CHAPTER2

Bianca

I climbed the stairs and walked down the hallway in search of Liam when I heard it, the moans of hungry kisses shattering the silence that enveloped the wide corridor. 

I thought it was just some staff drooling around when I caught sight of them.

Liam and Kira tangled in each other’s arms.

My stomach dropped as I watched my husband dutifully exploring the confines of Kira’s blouse.

“Liam,” I called out, my voice shaky.

Shockingly, they didn’t seem startled at my sudden presence. I watched in pain as my husband held Kira tightly.

“Liam what's going on?” I asked, the words barely above a whisper.

“And what does it look like to you?” Kira responded, a wide grin plastered on her face.

“Well if you must know, Bianca, Kira is my woman, and has always been before this entire charade,” Liam said, breaking his silence and shooting the words at me.

Did he just refer to our union as a charade? 

I stood there, too dumbfounded to utter a single word.

“I never asked for this,  Liam,” I muttered, “I never wanted to be here in the first place,” I added, my hands clutching my purse, and nervously fighting hard to hold back my tears.

“Oh cut the drama!” Liam snapped at me. “I know you planned this all out with your parents, you're only after my family’s fortune, but mark my words, this arrangement is going to be nothing but a complete disaster,” he added, his eyes wide with fury.

“Babe,” Kira called out, still clinging tightly to him. “Could we get out of here now?” she asked, with a warm smile.

I watched in agony as they both held hands tight and walked past me.

My heart dropped in pain, and I allowed the tears to flow freely. I reflected on how I got here, married to a billionaire who didn't want me.

I had a degree, a good job, and my life was going well before my parents forced me into this mess.

“My parents!” I yelled instinctively, stopping my tears abruptly.

“They're the ones who pushed me into this mess, they'll have to settle whatever scores they have with Fredrick and set me free,” I muttered amidst sobs.

I clutched my purse so tightly against my soft silk gown that I could feel the diamond stones poking into my skin. I got downstairs, amidst the unnoticed crowd and I made my move toward the exit.

I hurriedly got out of the premises and hastily flagged a taxi down.

“It's now or never Bianca,” I affirmed to myself, as I slipped in.

I arrived at my parents' house and hurriedly walked towards the entrance. I found the front door wide open, which was quite unusual. As I made my way upstairs towards their bedroom, I heard my parents arguing, my mum's voice preceding.

“So what if she isn't truly ours, so what Gary? Bianca is our child no matter what, we can't keep hurting that little girl just because we aren't her biological parents!” I heard my mum say and I froze, and stumbled like the words had knocked me out.

I couldn’t believe my ears.

My purse dropped out of my hands loudly screeching against the tiled floor, startling my parents.

“Who’s there?” Mum called out dashing out of the room. “Oh.. My.. My.. God, baby you startled me, what's..Wrong why are you here at this time of the day?” she stammered instinctively.

I could hear my heart beating rapidly as I searched my mother's face for answers.

“Bianca,” Dad called out, sluggishly trailing behind Mum.

“Baby, what's wrong?” Mum asked, feigning total ignorance. “Did something happen with the Smiths?”

“I heard you say I'm not your child, is that true?” I asked, my voice shaky.

Mum chuckled nervously, guilt written all over her face. “Honey, what do you mean? Of course you’re ours, and..”

“Enough!” I yelled, cutting her off. “I’ll ask again, am I really your child?” I asked, staring into my parents' faces.

The only family I ever knew.

My parents could hardly meet my eyes and their silence gave me my answers.

“Oh, my God!” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. “I get it now Dad. This is exactly why you sold me off to the Smiths without second thoughts.” I sighed and shook my head in disbelief.

Dad broke the heavy silence.

“It isn’t what you think Bianca, we did it for your own good my..”

“No. You did it to satisfy your greed,” I managed to say between sobs.

“Baby, I’m so so sorry, I should have told you a long time ago,” Mom said, “regardless of the situation dearest we still love you very much and regard you as ours” she added.

“Love.” I laughed dryly, “You both never loved me, you only saw me as a pawn in your endless games,” I said, looking straight into Dad’s eyes.

“Bianca, you mustn’t think I’m a part of this please,”

Mum said, between soft sobs. “This was all your father’s idea, I would never give you away just because of money my child, you have to believe me,” she pleaded.

“Don’t you ever refer to your disgusting selves as my parents!” I yelled, sobbing. “I am not and will never be your child.”

“That’s enough young lady, you don’t speak to us in this manner after everything we’ve done for you,” Dad said sharply.

“Enough Gary,” Mom snapped at him,” pausing her tears. She has every right to be mad, and you damn know that.”

Acting as if his words didn’t get to me, I went on.

“Who are my real parents?” I asked, my eyes fixed on mum.

“You.. you were dropped at our doorstep one night, and I insisted we adopt you,” she said, “ I had always loved you from the first day” she whispered.

I could clearly see the guilt on Mom's face, but I was too hurt to acknowledge it.

“Is there any information that could help me find my biological parents?” I asked, and Mom shook her head.

My heart sank, and everything felt unreal like a bad dream.

“Well, I’ve come here to let you know that I do not wish to be married to Liam any longer,” I said, “I would advise you to settle whatever scores you have with his father,” I added, locking eyes with Dad.

“You must be joking,” Dad let out a sharp and cold laugh.

I could sense his lack of remorse, he didn’t even flinch, no guilt or apology in his eyes. My jaw tightened and my heart raced faster in anger.

“I ain’t gonna repeat myself,” I said firmly, “ this whole game is over,” I added, and turned to walk away.

“It ain’t over young lady,” he called after me. “There’s plenty you don’t know. Remember those Papers you signed?”

I froze.

My heart dropped.

What papers?

I never signed any papers!