Chapter 2 Welcome Party

First thing the next morning, Brylee met her lawyer to get on with the divorce proceedings. Then she went to work.

She walked into the newsroom to meet members of the entertainment news department typing furiously on their individual computers. There was an approaching deadline.

Brylee had a lot on her plate. She worked overtime and only went back home at past nine.

When she arrived at the Harrisons' villa, she heard happy laughs and voices coming from inside. She walked in to see people talking and drinking in the dining room.

No one noticed her arrival. They were all engrossed in raising a toast to Nicole in celebration of her return.

Brylee smiled self-mockingly and made her way to the stairs.

The celebration had nothing to do with her. They all treated her like she didn't exist, so she was going to do the same.

"Brylee! Why are you just coming back home? Look at the time!" Davies' grandfather, Adam Harrison suddenly yelled. He put down his wine glass.

Everyone fell silent. All heads turned in the direction Brylee stood. The situation became awkward.

Brylee spun on her heels and replied calmly, "I had a lot on my plate today."

"Spare me that silly excuse! Knowing that we would throw a party for Nicole tonight, you should have cleared your schedule since afternoon!"

Adam hit the table as he spoke. He spat condescendingly, "Don't forget that you are just a reporter. Everyone else works harder than you. Look at your Uncle Victor. He came very early. Are you busier than him? Just because you spend all day writing shitty news reports, doesn't make you important!"

Adam was staring daggers at her.

His stare sent shivers down Brylee's spine. Her palms became sweaty. Suddenly, she spotted Nicole sitting at the table.

Nicole looked angelic. She had on a green slip dress. There was a pearl hair clip on her long curly hair. She took a sip of wine elegantly.

The only thing odd about her was the gloating grin on her face.

Brylee understood what was happening right away. No one told her that there would be a welcome party here. She knew exactly why she was kept in the dark.

It dawned on Brylee that Davies hadn't broken the "happy news" of their impending divorce to his childhood sweetheart.

Suddenly, Davies' uncle, Victor Harrison, coughed, giving Nicole a hint. She got up and placed some vegetables on Adam's plate. She said smiling, "Please calm down, Grandpa. Don't be upset with her. She got married to Davies while I was abroad, so she doesn't know me well. For most people, work comes first before a stranger. It's no big deal."

"Do you really think so?" Adam asked, staring at Brylee disdainfully. His fury was increasing by the second.

The room was so quiet that those sitting close could hear each other's heartbeats.

The maids who stood in a corner held their breaths as they watched the scene.

"I didn't intend—" Brylee began, but she was interrupted by the sudden ring of the doorbell.

"Welcome home, sir," the maid who answered the door greeted and took a step back.

Davies came into the living room in his wheelchair. His coat wasn't buttoned up, so his sharp bespoke suit was visible.

The expression on his face was cold as he glanced at Brylee. It made the hair on her skin stand.

Seeing that Nicole ran to him with glee, Brylee looked away.

"Davies!" Nicole's dress flowed on the floor as she squatted in front of Davies. She pouted like a child and said, "What took you so long? I have been waiting for you. I was beginning to think that I'm not welcome here."

Her choice of words suggested something else. Davies understood what she was driving at, so he glanced at Brylee again.

Brylee had been clutching her down jacket since she walked into the house. Her hair was ruffled by the wind outside. As she looked down, wisps of her hair fell on her face. She looked beaten up and pitiful at this moment.

Davies looked away. He patted Nicole's hand and said softly, "How can you think that? The fact that I met you at the airport should have told you that you are welcome here."

A smile lit up Nicole's face the next second. She glanced at Brylee proudly.

Her adoptive mother, Leslie Harrison, approached them and said, "Stop acting like a spoiled child, Nikki. You are a grown woman, remember?"

"But I want to." Nicole pouted and leaned her head against Davies' hand.

Brylee bit her lower lip. Her grip on the down jacket tightened.

Although she had given up on this marriage, she was yet to get over Davies. This scene hurt more than their embrace at the airport. These two had no regard for her at all.

Just as Brylee was wallowing in pain, she heard Davies say, "You are free to do whatever you want."

Davies withdrew his hand and waved to his assistant, Vincent Fuller, who was behind him.

Vincent stepped forward with a gift box in hand. He bowed to Nicole and said respectfully, "Here you go, Miss Riley. Mr. Harrison was running late because he took time out to prepare this for you."

He opened the gift box gingerly. A pair of luxurious earrings came into view. It glistened under the bright light.

"Oh, my God!" Nicole exclaimed, her hand flying to her chest as her eyes widened in surprise.

She rose to her feet and embraced Davies. She kissed him on the cheek, leaving the imprint of her lipstick on it. "You are such a darling, Davies! I have always wanted these earrings. How did you know about them?"