Chapter 9

“Ellyse…thank God you came,” Victoria was busy speaking to George, her husband and Kai’s father. George, like Kai is a very prominent business man in the mining field. He pioneered many inventions and machines used in mining today.

He’s like the reason why the Laurent name carries such honor and legacy, something Kai is carrying now.

Ellyse saw Victoria lying on the hospital bed with needles and tubes inserted in her arm. She looked sick, her lips were pale and her eye bags were showing. It was almost as if she had aged ten years since she slept at the mansion.

“I told you to take care of yourself, Mom!” She immediately ran towards her mother-in-law to embrace her, taking in her familiar scent.

Victoria embraced Ellyse back, “I did, Ellyse…I was just really stressed lately,” She explained.

“Victoria had been overthinking about you and Kai’s marriage, she thinks you’re going to file for divorce any time soon,” George spoke from beside Victoria.

Unlike Kai, George was welcoming and kind to her. He was attentive and always made sure everyone was comfortable, and not to mention—humble.

Ellyse managed to smile a little before hugging George, “Dad, you’re back,” She said.

“He flew right after knowing I was rushed to the hospital,” Victoria chuckled.

Ellyse felt jealous of their marriage sometimes. She had thought about what their secret was to a long and happy marriage since hers seemed like it was dying.

And it did.

“Mom, you shouldn’t worry about me and Ellyse, you should worry about your health,” Kai finally spoke from behind her, he was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

Victoria seemed to have been triggered by what Kai said, she shot him a piercing look before looking away.

“I don’t know, Kai. You’re letting your marriage suffer! You’re always away, you never spend time with your family, you’re too engrossed with work! Take your wife out for goodness sake!” Victoria worded every single thing Ellyse had been keeping to herself perfectly.

Everytime she felt the need to demand things from Kai, she always chose to keep it to herself instead of voicing it out. She was afraid it would cause another big fight that would result to Kai leaving again.

However, 6 years ago, they would fight every single day.

“Mom-“

“I can’t believe I am literally dying without seeing the two of you act sweet for once,” She shook her head in disappointment.

“Victoria calm down, this is not good for you. Let them fix their problems by themselves,” George caressed Victoria’s back.

“I don’t want to concern you with our marital problems, Mom,” Ellyse spoke.

“The doctors said it is only a matter of time before her kidney disease turns into a terminal illness, so it’s not a good time to worry about things outside yourself dear,” George said softly, he seemed so worried and stressed. Ellyse felt bad.

“If tha happens then we have to get her treated overseas-“

“I would die first if you do that to me, I don’t want to die in a different country. My family is here,” Both Kai and George kept their mouths shut and didn’t argue anymore.

Kai was their only child, which is why Victoria is so involved in his life to the point where they arranged his marriage with Ellyse despite Kai opposing to the idea.

Victoria took a deep breath, “Kai…I just want you to be happy, that’s all I want. I don’t want Claire to grow up with both of her parents separated. Okay? So please…for the life of me, put in the effort to actually fix your marriage before it’s too late.”

Both Ellyse and Kai had no choice but to agree with Victoria and convince her that they would actually try to fix things, despite their divorce.

After an hour, they both left the hospital together. As always, they were silent. Ellyse noticed how Kai was thinking deeply, he was usually silent but today was different.

She couldn’t blame him though, his mother is literally confined.

She, on the other hand was equally bothered by what Victoria had said. She really wants them to work things out but they don’t anymore. She’s tired of always putting in the effort that never gets reciprocated.

Inside the elevator, both were dead silent. Kai had his hands inside his pockets while looking at the ceiling, waiting for the elevator to open.

However, as soon as the elevator opened, he spoke.

“I signed the divorce papers,” Is what he said.

Ellyse stopped walking to face him, Kai did too. She didn’t know how to react or what to say. In fact, she didn’t know how to feel.

She was supposed to feel relieved, but she felt…nothing.

“That’s good then,” She nodded, not knowing what else to say.

Kai also nodded in return, “Alright,” he was ready to go but Ellyse had something else in mind.

Whatever Victoria said stuck with her and now she was second guessing everything. She thought about Claire, about their baby in her stomach, she thought about telling Kai, she thought about what could happen to Victoria.

Everything she had planned in mind seemed to have had a negative outcome on everything.

“Kai,” She called for him.

Kai stopped, glances at her. Ellyse took a deep breath, “The day you arrived, you said you were with someone,” She said.

“Why are you telling me this?” His brows arched.

“Who were you with?” She took a step closer to him, they were inches apart.

Kai was towering over her but she didn’t care, she wanted to know what really happened that day and if he gave that ring to Agatha.

He licks his lips, “I don’t think that should concern you anymore since we’re in the middle of a divorce,” Ellyse wanted to scoff out loud, she wanted to explode like a freaking bomb.

How is he able to tell her these things when his mother told him that they should fix their marriage?

He really doesn’t care huh?

“I can’t believe you,” She took a step back, her heart beating so fast she could barely breathe.

“Are you done?” He asks dismissively.

They were in a public place, inside the hospital’s parking lot. She can’t lash out at him here, she’s better than that.

Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones getting into her head because she was usually calm and collected. But today, oh boy, today was different.

“You really don’t care about me, huh? You never did,” She pointed a finger at him but he seemed unbothered, only looking at her like she was some crazy lady.

“I hate you, I wish I never married someone like you!” She half-shouted before leaving him.