002

Dario POV

Resentment simmered within me as I stared down at her.

I never asked to be with this woman, but my grandfather insisted that I marry her, only then will I take over the family's business.

I got a call from Sofia, my first love, four months ago, telling me to divorce Bella. Now that she is done with her degrees , she wants us to get married.

Sofia approved of my marriage to Bella to ensure I wouldn't lose the CEO position to someone else.

"I have signed it, so you had better hurry up and sign it too. Besides, you have nothing to lose because I will compensate you with fifty million dollars and a villa. That should be enough to start a new life." I stated.

Shouldn't that be sufficient to send a poor girl packing?

She wasn't even interested in love; it was my money from the start, so there's really nothing to lose.

"After three years of marriage?" She asked after much silence, with tears rolling down her cheek. "This marriage is loveless, and you know it!" I snapped, causing her to jerk backwards in fear.

"I can endure it, Dario please. She rushed towards me and knelt down at my feet, begging and crying profusely. I can't do without you."

I smirked. "I can't endure it, and your tears can't make me change my mind. Hurry up and sign those papers, Sofia is coming back soon.

"What!" She screamed.

"Yeah you heard me. Sign those papers and let me finish with all the legal procedures before Sofia arrives."

She stood there staring at me with a shocked expression. Her eyes were swollen and she had phlegm all over her face.

"Sofia is the reason you are doing this? Why now? If you never loved me, you shouldn't have married me in the first place!" She lamented.

"I never wanted you! It's grandfather's fault I had to get involved with a poor girl like you. I used you Bella Robert! I used you to get my inheritance! You are a nobody to me. I don't care about your feelings, just sign those papers already! I'm losing my patience now!"

I slammed my fist on the table.

"You are heartless Dario! I can't believe I loved a man like you for ten years!"

"Now that you know that I am heartless, let's go our separate ways so I can be with the woman I love."

I can't take this bickering anymore.

"Is grandfather aware of this?" She asked in a sad tone.

Grandfather is the last person I will inform about this.

"It doesn't matter if he is aware or not, your years of living a luxurious life are over! I spat. And when you are leaving, do not take anything out of this house, none of it belongs to you."

"Dario you can't do this to me. Not after all the sufferings I went through in the hands of your family members." She cried.

"I don't care! And let me even make it worse, I didn't go on any business trip, I went to spend time with sofia. I harbor no regard whatsoever for your existence, not even a single cent's worth!"

She stood staring at me with a vacant expression.

"I will advise you to quickly sign the papers and disappear if you don't want your miserable life to get more miserable." I said.

I departed the room angrily to greet our guests who had started leaving.

"Oh, Mr Fowler, you have such an excellent wife. She is such a good cook." One of the guests commented.

See this man endeavoring to garner favor on my behalf, oblivious to the fact that he is increasingly provoking my ire.

"Thank you Mr Sawyer, I am glad you enjoyed your meal." I replied, forcing a smile. "Can we see her to show our gratitude?" He asked.

"No. She is with my mother, taking care of some things."

"Okay, take, this is a rare emerald jewelry. Give it to your wife as my gift to her." His wife handed me a parcel.

"Oh, thank you Mrs Sawyer, your gift will be delivered." I smiled brightly at her. I greeted other guests who had also brought expensive gifts for Bella.

If they were aware of her status, they wouldn't have cared about her existence. I tossed the gifts into the bin. She doesn't deserve the luxury.

"Bella! My mother called. Where is that good-for-nothing?

"She is probably in the room, hating her life." I replied.

"Bella! Has she suddenly gone deaf?" My mother demanded angrily. She should come clean up the dining table. She said getting impatient by the second. Must I always remind her of her responsibilities in this household?"

"I'm sorry, Mother, " she apologized as she descended the stairs, her voice already croaky from crying. I was changing my outfit." She said,

"You wastrel! How dare you waste my time! You good-for-nothing beggar! Don't you know your job in this house anymore!"

She moved closer and landed two slaps on her face that sent her sprawling to the floor. Her face turned red and she busted into tears as she sat dejectedly on the marble floor.

"Dario?" A familiar scent of vanilla with a touch of mint wafted through the air, as the voice carried a subtle allure that could enchant anyone within earshot.

Sofia?

We all turned, drawn by the sound of her voice.

And there at the entrance she stands, my beloved, tall and slender.

Her wavy brown hair flows down her back, framing her delicate features, her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of emerald.

Her delicate nose and lips are as soft as rose petals and her skin glows with an ethereal radiance, captivating me at every glance.

Her smile possesses the enchanting ability to melt even the most hardened of hearts.

She walked closer, held my hands and asked, with a hint of anger in her voice "Why is she still here? I want her out! I am here to stay."