4

CATALINA

D-Divorced? U-Us? How the hell did that happen?

Before I could even ask, James harshly threw a document on my feet. My brows furrowed at what was written in the document.

A divorced agreement?

But it confused me even more because of my signature. When did I sign it? I don't remember signing any papers while behind bars. God knows how he got it.

“Leave now,” James impatiently said.

“N-No…”

My hand trembles as I touch my belly while staring at the papers on the floor. I'm not sure how to vent my rage. I don't know how to express all of this without hurting my baby inside me.

“Don't make me repeat it, Catalina.”

“No…”

I run my hands through my hair, trying to calm myself. I have to hold it or else my baby will get hurt if I choose to obey these lingering feelings that almost lost my mind.

“Get the hell out of my face now!”

“NO!” Tears ran down my face again and again. I faced him with disgust and hatred as he did the same. “I'm pregnant, James.” I finally said it, almost a whisper.

His jaw clenched as he glared at me, then he lowered his gaze to my belly and raised back at my eyes again. A chuckle escaped from him, the same with Fiona.

“Do you want me to believe that?” My hands curled into fists at his remarks. “That's not mine.” He walked to me while giving me that disgusting look, down to my belly. “I know that's not mine. You probably banging a criminal asshole inside that jail–”

I punched his face, letting out all the anger, and causing him to step back. “YOU FUCKING DEVIOUS MORON ASSHOLE–”

Fiona slapped me on the face without warning. “How dare you hurt him–”

I punched her face as well, twice as hard as James and fell on the floor.

“HOW DARE YOU USE DAD TO GET WHAT YOU WANT! YOU FUCKING HIDEOUS WHORE!”

"YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO HURT HER!" James raised his hand in fury and immediately landed on my face.

F*ck!

The truth was more painful than that slap. I only cried while touching my belly. Seriously? Where's the James I knew years ago? What the hell happened to him? Where did it go wrong? I was betrayed by the two people I put my trust in. Especially Fiona whom I treated like a real sister despite her being adopted.

How shameless.

The victory smile of Fiona made me feel even worse as James dragged me away from her. He pushed me to the door, indicating for me to leave. I consciously protect my stomach so as not to get hurt.

“What's going on here– Catalina?”

I glance behind me to see Mr. Langley, the most trusted employee and a friend of my father. Behind him were the Board of Directors and employees; confusion was plastered on their faces, questioning my appearance in front of them.

“What the hell are you doing here after what you've done to your father?!”

I was taken aback at Mr. Langley’s sudden remarks. Did he believe those lies?

I was about to step towards him, desperately asking for help, but his next words broke me even more.

“You murderer!”

"I didn't kill Dad!"

He slapped me hard, causing me to fall on the floor.

F*ck! My baby!

I then felt Fiona’s tight grip around my arm and threw me to the hallway. I immediately covered my stomach with my arms.

“Call the guards! Get her out of here! ASAP!” She screamed at the top of her lungs.

“NO! Have you all forgotten that these all belong to my family?!"

They all looked at me with furrowed brows, but Fiona only laughed so hard that she almost lost her breath. I looked at her with confusion.

"Catalina, you gave your shares to James." My brows furrowed. I only gave up my position, not my share in this company. "And Dad gave all of the properties to me."

I froze.

What?

Dad… gave everything to Fiona?

"You left with nothing."

"That's not true."

Fiona walked towards me. "Dad..." She pushed my forehead with her finger. "...loves me..." Tears fell on my face as she pushed me again and heard her next words. "...more than you, sis."

Damn it! That's not true. It's impossible he chose to entrust all of our properties to her.

She was about to push me again, but I caught her finger and twisted it, causing her to scream in pain. But James was faster to pull her away from me, and without a word, he slapped me hard, causing me to fall back on the floor.

My face was so numb from their cruelty.

“STOP MESSING OUR LIFE!” Am I messing up his life? Seriously? “Get the fuck out of here because you're ruining our meeting!”

I looked around and stared at the employees and board of directors, who only looked down at me with rage and disgust as if I were really capable of the word 'murder’.

How did I end up like this?

“You don't belong here anymore, Catalina.”

“We lost respect for you after what you have done to the Chairman.”

“Your place is behind bars, locked up because you are a criminal.”

“You disgust us.”

Judgmental eyes and insulting words around me got even worse.

I really didn't kill my dad. Why does no one believe me? How could they easily throw me out as if I wasn't part of their life? As if they planned this from the very beginning.

I held my chest tightly, sobbing harder at their accusations. This humiliation wants me to disappear from this cruel world. The pain in my chest, my cheek, and my whole body collided, wanting me to follow Dad to his grave.

I only need one... one person to believe me… Just one… “At least one.” I painfully whispered in the air as I sobbed silently.

A hand harshly pulled me up. I was forced to stand up with trembling legs. “Out NOW!--”

“Don't touch her.”

A stern, cold, and full of authority voice echoed in the hallway.

All of them froze at the presence behind me. Too shocked to see someone they didn't expect to be in this building.

I was too weak to look at the other unwelcome visitor, as I was busy gaining my strength back to get out of this place and vanish into thin air.

“Get your filthy hands off of her, Mr. Ruiz.” Someone firmly commanded.

I felt James' grip loosen around my arm. My legs were too weak to stand alone, but before I fell back on the floor, an arm caught me by my waist.

I felt his warm yet cold presence behind me, holding me close, tightly, as if he was afraid to let go and lose me.

For some reason, I felt comforted and protected.

I looked up and met Dante Marcellos’ jaw-clenched, dark, and dangerous gazes at them, with his frown line marking the space between arrogantly slashed brows.

What is he doing here? He's not supposed to be here.

Dante Marcellos…

The charismatic head of the Marcellos Empire. Owner of the majority state-owned petroleum and natural gas in America, Asia, and Europe. The multinational conglomerate. The King of the Kings. The most powerful and dangerous mankind I've known and existed. The untouchable and undefeated in the business world. No one can surpass him. Many dared but failed.

“W-What are you doing here? How did you get inside my premises?!” James yelled with rage.

“Your premises?” Dante scoffed. “Don't make me laugh, asshole.”

“Language, Mr. Marcellos. I don't think you have the right to barge in here.” Mr. Langley seems to have lost his patience with the vulgar use of words of Dante.

None of them are pleased to see him… except those tiny giggles of the ladies in the corner, amused by Dante’s sex appeal.

“Oh, another asshole,” Dante said dryly.

“YOU–”

“You were all bullying her, moron.”

“She’s a criminal, Dante!”

I firmly shut my eyes at Fiona’s remarks.

Ok, this is enough.

I was about to brush off Dante’s arm, but he suddenly carried me in his arms, bridal style. I didn't move for a moment. Too stunned to react to his sudden action.

“And she’s my wife.”

Wife.

.

.

.

WIFE?!

W-WHO?

ME?

My eyes widened, trying to digest his words in my head. I then met his eyes and saw how his stern look turned soft and warm as soon as he laid his eyes on mine.

“One more hurtful word about her…” He paused and shot them with a glare. “I'll make sure you regret your decisions in life.”