Chapter 3

Nina happened to be a rising model from Vancouver.

She was elegant with impeccable taste and lots of brands desired to work with her. 

Perhaps, she was going to be the face of Miller Holdings.

But Daisy was slightly wrong. 

“Meet Nina, mum.” 

They exchanged an air kiss. 

“And who's she?” Nina asked, pointing to Daisy. 

“She's…uhm…my wife”, Lucas struggled to say. 

“Oh”, Nina smiled, scanning Daisy from head to toe.

“I've heard a lot about you.” 

“Me too. I've seen you on many billboards”, Daisy beamed from ear to ear. 

“You're really pretty.” 

“Thanks”, Nina said, feeling flattered. 

“You can go upstairs”, Lucas said to Daisy after noticing she was gawking. 

He personally served his guest a drink which was rare. 

There were giggles and the conversation spun for a while. 

It wasn't until quite some time had passed that Daisy noticed her phone was not in her bedroom.

‘I must have dropped it in the conservatory’, she said to herself and quickly went there. 

But it wasn't there…

‘Maybe it's in the living room. I hope mum won't scold me for going in’.

Just as she was about to step into the sitting room, she heard something and stopped in her tracks almost immediately.

“You can call me mum from now onwards because you've made my dream come true.” 

That was Josephine's voice. 

Daisy's curiosity got the best of her.

She got closer to the door and peeped.

And her eyes caught Josephine's hand placement. 

It was on Nina's belly. 

‘This can't be. Is Nina pregnant?’ Daisy blinked hard.

Her feet suddenly became heavy and it felt as though air had escaped her lungs. 

She did not realize when she got to her room, completely ignoring her missing phone. 

She lay her head on the pillow and sobbed. 

Her mind raced and still hit the same stop. 

She felt the little pieces of her already-shattered world crumble. 

It was then that her mind cast back to earlier that morning.

‘Lucas was probably speaking to Nina’, she said between sobs. 

Every attempt to pull herself together failed and left her with more sobs. 

Eventually, she wiped her eyes. 

Her coping mechanism was to assume that she misread the situation. 

‘Maybe Nina has a tummy ache…or something’. 

Those were the words she settled on to console herself.

After Nina had left, the mother and son duo remained seated in the living room, discussing business. 

One of the helpers brought her phone to her, saying she found it lying on the sofa in the conservatory. 

Daisy's mind kept drifting every now and then to what she had seen and heard during the day.

She locked herself away throughout the day and no one bothered to check up on her…except for the servants at home. 

This went on for a couple of days.

On two occasions, Nina had dropped by and she wouldn't leave until night was far spent. 

“Were you planning on staying in your room forever?” 

Those were Lucas' words to Daisy when he sent for her after so many days. 

She looked completely drained with dark circles around her eyes. 

“She can't have that luxury", Josephine replied.

“Anyway, the lawyer will be coming by soon and you'll have to be present.”

Daisy nodded. 

She was still not certain about the relationship between Nina and her husband but she knew better than to ask him. 

“Oh he's already here”, Josephine announced, upon seeing Mr. Forson at the door.

“You're welcome”, Lucas said, directing him to take a seat.

“Thanks”

“What can we offer you?” Josephine asked. 

“I'm good but water will do.”

Shortly, a glass of water was brought and Mr. Forson took a sip before speaking. 

“I believe we can get down to business now”, he said. 

He then pulled out some files from his suitcase. 

“Here you go, Josephine”, he said and handed her one of the documents. 

Josephine flipped it open and smiled at its content. 

Mr. Forson then flipped open another document then cleared his throat,

“According to Mr. Miller's will, if Lucas can't have a child by year five of his marriage, all the property will be transferred to Peter.” 

Daisy was shocked upon hearing this. 

She had no idea of this clause but it all started to make sense now. 

This was the reason why her mother-in-law wanted an heir as soon as possible. 

She was lost in thoughts when Josephine cut through. 

“We already know that. You even reminded me over the phone a few days back.” 

“Yes, I did. It's year 4 of 5 and I've managed to stop the court from preparing the papers at your behest.” 

“Here are the stay papers”, he said, handing the other document to her. 

She read through it and passed it on to her son. 

“But I must add, you have to keep good ties with Mandy and Peter…until you secure an heir. It's the least you can do to look like a united family to the judge.” 

“That's the hard part but we've already released funds to Sarah...Peter's wife. That should be enough for now.” 

“Great”, he said as he stood to take his leave.

“I'll come around again to handle the other matter.” 

Lucas walked him off to the door and his mother smiled wildly, flipping through both documents in hand. 

Daisy was confused. 

Some things were beginning to add up but that didn't erase the confusion she had. 

“Can I leave now, mum?” she asked after Lucas returned to the sitting room. 

“No. I need your signature on this document first.” 

“My signature?” 

“Yes. You have to sign these divorce papers now.” 

Divorce? 

The whole room blurred, as she lost her balance. 

“W-h-at…what do you mean, mum?”

“Drop the act”, Josephine scoffed. 

“I know for a fact that you detest my son and I. And it's obvious we don't like you either.” 

The words felt like a stab in the heart but Josephine kept going. 

“Lucas has impregnated someone else and we'd be having an heir soon. I want my grandchild to grow up with both parents…legally.” 

Daisy looked at Lucas and he was scrolling through his phone. 

As though he did not notice what was happening. 

“Lucas…is the girl mother talking about, Nina?” she managed to ask. 

The mother and son looked at each other, surprised. 

“Nina–she works for the company”, he stuttered a little.

“Oh stop it, son!” his mother scolded. 

“Just tell her the full truth. Nina is our partner and my future daughter-in-law.” 

Daisy stood rooted, shocked at how her mother-in-law spoke without flinching.

“My son marrying you was a great mistake but you heard the lawyer right? If we don't get an heir by year five, Peter gets everything and I'll never allow that.” 

“My mother is right. Just sign the papers”, Lucas said to Daisy, without any form of guilt.

“I will not!” Daisy yelled.

They were all surprised at her courage but she let herself go to ease her pain.

“Is marriage a joke to you?

I gave you my all. Despite how you treated me, I never complained. 

Just because you wanted an heir, you desecrated our marriage!?” 

“How dare you speak to my son in that tone?” Josephine quizzed.

“This is between a husband and his wife!” 

This time, she was taken aback by her own guts. 

Never in her wildest dreams did she assume that she would speak like this to anyone…talk less of Josephine. 

“I’m sorry…mum. I just don't want to lose my marriage”, she broke down. 

For a good minute or two, all that could be heard were her sobs. 

“This drama won't work!” Josephine finally said, dragging her up by her arm. 

“Sign these papers!”