4. I Want My Life Back

Laura's Point of View

"Congratulations, Laura! You won't believe it, but you're having twins!" Dr. Fernandez exclaims.

I blink, staring at the monitor in shock. "C-can you repeat that?"

"Well, this is quite exciting. Having two beautiful babies, don't you think?" she says with a smile.

"It is. I just can't believe it..." Tears well up in my eyes, and I can't help but rub my belly. I'm overwhelmed with joy.

"Thank you, Doc. These angels... they're giving me a reason to live."

"Laura, while this is wonderful news, we need to be cautious. You're not in the best shape right now, and stress could affect the babies," the doctor says, jotting down a prescription. "Here are some vitamins you should take. Make sure you get plenty of rest, and most important of all, trying to avoid stress."

I take the paper she hands me and stop her before she leaves. "Doctor, there's something I need to ask. I hope you can help me."

"What is it?" she asks, curious. "Could you not tell Kairo about the twins?" I take her hand and squeeze it. "Please, I'm begging you."

Doctor Fernandez stares at my hand and rests hers on top of mine.

"I'm sure you have your reasons for asking," she reassures. "I won't say anything to him."

After my doctor's appointment, I head back to the mansion. The moment I walk in, an ear-piercing scream greets me.

"Laura, you stupid bitch!" my mother-in-law screams. "You're completely worthless, yet you still find a way to cause trouble. How dare you!"

I just stare at her with a blank expression. I feel too numb to react. It seems her words don't affect me anymore.

But she keeps going, "My son gave you everything - money, support for your shameless family. You didn't even work a day in your life. And now you're filing for divorce?!"

My mother-in-law never misses a chance to tear me down. I'm so sick of it.

"If you're after Kairo's money, it went to my parents. I don't owe him anything!" I shoot back. Then, thinking about him cheating, I add, "And aren't you happy we're getting a divorce? Isn't that what you wanted?"

My heart tightens. It feels like ice water is running through my veins.

"Well now, I'm out of the picture! You can find a more suitable wife for him," I paused, thinking about Faith. "Or maybe you don't even need to look, since Kairo is already doing that himself."

"You're unbelievable! After everything my son has done for you, you think you can just say whatever you want!" Mrs. Jackson shouts, glaring at me. "You have no idea how to show gratitude to the people who took you in and gave you this luxurious lifestyle!"

I remember Dr. Fernandez's advice to avoid stress, so instead of engaging with her, I turn my back and head straight to my room to pack my things.

As I open the door, I'm surprised to see Kairo sitting on my bed, silently staring at me. I notice the papers he's holding divorce papers, if I'm correct.

Ignoring him, I go straight to my suitcase and start grabbing clothes from the closet. But he breaks the silence. "I heard you arguing with Mom downstairs. What do you mean by me looking for someone new?"

I stop what I'm doing and give him a cold stare. "Don't play dumb. You know exactly what you and Faith did."

"Faith?" His eyebrows furrow. "I already told you, I just dropped her off that night—" 

"Cut the crap, Kairo!" I shout.

"Laura, nothing happened between me and Faith! Yeah, we have a history, but that ended when I married you." He seems frustrated and tries to walk toward me. "What exactly are you so unhappy about? You're so immature."

"Oh, I'm the one who's immature? Right, because lying and cheating are so mature," I say, dripping with sarcasm.

"I didn't lie, and I didn't cheat! I already told you," Kairo snaps back.

Unbelievable. He's still denying it even after seeing the photo of him naked in bed.

Furious, I stuff my clothes into the suitcase and quickly close it. Just as I'm about to leave, he grabs it, causing me to let go.

"What are you doing?! Let go!" I say, trying to pick up the luggage. He kicks it away, making me even angrier. "Who's being immature now, huh?!"

"You can't leave, Laura. You can't go anywhere," he says seriously.

"You're not the boss of me, Kairo. Sign the divorce papers so I don't have anything to do with you anymore," I say coldly, picking up my luggage again.

"I'll give you anything you want, just don't leave. You need cash? I'll get it for you. Want a job at the company? Done. Name it, and it's yours. You can't leave me, Laura!"

"And why not?"

"Because you won't make it without me! You have no degree, no work experience. You don't know what it's like out there. You need me, Laura!"

I shove him away, feeling like my heart is being stabbed over and over. I've never felt so low.

"You're so full of yourself," I huff. "In all the time we were together, I never asked you for anything. Not your money, not your possessions, and I never forced you to love me."

Tears well up in my eyes, but I quickly wipe them away and stare into his eyes. I want to make sure he knows my feelings for him are gone.

"There's only one thing I want now, Kairo. I want my life back, the one I wasted because of you."

He's momentarily taken aback by my words, so I take the chance to grab my luggage and leave.

With each step, I feel lighter. As I walk out the door, I finally feel like I'm reclaiming my life. For the first time in years, I'm free.