I hung up on my father’s call without hesitation, Moments later, Winston’s number appeared on the screen.
When I answered, his voice came through humed and frantic–something I’d never heard from him before.
“Bianca, where are you? Do you know how womed I’ve been all night? Why won’t you answer your phone? Tell me where you are–l come
get you.
He was flustered, stumbling over his words. But no matter how gentle or desperate his voice sounded, it couldn’t cover up the damage he’d already done.
“Winston,” I said coldly. “I thought I left you enough clues to understand. Since you like Kiara so much, I’m stepping aside. I won’t be like my mother–destroying myself and handing everything I worked so hard to build over to the two people who betrayed me.”
“Bianca, don’t you think it’s too much to leave like this and unilaterally file for divorce? I know I was wrong, but since what’s done is done, why can’t we work through it together? Running away doesn’t solve anything.
I lay back on the sofa, eyes fixed on the ceiling that had turned pale in the morning light, the comers of my lips curling into a tired,
sarcastic smile &
“Winston, I told you–I want a divorce. The agreement bears both our signatures. It’s legally binding now. You cheated first. Why should I be the one to compromise?”
“Bianca, can we at least talk face to face? Just tell me where you are.”
“Even if we do, what is there left to say? We’re already divorced. It’s meaningless.“”
I ended the call before he could respond.
After a few days adjusting to life in San Francisco, I officially took over at the company. Thanks to the loyalty of my old staff, who’d followed me here, the transition went smoothly.
But my father, Romina, and Kiara kept trying to contact me. Even the employees who transferred with me said they’d been getting persistent calls from the old company’s admin department.
That day. Denver and I were visiting a prospective land site in San Francisco when we unexpectedly ran into Winston
He wore a safety helmet and looked dusty and windblown as he walked toward us, holding a bouquet of flowers.
“Blanca,” he said, handing me the bouquet, “let’s talk somewhere in private. I absolutely refuse to accept the divorce. You tricked me into signing that agreement. If I object, it won’t be finalized.”
Denver stepped forward and pulled me behind him, shielding me with his body.
“Didn’t you hear her? She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
Winston’s expression darkened. His voice took on a colder, harsher tone!!
“Who the hell are you? Whatever is between me and Bianca is none of your goddamned business. Step aside!
Tension mounted. It felt like the two were about to fight!!
I quickly stepped between them.
“Winston, I’m busy I don’t have time for this. Please leave.”
His voice rose with frustration. “Who is he? No wonder you divorced me without a word, ignored all my calls, rejected everything I said or did–was it all for him? You tricked me into signing the divorce just so you could be with this guy?”
His face was clouded with anger.!!
“You say I cheated? Aren’t you doing the same? You and I–we’re the same.”
Smack
I slapped him across the face.
“Winston, have some respect when you speak. Denver is my business partner. When I was at my lowest, he helped me. You, on the other hand, were flirting with my sister after my miscarriage and even plotted to steal the company I built with my own hands.”)
My voice trembled with fury.
“And this is what you call ‘equal betrayal‘? Don’t play dumb. That piece of land in the south of the city–it wasn’t a failed deal, Kiara forged my seal and sold it behind my back. You knew. You were in on it. You took my money, sold my land, and stabbed me in the back. And now you have the audacity to say you don’t want a divorce?”!
Winston stood there, stunned and shaking, before falling to his knees at my feet.!
“It wasn’t like that… just wanted to vent for Klara. You’ve never treated her well–you’ve always hit her, belittled her, insulted her and her mother. She’s been living in fear all these years. Yes, her mom made mistakes, but she’s innocent!”
I laughed bitterly.
“So just because she said it, you believe it? One sentence from her and you were ready to betray me? Hurt me? Winston, get lost. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
I didn’t wait for his response. I grabbed Denver’s hand and walked off toward the project manager’s office.
Even as Winston knelt behind me, I didn’t turn back once.!!
Without hesitation, I tossed the bouquet he brought me into a nearby trash bin Denver looked at me with unreadable eyes, making me feel momentarily flustered.E don’t accept just anyone’s flowers,” I said coolly. “Especially not from dirty hands.
Hoist pisht. I remained a fresh boat of finuare at mu dooreton–il une fmm Fanuar
That night, I received a fresh bouquet of flowers at my doorstep–it was from Denver.
I couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, tears pricking the comers of my eyes.
