Chapter 3 Finnegan family

Having no energy to deal with the old woman, Danica lied.

"My father's ill, I'm going over to his house to look after him for a while."

Martha scoffed. "Who gave you the permission to leave?"

Danica eyed her.

Had she truly made these people view her so small?

She needed permission to go anywhere?

"Who's going to look after this house if you leave?!" Martha thundered.

"We have household staff for that."

And then, she realized she had become one of the household staff to Martha, obeying her commands and serving her.

She had thought pleasing Martha would make Gary always love her.

Danica laughed out loud, feeling so stupid.

"What's so funny?!" Martha thundered. "And what's with that look on your eyes? Anyway, you're not allowed to leave the house at the moment. I have an event to plan and I have some errands for you to run."

"You'd have to get someone else to do that." Danica replied, calmly.

Maybe Jenifer.

Martha looked stunned by her response.

"What's gotten into you? And why are you acting as if your father is a big deal to you? You're just an adopted child. You don't even know your real father. Still, the Finnegans allowed Gary marry you! We gave you a name, a family. And now, you're all packed up to go spend God knows how long with your adoptive father?! There's no need for that so go back upstairs."

"You keep acting as if Gary marrying me brought me great honor or something. Or made me some kind of special being."

Martha gasped. "You ingrate! How dare you speak to me like that?!"

"What the hell is going on here?" They both turned to see Alana, Danica's best friend walking in.

Alana had just got back from a business trip and she had wanted to come hang out with Danica.

She was surprised to see Danica's luggage as well as the screaming mother-in-law.

"Maybe you could talk some sense into this ungrateful friend of yours!" Martha let out.

Alana had never liked the old woman and the Finnegan family in general but she tried to be respectful. After Danica finished explaining that she wanted to leave but Martha wasn't letting her.

Alana turned to face Martha.

"It seems you're forgetting that this house is registered under Danica's name. She can go and come as she please. She doesn't need your permission."

"This is my son's house! And as Gary's mother. This is my house and Danica has to follow my rules. It's the least thing she can do. After all, what other values has she brought to this family? Instead, she makes Gary question his decision to inherit the family business, all she brings is bad luck!"

"I've told you countlessly. That has nothing to do with me! And I do not bring anyone bad luck, maybe the one who does is you!" Danica shot at her.

Enraged, Martha moved forward and slapped her across the face.

Alana gasped. "You!"

Danica quickly held Alana back.

Straightening, she stated at Martha, squarely.

There was no need beating around the bush anymore so she lashed out.

"This house is a marital property to both me and Gary. You never belonged here and this is the last time you'd ever lay your hands on me! Your son isn't even worth all these!"

"How dare.?"

"Gary and I will be getting a divorce. So maybe you can marry your son or give him out to any one that suits your taste. I'm done here!"

Danica signaled at Alana and they both headed out of the house, ignoring Martha who kept shouting and cursing.

*************

After leaving the Finnegan's Mansion, Alana and Danica had stopped by a cafe to get coffee and talk.

Alana had been quite shocked to see Danica standing up for herself against the Finnegans. For awhile, she had tried to make Danica see that a man who loved her would not allow his mother treat her that way.

But Danica always defended Gary and it seemed now that she had finally accepted that Gary never loved her.

Danica opened up to Alana and told her about Gary and Jenifer's affair. She also told Alana that she and Gary has had separate rooms during their three years of marriage.

Gary always said he valued his personal space so he rarely let her enter his bedroom. Danica realized now that he had kept a safe distance from her so she would not ever get suspicious about him cheating.

She wondered if he had cheated on her during the entirety of their marriage, she wondered how many woman he'd cheated on her with.

Shaking her head, she realized that there was no need to wonder about all that anymore.

He clearly never loved her, she had to get a divorce and move on from him.

Alana held her hand, assuring her that everything was going to be okay.

"I thought you were coming back next month, why are you here so soon?" Danica asked, changing the topic from the depressing state of her life.

"My father ordered me to come back. He says it's high time I learn the ropes of the family business. I'm even assigned to a project already. And it's a major one at that. My old man has so much faith in me,"

Danica smiled. "Well, I do too. I know you're going to kill it."

"Oh, the project involves Ford Group. You know Ford Group, right? Owned by the richest family in town."

"The Buford family?"

"Yes, I think Dad said the eldest son of the family is leading the project from their end, Donovan Buford."

Danica frowned.

The Donovan Buford she knew was a top lawyer.

"Is it the same famous lawyer, Donovan Buford?"

Alana nodded. "You know him?"

Danica swallowed.

The same man she had tried to seduce last night was the eldest son of the most powerful family in the country?!

Just as she was reeling in her shock, someone walked into the Cafe.