Chapter Four: The Dinner War.

Leila

The moment our car rolled to a stop in front of the Stone family mansion, I felt it. Something in my gut told me that tonight wasn’t going to be an ordinary night. It would be dramatic but I had nothing left to lose. So if drama wanted to come knocking, I was ready to open the door wide.

I reached for the handle to step out when Desmond’s voice stopped me. “I’d suggest we pretend like everything is fine between us,” he said, straightening his suit jacket, his tone as smooth and calculated as ever. “I don’t want us to ruin Grandma’s birthday dinner with… drama.”

I turned my head slowly, narrowing my eyes at him. “Or,” I said, my voice dripping with bitterness, “I could just go home and sleep. It’s not like I’m going to be a member of this family for much longer.”

His jaw tightened. “Even if you don’t want to be part of this family, my child will always be a Stone. So you’d better fix your attitude.” He didn’t wait for a reply, stepping out of the car.

The moment we entered the mansion, I felt the familiar chill of the Stone household, the polite smiles that didn’t quite reach the eyes, the subtle up and down glances. Most of his cousins were already there, few nodded stiffly in my direction, their expressions flat. I offered them a tight smile in return, the kind you give someone you’d rather never speak to again.

Grandma was sitting in the main lounge, her posture regal despite her age. I walked up to her with my gift in hand. “Happy birthday, Grandma,” I said softly, handing it over.

Her eyes, sharp as ever, studied me before she gave a brief, icy look, and then pulled me into a warm hug. “How have you been, dear? You look different,” she said, her gaze scanning my face. “Are you eating well? And is this fool treating you right?” She tilted her head toward Desmond.

“I’m fine, ma,” I replied, masking my emotions. “How have you been?”

“Aging is a blessing,” she said with a small smile. “Especially when you’re surrounded by the people you love.”

We made our way to the dining room. I deliberately avoided sitting next to Desmond. Being close to him these days made my skin itch. I had told him days ago that I couldn’t share a bed with him anymore and the arrangement suited us both just fine.

But as I settled into my seat, I felt a shadow fall over me. I glanced to my right and nearly groaned. His mother. God, why was this witch sitting here when there were plenty of other seats available?

“Well, look who decided to show up in the flesh,” she said, her lips curving into a cruel smile. “I thought you’d have left by now, after finding out your husband is in love with someone else. And that she’s carrying his baby. Something you haven’t managed to do in two years of marriage.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I guess staying married means more to you than your dignity.”

My mother in law was cut from the same selfish, self centered cloth as her son. For two years, she had made this marriage hell for me. If she wasn’t calling me a gold digger, she was questioning my worth as a woman. And now that there was a child in the picture she has added “barren” to her list of insults.

I turned to Rebecca, my lips curving into a slow smile. “Oh, didn’t he tell you?” I whispered. “We’re actually expecting two babies.”

Her eyes widened in shock before narrowing, and shot her son a sharp glare across the table.

I leaned back, satisfied.

“You know what they say,” she replied after a pause. “A baby can’t keep a man. You can’t trap him in your sham of a marriage just because you’re pregnant. He’ll leave you soon enough.”

I smiled again, but this time there was no warmth in it. “Please. I’m anticipating the divorce more than anyone else could imagine. Just tell your son to sign the papers when they get to him.”

Her face hardened. Clearly, she had expected me to beg.

Just as dinner was being served, the butler entered. “Sir, there’s someone waiting for you outside,” he said to Desmond.

Grandma frowned. “Who on earth comes to see you at your family home during my birthday dinner?”

“She said her name is Miss Kavier,” the butler answered.

Rebecca smirked at me.

“Should I invite her in?” the butler asked.

Desmond stood abruptly. “I’ll attend to her outside.”

“Oh, bring her in to meet Grandma,” Rebecca said, her voice laced with amusement.

Grandma’s expression turned cold. “Bring her in to say hello to me as what, Isn’t she the woman you’ve been photographed with in the news? It seems like you’d rather be parading around town with women than running the company.”

Desmond’s face flushed. “No, Grandma. I’ll take care of it.” He left in a hurry.

“At least she brought him investors,” Rebecca said, tilting her head toward me. “Unlike his wife, who spends all day at home doing nothing but spending his money.”

I let out a short laugh. “Did he tell you that the investor insists on buying twenty percent of his shares before investing, and she’s been encouraging him to sell?”

Rebecca froze. “What?”

I tilted my head innocently. “Oh, I thought you knew.”

Grandma slammed her hand on the table. “And he didn’t think to run that by me first, get him in here this minute!”

One of Desmond’s cousins shot me a glare. “Are you happy now? You’ve ruined dinner.”

I feigned confusion. “I honestly thought Grandma was aware, I didn’t know it was a secret.”

Rebecca’s eyes burned with hatred. “I told him you were no good for him. If this threatens my son’s position as CEO, I will make you disappear without a trace.”

I leaned back in my chair and smiled at her. “Empty threats, Rebecca, empty threats.”