Chapter 4

"I swear, I was only trying to help the girl." I played around with the pasta on my plate. I had just recounted my encounter with Rory in Italy as Misael listened diligently. It was probably the second time I was telling him the story but he didn't seem to mind. I had arrived in Olphire an hour ago and he had picked me up at the airport in Hustace, then brought me out for lunch.

"He's such an asshole, isn't he?" Misael finally reacted to my words but I could feel his gaze on my plate. He knew I wasn't in the mood to eat. "How was your flight?"

He raked a hand through his hair, realizing he was doing the same thing as I was—stalling. I had run for the hills a week ago but now that I was back, it was finally time to face my life, or whatever wreck had become of it.

"I don't know what to do, Misa." I answered what I guessed must be the question on his mind. He wanted to know what I would do about my sham of a marriage. There were way too many things happening in Hustace for the public to dwell on the same thing for long but for some weird reason, my wedding was still on the headlines.

"What do you want most?" He asked.

"To make Max disappear." I was joking, but when I saw his eyes darken, I immediately had to clarify. "Hey, I'm just kidding. Don't do anything you might regret."

If anything were to happen to Max or his loved ones, my brothers would be the biggest suspects. It took a while for the bloodlust to wane off his eyes and when it finally did, he nodded slowly.

"I want to file for a divorce." The words felt like a curse coming out of my mouth. I knew what he was thinking as soon as I said the words out. "I know, I was an idiot."

"I agree. What the hell were you thinking, signing that kind of prenup?" He scolded me. I let out a sigh.

They say love is blind, but thinking back to the terms of the prenuptial agreement I had been influenced by the Robinsons to sign as proof of loyalty to Max, I had to disagree. Love was not just blind. It was stupid, deaf, and blind. It was a no brainer. The Robinsons were going to try to get everything I wanted for wanting a divorce.

"Why don't we talk to Rhys and…"

"No." I shook my head. That was no different from involving my parents in my divorce. They wanted nothing but for me and Max to 'talk our differences out' and Rhys had always been on their side. The last thing I wanted was to be forced to be with a man who betrayed me—and was basially scheming against me—all because a divorce would look bad on my family.

To my relief, Misael didn't say a word. "Well, I'll try to contact a divorce attorney."

"Excuse me. I need to use the restroom." I stood and basically made a quick dash to the restroom. I let out a breath as I opened the door, only for my eye to catch a familiar silhouette. Or rather, a pair of familiar silhouettes. A man and a little girl.

Was that Rory and her father?

I shook my head. That was not possible. I had met them in Italy and even if they could be Olphirian, there was no way they also lived in my city. Besides, how many brown-haired men were in Hustace?

______

Nothing could have ever prepared me for this meeting. I'd wanted to stay at a hotel room but with New Year's approaching, I couldn't get a decent room even if I paid an arm and a leg for it. I could either go home or crash with one of my brothers. The latter was a tempting idea but if my parents knew where I was, they would come over. It made no difference.

I had swallowed the bullet and agreed to let Misael bring me here but as soon as we got to the living room, I wanted to turn around and bolt out. But I didn't. The Robinsons were here, just as I'd dreaded. The fact that they seemed to be in an animated conversation with my parents irked me. Why were they tolerating them?

They all turned to stare at us as we walked in and Max had the audacity to smile.

"I want to kill him." Misael spat, his jaw ticking. I felt the same way too, especially with Max looking like he expected me to rush over to him like an excited little girl.

"Isa, you are home." Mother smiled at me like she'd been waiting for me to return from a work trip instead of a vacation to escape my marriage. "Misa, will you be a doll and call Dex and Carson?"

"What is this about? And why do my brothers need to be present?" I asked. I wanted nothing to do with this.

"Honey, come and have a seat, will you?" She implored. I reluctantly went over, sitting as far from Max as the room could allow, which happened to be on the same side as my parents. The room now looked divided with the Robinsons on one side and the Cartiers on another, as though we were here to negotiate some friendly deal.

"Isa, we would like to apologize for how our son treated you." Mrs. Robinson spoke up, before her husband parroted her.

"What are you waiting for? You should be apologizing to your wife instead of sitting here, staring at her." Mr. Robinson chided.

"Baby, can we talk in private?" He finally spoke up.

"I have no desire to have a private conversation with you. Speak up if you need anything." I crossed my arms.

He glanced at his parents then mine and spoke up anyway. "I'm sorry. I know it's a lot to take in but we can do this together. Let's not let this tiny hiccup ruin so many years of our relationship, okay?"

"Are you kidding me? A tiny hiccup? There's a baby in the womb of whoever you were cheating with. A whole human being! What do you expect? That I'll be the understanding wife who will stay at home, licking at the wounds you've caused while you fuck your way through Hustace and sire illegitimate children?"

"Language, Isabella." My father gently reminded me. I rolled my eyes. Who cared about language?

"Well, as it seems, our daughter-in-law is determined to end this relationship." Mrs. Robinson continued. I had a bad feeling about her words. "Couples fight all the time and I don't blame her for backing out. However, we did spend a fortune trying to impress her. Our Max bought a fifteen million dollar home in a neighborhood he otherwise would never want to settle in, and don't forget the multi-million dollar wedding."