Chapter 3

LILY 

Her eyes were bright red by the time Chaise reached her. I'm not sure how she was able to squeeze out those fake tears that quickly. 

“Are you okay? What happened?” He asked worriedly. 

“I was just trying to explain to her that our relationship is pure. That she has nothing to worry about but she suddenly attacked me. I don’t know if I said something to offend her,” she sniffled. “My legs hurt so much, I don’t think I can stand.”

“I attacked you?” I repeated incredulously and Chaise’s head snapped to me. The thick glare startled me. Was he just going to believe her without even trying to hear my side of the story?

“What exactly is your problem?” He questioned me angrily. “Even if you don’t like her, that is no reason for you to hurt her like this. I always thought you were a soft-spoken person, where did this sudden violent attitude come from?”

I stared at him in disbelief, my lips opening and closing in shock.

“But I didn’t…”

“Enough of the excuses! Apologize to her right now!” He cut me short. 

“No!” I blurted. “I'm not going to apologize for something I didn’t do. She's clearly lying to you…”

“Ouch! I think I twisted my ankle,” She cried in a loud voice, drawing his attention from me. He quickly picked her up in bridal style. 

“Let me take you to the room first. I'll call the doctor to come check on you,” he said softly to her. Seeing him act so gentle with her when all he did was give me the cold shoulder these past few years made my heart ache. To top it all, he shot me a disgusted look. “You better have a good explanation for this.”

Then he carried her upstairs while I watched helplessly. The little hope I had earlier began to dwindle away. Was there even any point telling him about the pregnancy? It was clear where his heart was. 

The doctor arrived minutes later to check on Rachelle. I remained downstairs, deciding I wouldn’t risk my heart watching him take care of his ex in our matrimonial bedroom. 

I took out my phone, hoping to distract myself a little. As if on cue, another text from “my brothers” came in. I haven't replied to them since they sent the photos. 

TYRON: Are you free for lunch tomorrow? We have so much to talk about. Everyone is missing you.

NORMAN: I know a spot with the best treats in town. You always liked sweets, remember?

A small smile curled on my lips. He was totally right about. The fact that they still remebered things about me after all these years made my heart tug.

Chaise didn’t even remember my birthdays anymore or maybe he just refused to acknowledge it. It was always his assistant, sending some flowers and a bunch of random things I don’t even like as compensation. 

DAMIEN: You still like lillies right?

NORMAN: This airhead had a whole bouquet customized for you even when we told him to take things slow. 

JAMES: Can you guys calm down and let her reply? Don't scare her with the heavy spamming.

I chuckled at the light banter and finally typed. 

ME: Lunch is fine. I can come around 2pm tomorrow.

Aside from the divorce, this was another major thing I wanted to talk to Chaise about. I wanted himm to accompany me as my husband to reunite with my family. 

A dull ache simmered in my heart. I guess that was not happening anytime soon. Not with the way Rachelle was screaming from upstairs when she practically inflicted that pain on herself. 

Soon, Chaise was already descending the stairs in fury. It was probably not the perfect time to talk to him but I needed to get this off my chest. 

If he didn’t want me anymore, I would just leave with the rest of my things without anymore unnecessary drama. 

I quickly grabbed the divorce papers from the centre table. I didn’t even have to run after him because he was storming to me. 

“Are you free now? I wanted us to talk about these di…” I barely finished the words when he snatched the papers, flinging it across the room like a piece of garbage. 

“What stupid papers? Do you even know the level of damage you inflicted on Rachelle?” He angry demanded and dragged me upstairs. I almost stumbled on the stairs but this husband of mine couldn't care less.  

We finally got to the room and the doctor was just bandaging her entire leg. He shoved me right in front of her.

Her face was covered in tears and if I didn’t know better, I would have felt sorry for her. She let out a sad smile.

“It’s fine, Chaise. I'm sure she didn’t mean it. You said it yourself that Lily is not a violent person. She probably just wanted to talk to me but I misread her actions and accidentally hurt myself,” Rachelle sniffled. “I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry for misjudging you, Lily.”

Wow! This woman should get an award for mind games.

“Stop it, Rachelle. You shouldn’t be the one apologizing!” Chaise growled. “She did this to you and you are still trying to cover up for her.”

I groaned inwardly. This entire thing made me yank to pull my hair in frustration. 

“I have said this twice already. I didn’t do anything to her,” I tried to tell Chaise but he simply marched over and forced me to my knees. 

My skin scraped harshly against the floor from the force. Pain shoot through my knees and I winced. I looked up at him with stinging eyes.

“What the hell are you waiting for?” He said harshly. “Do youn want a taste of your own medicine?”

He wasn’t kidding. I could see it clearly in this eyes that this man was going to break my legs or do something worse if I didn’t apologise.

My eyes watered. He has never been this cruel to me before. I looked at Rachelle and her lips curved in a subtle smirked, basically screaming ‘i told you so.’

“I'm sorry,” the words left a bitter taste in my mouth. the air felt tight and suffocating. I just wanted to get out of this place. 

“Louder,” he hissed behind me. 

“I said I'm sorry, dammit!” I yelled, fighting through the tears. “Can I go now?”

Rachelle pretended to get up, then whimpered in pain and Chaise rushed to her side. His tender expression made my stomach churn.

Bile rose up my throat. I wasn’t sure if it was from the pregnancy or the scene before me but I wanted to throw up. 

“I told you not to force her to do anything. I have already forgiven her. Besides, all she was push me, I have been through worse abroad,” she gave a pitiful smile. 

Chaise held her hand. “Don’t worry, Rachelle. As long as I am here, no one will bully you anymore.” 

I stood up to leave, unable to take it anymore when the next statement made me pause in my tracks.

“Grandmother will be returning to the country in a few days. It will be a perfect time to introduce you to her again.”

My hands balled into fists. He couldn’t even wait to divorce me before introducing her to his grandmother again.

“But she doesn’t like me…” Rachelle said in a small voice and his gaze drifted to me.

“She will. Once she learns the truth.”

His tone was accusatory but I couldn’t think of what he was possibly accusing me of this time. 

However, I got the message loud and clear. 

“Chaise Cornell, since this is what you want, I will gladly divorce you. From this moment on, I will no longer chase you.”