CHAPTER 12

Genivive Tessa Robert

James had spoken to my parents, but I had yet to get a positive response or a meeting, so I decided to focus on changing my wardrobe a bit and get some dresses that would fit as my stomach grew.

Due to Vera's persistence in determining the gender of the baby, I scheduled an ultrasound in the next two months. It was an early decision, but I wanted to be organised and be able to make plans without waiting for a father figure.

At night, I still thought about Kyle, but with disgust and hatred. According to Dad, the KIng`s company was slowly losing customers and investors due to our divorce. That served him right. He was in a hurry to get rid of me but forgot that in the business world, a bad rumour could ruin your reputation. 

Also, every now and then, some strange journalist would call in for a statement and clarification of physical abuse, but I wasn't ready for that publicity yet. There will be time for that, and Kyle wouldn't see it coming. 

Checking my outfit—a black jean and an orange blouse—I stepped out of the house, and the chauffeur drove to the biggest shopping mall in the city. Vera was meeting up with me because she felt the need to protect me from prying eyes.

Our little Arizona town was a place known for gossip and sad tales about widows, widowers, and young girls who ran away because of boys. As expected, I fell into the `runaway girls` category. I prayed silently that people wouldn't recognise me as I waltzed into the cafe and ordered bacon and egg frittatas and a glass of water.

I settled in to eat, choosing a section where I could watch people come in and go. The meal was delicious, especially the egg frittata, but I couldn't eat everything because bacon had never been my thing. I paid the bills and dropped a tip for the waiter while I dialled Vera`s number. She was taking a long time to get here.

It wasn`t as if I had an appointment to meet up with after the shopping spree, but it won't hurt to keep to time.

She picked it immediately. `Hello, babe. I know I am running late, but before you yell at me, please hear me out.`

I groaned—another excuse for her lateness. `What's the situation now?`

`I got stuck at the office. A project came in, and being the creative director, I had to go through the details before sending it to my team. I will be on my way as soon as my team comes up with a general meeting date.`

`Right, Vera. I will be waiting for you at the cafe, and maybe I will do some window shopping for Robert Junior's

She giggled, `I'm so sorry, babe. I will be there before you can say `Jack Ryder` and also, you need to find a better name for my godchild.`

I smiled, `I know right. I will figure out a name when you come over for the weekend, and please get here quickly before our nosy town people start asking about Kyle.`

She reassured me that no one would bother me because of my family and James`s cold behaviour.

After several orders of water, I left the cafe and started the lonely journey of window shopping. Finally, I could actually afford to do my own shopping. It wasn`t as if Kyle didn`t let me go out or have fun, but there were limits to it, and as a king`s wife, there were certain rules I was expected to obey. Dahila frowned at the outfits I found classy and beautiful. According to her, a dutiful wife didn't go around selling her goods. 

I usually argued, but Kyle`s stern gaze always gave way to peace. He never saw anything wrong with what Dahila did. She was the perfect mother and the only one who could offer him the best advice, apart from his best friend, Xavier. Sometimes, I feel like I married a coward, but when I think of the early years of our marriage and how he stood by me when his family insisted he divorced me, I shudder. 

Although he finally fell for them, I still need to appreciate him. My eyes settled on a particular diamond necklace. It was a set and really looked beautiful. It reminded me of the last gift Kyle gave me on our marriage anniversary. set and a diamond wristwatch to match it. It was sitting on his study table. I left it after an afterthought.

I walked into the store, ignoring the stares of the customers. I knew they were going to recognise me, but thankfully the gossip hadn't started and nobody was paying full attention to me.

`Hello, ma`am. How may we help you?` The sales attendant smiled, taking out the necklace. 

`Hi. I wanted to know how much this necklace costs and if it comes with the set.` I asked, taking the necklace. It will be the perfect gift for mom's birthday, which is coming up in two days.

The sales attendant signaled for me to follow her to the front desk. I picked up my phone while they checked the price tag. Vera was here already. I quickly sent her a text message informing her where I was.

`Alright, ma'am. This is a Marie Antionette necklace, a special collection that costs three point seven million dollars. Would you like to take it?` The sales attendant asked, smiling broadly.

My heart swelled with joy. It wasn`t as expensive as I expected, and I could afford it because of the settlement from Kyle. Also, my mom deserved it, and low-key, it was a bribe to get a place in the family's business.

I replied, smiling, `Yes, I will be taking it. Can I use my card? I can't do a transfer without calling my account officer, and you know, it's a busy day; she might not pick up.`

The sales attendant nodded and brought out a point of sales machine. I typed in my pin, and we waited while I called Vera again. Where was she?

I knew something was wrong when the sales attendant`s face turned sour. `Is there a problem?` I asked.

She replied, "It is showing insufficient funds. I think it's probably a network issue, so I will try again.

I smiled stiffly, nodding as the sales attendant checked it again. It was still the same thing. 

I couldn`t believe it. I knew I hadn't touched the sixty million dollars Kyle transferred to me. I made a quick call to my accounts officer, and she promised to get back to me. 

`Hello, babes,` Vera strolled in, smiling.

About time, I thought, hugging her. `Thank God you are here! I wanted to purchase this Antionette necklace, but it turns out my money has suddenly disappeared!`

`What?" Vera asked, grabbing me aside from the onlookers, `I thought you said Kyle gave you some money. What happened?`

If only I knew what happened.

I sighed, not wanting to get worked up because of the baby. `The only explanation I can think of is that Kyle hacked into my account. He's the only one that has access to it, and I forgot to remove him as a second signatory. Gosh! This is bad. I can`t believe Kyle would do this to me.`

Vera sighed, "Take it easy, Tessa. We will deal with him later. Is it a must you get the necklace?`

`Yes. It's a gift for mom. I can`t show up without giving her anything. You know how she is with presents, and this is her first celebration with me around.`

`Alright. I have some money with me. I can transfer it, and you add up?`

I yelled happily, attracting people's attention, `Thank you, babes. I still have one million from my salary.`

The sales attendant packaged the item, and we left after receiving several thank-you notes and an apology for not recognising me as the daughter of Robert.

`I can't believe Kyle would do this to me. He's not picking up my calls either. That cheat!` I growled, dropping my phone after reading my account statement.

The account officer had promised to remove him as a signatory to the account, but what was the use? He had done his worst, and I didn't see it coming.

`I wish I could fly to Nashville and strangle him. How could he rip you off like that?` Vera fell on the bed, gritting her teeth.

I sniffed; the tears were dripping. `After five years of working hard for his family, he couldn't even compensate me with anything. I had to fight for the share settlement because of my baby, and I didn't want to be stranded here and seen as a liability. How could he do this to me and to us?