Kayla's POV
A deep frown settled on my forehead accompanied by a tightened fist to keep my emotions in check. But how long would I be able to do that? I was completely shattered inside.
My eyes were red-shot, but my black shade did well to hide it. I couldn't hold myself back as I blew my nose into the little piece of fabric I held in my hand.
Since Grandma Helen died, it was as though a huge part of me had gone with her.
Grandma was my life savior. She was like my guardian angel sent to me in my time of need. If not for her many years ago, I have no idea where I'd have been by now.
Grandma Helen had been in the mortuary for three months now following Liam's order and today was the day she'd finally be laid to rest
Hot tears welled up in my eyes, growing into an intense cry.
Just then, a voice came behind me.
"You don't have to cry so much Kayla, grandma Helen was already so old, it was time for her to die and God already tried for her, she lived till 97, get a hold of yourself." That was Ellie; Ethan's wife. She had always been like that when it comes to Grandma Helen. But I couldn't believe she'd say such a thing at her funeral.
I refused to spare her even a glance as tears continued to stream down my eyes.
I already missed Grandma so much and in severe pain, how could Ellie say such things? No wonder they never got along when she was still alive.
Several minutes later, the burial ceremony was over. Grandma Helen had gone to the other side of the world. Leaving me behind.
With more tears dripping down my face I waved her my final goodbye. And finally, I was ready to leave.
My eyes looked around the crowd, searching for that one person, but it seemed he didn't attend his own Grandmother's burial. Or might I say he didn't wait for it to be over before he left. As I had seen him here earlier.
I shook my head and made to finally take my leave now, but just as I was about to come out of the cemetery, my eyes caught on someone who made my heart skipped several beats, and a huge amount of adrenaline released into my being.
How dare she come here? Grandma Helen even hated her.
It was Lyra, Liam's mistress. Liam named her his childhood friend, but they had done so many despicable things that broke me many times. All the while still referring to her as 'just his childhood friend'
Grandma Helen had no idea what her Grandson had been doing to me in our marriage. What was the point telling her? It'd have only added to her worries, she was already old and battling high blood pressure. I wouldn't want to kill my grandma Helen with my marital problem. Hence I kept it all to myself.
If she knew, she'd have scolded him, but would that change anything? The answer was no as Liam would never let Lyra go.
It was as though Lyra were a part of Liam, someone he could never do away with. Even at his office when Grandma Helen had sent me there some months ago, I met them almost into each other's skin, leaning into each other so intimately they could be misunderstood as husband and wife.
Well, my marriage to Liam was arranged by Grandma Helen. But I had always loved Liam. The first time I met him after he came back from his studies abroad, I fell in love with him.
His masculine nature had me in rage and even till today. Liam was not just handsome, but gorgeous. He had me drooling over his blue eyes and his entire body.
Liam was well built, his muscled chest protruding out through his shirt, and his cologne had my whole being melting at his sight. I needed him, I wanted him. Every night I go to sleep with him on my mind.
Then I told myself if I could have this man then I've gotten everything I needed in life. Even in the day, I dreamt about Liam. I got lost so many times at the sight of him and Grandma Helen would call me back from my reverie.
Only to wake up one morning and she announced my marriage to Liam. I had made it in life. I couldn't sleep for days. I was marched in delight and extreme happiness.
Even though Liam didn't seem to like me that much or wasn't that pleased with me as his wife-to-be, I believed I was going to make him love me with time.
I wasn't that bad myself. I was petite, had hazel eyes and my skin was just as perfect. I had a round face, a flat tummy, and a body that could be described as perfect.
But five years later, he hasn't even gotten a bit close to me to think of ever developing any feelings for me.
All I could remember in our five years of marriage was how he went around with his childhood friend, who, of course, was his mistress.
Liam had done nothing but make me feel outrageously alone in our marriage.
Growing up, my moment of great bond and beautiful life was cut short when I lost the most important people in my life to the cold hand of death. How I survived it was still a mystery to me and everybody who witnessed it.
Fifteen years ago, on a Saturday morning, I clocked eleven _ it was my birthday. Even though I didn't want a big celebration, my parent were adamant on taking us out for a big birthday party. If I had known it was going to claim their lives, I'd have refused at all costs.
I and my two brothers were seated at the back seat of our Lexus, with my parents at the front conversing happily. Time seemed to freeze as my parents suddenly became quiet, inside the car was filled with tension and anxiety as I raised my head to see Dad floundering to evade the huge gigantic trailer hauling its way towards us.
It sped as though it was on a mission to crush us all. Just as my instinct predicted, I watched as my whole family lay lifeless before my very own eyes within a split second.
I had blood dripping down my forehead as I managed to crawl out, coughing profusely while crying for help on the deserted road, all the while my body shaking from trauma.
My wailing voice rolled until the paramedics arrived.
My parents and my two siblings were pronounced dead on the spot.
In a twinkle of an eye, I had lost everyone in my life, including my two lovely brothers. My playmates. Everyone in my life were gone.
After the burial of my parents and my brothers. I had refused to leave the funeral home. All I did every day was cried my eyes out till I was almost blinded by tears. As if that even matters to me, I just kept crying until an old woman came to me.
Seemed she wasn't around at the time of the burial and had just arrived to pay her respects.
Kayla's POV
Just one brief look at me, she knew I was my father's daughter. Her smile brightened as she stared at me.
Then she goes "Will you stay with me?"
For some moment, I cleaned the tears that were rolling down my face.
"I'm your daddy's business sister, your daddy likes me so much and he'd be happy if you stayed with me."
My eyes went from her head down to her fine boots then I resumed crying. I needed my family back not her. I wailed effortlessly.
She stood there waiting for me to go with her, but I never gave her a chance.
But she never gave up as she went from just coming to persuade me, to bringing me food and staying with me till I'd doze off on her legs.
Eventually, I followed her to her home.
It was big and elegant just like ours. And she, was also very warm and lovely. She made sure to bring a smile back to my face again, even while I missed my parent and siblings. She was my buddy.
Since then, she had treated me nothing less than her real granddaughter.
When Grandma Helen suggested I should marry her grandson, I was never against it as I was already in love with Liam.
Actually, even if I wasn't in love with Liam, I'd have still accepted to marry him as my way of paying back the good deed Grandma Helen had done in my life.
But now, it has been five years of our union and Liam still hasn't developed any feelings for me.
Even when he brought Lyra to our home, I had never done or said anything to offend him or make him think me jealous and clingy. All I was focused on was how to be the best wife for him. Hoping that one day he would see through the love I have for him and accept me wholeheartedly.
But that never seemed to work as Liam never stopped prioritizing Lyra over me.
I stayed at home like a room decor while he went around the city with his mistress.
Then I realised he would never consider me a woman. I was sad and hurting but I must remain in the marriage for Grandma Helen. I would never break her heart after everything she did for me. If anybody must cause a rise in her BP, it definitely shouldn't be me.
But now that she was dead, I had no reason to remain in the marriage anymore.
My mind was a jumble of thoughts as I sat quietly inside the taxi.
I made up my mind. I must get a divorce and go far away from him.
Lyra and Liam could now have themselves wholeheartedly without having to worry about any obstacle like me anymore.
Tears welled up in my eyes as the thoughts alone gagged my heart. I never for once thought it would end like this. I never envisioned this. I had waited and waited for the day Liam would come to me, with so much affection in his eyes and while he was sober, but he never did.
I had gone through nothing but pain at the hands of Liam.
While other granddaughters-in-law of Grandma Helen were being loved by their husbands, Liam only hated me and even had intimacy with me only when he was drunk. He disliked me with every blood in his veins. And why he was even mating with me was because Grandma Helen wanted a great-grandchild.
"You can drop me off here," I muttered when I sighted the building while dabbing off the tears that unconsciously fell off my eyes.
"Alright Miss." the driver muttered and pulled over while I gently came out of the car after paying him.
Just then, he drove off. I let out a heavy breath as my eyes scan the establishment in front of me. For some reason, my heart began pounding faster in my chest.
This was a major decision. I've never once thought I'd have to do something like this my entire life. But here I was now, ready to divorce Liam. To get the papers, shove them to his face, and disappear from his life for good.
I put a call to Mrs May, and within a few seconds she came down to meet me where I stood.
"Hello Mrs Reyes, how's today?" Her voice echoed.
I nodded with a faint smile, extending my hand for a handshake.
"We buried Grandma Helen today, sorry I didn't invite you," I muttered. My voice low and firm.
"It's okay Kayla, accept my condolences. I'm truly sorry about your grandmother-in-law." She sounded.
"Thank you, Mrs May. I'd like to have a discussion with you." I voiced, my tone calm and collected.
"Alright Kayla, come with me please." She muttered.
With that, I walked with her into their office elevator.
I had known Mrs May before the demise of my parents. She was not only our family's personal lawyer but also my mum's friend.
A few minutes later, we arrived at Mrs May's office.
"You've just laid your grandmother-in-law to rest today, that of course must make you feel sad, but why do I feel there's something more weighing down on your mind?" She muttered and a sad smile spread across my lips.
"So, what do you want to discuss with me?" She added.
"I want to give Liam a divorce." I voiced and she had her eyes opened wide.
Kayla's POV
Then her forehead deepened into a frown.
"You don't mean that, do you?" She voiced.
I nodded. "I mean it."
"I have to let Liam go now, the reason why I was still in this marriage was Grandma Helen, but she's no more," I muttered. My tone delicate. I had still not gotten over Grandma Helen.
"Liam has someone else he loves," I added.
Mrs May's brows raised.
Then she nodded with her lips pressed together.
"No marriage stress is worse than a husband having an affair." She muttered.
" But are you sure about this? Did you catch him red-handed, you could've misunderstood." Mrs May muttered.
A very sad smile spread across my lips.
If only she knew all they had done, even in my presence.
I nodded my head slowly. Like she saw the pain in my eyes, as she suddenly grabbed my hand and began rubbing it with utmost care. I was almost moved to tears. But I had promised myself not to shed tears because of Liam again.
The last time I dropped tears and vowed never to do so again was when I caught them relishing on each other's lips at our washroom and he didn't feel remorseful about it. Something within me vanished that day. Not the love I had for him but the need to continue being vulnerable and waiting for his love.
"It's okay Kayla, you're going to be fine. If you weren't happy while with him, then there's no need to stay." She caressed my hands one more time.
Then she stood up."Hold on a bit, I'll be right back." She muttered and she was gone in a jiffy.
A few minutes later, she came back into the office with papers in her hand.
"Here Kayla, this is the divorce papers. You can give him this for the annulment. If he doesn't drag with you, then you'll be free immediately. But if he does, you'll have to get a lawyer and I'll gladly come in for you."
"Okay, thank you, Mrs May," I muttered. Collecting the papers with sighs escaping my lungs.
But one thing was sure, I wouldn't be dragged by him hence I wouldn't need a lawyer. Liam would easily let me go. He never liked me.
And even if he tried any argument which I knew he wouldn't, I'd leave the papers with him to choke it down his throat while I take my immediate leave.
For a moment, my eyes were glued to the papers Mrs May just handed to me with divorce boldly written at the top. My stomach churned upset
"I wish you all the best." Mrs may muttered, bringing me back to myself.
"Thank you Mrs May, I'll contact you again soon." With that, I stood up and left her office.
Then I boarded a taxi to go back to the place I had called home for the past five years. My life was about to change for the better or maybe for the worse.
I had no idea what would become of my life after this, but this, was something I must do.
I must leave, even if it was for my sanity and peace.
When Grandma Helen was alive, I could say I had every reason to stay. But now, I had no single soul to lean on, to make me forget Liam's cheating habit for a while. Absolutely no one, not even my husband. What was the reason to stay? I could lose my mind. It was over.
A few minutes later, I arrived at our estate, now his estate.
The huge penthouse staring back at me with such emotions, my jaw clenched harder as my eyes went round the house.
I had lived nothing less than five years of my life in this place and now it was time to leave, for good.
For some reason, my eyes stung with tears, but I must not cry. I held it all in.
If I was going to serve Liam divorce papers, then I must appear with eyes full of determination, not a fragile one.
I sniffed in and my lips pressed tightly into a thin line. I was ready to confront him.
Just as I passed through that door, I was met with a scene I never thought I'd stumble upon, today of all days.
I stood on the spot, sincerely perplexed, my chest going up and down as pain shimmered through it.
When they noticed me, Lyra disengaged from the kiss and took a step back.
She had an apologetic look on her face, she always does that. Every time she was with Liam and I stumbled upon them like this, she always had this fake vulnerable look on her.
"I'm so sorry Kayla, I'm really sorry. Liam seemed so down and I just wanted to console him. I was not intending to lead to this but we both got lost in the moment." Her voice shook.
A painful scoff slipped from my lips.
There was no need for this explanation, anymore. Instead of just pain, there was disgust mixed with whatever I was feeling inside. Liam wasn't that amazing. How could he be doing this when his Grandma who loved him so much and could even lay her life down for him was just laid to rest?
Anyways, I was about to leave the whole place for them, they could enjoy themselves to the fullest now without Lyra having to feel 'sorry' about it.
But for some reason, there was still a little piece of hope lingering in my heart, as my eyes went up to Liam.
I stared at him, my eyes digging into his, does he even feel remorse? Even for once since he had been doing this?
If I could see anything like that in his eyes this moment, I was going to change my mind. I would not divorce him anymore, I would wait patiently for the day he finally comes to me.
But as my eyes dug deeper, only pain could cut through my heart as there was nothing, absolutely nothing like guilt in Liam's eyes.
I bit my lower lip and my fist tightened.
This was the answer I needed before proceeding.
Liam never cared for me and that was certain.
With that, I brought out the envelope I had in my bag to tear it open, but then my phone began ringing.
The caller's identity showed Dr. Damien on the screen
My brows scrunched up, then I stepped aside to take it.
Just then it came crumbling down my head..
I had gone to carry out a test at his hospital yesterday following the dizziness and fatigue I had been experiencing in my body, could it be that the results were ready?
"Hello, Doctor Damien." I muttered, my voice low.
"Yes Mrs Reyes, I'm sorry for the loss of your grandmother-in-law, I'm sending my deepest condolences." He muttered.
"Thank you, Doctor, I appreciate."
"Yes, I also called to let you know that your test results are ready and I think you should pick them up before the end of today." He said, his tone firm and a bit commanding as though something was wrong in my body and I must attend to it as soon as possible.
"Alright doctor, thank you so much."
"Alright, I'll be expecting you."
With that, Doctor Damien ended the call.
Unsettled feelings crawled into my stomach
What could be wrong with me?
My eyes darted between Liam and Lyra, then to the papers in my hand.
Then I turned around to leave, just then, Liam's voice came through.
"Where are you going? And what's that you have in your hand?" He asked, his tone flat and commanding.
I didn't know what to reply, my mouth was sealed for some reason. I stood there until Liam came up close.
"I am talking to you." He muttered, his cold voice cutting through my chest.
My eyes went down to the envelope in my hands, with Liam's eyes also glued to it
"I'm not feeling too well, I must see a doctor." She muttered.
"You don't look sick to me." He muttered mockingly.
"Liam, if she said she's sick, then she's sick, let her see a doctor. If I'm right she just spoke to a doctor now, right Kayla?" Lyra muttered from where she stood.
"Alright then, you can go." Liam muttered and signaled for me to leave, with his hands, like I meant nothing.
Tears brewed in my eyes, I couldn't believe Liam was treating me this way.
This got to me harder than anything had ever gotten to me.
Before, after such scenarios, I'd go to Grandma Helen who always made me happy. She'd give me compliments every here and there and tell me how beautiful I was. But now, Grandma Helen was no more.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I allowed them flow freely as I got outside.
Liam would never listen to anything that comes out of my mouth but when it comes to Lyra, her words were like gold and diamonds to him.
And for that, Lyra never stopped mocking me, intruding every conversation in the guise of defending me; the vulnerable one who wasn't close to her husband, but I knew what she was doing, she was taking my husband from me.
She was trying to show me that my husband listens to her and not me.
A few minutes later, I arrived at Doctor Damien's hospital.
"Mrs Reyes you're welcome." Doctor Damien greeted me as I got to his office.
"Thank you, Doctor."
"Yes, Mrs Reyes, we've received the results from the test we conducted and one of them confirmed that you're pregnant, congratulations, Mrs Reyes." Dr. Damien muttered making me hiccup instantly.