Chapter 2

Micheal

Two Hours Ago

My throat feels heavy, I plan to see Seraphina at the hospital but I soon decide against the idea. I'm now driving aimlessly on the road and I've been feeling rather awful after I'd compelled Matilda into signing the divorce papers.

Damn, what's happening with me? I should be happy, very happy that Matilda will be leaving my life very soon and my Sera will be with me once again, our lives will finally be back to normal, just like we had planned two years ago. Matilda wasn't meant to stay with me forever, she only got married to me for the agreement on the contract she signed days before our marriage.

My phone vibrates on the passenger seat next to me. I park my car and I answer the car.

“Hello, Mr Roosevelt.”

“Hello, Michael. I called regarding the divorce with my daughter, has she signed it?”

I pause and take a deep breath. Sure, Matilda signed it but I saw the anguish in her eyes when she still agreed to sign the divorce papers. My stomach is also upset for some reason but I still answer.

“Hmm, she signed the documents.”

“I know my daughter, Matilda will understand, she has always been very sensible and practical, this had to be done now that my other daughter is awake. Your late grandfather only specified two years minimum in his will so you and Matilda aren't obliged to stay together anymore. Things will finally go back to as it was and previously scheduled. I'm on my way to the hospital to see Seraphina, are you also coming to visit her tonight?”

“Not tonight,” I reply more curtly than I intend, but he doesn't seem to notice. “I'm a bit busy at the moment.”

“That's fine. Seraphina will be sad but I'll explain to her.”

The call ends and I throw my phone back on the passenger seat almost in frustration.

I keep driving, until I find myself in front of my buddy's home. I really needed someone to talk to and Daniel was the person. He was my employee at my company and my best bud over the years.

I step out of my car and march towards the front door. I knock on it twice and it opens, revealing Mrs Gina, Daniel's mom. She instantly smiles at me. “Oh my, it's you Michael, please come in.”

I nod and enter the house like it's also my home. I take off my shoes and remain in my socks and follow Mrs Gina down to the Hall. “My son is upstairs...”

“I'll go see him.” I say and turn towards the stairs. I'm halfway on the stairs and Mrs Gina asks me if I'm hungry and though I think I am, I easily decline.

I don't knock and simply enter Daniel's bedroom. He's playing video games on his latest Xbox One. He notices me but doesn't stop playing and only says. “What's up, Mr CEO.”

I plop on his bed and lay down, with my eyes reaching the ceiling. “Matilda has already signed the divorce papers,”

Daniel looks at me and pauses his game, throws his gaming controller to his side and takes off his headphones.

“You're joking, bro?” He asks and I turn to look at him, wearing a serious expression.

“Do I look like I'm joking?” I ask and he then looks at me like I have lost my mind.

“Why on earth will you do that? I thought you cared about Matilda, but it seems I was wrong.” He accuses me.

“Of course I care about Matilda, but Seraphina is back now. She's awake from her coma.” I defend myself and even though my reasons are valid, it feels like it's not.

“So?... ” Daniel asks and I hate that he continues to look at me like I'm some stupid kid.

I now sit up straight on the bed. “What do you mean by so? You and I both know Matilda and I only got married for our own interests. I will be able to receive my inheritance and her father will have the necessary capital to save his sinking company from bankruptcy.”

“Not her interests, but her father's. You even said so yourself just now.” The douchebag points out.

“Same thing. Her interests, her father's interests, it's her and Seraphina who will inherit their father's company someday.” I argue a fair point.

“How does all that matter right now, Michael?” Daniel asks.

“It does matter, because our agreement is done now. Matilda and I were still going to have a divorce, that was the plan all along...”

“But the plan changed when you started liking Matilda.” Daniel cuts me off.

“I only love Seraphina. Don't forget I was going to get married to her, we were going to be happy, start a family together... but the sudden appearance of that clause on my grandfather's will changed the whole game and I had no choice but to marry Matilda who I despised in the past. That old man toyed with my life!”

I tell him firmly. Nobody could take Seraphina's place in my life, not even Matilda.

“But that hatred turned into something special, right? I mean Matilda even changed your entire personality.” Daniel says and I admit to that.

“Yeah, I mean, Matilda isn't at all the way Seraphina had described her to be. She said that Matilda was selfish and was always jealous of her. She even used to hurt her when they were kids, can you believe that?” I say.

“And do you believe Seraphina now? After spending two years living with Matilda, do you honestly think that what Seraphina said about her sister is true?” Daniel asks me and I can't say for sure but I soon pick out the double meaning.

“And what are you trying to imply here, that Seraphina always lied to me about her own sister?” I now wear a frown.

“Oh come on, Michael. Even you don't believe what Seraphina said about Matilda, or am I wrong?”

I then recall a time when Seraphina told me that Matilda was secretly a lesbian, but after getting to know Matilda and all of the times I was inside her, her loud screams and moans clearly told me she was not attracted to women at all.

I have my doubts but I don't voice them out to Daniel or he will continue to criticize Seraphina and we will both end up fighting.

“It doesn't matter what I think about Matilda, we've already signed the divorce papers, and on Monday, we'll be officially divorced.” I say with a clenched jaw and tight fists.

“It does matter, because I know you like Matilda a lot. You can't fool me, Michael, and especially not yourself.” Daniel now folds his arms. “If you were absolutely sure of your decision to let go of Matilda, then you wouldn't have come all the way here but instead you would be at the hospital right now, seated next to Seraphina and holding her hand, telling her how much you love her.”

“I'm in love with Seraphina. I never stopped loving her. Even though I had good times being with Matilda, I never stopped loving Seraphina. She's the only one I've always wanted to have kids and start a family with.” I state.

Daniel sighs and shrugs. “Well, if that's the case, then divorcing Matilda was the right decision. This way you'll both be free of each other. You can reunite with Seraphina while Matilda moves on with someone else....”

“No way!” I almost shout in Daniel's face. The mere thought of Matilda in the arms of another man infuriates me to my bones. She's never known any man except me. I took away her virginity and I'm the only man who can make her scream happy noises.

Oh no, what am I even thinking about? I look at Daniel and this time he gives me the rizz look.

“What was that? You nearly punched me when I merely stated the obvious.”

“What are you talking about?” I feign ignorance.

“Don't pretend, Michael. You got super jealous when I mentioned Matilda moving on with someone else.” Daniel grins and I swear I want to smack his mouth so that grin of his disappears. Why did he always have to be right about everything.

I know I was jealous, in fact I was so jealous that the thought of locking up Matilda somewhere far away from civilization crossed my mind just two seconds ago.

“Don't try to act smart with me or I'm cutting off your salary by half from next month. Then I'll see how you'll manage to spend so much on your next conquest.” I tell him and his face pales instantly. I smile seeing that smirk on his lips vanish.

“You're joking, right?! You can't be serious! Okay I'll shut my mouth.”

“Better,” I say.

“But seriously, I think you shouldn't make a decision in such a haste, Michael. I believe you're only confused at the moment and very overwhelmed after Seraphina came out of the coma. Your feelings and emotions are all mixed up.” Daniel tells me and a part of me agrees with him. Maybe I should have held off with the divorce for now and shouldn't have made Matilda sign them so quickly.

“I guess you're right.” I admit.

“I'm always right.” Daniel grins proudly.

I drive back home, this time my mind thinking about how to face Matilda. What should I say to her? That I made her sign the divorce papers on an impulse? That I wasn't sure if I wanted her away from me?

My thoughts dissipate when my phone rings. I don't stop driving as I reach for my phone. I quickly look at the screen and it's my mom calling. I wonder if something happened or why would she call me at this late hour.

“You idiot, what did you do to my daughter-in-law that she had to pack her belongings and leave your house?!” My mom shouts the moment I bring the phone to my ear.

I freeze like an ice statue, my eyes widens as my mom's words starts to sink in. I'm out of it that I almost do not see a car coming my way but luckily I press on the brakes and my car stops just in time to prevent my fatal accident.

“What?! Matilda left the house!” I start to panic.

“Yes, I tried calling her for a matter concerning my foundation but she didn't pick up, so I called your butler and he informed me that Matilda took her things and left. What did you do this time to upset her, you foolish son of mine?...”

“Mom, I'll call you back.” I interrupt her and quickly disconnect the call. I try Matilda's number but it goes straight to voicemail. Did she really leave?

I call William, my butler. He answers right away.

“Tell me, did my wife leave the house, William?” I ask while feeling agitated.

“Yes, Michael. The Madame left the house shortly after you did. I tried to ask her the reasons but she chose not to say anything.” He responds and I hang up without a word.

I hit the steering wheel multiple times. “Damn it!” I track down her number and I'm relieved that her phone is switched on. Her location is about five streets from where I currently was.

I'm about to reverse but a shitty officer approaches my car and stops me. In the end I pay a fine for almost causing an accident and then drive off to Matilda's location.