giving colors to the colorless ambience. I wonder if I will be able to fill my life with colors ever again.
Josephine sighed loudly, “Never show us your face ever again.” She said with the gritted teeth, “I will send the lawyer to negotiate with the compensation-“
I turned to look at her, “I do not want a single penny from you, your family and your son.” I firmly made my words clear, “The day I will be able to walk, I will leave this hospital and pay you back the medical bills.”
“You have too much pride, don’t you?” She arched her well-shaped eyebrow.
“That’s the only thing I have and I want to protect.”
“You will regret this. The day you will go out in the society with no experience and background, you will see how hard the reality is. For the past two years you have been protected by the Warner family. Believe it or not, people respected you because of your last name.” She pictured my life for me.
I couldn’t help but scoff, “Don’t worry about me. I might have lived under the shadow of Warner family for 2 years but for the past 20 years, I have only survived because of my first name. I can do so in the future as well.” I know it will be hard and challenging but I am also one persistent bitch. I will not let such people walk all over me again.
“Well, good luck then.” She did not bother to pick up the divorce papers which I threw earlier. Someone will come to get them later. Meanwhile, I threw my head on the pillow. The migraine was so intense that it was making me feel nauseous.
“Why these hardships never end?” A sharp wave of pain raised from my freshly operated leg. All the control which I had over my tears, it crumbled and soon I was nothing but a sobbing mess.
“What did I do that was so wrong to deserve this?” I shouted as I bawled my eyes.
After a while, that passed like an eternity, I wiped away my tears and somehow my hand went to touch the necklace that I was wearing. The only thing which my husband… let me correct myself, my ex-husband has ever given me.
Suddenly, our wedding night flashed in front of my eyes. I still remember how terrified and scared I was then.
“Here, this is my wedding gift. He threw a velvet box in my direction. Always wear it. Never take it off.” He said as he took off his coat and loosened his tie, “And when I say never, it means NEVER.” He glared at me with his ocean blue eyes.
“Okay.” I stated and wore the necklace with the trembling hands. In the two years of our marriage that was the most words he has said to me.
After that, it would either be casual hello, hi that we exchanged on formal family dinners that we attended together.
‘You clearly know what your family has been doing to me. Still you turned a blind eye. I hate you. I loathe you, Zen Warner.’ I wanted to kill this man.
