Chapter 3: Unsettling news

~Robert’s POV~ 

The Mondragon family estate…..

Opulent chandeliers illuminated the far stretched living room, giving life to the artistic family portraits and famous world class paintings hung strategically on the walls around the room bringing together it's asthethic touch, like that of a walk in museum.

 The family sat down close to the crackling fire place that now provided warmth against the chilly atmosphere, savouring the sweet taste of red wine my mother had picked out from the wine rack. The air was thick with a calm celebratory mood, in regards to my divorce and reunion with my love Jodie who had now returned back from the states after completing her master's program. 

“To new beginnings and letting go of the old”. my mother, Tessa said with a contemptuous joy in her voice, as she hoisted her wine filled glass in the air, offering a toast in my honour. As the rest of us followed suite. 

“Welcome back once again, Jodie my dear. She pronounced, averting her gaze to Jodie who sat beside me glowing elegantly as she always does. “I am thrilled to see you taking your rightful place beside my dear son—Robert's side just like old times”. she continued, spewing praises as Jodie beamed a smile across her face soaking up the attention. 

“The pleasure is all mine Mrs. Mondragon”. Jodie responded, feeling thankful to my mother who sat with one of her arm drapped across her favorite arm chair. While sipping lightly on her drink with the other. 

 “My time away in the states gave me a sense of clarity that Robert and I, were cut from the same rock and there was no one else I would rather be with than him”. she said, caressing my hands gently, glaring lovingly into my eyes like I was her whole world and nothing else mattered in that moment. One which made me feel good and less guilty of how I had treated my divorce to Melissa— my ex wife, just recently.

“This is why you've always been my favorite because you know just the right things to say, unlike some people I know”. mother chimed in with an unmistakable disdain evident in her tone, now giving me a mischievous glare. One I knew all too well, as I rolled my eyes to the side.  

“Mother! Can we please get through the night without you mentioning your obvious dislike for Melissa?” I beckoned. 

The last thing I needed was another of her tantrums or ear fulls everytime it involved Melissa, who she could never truly bring herself to accept during the course of our marriage. And to be fair I gave her the benefit of the doubt, because I myself could not find it in me to love her and our marriage was more out of a sense of duty. 

My split from Jodie, shattered something in me and she was there to fill up the void. 

I knew she loved me. Hell, everyone did. 

But rather than love her, it felt easier to see her as a temporary replacement. At least that was my intent, not until the pressure to take a wife came pouring down from my father. 

Speaking of father, after a round of drinks he had retired to his bedroom for the evening. He had mostly been quiet so him staying wouldn't have made much of a difference. He also had his reservations towards Melissa but he was mostly civil unlike mother who taunted her very existence until the last minute. 

“What? I didn't even call a name. But now that you've mentioned it, I still can't fathom what you ever saw in that dreadful woman Robert”. she continued her lamentations. “It was quite pathetic to watch her try to fit in as though she ever belonged and could never do anything right”. 

“And worse she couldn't even fulfill her role as a wife by giving you an heir or a child regardless of the gender”. 

I honestly had no desire to entertain my mother's rage baits and rather enjoy the evening. But she dragged on and asked the most absurd question. 

One which made my brows furrow with slight irritation. 

“Well I guess it's good she couldn't. Now that our dear Jodie it back that shouldn't be a problem any longer”. 

“So when do you both intend to get married?” she blurted out the question casting both I and Jodie eager glares. 

“Dear God! mother. We just got back together and my divorce hasn't even finalized yet. Isn't it a bit too early for marriage preparations?”. 

“Oh please Robert, the sooner the better. Am I right Jodie dear?” she questioned, now looking at Jodie who had remained silent during most part of our bickering. “Yes Mrs. Mondragon, looking forward to it”. beaming a soft smile on her face, as her eyes flickered with anticipation at me and I could decipher she hoped it would eventually come true. 

And it would, but now just didn't feel like the best time. In a bid to reassure her, I get distracted by the sound of the television when a disturbing news broadcast was being aired by an anchor cutting through my monologue.  

Breaking News: “Just in, a gruesome accident involving the coalition of two vehicles had occured last night on Crimson peak highway. Based on our sources, one of the victims involved is confirmed to be dead and unrecognizable from the impact of the accident, while the other is alleged to be in a critical state and currently admitted in SkyView general hospital undergoing treatment in the ICU. Both victims involved are both women and the deceased vehicle plate number is BK-43B-4k just in case there family or loved ones are watching”.  

As soon as it ends my eyes bulged out in horror gazing at the image in the screen.

“That's Melissa's cars plate number” I mumbled out the words and without even realizing it, I sprang up from my sitting position due to the shocking adrenaline that surged through me.   

Hearing the broadcast created an awkward silence in the room. And the fire from the chimney did nothing to sooth the chill that now crept at my skin, as beads of sweat formed across my forehead. 

How was this possible? I questioned within me as my thoughts spiralled, trying to grasp the situation that now unfolded before me. 

“No! no it can't be. That can't be Melissa” I said out loud now cutting through the deep silence. “This has to be a mistake”. 

It had to be. We had just parted the previous day and now hearing such nerve wrecking news felt overwhelming. 

I'm not even sure why I cared this much, but I did. After all she was still my wife a few days ago before our split from each other. 

“Ugh, even till the very end she's still causing trouble”. My mother's vile words cut through my thoughts, clearly unfazed by the news as she shrugged in her seat. 

“Mother please try and show some decency and compassion. For all we know she could actually be dead like they say”. I growled at her, with my nostrils flaring from my fury at her lack of empathy. 

Jodie remained silent, probably uncertain of what to say in the moment. At least not until I bolted towards the door, but she pulled at my hand momentarily bringing me to a foot still. 

“Where are you going Robert?”. Jodie inquired with concern laced in her voice as her eyes glared up at me. 

“I’m going to the hospital to know the truth if she's dead or not like the news says”. I responded almost immediately in the heat of the moment. 

“You will do no such thing Robert. I forbid it”. my mother's voice thunders with her face twisted into a scowl expressing her displeasure. 

“And why not mum? It's Melissa were talking about for Christ sakes. Do you abhor her that much to forbid me from going?.” I retorted furiously. 

“Call it what you want Robert, but you will not step a foot out of this house. Do you realize how much of a scandal this may cause, if we involve ourselves in this controversy”. she urged on, unyielding. 

I stared at her intently but her demeanor and countenance remained unchanged. 

“Please just listen to your mother Robert. Jodie intervened with her pleas, clearly supporting my mother's unreasonable plight. 

Guilt seeped into me, as I felt trapped by my mother's insistence. 

What really happened? 

Did I push her too far by asking for a divorce?. the thoughts taunted my mind, but the question that made my head throb and spiral. 

Was Melissa truly dead?.