Carlos obeyed Evie’s every word, and so, an agreement was forged. I would dedicate myself to raising Stephen and ensuring that Evie could rest in peace. In return, they covered my foster mother’s medical expenses, prolonging her life.
I was dragged to the City Hall for a perfunctory marriage registration, no ring, no vows, no ceremony. Just a signature binding me to a man who would never love me.
Seven years. Seven years of a marriage in name only, with a husband who never saw me and a child who saw me as an enemy.
I spoke evenly, my voice devoid of emotion.
“When I entered the Davis family, it was never for love; it was to save my foster mother. We both got what we wanted. Now that she’s gone, I have no reason to stay.”
I paused, then continued, “Stephen doesn’t like me. If I stay, it will only make him more miserable. That wouldn’t be good for the future heir of the Davis family, not for his emotions, not for his mind.”
Hearing that I had been considering Stephen’s best interests, Carlos’s expression finally eased.
“If you’re worried about having no one to rely on in the future,” he said, his tone almost conciliatory, “I can return your eggs to you, and we can have another child together.”
“Though this child won’t carry my surname when he grows up, I can arrange a position for him in my company. He’ll be well taken care of. And as for you—”
I cut him off, my voice cool.
“There’s no need for such generosity, President Davis.” I pulled out the signed divorce agreement and placed it before him. “Just sign it.”
Over the years, I had endured enough, the whispers, the judgment, the condescending stares, all because of my status and the way both father and son regarded me.
And now, he was offering me the chance to bear another child, one who wouldn’t even be acknowledged by his family. That would be nothing but self-inflicted humiliation.
Carlos’s patience finally snapped. With a sharp tear, he shredded the divorce agreement, his eyes dark with fury.
“Dahlia, it seems you’ve had it too easy. Are you looking for trouble?”
“Since you refuse to wear those dresses, you won’t be attending the banquet tonight either. I won’t have you disgracing the event I organized for Evie.”
A wife barred from her own household’s banquet was a blatant humiliation.
But I felt nothing.