Chapter Seven

Stanley heaved a tired sigh as soon as he drove into his mansion and sighted Rita's car.

She finally decided to come back after being away for about a month and a half.

Stan parked his car in his usual spot and he was welcomed by the Butler, Moses.

"Good evening Sir." Moses greeted.

"Evening, Moses, " Stan responded as he came down from the car.

"When did Rita come back?" He asked, pointing to one of her cars that were parked close to his.

"She came back two days ago Sir, " Moses responded.

Stanley nodded.

"Please have my luggage transferred to my room." He said to Moses before making his way into the mansion.

Stanley checked for Rita in both living rooms downstairs, he checked her in the kitchen too but she was not there.

One of the maids finally told him that Rita was relaxing in the living room upstairs so he made his way there.

From the hallway upstairs, he could hear Rita's voice. She was talking and laughing on the phone.

Stanley walked in to where she was. She was lying on her back, on the sofa while answering her phone call.

Rita smiled as soon as she sighted him.

"Let me call you back Sandra, I have something important to attend to, " Rita said to the person on the other side.

Stanley shook his head in disbelief upon hearing the phrase she used. 'Something important'

"Hi love, " She smiled and made her way to Stanley but before she could come any closer to him, he stopped her by raising a hand.

He was tired of her fake gestures; she acting as if she cares when in reality she hardly gives a shit about him.

She didn't even inform him she was travelling before left. But he wasn't mad about that, he was used to her leaving the house and coming back anytime she likes.

Rita rolled her eyes at Stan "I was just trying to be nice." She mumbled before making her way back to the sofa.

Stanley ignored her.

"We need to talk." He announced as he took a seat opposite Rita and She muttered something he didn't quite catch.

"Sorry?" He dared her to repeat what she said so he could hear.

"Nothing, what do you want to talk about?" She asked with an innocent face.

"It's time we put an end to whatever is between the two of us. You don't love me and I don't love you so it's best we go our separate ways."

"My lawyer will get the divorce papers across to me tomorrow. Once I lay my hands on them, I'll sign them and make sure you have them so you can tender your signature."

Rita let out a bitter chuckle.

"Are you breaking up with me because of your so-called personal assistant? That tramp? That gold digger? That bitch?"

"Don't you dare call her any of those nasty names." Stanley rose to his feet, trying to control his anger.

"I will continue to call her that because that is exactly what she is. She's a homewrecker. No doubt you've been fucking her, that's why you have the guts to take her sides over your legally wedded wife." Rita responded.

"Don't push me with your bitter and untrue words, Rita, because you aren't innocent either, " Stan warned.

"Lauren has nothing to do with whatever is happening or will happen between the two of us and if you love yourself, Stay away from her. If you ever go six feet close to her to threaten her or call her names or even lay a finger on her, I promise you, Rita, you'll see the other side of me."

"What the fuck is wrong with you Stan? Why are you supporting that tramp over me? She was going too far with you and I went to confront her to stay away from my husband. What harm have I done in that?" Rita said with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Don't you dare shed any fake tears before me because I will never be moved by them again. Honestly, Rita, you're the worst thing that has ever happened to me. You're nothing but a Hypocrite."

"If you truly know that your hands are clean, why didn't you come to confront me about whatever is going on between Lauren and me? You even threatened to kill her if I divorce you. If anything bad should happen to Lauren, I swear to you, Rita I'll destroy you."

"You're nothing but a bastard Stanley Chatwin, after all that I've done for you, this is how you repay me? I hope you and that foolish Lauren rot in hell." Rita shouted with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Her statement even made Stanley angrier than he was a few seconds ago. He was tired of all her lies. All she does is to paint people bad and make herself look like the good person when she's actually the real devil.

"Tell me, what have you done for me? As my legally wedded wife, what have you ever sacrificed for me?" Stanley demanded in anger.

"I am no fool Rita, do you think I'm not aware of how you've been cheating on me by sleeping with my business partners and other random guys? Just because I decided not to talk about it does not mean I'm not aware of your promiscuous behaviour."

Rita lowered her head in shame to avoid looking into Stanley's eyes.

"What about the day I had an accident and I was taken in for surgery? As my wife what did you do? You claimed you had some rubbish work to attend to in China and you left me, your legally wedded husband in the hospital without caring if I was going to survive the surgery or not."

"Lauren, the girl you claim to be a gold digger, a bitch and a homewrecker was the one who stood by me. She took care of me until I was better and even put up with my pains and crankiness. Even after the surgery, she was always there to accompany me to every check-up."

"Now tell me why I won't fall in love with her?"

"Tell me why I should continue to waste my time with you when I'm never a priority in your life. You're nothing but a selfish bitch."

"A selfish individual who went as far as killing her own child. How did I even stay with you for this long? You disgust me, Rita."

More tears rolled down Rita's cheeks. "But I told you I was sorry, I was not ready to be a mother."

Stanley shook his head in disbelief. "You found out that you were pregnant with our child. You didn't say anything to me and you went to abort an innocent being. Only for me to find out months later what you've done. You have no heart, Rita. I don't even know If that child you aborted was mine or not."

"I may have lied about so many things but I swear to you that the pregnancy was yours." She cried.

"What difference does it make now? He or she is no more. I honestly have no idea how you could move on from that, I don't know how you sleep well at night, knowing you killed your flesh and blood due to your greed and selfishness."

"If you love yourself, just stay away from Lauren." He completed.

"Why? Is she pregnant? Is it because of the bastard she's carrying that you're ending things with me?" Rita wiped her tears with the back of her palm.

Stanley exhaled. He wondered what the hell attracted him to Rita in the beginning.

But the sad truth is that, despite Rita's unfaithfulness, Stanley has remained faithful. Not that he did that to honour his marital obligations to Rita, Stanley is just not that type of man that goes around sleeping with women.

"What has transpired between me and Lauren is none of your business. It's none of your business whether we've made love or not or whether she's carrying my heir or not."

"What I want you to understand is that I love her and respect her so much."

"You're being unfair Stanley!" Another set of tears rolled down Rita's cheeks.

"You can't do this to me. You can't leave me, I will be the laughing stock of the society if you do."

"Exactly! Because you only care about yourself and your useless reputation." Stanley interrupted.

"I promise to change, please give me another chance. Please, Stan, I love you." She cried.

Stanley shook his head negatively.

"You don't love me. You just need me because of the fortune you're getting out of me and because of the doors my name is opening for you."

"Honestly, I don't know why I waited this long. I should have divorced you a long time ago."

"Life is too short Rita, I wasted almost three years with you and I think it's time to put me first and do what makes me happy. Lauren makes me happy and I'll be going after her."

Stan showed her his left hand. "I took off the wedding ring a long time ago and I think you should do the same."

"Let me know when you'll be moving out of the mansion, I'll make sure you get the divorce papers tomorrow, " Stanley said before walking out on Rita who was crying in regret.

"I hate you, Stanley!" He heard her say as soon as he walked out of the living room.

"Like I care, " Stanley mumbled and made his way to the bedroom.

Moving out of their matrimonial room into his personal room was one of the best decisions he has ever made.

..........................

Stanley got to his room and saw that Moses had already brought his bags in. He unloaded the bags and arranged every item where they were meant to be, including the dirty clothes he brought back from his trip.

After sorting out every item, he took a shower and changed into a pair of clean sweat pants. He reached for his phone and saw Lauren's missed call. He called her back immediately.

"Hey, Sorry I missed your call." He said to the other side.

"It's fine. I was just going through your schedule and unfortunately, I realized you have a meeting with a new investor tomorrow at 1:30 pm."

Stan facepalmed. "I totally forgot about that. You can use the morning hours to rest and I'll pick you up at 12:30 so we can attend the meeting."

"No problem. Have you had dinner?" She asked him.

"No." He replied immediately.

"You're not hungry?"

"Kind of. I lost my appetite."

"You should eat something, you only had pancakes all day." She pleaded.

"I will. I will tell the chef to bring me something to eat."

"Rita is back." He blurted out.

The conversation was silent for a while.

"D...Did you talk to her?" Lauren asked nervously.

"I did."

"I made her understand that me and her are over and that she will get the divorce papers tomorrow."

Stan could feel Lauren getting worried.

"How did she take the news?" Lauren asked concerned even though she had an idea of what could have happened. She knew Rita would not have taken the news well, perhaps Rita would have even started planning how to deal with her.

"I honestly don't care how she took the news because she deserved all that is coming upon her. I made her understand you have nothing to do with my breakup with her."

"There's nothing to worry about Lauren. Rita will never come close to you, I promise."

"I hope so!" She muttered.

"Anyways, thanks for all the shopping you did for me yesterday."

"Lauren!" Stanley groaned.

"How many times do you want to thank me?" he added.

Lauren chuckled. "It's not every day I get free gifts from someone so, I've got to thank you a million times." She justified.

Stanley smiled, "You're welcome love."