2: An Awkward Moment

VICTORIA ~

I calmly glanced at the seven-figure value bracelet on Elese's hand, then looked directly into Brandon's eyes.

"I mean exactly what I said. You give the bracelet away and give me a freebie gift. Do you think I only deserve freebies?"

Brandon probably didn't expect me to bring up the freebie issue face-to-face. He was momentarily embarrassed.

It was Elese who immediately spoke up, looking aggrieved.

"Victoria, don't be angry. Brandon gave me this bracelet because he saw that I really liked it. If you're really unhappy, I'll return the bracelet to you."

"Please don't argue with Brandon because of me; it's not worth it."

She said this but made no move to take off the bracelet. She just looked at Brandon pitifully, tears falling one by one.

Seeing her like this, Brandon immediately held her in his arms, looking at me with displeasure in his eyes.

"Elese, don't listen to her. The bracelet was given to you, so it's yours now."

"She's just like this, petty and narrow-minded."

I glanced at them, not saying anything, and continued looking at the computer in front of me.

Seeing me like this, the anger in Brandon's eyes intensified.

He simply hugged Elese and walked out. When passing through the doorway, he deliberately opened the door forcefully, then stood at the doorway looking at me.

I knew he was waiting for me to give in, waiting for me to give him a way out.

It had always been like this in the past.

I would take the initiative to reconcile, only to be met with his repeated pushing of boundaries.

So now, I didn't even raise my head to look at him.

Seeing me like this, Brandon simply slammed the door forcefully.

Not long after they left, my phone began ringing, and when I picked it up from the mini table in front of me and glanced at the screen, I was stunned upon noticing that my mother was the one calling.

It was as if she read my mind to know I needed her—I needed her words.

"Hello Vicky," she said as she calls me.

"Could you make it home tonight? I and your father planned to have a dinner together with you."

I sucked in, the lump nearly choking my throat.

"Ok… okay. I'll be there in the evening," I replied, stuttering.

**

It was eventually evening, and I was set to leave for my parents' home. I didn't text Brandon about it though, as I would have done if it was before.

I never went somewhere without notifying Brandon first, and he'd be the one to approve or reject even though his reasons most times are not valid.

I was grateful that he's not yet home since the time he left with Elese. I was happy because I'm going to catch him off guard with my plans.

However, as the cab halted in front of my parents' house and I alighted, I was met with a surprise—Brandon was standing at the gate, probably waiting for me so we'd go in together.

How did he even know about this appointment?

My parents would likely think that we came together upon seeing us.

When he saw me, there was a hint of happiness on his face.

"Shall we go in together?"

I didn't refuse but simply nodded and walked in.

My parents welcomed us even though they were not happy to see him. Their facial expression said it all.

"You never told your mother you were coming with Brandon." Said my father.

I scratched the back of my head in confusion.

"Um, it was... it was unexpected," I simply said; thankfully, they didn't ask further.

My mom sighed before heading to the kitchen to present the dinner she had prepared.

During the dinner, they couldn't even raise their faces at us. The moment was extremely awkward. It's not that the meal was not appetizing, but I would say my parents were still upset about the wedding incident.

Their attitude towards Brandon was not very good.

If it were before, I might have tried to smooth things over, but now, I just let Brandon sit there awkwardly by himself.

When dinner was over, I was about to call a taxi to go home when Brandon sat up, greeted my parents nonchalantly, and left. He didn't even wait and ask to carry me in his car and then wait for me to turn down the offer.

I spent almost an extra hour with my parents, who were asking me not to leave but to stay with them just so I could have peace of mind while the lawyer works on finalizing the divorce; however, I hesitated.

I wanted to stay and observe how everything goes in the house just so Brandon and Elese do not play me, making the years I've been with him a waste.

There are properties we achieved together, so I'd need my share of it in case divorce eventually happens.

However, when I walked out of the house to book a ride, I was surprised to see Brandon's car parked at the roadside. He had been waiting for me.

Upon seeing me, he quickly drove the car forward and requested I enter, which I obliged.

I had just opened the car door and sat down when I saw a sticker on the passenger seat that said [Elese's Exclusive Seat].

When he noticed that I saw it, he cleared his throat to explain.

"Elese insisted on putting it here; anyway, you don't sit here often." He said, speaking somewhat uncomfortably.

I nodded, speaking very calmly.

"Mm, young girls are like that."

He frowned, about to say something when my phone pinged, a sign of an incoming message.

I didn't pay attention to him but lowered my head to focus on replying to the message.

He turned on the engine and steered the car to the main road, heading home.

The message I wanted to reply to turned into a full-blown conversation that lasted for half an hour. It was a conversation between me and my friend Benita.

By the time it ended, Brandon had already parked the car outside our villa.

Without saying anything to him, I swung the door open and walked down only to meet Elese. She walked directly to meet Brandon and eagerly dove into his arms.

"Brandon, I missed you so much," she said and pecked him on his cheek.

Brandon's expression was a bit awkward, probably because it was in front of me.

He quickly stopped Elese's attempt to kiss his face.

"That's enough. How old are you? Why are you still so childish?"

Elese looked at me triumphantly, speaking coquettishly.

"Does age matter? Am I not still your little sister?"

I didn't want to pay attention to the little actions between them, so I simply walked into the house.

As I swung the door open, I saw several photos playing repeatedly on the electronic screen.

There were photos of Elese and Brandon embracing while watching the sunrise and eating together, and even at the end, there was a photo of the two passionately kissing.

The shock made me freeze, unable to close back the door.

Seeing me like this, Brandon quickly ran to my side to explain.

"Victoria, these photos are all fake, believe me; don't get angry. Getting angry is not good for the baby."

I turned to look at him and saw a flash of guilt in his eyes.

I nodded. "Mm, the photos are quite nice."

A frown crept onto his face.

"Victoria, aren't you angry?"

I remained composed.

"No, why would I be?"

Just as I finished speaking, my phone rang.

It was the doctor calling. He was calling to discuss the details of my hospital admission tomorrow concerning the abortion.

I walked to the side to answer the phone, not paying attention to Brandon's expression anymore.