Chapter 3

When I got home, I stripped out of my dress and switched off my phone that had been blowing up before going straight to the bathroom.

I looked in the mirror and pressed my lips together when I saw that my cheeks was red and swollen. My mother had never slapped me before. She must have been so angry because my cheek was really hurting.

My heart sunk into my chest at the realization that I had actually embarrassed my family. But what hurt more was what my mother had said.

“Not now,” I took in a deep breath and went into the bathtub. The warm water did nothing to soothe my aching muscles and withering soul.

My life was a mess now.

When I had enough of soaking in the water, I got out an dried myself before slipping into my robe. I tied my hair up in a bun and went to my living room. I sat down on the floor beside the couch and laid my head on it.

That was the only thing I could do at the moment.

I sat there for a long time until I heard the doorbell. I slowly raised my head, wandering who it was before resting my head back.

Whoever it was would get tired of standing there and go away.

The doorbell rang again and I glared at the door. I got up and went to open the door. Yvonne was standing outside. She smiled at me and raised up two paper bags, “I brought food.”

I felt my heart my heart sink into my chest and emotions swirl inside me as I let her walk in. I closed the door and turned to look at her. “You didn’t have to come.”

She turned to look at me and dropped the bags on the coffee table before approaching me. “Why didn’t you tell me?” her eyes softened.

“I didn’t know how to,” I told her honestly. I couldn’t tell anyone about it because I didn’t know what to do.

“It’s okay, I understand,” she took my hands in hers and pulled me in a hug. The warmth made me melt into her arms and I felt tears fall down my cheeks.

“Yvonne,” I sniffled as she led me to the couch. She rubbed my back soothingly.

“It’s okay, you can cry it out. I’m here,” she encouraged and I broke into sobs.

.

.

The next day, I woke up without any energy at all. I was lucky today was a Sunday or I would need to go to work. Unfortunately, I work for my father and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see him anytime soon.

When Yvonne left yesterday, I felt as if I had gone back into my hole if depression.

I switched on my phone and opened it to see a lot of missed calls from my parents and Berlin’s parents. There were missed calls from Berlin and Yvonne too.

I then decided to open one of Berlin’s text messages.

‘You stupid bitch, I will make you pay!’

I scoffed and opened the text from my mother.

‘Veronica, you are not thinking straight!’

I rolled my eyes and then spotted a recent text from my father.

‘Come to the house by four in the afternoon. Do not be late.’

Somehow, this text managed to make me gulp. For some reason, I always feared my father. He was an authoritarian and he never liked when things didn’t go his way.

And now, I must have crossed the line.

I sighed and switched off my phone again before laying down on my bed and covering myself up with my blanket.

I knew the press was going to dig on my now broken engagement with Berlin. The fact that I called him a cheater in front of everyone will make people curious.

I groaned and ran my hand through my hair. “Life is playing with my sanity,” I mumbled to myself and closed my eyes.

Four o’clock came quicker than I would have liked. I was standing at the front door of my childhood home. Letting out a sigh, I opened the door and walked into the large mansion.

My heels clicked against the tiled floor as I made my way to my father’s study where I knew he would most likely be since he wasn’t at work.

I knocked and opened the door to walk in. My father was seated at his desk with my mother beside him. They looked up to see me.

My mother glared at me while my father looked at me with disappointment. “Close the door,” he said and I obeyed.

“Good afternoon, father, mother,” I said to them.

“There is nothing good about the afternoon or the day! Not after that rubbish you did yesterday,” my mother shrilled making me grip my bag tighter.

I watched my father place a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. He then looked at me, “Explain yourself now.”

I swallowed hard, “Berlin is cheating on me. He has someone else he is planning to make his second wife after marrying me. I can’t do that.”

He scoffed and my lips parted. Did he just scoff?

“You aren’t the first person to experience that and you won’t be the last. Do you know the consequences of what you did? I lost millions!” he bellowed. His face was turning red with anger.

My heart felt like it was sliced a thousand times. “You are concerned about your money over the well being of your child?”

“What type of nonsense are you spitting out of your mouth? You are ungrateful! Do you expect me to condone this? You need to apologize to the Gates!”

“Never!” I retorted. He slammed his hand on the desk causing me to jump at the loudness.

“Where did you learn this from? The Gates will give you a good life! Do you want to be living on the streets?” he yelled. I choked on my tears, realizing I was crying.

“You’re only after money. I refuse to be a pawn in your stupid games!” I yelled back at him.

“Then leave my house! You are fired from my company! I disown you today!” he roared and I gasped. I saw my mother’s eyes slightly widen but they narrowed back again.

“Dad-”

“As from today, I am no longer your father. I don’t want to see you in my house or in my company. Is that clear?” he demanded, cutting me off. I couldn’t breathe properly anymore.

I sniffled and stood straight, “Yes, sir.”

With that, I turned around and walked out of the study. I couldn’t think, I felt like I was going to faint if I stop walking.

I saw two maids scurry away with a frightened look on their faces. They must have heard everything. I’m sure everyone heard everything.

I nearly fell when I stumbled out of the house. I walked over to my car and leaned on it.

“This isn’t happening,” I said to myself as I tried to calm my shaking body. Scratch that, I was trembling with anger and sadness.

My father disowned me? Because of a broken engagement? Because of Berlin?

I swallowed hard and got in my car to drive back home.

I slammed my door shut when I walked into my apartment and screamed at the top of my voice. I couldn’t care less if the neighbors reported me. They would never understand.

I fell to my knees and screamed again, feeling my sanity leave me.

Was this the end?