From Orphan To Heiress

Kayla's POV

"Sign these papers!" Eric, my husband yelled, throwing a stack of papers in my face. Instantly, I bent down a bit and picked them, curious about what they were.

My eyes widened in surprise as I realized what the papers were all about.

"Are these truly documents for divorce?" I asked in a composed tone, trying my best to conceal the pain I was feeling.

"She's not just a leech and a poor miserable orphan but also a very daft ugly-looking overweight woman who finds it very hard to comprehend things!" Agatha, my mother-in-law mocked, causing his son to burst into laughter.

My eyes grew misty and before I knew it, I had already started shedding tears.

"Your crocodile tears will not save you, Kayla. Sign these papers and leave our lives," he barked.

"Why?"

"Why do you want to divorce me? Why do you want to end our three years of marriage just like that? Where did I go wrong?" I managed to ask amidst tears.

"You had just one job to do, Kayla. Just one job but you blew it. Take the blame for Jason's crime but you declined with the excuse of your license being at stake. We all know that you're not going to be in jail for more than three years but you refused regardless. Even with your overweight and ugly self, My mother and I have done nothing but love you. We accepted you the way you're knowing fully well that it wasn't this way from the onset but what did you do? You paid us back with evil. Kayla, you are such an ingrate and I hate you for this. Just sign the papers and go away!" He sneered.

Cleaning my tears with my pinky finger, I knelt before my husband and mother-in-law. "Please, don't send me away, I have nowhere else to go. I can do any other thing apart from going to jail in place of your brother," I implored

"If you can't do that for us then you are of no use to us! Just sign the goddamn papers, you ugly fat fck!" Mrs. Agatha yelled.

I got up from the floor, settling on the sofa. With my fingers trembling, I reached out for the pen on the table before me, turning the pages of the papers and trying to read through them.

"You're wasting time, Kayla," Eric warned, pacing around the room.

"Eric, please don't have me do this. I love you with everything I have," I pleaded.

My mother-in-law burst into laughter, throwing her legs up in the air. "You amaze me, silly woman,"

Ignoring her, I dumped the papers and pen and rose from the sofa, enclosing the distance between Eric and me.

I reached out for his round face, staring into his brown eyes but he brushed my hand off his face.

"Eric," I said softly.

I continued, "I love you so much and you know that I do. From the moment I set my eyes on you back in college, I loved you. We had come a long way and had achieved a lot together as a couple. You said you loved me. No, you actually did love me, I felt it. It just hurt me so much that all that you felt for me had been thrown away just like that only because I unintentionally neglected myself and ended up being a bit overweight.

I had quit my career as an attorney to become a housewife just for you and your family. I had accepted every undeserving treatment from you and your family. And ultimately, instead of being mad at you for cheating on me with your ex, I stooped so low to make friends with her just to figure out what way I had gone wrong. Even when I wasn't the problem, Eric, I made myself the problem and worked towards being better for you but this is how you decide to pay me back?"

"Could you..." I stammered, sobbing profusely. "Could you please have a rethink, my hus..." Before I could finish up my statement, a wave of a stinging slap crashed against my face, leaving me shocked in silence for a moment.

I sobbed, tightly gripping my chest for comfort.

"Who's your husband?!" He yelled

Eric reached out for my long brown hair, yanking me toward the table where the divorce papers were. He forcefully dropped me on the floor, "Sign this right now!"

"Serves you right," I heard his mother chip in.

Without a choice, I signed the papers, sealing them with my thumbprint.

"Finally," Mrs Agatha sang.

I heard Eric give off a sign of relief followed by an evil smirk. He walked towards the exit of the room, stopping in his tracks, then said, "You have just thirty minutes to leave the Watsons' residence,"

"Eric! Eric, please!" I begged continuously but he turned deaf ears, walking out of the room. I turned my attention to Eric's mother, grabbing her left leg, "Mother, please help me," I cried. She pushed my hands off her leg, stood up while adjusting her clothes, and walked out on me without saying a word.

I curled up on the floor, my heart aching nonstop. I was heartbroken and devastated but above all, I was confused. I didn't know where to go or whom to run to. I literally had no one apart from my ex-husband's family. I had saved a little from my pay when I was still working class but I was very much sure that it wouldn't in any way be enough for the journey I was about to embark on.

I jolted up from the floor, making my way to the room I shared with Eric. I reached out for my small traveling box, folding little clothes inside it. After I was done, I grabbed my clutch and hung it on my shoulder while tightly holding my box in my hand. Without delay, I headed for the door, stopping by the kitchen to grab a snack. I felt a tiny bit of guilt while feeding on the snack but then If I was going to cry, I would need strength for it. In a few minutes, I found myself downstairs, staring at the place that had forever been my home. I bid it farewell, refusing to say my goodbyes to Eric and his mother.

"Next bus stop please," I said to the bus driver who didn't bother to say a word to me. I made my way to the empty seat on the bus, suddenly I felt my vision blur and my head spin. The bus started to spin around me, and everything went dark. I felt myself falling, and then suddenly, strong arms caught me.

"Are you okay?" A deeply manly voice asked.

Kayla's POV

"CPR!" I heard the strange man's voice go off faintly.

I lay on the cold bus floor with my eyes closed and my body limp, feeling the man's strong hands on my chest. He began to press down on my chest in a steady rhythm, his movements rhyming forcefully and steadily. Then, he paused his compressions and bent down over me. I felt his breath on my face, and then I felt him exhale into my mouth. The air filled my lungs, and I began to feel a little more awake. He continued this cycle, his hands and breath working in tandem to save my life. Then suddenly, I sneezed, splashing a tiny bit of saliva all over him unintentionally.

"Shit!" He exclaimed, wiping his face with his elbow. Suddenly, he bit his lower lip, drawing my attention to it. Immediately, the memory of his lips against mine flashed before me, making me blush.

He looked at me weirdly as if trying to decipher a hidden message in my expression.

"I'm sorry," I said, staring at his pretty brown eyes. His short black hair was shiny and permed in a good way, suiting his gorgeous round face.

"Who are you?" I queried, getting a hold of myself. I tried sitting up but I was too exhausted and weak to lift myself. He opted in to carry me up but I was too heavy for him to lift alone so he sent for two men that looked like his sidekicks.

"Gary! Lumen! I need your help," he called out and in no time, they arrived at the scene. One had blue shorts on with a black T-shirt while the other was dressed in corporate wear. They both had something in common which was the wired microphone that went across their necks to their ears. I also noticed how respectful they were towards the strange man and I couldn't help but wonder who he was.

"Help me," he said to them. They leaned in at the same time, struggling to lift me from the floor. My face was flustered with shame and embarrassment. I was about 300 kg and was quite heavy to lift. To be honest, I didn't know how and when I got to this extent. I guess I had overlooked myself because I thought I needed no validation from anyone since everything I had ever wanted, I got. My career as an attorney and my fulfilled love life with my high school boyfriend- Eric Watson was all I wanted and I got them all but now that he had divorced me, I'm worried about how I would cope.

All my life, I had known only my foster parents who took me in after the death of my parents. I was told that they died in a ghastly accident when I was a tender age. They loved and cared for me just like their own and ultimately gave me their blessings for my marriage with Eric but how did I repay them?- I abandoned them, focusing intently on Eric and his family who had shown me one more time that nothing lasts forever and that people change. To be honest, I don't regret anything at all. I was so in love and everything I did for them was out of love. In fact, I'm glad it happened this way. I had become more exposed and to crown it all, I had learned my lessons.

"Stay put," the young man instructed, pulling me out of my trance. His gaze was focused and his voice filled with concern.

They gently carried me out of the bus and to the car, settling me in at the back seat. It was a black Sienna car with comfy seats and spacious space. Although I had just entered the bus, they reached their destination, probably why they decided to alight.

"Thank you but where are we going?" I asked one of his men but he didn't utter a word. Instead, he tucked me in and closed the door behind him, walking majestically to another car.

Whoever these men are, they're rich. I thought to myself.

The strange man got into the car and sat in the driver's seat. He ignited the car engine and we zoomed off. I had fallen asleep following the suit of the air conditioner in the car, making me not realize that we had gotten to our destination. Even as we got there, I was still very fast asleep but then I felt manly hands lifting me and taking me inside.

I woke up to see a very beautiful spacious room with properties well arranged in it. It had a king-size bed and, a giant mirror with some feminine things. My curiosity was piqued, making me leave the room. I moved from one room to another, trying to figure out where I was. Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks, noticing a well-equipped gym room.

I entered it, tracing my fingers on the equipment, admiring its beauty. Turning my attention to something else, I noticed a man standing at the entrance. His presence made my heart skip a bit. I didn't realize he had been there for a while. He was about 6'5ft tall, with tanned skin, dressed in grey shorts and a white polo that made him appear extremely gorgeous and attractive.

With a trembling voice, I asked, "Who are you?"

He cleared his throat and walked in purposely, enclosing the distance between us.

"I am your savior," he replied, smiling.

I rolled my eyes at him, "I know you are my savior and I am thankful for that but I mean, what's your name? What am I doing here?"

He walked away from me, making his way to the giant mirror. Adjusting his hair a bit, "My name's David Miller. I know a little about medicals and I am a professional bodybuilder," he said.

I smirked mentally, sensing the pride in his tone.

"A bodybuilder, you say?" I queried, making my way to him.

He nodded his head without saying a word.

I grabbed his hand instantly, tightening my grip on it. "Help me," I begged desperately

He looked at me ridiculously and freed his hand from my grip immediately.

"You should get back to the room. Your food will be served in a bit. After that, you are free to go. That's how much help I can render you. Anything more, you'll have to figure it out yourself," he said, walking towards the exit...

I rushed to the door immediately with my arms apart, stopping him from moving. "Please, help me. I need to go back to how I used to be," I implored.

He tried to speak but his phone rang, interrupting him.

"Hello?"

"What's going on? What? A lawyer? Well, I left the country already, how am I supposed to get a lawyer for this case now?" He queried but before he could say something else, the caller already ended the call.

I looked at him, harboring a thought inside me.

"How about we help each other?" I spoke up

He looked at me perplexed, his brows furrowed.

"I am Kayla, an attorney. I can help you win any case you have and in return, you'll help me get back the body and beauty I used to have," I said firmly

"So, what do you say?"

Kayla's POV

"You must be kidding," he said, scoffing.

"Please, don't say no. I really need your help," I begged, tucking my long brown hair behind my ear. I had never been this desperate in my life. I needed to get back to my old self, not just to pay Eric and his mother back for what they did to me but because I needed to do this for myself. I needed to gain my confidence and worth back and I wished to have it done as soon as possible. Even without the insults and maltreatment I got from my ex-husband and his family, society and co-workers had also pushed me towards depression.

Back in high school, I was an orphan who was envied by every girl and desired by every boy because of my pretty face and killer figure. If I had known, I would have held onto my old pretty self rather than feeling relaxed and watching myself weigh more than 200 kg. It's crazy how society discriminates against women who have different body types. They're so obsessed with slim and pretty, leaving behind the little overweight ones.

"Kayla," he said, pulling me out of my trance.

I looked at him with so much eagerness, waiting to hear the word, "Deal,"

"Yes? Is it a deal?" I asked, eagerly

"No, it's not. Eat your meal and find your way out of my house. I have things to deal with besides I have helped you enough," he replied sternly, his patience wearing thin.

I felt hurt listening to what he had to say. I stood there, unsure of what to do. Should I tell him why I desperately need his help or not? But how could he? If he could have the zeal to help and carry out CPR on me, why couldn't he do this for me?

"Please," I begged one more time but on my knees this time around, fighting back tears.

"Look, I don't know what this is all about but leave my house after you're done," he instructed, walking out of the training room with his hands inside his pockets.

I sat there on the floor, thinking of my next step. I had left my luggage on the bus and literally had nothing on me including money. I thought of visiting my foster parents but it would be too sudden and of course, I wouldn't want them to see me this way.

Without delay, I got up from the floor and headed towards the room where I had woken up from. On reaching there, my meal had already been served on the table in the center of the room. I smiled wholeheartedly, rushing to have it eaten because if I didn't eat now, I wouldn't know when I would.

A few minutes later, I was done eating. It was time to leave David's residence so I made a draft of a short thank you note and placed it under the tray placed on the table, making my way out of the room. I walked past the living room to see if I'd see him but I didn't so I left quietly without saying goodbye in person.

Out in the streets of New Vape City, I walked aimlessly, looking for shelter. It was quite a shameful thing to me that I ended up giving my ex-husband every penny I had saved during my career years as an attorney, leaving nothing to myself. I thought my marriage with Eric would last forever and there wouldn't be any need to have some properties or valuables under our different names. Now that he has divorced me, how would I cope with nothing? No money, no family, no love, nothing at all. Life's really cruel and people living this life are cruelest.

I walked passed a fancy restaurant, Sativa Chow. It was where Eric had proposed marriage to me. I stopped right in front of it, admiring it while reliving in my head every memory it brought back. Suddenly, I thought of going in to have a seat while I tried to figure out my next move.

"Hey, fatty! Watch it!" Someone barked at me.

I felt anger build up inside me. If there was what I detest most, it would be being referred to as fatty.

I ignored him, making my way to the elevator. I stood in front of it, waiting for it to halt so I'd get in.

"Hmmm, you reek of an awful smell," a pretty slim young woman said to me, making everyone around burst into laughter.

"Fat people always smell so bad," another woman added

I looked at them without so much hurt and anger. I tried to speak but no words left my mouth. Luckily, the elevator halted and I got in immediately. I waited for them to join since three more persons could enter at the same time but none of them got in so I clicked the button and left without them.

I had pressed the last floor, it was the place that had the memory of me and Eric. On reaching there, I settled down. Without delay, a waiter walked purposely towards me, ready to take my order. I placed my head on the table immediately, pretending to be asleep. He waited for a while but got no response from me so he left with the hope of returning back in no time.

I turned my focus elsewhere in the room to find a familiar face. In fact, familiar faces. It was Eric and Caitlyn, his ex-girlfriend.

I stood up abruptly and headed towards their table. "Eric! Caitlyn!" I called out, making them startle. They were surprised to see me as much as I was surprised to see them.

"What is... going on... here?" I stammered at the realization of what was about to happen.

"What are you doing here?" Eric asked. I could feel the disgust in his voice.

"You're not supposed to be here, you fat fck!" Caitlyn cussed, smirking at me.

"Eric... how could you?" I sobbed

He turned his attention to Caitlyn, picking up from where he stopped. He went down on his knees, with a gorgeous diamond ring in his hand, and he proposed to Caitlyn.

"Caitlyn Jones, will you be my wife?"

Caitlyn nodded her head vigorously, smiling so widely and heartily. "Yes, Eric. I will be your wife," she replied. Everyone around cheered them up while some were recording and taking pictures of the scene.

Eric put the ring on her finger and stood up. He embraced her in a hug, kissing her passionately.

Tears fell uncontrollably down my cheeks. I couldn't hold it back any longer. I was hurt, deeply hurt.

"I'm sorry, Kayla but this is meant to be. You should stop forcing yourself on him. He loves me and there's nothing you can do about it," she said

Eric let out an evil laugh, turning his attention to me. "Kayla, you should figure out what to do to yourself. This is why no one wants you," he said, his words laced with cruelty

"And who said no one wants her?" I heard a familiar voice say.

Eric, Caitlyn, and I were taken aback. Wondering who had said that, we all turned our attention to it.

Surprisingly for me, it was him, David.