Elyra

"I'm pregnant." I announced as we all sat around the table yet the reaction I was hoping for wasn't exactly the one I got.

Silence fell on the entire dining room for an instant before my mother in law immediately burst out in a terrible laughing that left me not only surprised but confused.

"That's a terrible joke, Elyra. I'd advise you to shut up while we talk about real, normal and possible things here," My mother in law dismissed turning to Stàr who was practically the centre of attraction this evening.

My husband's child hood bestfriend and lover if I would add.

"Stàr, how's your modelling coming through?" Everyone's attention was already diverted from me as they stared at her with pure reverence in their eyes.

I watched as my husband's used his face wipe to dab her face and his fingers slightly grazed her skin making her giggle and he smiled brightly at her.

They really didn't believe that I was pregnant? Well, that should be understandable since it was already acknowledged that I couldn't give the Reigns an Heir after being proclaimed infertile.

"Can I get milk instead of wine, please?" I finally said to the maid who was standing at the corner and she was about to go get that when she was stopped by Nick, My husband.

"Elyra, stop being so problematic. You drink wine so have that instead of having to disturb anyone for your stupid demands." I bit my lips trying to stop the rage fueling in my veins from spilling over.

"It's fine, I'll take wine." I said smiling at the maid and she nodded going back to stand at the corner while I blinked my eyes repeatedly to stop tears from rolling out.

"I recently got nominated for a fashion show in Seattle." Stàr announced as they discussed and everyone at the table squealed in excitement while I stabbed my steak with a fork repeatedly.

"You know," I started in low tones and their mood all turned sour as they turned to stare at me with discomfort etched on their faces.

By 'everyone' I mean, Nick's entire family. His mum, dad, 4 siblings and of course, the daughter in law his mother would rather have, Stàr.

"I also got nominated for the fashion show in Seattle." I said slightly shrugging my shoulders because I knew they wouldn't appreciate it more.

"Whatever." My mother in law rolled her eyes and turned to continue gushing all over Stàr and at this point, I was practically fed up.

I stood up and stretched over the table, grabbed the bottle of wine that was in front of Nick and poured it directly into my cup.

"Wow, how impressive." I muttered loud enough for everyone seated at the table to hear as i set down the glass violently.

"What was that?" My mother shot me a disdaining glance and i took a deep breath in hoping to find closure and self control but right now? It was far from.

"There's nothing I'm ever going to do for this family that is going to be enough right? No, really. I just want to hear it from y'all directly." I said pointing my fingers to each of them as they gazed at me in shock.

"Elyra, stop it right now." Nick muttered under his breath while chuckling nervously.

"She's joking." He laughed it off and I banged my hand on the table.

"No, I'm not. I just said that I was nominated for the fashion show Stàr was invited to and while I'm not in a competition with her, I expected more of a reaction." This would be the second time in three years that I've tried to stand up for myself and unlike the first time, I wasn't going to back down now.

The first time, I had called Stàr out to the fact that she was disrespecting me but it was then I realized how much the family valued, respected her more than I, their son's wife.

"Kind of hard to say that you're not in a competition with her." Nick's sister whispered and I gulped down another glass of strong wine before turning to smile at her.

"Well then, I was hoping it doesn't come to this but it's clear that this marriage is a waste of my time." I furrowed through my bag and heaved a sigh when my fingers grazed the file.

I pulled it out and placed it at the center of the table leaning backwards on my chair, biting on my lips as i hoped that my facial expression wasn't betraying the nervousness i was feeling.

"She's joking," Nick repeated grabbing a hold of the file as he glared at me, "You're being silly. What even is this?" He whispered, opening it up to stare at the contents of the file when his mouth fell open probably from shock.

"What is this?" He pivoted to stare at me and I shrugged.

"It is exactly what it is." I smiled, swallowing.

"You're divorcing me?" He half yelled and every one seated at the table turned to stare at us in shock.

"I think its better for us that way. I'll never be enough for this family so its better I leave." I stood, straightening my blouse while I handed him a pen.

"Little bitch is finally coming to her senses. I wondered how long it would rake for you to realize that you're not welcome here in this family. It's just about—" His mum was saying when Nick suddenly banged his hand on the table gaining every one attention.

"You're not divorcing me, Elyra. You're my wife and that's it." He warned, throwing the paper on my face.

Why can't he just accept it and sign it? I thought they never liked me so this wasn't supposed to be a hard choice anyways.

"Nick dear, just sign it. She's no use to this family." He looked appalled as he turned to stare at his mother and then Stàr.

Honestly, if I knew that he was this kind of man that waited for his mom's approval to even make a choice, I would have never agreed to this marriage in the first place.

"Listen to your mum, Nick. Do as—"

"What do you want, Elyra? More money? I'll give it to you but hell no, I'm not divorcing. I can't let you get away with half of my assets in the name of divorce. Never." His face was red with anger and I just stared at him in realization like a scale had suddenly fallen off my eyes.

He didn't want to divorce me because he wanted to keep me, he just didn't want to loose his money.

"If you think I want your money even one bit, then you're more fucked up than I can ever think Nick! I don't want your money, I even stated it right there on the divorce agreement. Just let me go." His face slowly curled up into a little smile as he shrugged, skimmed through the divorce agreement and then signed it.

"There you are. You may leave now." Stàr gave me a triumphant smirk and I returned it by smiling maniacally till she felt weirded out.

"Goodbye Radriels." I muttered, picking up my bag and walked towards the door when a soft knock came on the door.

"I'll get it." Stàr offered, hastening her steps and walked past me, slightly nudging me before opening the door.

"Hello." She greeted with her fake ass smile.

"Is Young Miss Elyra here?”

ELYRA.

"Young Miss Elyra? I think you have the wrong house." She stated when I nudged her out of the way.

"I think that would be me." Alan held out a hand and I took it, smiling I turned around to wave at the Radriels who looked stunned and particularly Stàr who looked like she was strapped in a daze and unable to get out of it.

"Here you go, Miss." Alan, my personal driver offered, opening the car door and i walked in and he shut it after me.

"Is this it? Is this why you wanted a divorce? Because you had some guy you were cheating on me with?" Nick yelled, pursuing after the car as Alan zoomed out of the driveway and I sighed, blinking my eyes repeatedly to stop the tears from flowing out.

I was so strong back there, I was almost at the edge of breaking down into tears but I held my shit together.

"Your parents would be delighted to see you, Miss Elyra." I smiled weakly as I turned on my phone.

"Would they? It's been 3 years and I rebelled against them. I even went ahead to marry someone without their knowledge and consent, I can't even wait for them to say 'i told you so' I probably deserve it." I shut my eyes as the tears began rolling down.

"Even at that, I'm sure they would still be glad you're coming back."

"I would really appreciate silence, Alan." He nodded and thankfully, stopped talking altogether.

The hairs on my skin stood up and I didn't need to look to know that goosebumps cover up my skin as Alan drove into my family's estate.

It was exactly how I knew it to be, graceful and silent. You would doubt that anyone ever lived here.

"Your parents should be at the third floor. It's game day." I need, clutching my bag, I went in and took the elevator to the third floor.

Standing at the doorway, I remembered how much fun game day used to be and yet, it seemed like everything had changed.

Mum and dad sat quietly, just staring at the TV like they were trying to relieve old memories.

"I think it's past beginning of game time." I finally said to get their attention and as expected, they both swirled to meet my eyes.

"Elyra? Oh my goodness, am i dreaming? Is that you? Elyra!" Mum called in a whisper like she was unable to believe her eyes.

"Mum." I called, gulping as I didn't want tears to flow out. At least, not now.

"Oh lord, bless my heart. It's you." She called like it was getting hard to breathe for her and I dropped my bag and ran towards her.

"I've missed you so much, mum." I cried, enveloped in her arms was my safe space as I began bawling my eyes out.

"I should have never left, I should have listened to you." I cried and she patted my head softly.

"It's okay. It's going to be fine.” She consoled softly and I just held on to her.

My mother is so supportive, she didn't bother asking what had happened even after I rebeled and went ahead to marry him despite her refusal.

“Mom, I was stupid and—” She shook her head in negativity as she smiled softly.

“No! Everyone makes mistake my love, everyone does.” I nodded, as I turned to stare at my father who had been gaping at me the whole time like he couldn't even begin to guess who I was.

“Dad…”I called softly and I saw my mom gulp so I turned to stare at her with inquisitive eyes.

“He has amnesia and cancer and hasn't gotten any treatment so it's possible he doesn't remember you. He doesn't even remember me most of the time.” She stated and I could feel every inch of hurt that followed with her words.

“What? What?” I literally raced across the room and threw my arms around him as tears began to pour out of my eyes yet again..

“Dad?” He stared at me in confusion as he tilted his head to a side.

“Who are you?” He asked and I could feel my entire world falling to my feet as I stared at him.

Oh fuck no! I never for once thought that there be a time in life when my father wouldn't recognize me. I just couldn't think of it.

“Mum, we have enough to take father to a good hospital and have him treated. Why havent you ?” She stared at him for a while and blinked back her tears like she was hiding it from them and that was understandable.

Perhaps she didn't want him to see her hurting.

“Let's talk at the balcony.” She requested and I nodded, placing a soft kiss on my dad's cheek before walking over to my mum.

Once we were at the balcony, out of ear shot, mum's tears began running out as she sniffled.

“We have nothing to take care of your father currently. We don't have anything. The company is been hoarded right now. Your father gambled it off one of the nights when he was drunk and the only way to get it back is if we give something in return.” Mum placed a hand to hr chest as she leaned against the railing and I bit the insides of my mouth till I could feel the metallic taste of blood inside of my mouth.

“What did they request for?” I asked, wondering how bad life was turning for us.

“Something they know we can't give, that's why they offered it. They want a marriage alliance, they know you're married. Why would they request that when they know there's no one we can give to them? They know what they're doing.” My mum rolled her eyes, it was brimming with tears and red like she had been punched while I bit my lips hardly.

“What if…” I trailed off softly and mum turned to stare at me with a negative expression on her face, she was already shaking her head in negativity like she already knew what I was about to say.

“What if we give them what they want?”

ELYRA

“No.” Mum yelled after me I walked back into the house, searching for her phone frantically while she trailed after me in tears.

“No, Elyra. We can manage. You just got out of a toxic marriage and I'm not about to let you go into another one knowing fully well that this one would be arranged.” She yelled at the top of her voice when I spotted her phone on the top of the dinning table.

Dad was already fast asleep on the table and I snatched it before she could get to me.

“Yes mum! Yes. I'd get married to their son. That's what it takes to get back our company and save dad's life. Can't you see that we're the ones that doesn't have much of a choice here?” I screamed, scrolling through her phone to search for the number of Gates Hills.

That's the name of the company and the owner that my father gambled our company over to and once I spotted it, I dialed the number into my phone.

“Elyra. Please, let's just discuss this okay? You just got back, you haven't even had a meal or a drink. Just calm down so I can fix you something to eat first, please.” She muttered, with her hands up as she walked closer to me while my vision was soiled with tears.

“I don't need a meal, mum. Look at dad, he looks like he would die on us any moment.” I dialed the number and it began ringing and I gestured at my mum to seal her lips.

“Please, just let me do this and we'll see how this turns out. We'll see if it's something I can maneuver. Maybe I can even negotiate something else with them.” I nodded, tilting my head to a side to drive my point and she swallowed as the call went through.

“Hello. I'd like to talk with Mr Hills.” I stated, trying my best to mask my cranky voice while trying to sound confident.

“This is him. And you are?” I swallowed nervously as my mum took a seat slowly and I walked towards the door.

“This is Elyra Dranen, daughter of Van Dranen, Owner of Dranen's group.” I introduced myself and immediately the words fell out of my mouth, I could already hear him laughing at the other end of the phone.

“Oh well. This is about to get interesting but before you continue, I won't make any negotiations. I already told your father what I want and if he can't give me that, I'm not willing to make any other deals with him.” He said in a smug tone and I looked at my mum who gestured with her fingers, inquiring what he was talking about.

I put the call on mute and turned to stare at mum.

“He said he's willing for a negotiation.” I whispered and I watched as her eyes lit up while I put the phone to my ear.

“That's pretty clear, my mother already related it to me. I'd like to schedule a meeting.” I answered in a straightforward tone and there was hesitation in his voice before he continued again.

“You can get a meeting. 4pm today and that's only if you're giving what I'm offering.” I nodded at mum for reassurance while sucking in a really deep breath.

“I'll be there.” I answered and ended the call while heaving a sigh.

“What'd he say?” Mum queried, standing up to meet me as she held my hands tightly.

“He's willing to take something else and we set up a meeting. I think he was probably messing with you both when he talked about an arranged marriage. He already knows you have no other children to marry out.” I chuckled slightly and mum pulled me in for a hug.

“What would I have done without you?” I smiled slightly as I bit the insides of my mouth. It felt weird to lie to my mum but I couldn't stand her getting worried over this.

“You see? Now why not fix me a meal as you said?” She nodded, shifting the strands of my hair that had fallen across my face to the back of my ear.

“Of course.”

I stared at my watch and saw I had about 1 hour to meet with Mr Hills, I better hurry up.

I went off to my room as mum had gone to fix me a meal and freshened up.

Opening up my wardrobe, I smiled slightly as I pulled out one of the gowns that I used to wear before getting married.

It's actually weird that they still fit perfectly well.

“You're all dressed up?” My mum asked in low tones when I re entered the dining as she set the table with steaming dishes she had made.

“I have to meet with Mr Hills by 4pm this noon so that I can finalize everything with him. I still have some minutes to get there and it's not far so let me dig in. I'm famished.” There was a suspicious glint in her eyes but she overlooked it as she say directly opposite me.

“Make sure he doesn't coax you into giving him anything that would be too much for you.” She cautioned as I took up the fork and began digging.

“Of course.” I nodded.

In few minutes of silence, I was done eating and cleared the table, did the dishes and was ready to set out.

“Be safe.” My mum advised for the 100th time and I nodded as I got into the back seat while my driver drove towards the Hill's mansion.

“You’re right on time, Mrs Elyra.” Mr Hills commended as I stepped into his living room and I swerved to meet him seated on one of the sofas.

“I'm meeting with someone as important as you so I have to be on time.” He chuckled slightly as I took a seat.

“Of course. What would you have? A soft drink? Something hard?” He gestured towards his maid and I waved him off.

“I'd rather not have anything and go straight to the point why I decided to meet with you. My parents told me about the deal you made and the only negotiation you would rather have.” I started and he leaned forward.

“Yes and I said I wouldn't be negotiating so I wonder why they sent you here.” He said in a slightly smug tone and I heaved sigh.

“I know. As a matter of fact, I'm here to accept the offer.” He squinted his eyes, somewhat out of disbelief as he stared at me.

“That can't be possible. You're married.” He chuckled and I stood up, dropping a copy of my divorce agreement onto his table.

“Well you're in luck. I just got divorced with my husband.” He looked like his eyes would pop out of his socket when the door opened and the last person I'd rather see right now walked through the door.

“Elyra?” He called as soon as our gazes met.