Chapter 7: The Scandal

Sylvia*

“That was nice,” I said as soon as we settled into the car.

Dave glanced at me. “What was?”

“Kissing me,” I smiled. “Did you see them coming, or…?” I laughed softly.

His jaw tightened. “I wasn’t acting.”

The mood shifted instantly. I shifted in my seat, heat crawling up my neck. “I’m sorry,” I murmured.

The rest of the drive passed quietly until we arrived at the boutique. I picked a few clothes, nothing extravagant.

“Is that all?” Dave asked, his eyes scanning the bags with clear dissatisfaction.

“Yes,” I replied, suddenly unsure. Maybe it didn’t suit his taste.

“My love,” he said gently but firmly, “you’re a Colombo now. Not just any woman. Whatever you want will be brought to you. These?” He shook his head. “They’re too small for you.”

“Dave—”

“I insist, my lady.”

There was no arguing that tone. I sighed and went back inside for more.

Later, he turned to me. “Do you want to eat out, or go home?”

“Home?” I asked.

“My mother’s cooking.” I stiffened. “You said I’d meet her later. I don’t think I’m ready yet. Especially not with… everything. How will she react when she hears I’m divorced?”

He smiled like it was nothing. “My parents don’t care about that. I’m their only son.”

I laughed softly. “Feeling yourself, huh? Only son.”

“Of course,” he said proudly. “And now you’re the wife of the only heir to Colombo.”

My phone rang.

“Hello?” I answered, then frowned and ended the call.

“Who was that?” Dave asked.

“The lawyer.”

“Then we should head back to the hotel,” he said. “We can order food.”

I nodded, and we turned back.

At the hotel, the lawyer handed me the documents. I flipped through them carefully.

“Why isn’t Greg’s signature here?” I asked.

“He refused to sign,” the lawyer replied. “He said you should sign first. He believes you can both be given another chance at love.”

I let out a sharp laugh. “Another chance? Who asked him for one?”

I signed my name without hesitation and pushed the papers back.

“Tell Greg I don’t care about second chances with someone like him,” I said coldly. “I have someone who loves everything about me. He can take his chances and Arias straight to hell.”

The lawyer left.

“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” I muttered, breathing out hard.

I turned to Dave. “Babe, I’m hungry. Let’s order food.”

His mouth fell open.

“What?” I asked, confused. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“You just called me babe,” he said, eyes shining. “My God.” I blinked. “What else am I supposed to call you?”

He laughed, lifting me off the floor. “Nah. It’s babe. Babe.”

“Dave!” I yelled as he spun me around. “It’s okay!”

Food arrived soon after, and we ate.

Then his phone lit up.

I watched his expression change instantly. The smile faded, replaced by tension.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said too quickly.

“That doesn’t look like nothing.”He hesitated. “It’s my mum. Babe… I think we should get our marriage certificate immediately before I go. She wants to see me. And it’s not looking good.”

My chest tightened. “Is it about me?”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” he said, though his voice betrayed him.

We left shortly after to process the marriage certificate. Still, my thoughts wouldn’t settle. Had his mother already rejected me? She hadn’t even met me yet.

I pushed the thought away.

Dave dropped me at the hotel and left to see his mum.

Moments later, my phone buzzed.

An unknown number.

[A barren divorcee trying to seduce the heir of the Colombo family.]

Below the message was a blurred photo. The faces weren’t clear, but the background was unmistakable.

The hotel lobby.

This morning.

Dave and I.

My hands began to shake. The phone slipped from my fingers, hit the floor, and shattered.

The door creaked open.

I lifted my head—and there she was.

Arias.

Her lips curved slowly as her eyes dropped to the shattered phone on the floor. “I see you got some bad news,” she said sweetly. “Your phone even fell. It must be really bad.”

My chest tightened. I stood up abruptly.

 “Did you do this?” My voice shook despite my effort to stay calm. “Did you send those things out? Were you the one who called Dave’s mum?”

She raised a finger lazily. “Slow down. One question at a time.” She shrugged. “I was too busy with Greg, my love, to be plotting all that.” Her eyes gleamed. “Looks like karma already caught up with you.”

A laugh escaped me—sharp, bitter. “Karma?” I stepped closer. “You took Greg away. Now you want Dave too?” I shook my head. “You think Dave is like Greg? Dave loves me. And that’s final.”

She scoffed. “Let’s even assume he does.” Her gaze hardened. “You couldn’t give Greg a child in five years. Now you want to trap the only heir of a powerful family with barrenness?”

Something snapped inside me.

“Leave me the fuck alone!” I screamed. “I didn’t ask for this! I left Greg for you—just let me be!”

Her smile vanished. “Then disappear,” she shot back. “Stop rubbing it in my face. You left Greg? Fine. Go somewhere I’ll never be able to find you.”

“Get out!” I yelled.

I pushed her—lightly, carefully. I knew she was pregnant. I wouldn’t hurt her child.

But Arias staggered back as if I had struck her hard. She collapsed to the floor with a shrill scream.

“My baby!” she cried. “Oh my baby! She’s trying to kill my baby!”

The words hadn’t even settled when Greg rushed in. He dropped beside her, pulling her into his arms.

“Why would you want to harm an innocent baby?” he demanded, his eyes burning holes through me.

Before I could speak—

The door opened again.

Dave walked in.

Beside him stood a woman I didn’t need an introduction for.

His mother.

And just like that, the room went deadly still.