CHAPTER 5

GENEVIEVE Tessa Roberts

I opened my mouth and closed it again. It can't be her.

The figure is a young lady with flattened blond hair, a shapely figure, and glossy skin. She had full, perky cheeks and alert eyes. `You don`t remember me? It's Navalie Rhodes. The girl you stole Kyle from in college?`

I gasped at the recognition. Ava Rhodes. They had been friends in college until Kyle started showing interest in her, and Ava got jealous. Their friendship fell apart, and they became sworn enemies. At last, Ava had gotten what she wanted—Kyle. The sweet twist of fate!

`I remember you, Ava. It's good to see you after so many years. I heard you started a fashion label in France. Are you here to expand the business?`

She laughed, taking a full glance at me. `That's none of your business, Mrs. King. Oh, sorry, you are just plain Miss Roberts. You know, it's funny how you fought hard to keep Kyle, and he divorced you in less than a day with nothing to compensate you. That's so pathetic, dear.`

I shrugged, not letting her words hit me. `Thank you, Ava. I hope you enjoy Kyle, his family, and their garbage. Now, please leave; I need to catch some sleep. I have a flight to catch by seven o'clock am.`

She sneered, `It's funny how you define them as garbage, and yet, your eyes are so puffy. You don't need to pretend, Ava. I know you`re going to miss the King`s family, but don`t worry; I ensure you`re not forgotten. Goodnight.`

I stiffened my yell, clutching the bedsheets. I wouldn't let her words get to me. It was nothing. I won`t miss Kyle and our memories. There will only be one thing that will remind me of him, but not with fondness.

I must have dozed off because when I woke up, there were missed calls on my phone and messages from Vera wanting to know if I had packed and had not cried over Kyle again. I replied with a smile and promised to call her in the morning. 

My stomach grumbled as I stood up, picking up my long flannel nightgown. I didn't feel like taking a shower yet. I was a bit surprised that Kyle had not barged into the guest room and demanded I leave immediately since we were already divorced.  I just took advantage of the little kindness left in him. He won't watch me leave tonight because I know nobody in the city. 

The kitchen was quiet when I stepped in. Romina seemed to have retired for the day, which was a surprise. It was barely nine o'clock, and for the past five years, she had always retired from kitchen duties at exactly ten o'clock due to the eating patterns of Kyle and special occasions.

Obviously, things had changed because I could say `Jack`

I helped myself to some pizza after reheating it and managed not to throw up as I took some orange juice. Every meal made me feel nauseous and irritated. 

`I thought you had left already,` Dahila said, taking a glass of water.

I knew she was around somewhere and waiting for me to show up. Of course, she knew I was around; Romina and Ava would have told her.

`Aren't you supposed to be home celebrating my defeat?` I asked, managing a little smile.

`And leave you to cause chaos as my son and his fertile girlfriend get to know each other? I don't know why you haven't left, but a piece of advice, Tessa, If my son really wanted you, he would have fought for you even though you`re barren. There are a lot of options to have kids, but I guess, like I believe, he thought you weren't worth the experience.`

I bit my lips, holding the tears that wanted to flow. One thing about pregnancy is that you get emotional about everything. She was right to an extent; if Kyle wanted us to be together, he would have shown it in his words, actions, and care.

`Thank you for that sweet advice, Dahila. I know I came into your family with nothing, and I am leaving with nothing, even though most of the wealth was accumulated by me. You term me a barren woman and lash out words at me, but haven't you ever thought that your son might also have been responsible for our childlessness?`

She chuckled, staring ridiculously at me, `You`re such a stupid and worthless person! You didn't add a coin to our wealth, and as for the fertility of my son, I don't need to remind you that the test results proved that you`re the one at fault.`

`Alright, Dahila. I agree I am barren, but I won't accept your denial of my influence in growing King`s companies. I never wanted this in the first place, but due to your denial, I am going to ensure Kyle compensates me!` I slammed my fists on the table and walked out.

I opened my laptop immediately. I settled on the bed and went through my contract as the CFO of the company and saw that I was entitled to twenty percent of the shares if I had made a profit of ten million dollars over the course of my stay. I smiled and typed a letter to the attorney, and then I checked with the airline, and luckily, I was able to change my ticket to afternoon. I still had one more thing to do before I left: get my shares.

The morning came as quickly as I expected. I chose a green gown and did light makeup. With a glass of water in my hands, I slowly ate the spaghetti Romina had prepared for me as I watched the kitchen entrance. A showdown was about to happen.

` Tessa! What the heck did you send to Smith?` Kyle stormed in, ignoring Romina`s greetings. 

I took two mouthfuls of the spaghetti before looking up at him and saying, `You owe me twenty percent of the company's shares. We signed a contract then, remember? I sent a copy to your email in case you want to refresh your memory. ` 

He sneered, `You aren't getting anything from me, infertile! You`re just pained that I got a better and more worthy woman, and you`re looking for ways to get me to reconsider the divorce. Well, it's a little late for that!`

I sipped the water, enjoying the refreshing taste. Kyle still thought I cared about our marriage. 

`You`re going to either sign over my shares or pay them, or I will start a lawsuit against you, and you won't like the end results!

`Just give it to her, son. What have we got to lose? You can make that amount in a week's time while she will be left with nothing after she spends the money on food, clothing, and shelter,` Rahila said, waltzing into the kitchen.

If only they knew my plans for them.

He sighed after a few minutes of considering his mother`s words: `Alright, I will transfer the money now. Is there anything else?`

I hummed for a minute, enjoying the hateful look he threw at me. `I want to keep the Porsche, and I would like your chauffeur to drive me to the airport by noon.` 

`Fine, you can keep the Porsche, and the chauffeur would be available,he replied, typing into his phone. ` I have transferred fifteen million dollars to your account; keep it and stay away from us, okay?`

I smiled, `I will, Kyle. It was nice doing business with you, and I hope someday, when we meet, you will remember that you asked me to stay away from you and your family. Have a good life, and thank you for everything.`

He chuckled harshly, `That`s if we would ever meet. The Kings don't associate with stray and lost dogs, okay? I only took you in because that was the only way I could inherit the family business. I thought I could make us work, but Tessa, you`re boring and so barren. You're only good with work ideas, but keeping a marriage stinks! 

His words shattered the cold, bold poise I had managed to put up. All these years had just been a fairytale, like I thought, and he confirmed it. He used me to get what he wanted, and now he was done. 

`So, you never loved me? All those memories we built were just a stage play?` I asked, even though I knew the truth.

`I never loved you, Tessa. I just married you because Ava wasn't ready and you were so gullible. I needed to inherit my father's wealth and save my family, so you fitted the plan,` he grinned, winking at his mom.

I swallowed, wanting to leave their presence immediately. `Thank you, Kyle King, for everything. I will take my leave, now.`