Chapter 7 Drop Your Plans

"Ah!"

Rita let out a cry as Sheila's slap made her fall to the floor.

"Rita!" Paula hurried over to help her up. "Sheila, Rita is just worried about you. Why would you hit her? Rita, are you hurt?"

"Mom, I'm okay. It's not Sheila's fault."

While saying this, Rita cautiously lifted her head, showing off the bright red handprint on her cheek.

Rogelio was stunned by what just happened but quickly recovered. Seeing Rita's red and puffy face made him feel both sympathy and anger. "It's obvious Sheila hit her on purpose!"

Rita didn't say anything, just cried, making Rogelio even angrier.

"Sheila, Rita is such a caring person. Aren't you guilty she's still sticking up for you after you hit her? Say you're sorry to her right now!"

"Say I'm sorry?"

Sheila looked at Rita, her face expressionless, as if she couldn't believe what she just heard.

She had put up with their behavior for years to avoid upsetting Rogelio. But instead of getting any gratitude, she was blamed unfairly.

She decided she wouldn't let herself be pushed around anymore.

"Why should I apologize to Rita? She's cruel and mean. Dad, instead of getting angry with me, you should ask her what she has done to piss me off," Sheila retorted.

Rogelio looked at Rita, now doubtful.

Through her tears, Rita said, "Sheila, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to end up with Niko. After his accident, he forgot about you, and then he chose me..."

Sheila became even more agitated upon hearing Rita's attempt to deflect the conversation.

Rita thought Sheila wouldn't dare tell the truth about her losing her virginity to some gigolo.

"If it's because of Niko that you're upset, I'll end things with him tomorrow," Rita said, trying to seem more pitiful.

Rogelio stepped in. "You can't break up with Niko, Rita! He's a great guy, and you're engaged. You won't find anyone as good as him again."

The Evans family was connected to the Whites, the most powerful family in town. Rita's marriage to Niko was going to be a big deal for the Lothian Group.

Rogelio then turned to Sheila. "Don't take it out on Rita. Niko's choice was his own. But don't worry; I've arranged for you to meet a nice man soon."

Sheila's eyes blazed with fury. "Are you talking about that old freak?" she inquired icily.

Rogelio paused, taken aback, then responded, "Ah, you're aware of Timothy? That's good to know. He's quite taken with you. If all goes well, you could get married."

"No way!"

Sheila shot back, slamming a marriage certificate down on the coffee table.

"Look, Dad, I'm already someone's wife! Are you trying to use me to secure Timothy's investments? You might want to rethink that unless you're okay with me being accused of being married to two men at once."

The marriage certificate silenced the room as everyone's eyes fixed on it.

Rogelio, after a beat, picked up the certificate, his eyes widening at the sight of the official seal. Rage almost knocked him off his feet, but Paula was there to catch him.

"Sheila Jones!" Rogelio blurted out. "Why didn't you talk to me first? Do you not see me as your dad anymore? What am I supposed to tell Timothy?"

Paula chimed in, "Sheila, you can't just rush into marriage. Is this because Niko is no longer in the picture? Picking a life partner isn't a decision to take lightly. You should think about getting this marriage annulled."

"There's no way I'm getting a divorce. I love my husband! I'm here to tell you to drop your plans!" Sheila stated with conviction.

The room fell into a tense silence.

Sheila's surprise marriage made it clear she knew about their intentions.

But the potential backlash from upsetting Timothy was a serious threat, and a misstep could mean disaster for the whole family.

Rogelio, seething, lifted his hand as if to strike Sheila.

Paula stepped in. "Dear, sometimes young people make rash decisions about marriage. Let's meet this son-in-law first and see what he's like..."

Paula then subtly nudged Rita to support her argument.

Rogelio thought it over and finally backed down, huffing, "Alright! I want to meet this man. Who is he to marry my daughter without my knowledge?"