Chapter Fifteen
Just like I expected, I met the kids fast asleep.
Lilian and Laura were on the bed, while James squeezed himself into the tiny space on the sofa. He had tiny drops of tears lingering on his face, a clear indication that he had been crying.
I wiped the tears away, and he stirred in his face. His tiny eyes flustered as he caught a glimpse of my face.
“Mom! I thought you’d left us,” he muttered in between sleeps.
I patted him slightly until his eyes drifted back.
The parcel from Williams was still in my hands. As curious as I was to see the content, I was also aware that nothing good could come from Williams. A feeling of regret washed over me as I remember that I could have refused to meet up with him at the park, but I could have lost my job if I said no to him.
As much as my boss adored me and work ethics, he was still a relative of Williams and he could bend him to do whatever he pleased.
I took a tour of the small room. The children had made the right choice when they chose my room out of the other rooms in the house.
The bed was small and only had a tiny space left. It was almost late to take the kids home, but their sleeping position showed how uncomfortable they were on the bed.
“This will definitely be a long night,” I muttered, wiping sweat off my brows.
The sitting room was the only option. I kissed the kids goodnight and trotted towards the sitting room.
As expected, dad was lying on the double seat, snoring heavily.
Though asleep, his face bore the expression of someone who has been living in frustration for years.
A slight pat on his shoulder, and he jerked up, staring at me as if he had just seen the most horrifying scene of all time.
“Is everything okay, Alice? He asked, rubbing his eyes provocatively.
“No, dad. It’s just that the bed is too tiny for the kids and me. I was hoping I could sleep on this sofa instead.”
I watched him blink hard, then he yawned loudly before sitting up.
“It’s okay. I didn’t even know that I slept off here.”
“I hope you had something for dinner.” I asked, looking at him with concern.
He smiled a fake smile and nodded his head.
I knew that he could be lying. I could tell that he hasn’t been feeding well since they left him alone in the house.
He had obviously grown thinner, and his eyes were now more withdrawn. When he smiled, I knew he was faking it. He hadn’t eaten anything at all. It was late, and I knew there was nothing to prepare that night, so I opted to let him sleep.
He might not be the best of all dads, but he was good to me, and I felt the urge to protect him and end whatever form of pain he was battling with.
I was suddenly angry at my mom and siblings. Their selfishness towards dad was what I couldn’t comprehend.
The thought that they left him alone for years made me sick in my stomach.
They knew about his health challenge and how much he needed assistance to carry out certain duties, but they still left him alone.
“I will make sure they pay for everything they did to him, even if it means seeking help from my worst enemy, Williams.”
I knew how powerful Williams is; as much as I dared to stand in his way, I knew the extent I could get to with my dealings with him.
I remember how my boss had spoken highly of him without knowing that I was his ex-wife.
Well, he always loved to be in charge, and I knew how much I could get him to do whatever I wanted without him saying no to me.
I could still remember the way he stared at me at the park.
It was quick, like a flash of light, but he was also quick to replace the emotion with his cold expression.
I smiled an all-knowing smile as I tore the fancy designs off the wrapped package.
My heart almost sank as my eyes caught a glimpse of one of the most beautiful designer gowns. The gown was adorned with golden beads and petals at the neckline and shimmering lines across the bodice.
As I straightened the gown to see the full length, my eyes caught a glimpse of white paper folded neatly inside the empty wrap.
“I have an important meeting with top investors tomorrow. You will be accompanying me as my wife and personal assistant. I will pick you up by 5:00.” The words left my mouth and rendered me dazed for minutes, staring hopelessly at both the beautiful gown sprawled beside me and the letter in my hands.
My heart fluttered and I suddenly began to feel giddy.
Williams had so many ladies begging for his attention. I have always seen them steal glances at him even at the office.
But who couldn’t fall in love with his seductive looks? He was perfect in every way, and I would have been extremely happy if he were genuinely mine, but he wasn’t, and he wasn’t also ready to let me live happily without bossing me around like he has always done in the past.
What game was Williams playing? He had a new personal assistant, and even though I had not set my eyes on her, I knew she would be beautiful. He had eyes for beautiful women and would definitely not be seen around ugly ones, not even for official duties.
I stiffened my yawn with my hands and stretched out on the sofa.
Suddenly, a scream erupts from dad’s room, and I rush in only to meet him sprawled on the floor, writhing in pain.