Adira knocked on the door of her family's house, her luggages beside her on the floor. As she waited weakly for the door to get opened, she kept blinking back the tears that burnt at the back of her eyes.
The door creaked open, revealing her sixteen year old sister.
"Mum! Adira is home!" Elara said with a streak of sadism.
Since the door was wide open, Adira was able to take a peek into the house and found her family seated round the dining, having dinner. Their faces got lit up with mockery upon seeing her at the door.
"Oh... The rejected wife is finally home to her rejected family!" Her twenty-three year old step-sister hooted with laugh, pausing on the meat she had been trying to pieces into several parts.
"Dear Adira, you've finally signed the divorce papers, haven't you?" Her step-mother taunted.
Her father and step-brother just stayed quiet on the dining, throwing glances at her.
With a sniff, Adira picked up her luggages and began rolling it into the old creaky house. Her eyes were red and swollen from the tears that had been falling freely before her coming to the house.
The room was lit only by the flickering light of a solitary candle, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Stepping further into the room, her family's eyes followed her every move, watching her with suspicion and mockery. Adira couldn't help but feel like an outsider in her home.
"The nerves of you to ever think you could remain married to a powerful man like Lancelot," her drunken father muttered. "I told you, Adira, we're poor and not meant for the rich. If you had listened to me a year ago and just stayed away from him, I'm sure none of this would have happened."
"Don't say that, father. I'm definitely going to marry a rich man. I just wonder how Adira thought she could do same," Freya smirked.
At that moment, Adira wished her mother was there at that table. She had lost her mother at a very tender age, and in less than three months after her death, her father had gotten married to her step-mother who bore him three children. They always treated her like an outsider and made her wish she was never a part of them. Unfortunately, she had no other place to go.
"I'll just be in my room," she mumbled beneath her breath and turned towards the wooden staircase.
"What room are you talking about?" Freya snapped behind her. "You've been away for a year, Adira. So, I'm in charge of your room now."
Adira said nothing but continued climbing up the stairs, and her step-mother threw a spoon at her.
"Hurry up and come clear this table. You should make yourself useful around here," she gruffed, but Adira didn't stop as she continued walking.
Getting into the messy room that used to be hers, twenty-six year old Adira plonked herself on the bed and bursted into tears. Her heart ached heavily, she brushed her fingers into her hair as she cried out in pains.
Memories of how Lancelot had sent her parking from the house kept replaying in her mind
"I'm sorry, Adira, but you need to leave. Jardine plans on coming over tonight. I told you she's sick," his voice still sounded fresh in her head.
Adira had gone on her knees to beg him. The divorce papers had been lying on the floor.
"Please, Lancelot, you can't do this to me. I did nothing wrong, you can't just push me away like this," she had pleaded, clutching onto his knees.
"Yes, you did nothing wrong. And trust me, Adira, I did love you. But can't you see this isn't working out? It's been a year, yet my family still doesn't accept you. I endured a lot for you, Adira, and you know it. I believe it's best if we just moved on. Please. Here's a check of a hundred thousand dollars, this should be enough to get you started."
Adira had remembered tearing the check in front of him, letting him know she wasn't interested in the money, but was interested in him. She had continued pleading, but in the end, he sent her out, along with the divorce papers which he had asked her to sign within the week.
Adira was beyond hurt as she kept wondering how she could possibly live without Lancelot. They had known each other since they were kids and had gotten married about a year ago. God, they were so in love, she never thought a day would come that he would ever divorce her.
His parents hated her 'cause she was poor and when Lancelot had gotten married to her, his father caught him off from the company. Things became really tough for them as they had to fend for themselves. But they were doing just fine.
It all started a month ago when he started sleeping out, coming home at late hours and acting detached towards her. It didn't take long before Adira noticed he had another lover - a certain rich lady. This had broken Adira, and when she confronted him, he started talking about a divorce.
Now, there she was - broken and pregnant with his child. Even when she had told him about the early pregnancy, his cold words were: "You should get rid of it. I won't be such a great father, Adira."
His words had been like poisonous arrows that pierced her heart multiple times. She loved him so much and couldn't imagine life without him. But, now she was hurt with no one to turn to.
****†****†****†****†****†
Adira had slept deeply. She woke up the next morning to find herself on the floor. Sitting up and glancing at the bed, she found Freya on it. Huh? Did she roll her down to the floor without her notice? How dare she?
Adira got on her feet, infuriated. But seeing that Freya was still asleep, she decided to let it slide.
She got into the bathroom to freshen up, deciding she needed to go get some provisions for the family. Thankfully, she had been able to save some money while she was with Lancelot. Thinking of it, she might even move out to her own apartment - no matter how small it may be. She had expected her family to be less hostile, but sadly, they hadn't changed.
Standing under the running shower, Adira closed her eyes as she recalled all the beautiful moments she shared with Lancelot. There had been times when they showered together, and he'd end up kissing her. They made love in so many fun places, the memories were glued to her head. How could she possibly let go of him now? Wasn't it a little too late?
When she first met Lancelot at the age of nine, it was on a day he had saved her. She and Freya had gone playing at a pool. Accidentally, Adira fell into the pool while Freya ran to call for help. There weren't much people on the pool that day. So, there was no one to help.
Adira had passed out, but when she regained consciousness, she found Lancelot beside her, but he was also wet and unconscious. Adira believed he saved her - risked his life to save hers. That was how they became friends.
They shared so many beautiful moments together, she wondered how she could possibly leave without him now. It was clearly impossible.
Done from the bathroom, she stepped out with a white towel around her chest. She found something simple to wear from one of her luggages - a white pair of trousers with a blue top. Then, she brushed her long hair until it shone like black silk in the light. She let it fall around her shoulders, applied a little color to her lips and some to her eyes to conceal her redness.
Adira was a very beautiful lady - her features perfectly symmetrical with high cheekbones, full lips and large expressive eyes. Her beauty was breathtaking, like a glimpse of a rare and exquisite flower in full bloom. Her beauty had men rushing after her, but she had kept it all for Lancelot.
Ready to leave the house, she gave herself one sullen look in the mirror. The thought of work flickered across her mind. Goodness; the heartbreaking event had made her forget completely about going to work. Perhaps, she'd call her boss later in the day to explain things.
She was about leaving the room when she noticed Freya turning on the bed. She yawned loudly and opened her eyes which finally met with Adira's.
"Hey. Where are you off to?" Freya questioned, her eyes still looking dizzy.
"I don't think you should be concerned, Freya. By the way, I woke up today to find myself on the floor. Did you really roll me down?"
Freya laughed. "You're such a dumb sleeper. I did roll you down, Adira. You occupied my space."
Adira fisted her hands beside her. Deciding to let it pass, she started towards the door.
"Where're you going? To beg your ex-husband? Let the poor man be, Adira; he's never taking you back. By the way, mother wanted you to make yourself useful in the house. So, you should go on and wash the dishes."
"You must have lost your senses," Adira glowered her eyes at her before exiting the room.
As she left, she heard Freya's angry words behind her.
"Really? I've lost my senses?! Well, I wasn't the one who got divorced!"
Adira said nothing.
She climbed down the stairs, her entire body feeling so weak. Luckily, she didn't find anyone in the living room. She had been scared she'd find someone who would end up bashing her again.
She walked levelly out of the house but met a huge surprise in front of her. Adira froze immediately, her heart shooting up at the sight of the person in front of her. What?! Was she seeing clearly? What was Jardine doing at her place? The very witch that destroyed her home?
Jardine stood there like an epitome of beauty, her face calm and innocent. She was richly dressed in a knee-length gown of simmering silk, the fabric hugging her curves in all the right places and accentuating her natural grace and beauty. While Adira glared at her, Jardine's expression remained unruffled. She returned a soft stare at Adira, her blue eyes clear and bright. "What the hell are you doing here?" Adira stepped forward, wrathful veins protruding on her brows. "How dare you even think of coming here?"Jardine sighed, tucking some loose strands of hair behind her ear. "Please Adira, I didn't come here to fight.""So, why are you here? To see my misery? To watch me cry?"There was a brief silence. Then, with Jardine staring down at the floor, she said: "I know you're very mad at me, and I know you must think I'm a bad person. But I want you to know I'm truly sorry, Adira. I'm... I'm so sorry for ruining your marriage. This sounds stupid, I know, but I never thought I'd be so
Adira's eyes fluttered open to the soft hum of machines beeping quietly in the background. The air smelled of disinfectant, and Adira felt the scratchy sheets of the hospital bed under her skin. She was in a hospital? At first, everything was blur and she couldn't make out any details. But slowly, her vision began to clear and she saw the familiar figures of Lancelot and Jardine beside her. What?Adira's eyes widened in realization. No, no, her baby. She gasped as she shifted her hands to her tummy, holding it tight. "What happened to me? Did I lose my baby?" She asked with eyes brimming red. Jardine had a tear trickling down her cheek. "I'm so sorry, Adira. Nobody deserves to go through this."Adira's breath started getting laboured. It couldn't be what she was thinking, was it? Did she lose the baby?Lancelot, who had been sitting next to her, suddenly took her hand into his. "I'm truly sorry. I never wanted to cause you so much pain.""Get me a doctor! Is my baby fine?" Adira
Jardine's footsteps echoed through the grand foyer of the exquisite house, her heart heavy and her face pale. She made her way into the living room and found her mum and grandparents sitting stiffly on the plush couch, their eyes fixed on her as she came into view. Jardine felt a knot form in her stomach instantly as she lowered her eyes and greeted. "Good day.""Jardine. Why are you looking all gloomy?" Her mother inquired. "Why won't she? When she's been sleeping with someone else's man?" Her grandfather threw a glare at her. "Dad!" Her mother - Mrs. Rowena - gasped at the aged man. "Tell me, Jardine, are you still going on with the wedding?" Her grandmother asked coldly. And in a low voice, Jardine replied: "Yes, grandma.""Have you no shame!" Her grandfather half-yelled. "You're beautiful, Jardine. You couldn't do anything else other than destroy another woman's home?""Dad! I think we should give her a break," Mrs. Rowena scoffed. "Jardine is not that evil. It isn't like she
Adira stood frozen in place as Nikolai - the most powerful billionaire - approached her. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest like a wild animal trying it escape its cage. With his cold, hard eyes settling on her like diamond orbs that pierced through her soul, she felt unhindered chills down her spine. Was Nikolai the man the bar manager was referring to? Was he the man that wanted her to stay back? But why? She's only seen him in the news and on papers, she's never met or even dreamt of meeting with him before. Someone of her status could not even meet him. So, she was wondering how he how specifically knew her to request her staying back. What could she had possibly done to offend the almighty billionaire?With each step he took closer to her, her fear increased and she took hard nervous gulps. He was so handsome, so muscular - his face an art of perfection. But right there, all she could feel was fear as she stared at him. "Adira Ravenswood," he called her full na
Adira stood up and ran out of the bar immediately, trying to see if she'd find Nikolai again. But getting outside, she found them driving away. "Oh, no" she mumbled to herself. "It wasn't a dream. It wasn't a dream."Her heart thrashed against the cage of her ribs. She lifted her hands into her hair and tousled it. What the hell just happened? So, it wasn't a dream afterall? Nikolai had really been in front of her?'I'll make you so rich, you'll walk on money' his words came flashing in her head. 'I'll place you above your enemies and make them worship at your feet.'"No," Adira whispered, still brushing her hair with her shaky fingers. How did this happen? How could he even say that to her? She returned to the bar and found the card and money still lying on the counter. A tear slipped her eye immediately. Feebly, she picked up the money and stared blankly at it. To think she had actually wanted to end her life when she was done from the bar? Was this the devil playing tricks on
Adira freshened up, packed her bags and in a short while, she was ready to go.From time to time, she paced round the room and glanced at the window to see if the car had arrived. Goodness, she was scared and found it difficult even breathing.'Calm down, Adira. Everything will be fine,' she kept assuring herself.Finally, she found a black sleek car driving into the compound and her heart jumped out of her chest. It was him. The driver was there.She puffed out her cheeks, rubbed her palms together and finally dragged her luggages out of the room. She got downstairs to where her family was gathered and laughing at the dining. Seeing Adira with her luggages seized their laughters at once as they threw suspicious stares at her."Where the hell are you going?" Soraya scoffed.Adira ignored her and headed for the door.
Adira was shown to her room which made her gasp at its beauty. The room was expansive, with high ceilings that seemed to stretch out into the heavens, and the walls painted in a chic and neutral color of beige and gray.In the center of the room was a massive four-poster bed, draped in sumptuous silken sheets and surrounded by plush pillows that looked like they were made of clouds.There was a sleek sofa in the room - as well as a dressing table.A dressing table - Adira suddenly realized. She ambled to the dressing table and found so many cosmetics on it. Huh? He already made provisions for her cosmetics?Looking around, she found a room that looked like a closet and rushed into it. Her jaw almost hit the floor when her eyes met with the luxury.Rows and rows of designer shoes, handbags and clothing were displayed, each piece looking beautiful and expens
"So, what's your name?" Mrs Bellamy asked as they ate. The rattling of forks and knives provided a rhythmical background to their meal.Adira knew the question was directed at her. She gulped down some water before looking up at the woman."Adira, ma'am. Adira Ravenswood." she inclined her head."Adira. Pretty name."Adira felt so relieved that the woman liked her. She had been so scared that she'd get rejected, just like she had been rejected by Lancelot's family."Thank you, ma'am" she beamed a smile."You're welcome, honey. So, as you must already know, I am Lancelot's mother, and this is my husband," she placed a hand on her husband's shoulder."These two titans over here are my sons - Vesper and Finn."The younger one - Finn - flashed a smile at Adira, while the older one maintained