CHAPTER 8

Genevive Tessa Robert

`Dad, is there a problem?'I asked.

He heaved, `I am just shocked you left the father of your child and came here. That`s a big sacrifice, Tessa.` 

`It isn`t, Dad. He divorced me before I could even deliver the news to him, and he made me feel like I wasn't worth fighting for. His family never liked me, and he made it clear that I was barren, so I had no use in his household anymore.` 

`But you should have stayed. I know you agreed to the condition, but you can't raise a child on your own, Tessa.` Dad stretched, staring sternly at me.

Mom coughed, clearing her throat a bit. `She's not returning to that household if that's what you are implying, honey. We`re going to support our only daughter to raise our grandchild and also ensure those lowly fools pay for making her life miserable.`

I smiled, hugging mom. She always knew how to convince Dad and stand up for what she believed in. Also, the announcement of my pregnancy softened her heart immediately. She had always wanted a grandchild and finally, she had gotten her wish.

I knew if I wanted to get into the family good books, I had to play my cards well and convince mom first. She had fallen for everything, and now it remained the chairman and boss of the family: Mr. Roberts.

`Dad… I know you`re worried about how I am going to survive without Kyle, but trust me, I have a plan that would help in times of financial stress. Also, I have been applying for remote and part-time jobs while I look for ways to invest the money that Kyle paid me.`

Dad sighed, settling near me. `It's alright, dear. Your mom has already won me over. We will support you fully and ensure you have a stress-free schedule.`

I grinned, hugging him. I wasn't expecting them to forgive me so easily, but maybe the years of my absence in their lives had made them soft. There was one more thing I needed to ask them for, and I wasn't sure they would agree.

`Dad, Mum. I appreciate both of you for forgiving me and also for promising to stand by me and my baby. I am grateful. I also have a request. Can I move into the penthouse? I would like to stay closer with you guys, but I don't want to intrude on or disturb your space.`

`You can move in, Tessa, but I would have to send in maids, guards, and a good chef. I don't want you or our grandchild to lack anything. If it's okay, Vera can also move in with you so that you won't get lonely,` mom replied, smiling.

`Thank you, Mom and Dad,` I yelled, hugging Mom tightly.

The next plan was to return as one of the executives of the Roberts Dynasty.

After a long lunch with my parents and some short visits to old friends and colleagues, I decided to visit the hospital. Mom wanted to follow me, but an appointment with a crucial client was scheduled at the same time, so Dad decided to follow me. 

`I hope Kyle didn't hit you throughout your stay in his house? Dad asked suddenly, facing me.

We were settled in the doctor's waiting room, reading through different pamphlets and exchanging ideas on my food plan, when he suddenly went quiet. I had thought it was because he was expecting his first grandchild, but now I know better.

I breathed in, remembering the first time Kyle had slapped me. That evening had started well until his mother showed up and decided to ruin everything by insulting me for being unteachable and stupid. As usual, I kept quiet and smiled while I threw away the dinner I had worked for hours to prepare. I didn't even bother to look at Kyle because he sat there, encouraging his mom and laughing as she called the meals I prepared `garbage fit for my family.` 

A few hours later, Kyle came into the bedroom and demanded I join him and his mom in a family game. I was shocked and told him off. I can still recall the heated conversation that night.

`You made it clear tonight that I wasn't your wife, just a maid who you could ridicule and make fun of at any given time. I am not interested, Kyle!` I screamed, ignoring his knotted eyebrows. 

He yanked me up, `Don`t you ever scream at me like that again in your life, or you will regret it! If you don't want to play the game, then don't. You can sit in the room and forget about leaving the house this week!

I glared coldly at him. `Of course, Kyle. I would rather stay here than play a game with that crazy bully you call a mother. Even my house matron in my old boarding school is so much better and kinder than your mother. She`s a brute and an ugly snake who did not train you well, fool!`

And that was how I felt a stinging slap on my face. Then he pushed me and walked away.

I stayed home all week, but he made sure I worked and sent every file or project that needed to be completed. I had no choice but to do them, and later, due to the love I had for him, I begged for forgiveness.

The second time, I stood up to his mother and Katherine at a family gathering. They did everything to make me feel like an outsider and even changed my name to barren and encouraged other relatives to call me that. After several attempts at trying to make Kyle warn them, I decided to do it myself, but it turned bad.

Dahila was quick to act and blamed Kyle for pampering me. She claimed I had insulted the family name and wondered how Kyle fell in love with a wretch. I wanted to defend myself, but Kyle stopped me by using his palm on my face.

I couldn't tell my father everything, but I couldn't lie to him, so I decided to just give him a bit of the truth.

`He did, Dad, but I forgave him. They were just slaps, and it was during the early years of our marriage. His mother was pretty manipulative and controlling.`

Dad clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. `That son of a..."! Why didn't you call us, Tessa? We would have flown to Nashville and dealt with him or sent our men to destroy him!`

I smiled, holding his hands. `I was under a contract with you guys. I was disowned by you guys, and being a proud Robert, I didn't want to seem like a scaredy cat who couldn't take care of her marriage. I am so sorry, Dad.`

`No need to apologise, but I will make sure that fool regrets ever laying his hands on you. Also, the condescending remarks and slavery duties you took, I am going to ensure he pays for that too.`

The doctor appeared before I could respond. I smiled a bit as a sign of understanding and focused on the doctor as the consultation started.

I love Arizona due to the calmness and kindness of everyone. I was done with my activities for the day, so I decided to visit an old friend`s cafe and have a nice plate of pancakes. These days, I crave the wrong things, and my mom has explained it as one of the symptoms of pregnancy.

After the visit from the hospital, Dad decided I would stay in the main house because the doctor complained about my eating pattern. I was never a food person, and once I got swamped with work activities, I lost my appetite.

The doctor had taken note of everything as I tried to exonerate myself from the blame of avoiding meals. He created a healthy food schedule and emphasised to my dad that I must follow it religiously.

I took another bite and meditated on the taste while I watched a couple across the room giggle and exchange kisses. I smiled, suppressing the thoughts of Kyle, and focused on the activities I would be doing while I stayed at my parents house.

Maybe I will resume painting. I had stopped immediately, and I got into the king's house. Dahila defined it as a street profession and didn`t want it in her son`s house. However, when she discovered a painting I did was sold for a million dollars back in college, she manipulated Kyle to make me do one for the company. She sold it, and I was given an award of invisibility, or should I say nothing?

She expected me to fight and demand for my share but I didn`t due to Kyle. He had promised settle me but i guess, he forgot because he never mentioned the artwork again.