Chapter 7

Alexandra exhaled in relief. At least Elora wasn't demanding half of Cedric's estate.

She knew how scorned wives could be. Her shoulders relaxed but quickly tensed up again when she saw the look on Cedric's face. He looked like he had just seen a ghost.

Even the news of his daughter's death didn't seem to shake him this much. His jaws were left hanging.

“A divorce?” He finally said.

“Yes.” Elora said. Margarita nodded.

“I don't want a divorce.” Cedric said quietly.

“You said you would give me anything I asked.” Elora pushed strands of her hair away from her face. “Anything.”

Cedric opened his mouth to speak but no word escaped. “Yes. yes... but not a divorce.”

Elora scoffed. “I have decided, Cedric.”

“I'm in love with you, Elora.” He stepped forward and reached for her hand. She pulled back so quickly like she had been shocked by electricity.

Alexandra rolled her eyes and pouted her lips in contempt. What did Cedric mean by he was still in love with Elora?

She thought she had him where she wanted. She couldn't wait for all this to be over so she had Cedric all to herself. He was going to recover soon and forget about this.

Including their dead child. May her soul rest in peace but Alexandra was going to give him a healthy child. It would almost seem like he lost nothing.

Elora scoffed. “In love with me?”

Her eyes landed on Alexandra. “Then what is she doing here? You are in love with me yet you parade your mistress around the city and direct millions of dollars to research her condition.”

“The doctors said it was critical.” Cedric's voice trembled. He sounded like he was about to cry and this irritated the hell out of Alexandra.

“And our daughter's health wasn't?” Elora laughed dryly while turning to her mother. Margarita reached out and rubbed her arms.

"My daughter's condition wasn't critical enough?”

“The progress was slow and the partners thought it was a better use of money to...”

“Don't try to blame this on the partners.” Elora barked. “You and I know who has the final say there.”

Cedric swallowed. He suddenly looked smaller than he was and like his suit was two sizes big.

“We can work this out.” He approached Elora carefully like she was a wounded animal. He glanced at Margarita, his eyes begging for her mercy but she kissed her teeth and looked away.

“Party's over.” Elora announced without sparing him another glance. “Thanks for coming.”

She said to the guests who had hung around. She kicked her shoes off and held them in her hands as she walked to her bedroom.

Cedric stood there looking like a fool. His forehead shone with sweat despite the air conditioned room.

Margarita walked past him and scoffed. People murmured as they helped themselves to the food before leaving. Alexandra was livid. She knew this was going to hit the papers by midnight.

Everyone was going to think she was the bad guy. She hated Cedric for this humiliation.

She sat on a sofa away from him until people left.

“What was the meaning of that?” She immediately asked when they were alone. Cedric turned around slowly, his eyes were red with unshed tears.

“I really don't have time for this , Alex.” He inhaled deeply.

“Of course you don't. After making a fool of yourself and letting that bitch walk all over you.”

Cedric's head snapped. “What did you just say?” He asked slowly.

Alexandra folded her arms and flipped her hair back. “You heard me or do you now have hearing problems too?”

Cedric bit his lips and clenched his fist. “Don't you ever talk about my wife like that.”

Alex rolled her eyes and scoffed. “She wants a divorce, Cedric. Sign the damn papers.”

“And who are you to tell me what to do?”

“A woman who is going to give you a child soon.”

Cedric exhaled and ran his fingers through his hair. He was mad but he knew he shouldn't take it out on Alex. She wasn't the cause of his misfortune.

She might have assisted here and there but he brought it upon himself.

“You should leave.”

Alex took a few steps back like Cedric's words had physically pushed her. “I rode with you.”

"I'll get my driver to drop you off.”

“I don't want to ride home with no stinky driver.” Alex said while scrunching up her nose.

“You better take the driver offer while it's still available or you book an uber.”

Alex creased her brows and grabbed her bag angrily. She couldn't tolerate anymore insults and humiliation from Cedric. How dare he suggest that she take an Uber?

She had never taken one in her entire life and she definitely wasn't going to start now. She was marching out of the house when she pretended to slip and fall.

She screamed loudly while clutching her stomach and rolling on the floor. Cedric immediately rushed to her side and gathered her in his arms.

"Alexandra.” He pulled her closer. “Are you okay?”

She began to sob softly while hitting his chest. “This is all your fault. Oh my goodness, my knees. My ankles.”

She paused and looked at Cedric. "I don't think I can feel the baby anymore.”

Cedric lightly pressed two fingers against her stomach. “I'm sure the baby is fine.”

Alex pushed him away. “Get away from me. You don't care about me and that I'm carrying a child. All you care about is Elora. Go and be with her.”

“I care about you.” Cedric said in a soft voice while trying to get her off the floor but she wouldn't relent.

“No. You don't.” She continued crying.

Cedric finally gave up and sat beside her on the floor.

Elora stood looking outside her windows with her arms wrapped around her. She had finally told Cedric she wanted a divorce. Her tongue felt heavy and weird like she had swallowed a bitter pill. Her throat was parched and her eyes burned with tears.

Her shoulders still shook as she was there. She didn't know where she had gotten that bravery from.

“Sit down dear.” Margarita said touching her shoulders but she shrugged it off.

“I still love him mother.” She whispered as she inhaled deeply. “I still love him.”

She looked down at her feet and closed her eyes to avoid the tears from rolling down.

“But I can't forgive him for what he did. I can't.”

“You shouldn't forgive a man who left his child to die for another woman. A man who loves you wouldn't do that to you.”

Elora chuckled. “What do I know about love anyway?”

Margarita knitted her brows. She couldn't tell where her daughter was going but something in her gut told her it wasn't good.

"I never knew love.” She turned to her mother. Margarita opened her mouth to speak but Elora interrupted.

“I know you killed Dad when you discovered his mistress.”