I will sign it immediately

Helen's POV

I sat at the dresser staring at my reflection through the mirror as various unfettered thoughts assailed my mind.

Inhaling sharply, I averted my stare to the clock which was mounted against the wall and sighed for the umpteenth time that evening.

Four hours had passed since Fernando came to drop the envelope, yet I still hadn't thought of what to do next that didn't require me asking for Lucy's help.

The poor girl also had a lot on her plate as she was an orphan who worked hard to fend for herself, and I couldn't imagine adding to her burden.

But then again, I had to call her or risk getting humiliated by Fernando tomorrow and I couldn't have that.

He had already embarrassed me enough by flinging the divorce papers at me in the presence of the maids, who hated me with passion just like their master.

I couldn't even report their insolence to Fernando because I knew he'd probably scoff then ask me to stop being a baby.

Out of all of them, only the head maid cared about me and asked after my personal well-being from time to time.

She made me feel better on the days I felt extreme despondency and helplessness.

As if reading my thoughts, my phone vibrated with an incoming international call from Lucy.

I gasped, mildly relieved before answering the call.

"How are you doing, my babe?" Her cheerful voice rang from the other end, causing me to burst into tears.

I pressed my lips into a thin line as I tried to comport myself to give her a coherent response.

As much as I tried to suppress my sniffles, Lucy heard it and she asked, "Are you crying? What's happening with you?"

I quickly cleared my throat. "Of course not. I mistakenly ate something with Kiwi." 

"Oh, why would you make such a mistake? Have you forgotten you're allergic to it? Are you okay though?" She rambled out, causing me to smile, in spite of my unfortunate situation.

Lucy was sent by the heavens to me.

She was probably sent by my mother to help me navigate life, because my mother was the only person who had cared about me before she succumbed to complications arising from ovarian cancer, when I was ten.

"I'm fine now. I've taken my allergy pills." I fibbed, staring at my pathetic form through the mirror.

My collar bones suddenly looked extremely prominent while my face was gaunt and emaciated.

Even the sweatshirt I was currently wearing suddenly seemed too baggy for me.

How had I not noticed that I had lost so much weight?

"Thank goodness. You make me worry too much, Helen. Have you finally managed to get a job?" Lucy inquired.

Guilt hitched my throat as I shook my head, even though she couldn't see me.

"I'm yet to get any."

Lucy was still unaware of the fact that I had dropped out to get married three years ago.

I didn't tell her because I was ashamed of myself.

I mean, I was married to a neglectful billionaire who didn't give a crap about my wellbeing and left me to look like a poverty-stricken widow.

When she asked me to send her my college graduation pictures, I made up various excuses until she eventually stopped asking.

Plus if Lucy found out about my current condition, she would board a flight back home from Australia and I didn't want her to waste her hard-earned money on me.

"America's employment system is still crap I see," She sighed. "Or do you want to come here? With your degree, many business corporations would be willing to hire you. I can even recommend you to someone."

Oh, Lucy. I thought inwardly, as tears trickled down my face.

If only she knew that I was far from being a college graduate.

Hell, I couldn't even boast of a skill.

I had nothing tangible to my name except my decrepit phone, that I had meticulously saved up to buy four years ago, while I was in my second year of college.

Apart from Lucy, the only person I could ask for help was Fernando's younger brother, Roman, who was the odd one out among his family.

While Fernando and their mother were both archfiends, Roman was very kind to me.

He would often stop by to give me money and gifts, which Fernando would end up seizing from me.

Fernando would tell me that I was a golddigger for collecting his gifts instead of rejecting them.

After some time, Roman stopped giving me gifts and later on, he stopped coming to the mansion altogether.

I couldn't dare to ask Fernando about his brother lest he yelled at me, so I just let it be.

A year and half had passed since I last saw him and I just hoped he was doing well wherever he was.

"Are you still there, Helen?" Lucy's voice danced into my brain, pulling me back to my sad reality.

"Yeah, I'm still here. Were you saying something?"

She sighed, "Something is going on with you but you don't want to tell me. I just want you to remember that I will always be here for you. You can tell me anything, you know that right?"

"I do," I whispered. "You are right, I'm not fine at all. I'm going through hell an-"

"Who the hell are you talking to?" Fernando's husky baritone drifted into my ears, causing me to mistakenly hang up on Lucy.

I stood up immediately as I shakily turned off my phone. 

How much of my conversation had he heard?

How could I not have seen his reflection in the mirror?

"I-I didn't realize you were here. When did you get back?" I stammered, and he huffed.

"Change into whatever you find in here," He spat, throwing a big gift bag on the bed. "You will follow me to a business dinner. That will be your last obligation as my wife."

Afterward, he pivoted on his heel and left.

I stared tentatively at the bag but drew nearer to assess its contents.

A gasp involuntarily escaped me when I brought out a short black dress, a pair of silver heels, and a pair of silver dangle earrings.

The dress was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen in my entire life.

It was an off shoulder, uneven flared dress which was purely made with soft silk that tenderly caressed my skin as I wore it.

There was no doubt that that dress must have cost a huge amount of money, probably thousands or even hundreds of thousands.

Then, I tossed my hair into a french bun and donned my earrings before putting on my shoes.

The only makeup item I had was an almost empty tube of lip gloss, so I used it like that.

As I stared at myself in the mirror, a sad smile grazed my lips.

Today was the last day that I would be addressed as "Mrs Alvarez."

I glanced at the clock again before exiting the room.

"You look pretty, madam." The head maid complimented me, and I smiled.

"Thanks." 

"I thought you were planning to sleep in there." Fernando gruffed as I walked to the car.

He didn't even seem enchanted or fascinated by my look, he just gave me a once over before getting into the car.

Gulping harshly, I stepped into the car and sat down stiffly as Fernando expertly maneuvered the car onto the road.

About thirty minutes later, we arrived at the venue which was an imposing event hall, with exquisite decorations.

The moment we stepped in, Fernando left my side without a word and moved to a svelte woman with pink-dyed hair.

She was gorgeous with curves in all the right places, and her garish tresses flowed down her back to her waist.

The woman also exuded an air of luxurious confidence mixed with haughtiness; she was well aware of how stunning she was.

My heart ached in betrayal as I watched him smile and dance with the woman, while I, his wife stood alone.

Never for once in our three years of marriage had Fernando smiled at me.

I didn't need to be told that the woman was the love of his life, who he was divorcing me for.

Tears stung my eyes when the woman whispered something in his ear, which prompted him to dart me a fleeting glance, which was accompanied by a disgruntled expression.

There and then, I resolved to sign the divorce papers as soon as we got home and also move out of the mansion, before the dawn of the next day.