Deal With My Best Friend

He Has No Choice But To Sign

Ellie

I am left angry, frustrated, and ready to yell. I can feel my body shaking; I am so angry that my tears fall down my cheeks, and I make a painful knot form in my throat.

I sigh through the anger, closing my eyes and turning away.

"Ellie, what is going on? You're not serious about this, are you? Divorce? I thought you and Calvin were doing so good. How can-" Sarah says, grabbing my hands softly and pulling me to sit next to her.

My head lowers, unable to stop shedding tears.

"I'm serious, Sarah. He's cheating on me. I know it."

"What? How can you say that? Sweetheart, Calvin loves you. He would never!" Sarah adds, making me wail in her arms.

"Oh, sweetheart. I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding. I know my son. He has a soft heart for people in need, you know that! But cheating? He would never do that to you," she says, rubbing my back in an effort to ease my cry.

"No, I'm sure about it, Sarah. He's different; he's changed. He would never have taken someone else's side, no matter if they were right or wrong. In the past, he would support me without thinking. It didn't matter whether it was a stranger or someone in his circle; he always took my side. But now? He took Kylie's side without thinking. He's been spending late nights with her, taking to gatherings, galas, dinners with colleagues, business trips and-"

"But that's just part of their work, sweetie. I'm sure you're just misinterpreting things between them. Calvin loves you; he's always made sure you knew. You are everything to him," she tries to reassure.

Maybe in the past I was his everything, but ever since Kylie came into his life, things have changed. I gave him three years of my life as his girlfriend, two as his wife... I gave up my title as the heiress to my family's fortune and have secretly invested in his company because I thought we were for the long run. But. Now- he's allowed another woman into his heart.

Before I became his girlfriend, Calvin's group was nothing but a tiny company, nothing more than city limits. It was thanks to me, to my connections and my money, that his company was able to be listed as a top investment in our nation.

Even my parents had invested a small amount without telling me. They didn't like Calvin; they didn't agree with our relationship, but they still helped him. For me and our future, they helped spread a good word to investors.

The moment I look at Mercedes, I see her typing on her cell phone. I quickly grab her phone, making her eyes widen with shock.

"NO! Eliana, give me back my phone, I-" she says, trying to grab it back. I glare at her angrily, making her sink in her seat.

On the screen is a text to Calvin: "Cal, I think Ellie knows of your affair with Kylie. She's not joking."

She didn't manage to send it, making me glare at her murderously as I deleted her message.

"So you knew. You knew Calvin and that itch were screwing behind my back, didn't you?" I laced my voice with anger, but sounded calm, which only made her look at me in horror.

"Wh- No. I didn't!" She says, looking at her husband nervously.

Her husband looks away, letting out an exhausted breath. 'I told you. Eliana is far smarter than you guys think. She was bound to learn of their affair sooner or later. You didn't believe me, yet here we are," he says, shrugging his shoulders.

He stands, taking his fussy baby out of his bassinet and handing it to one of my maids. I signal for her to r]take the baby away and close my eyes.

"For the record, Ellie, I have nothing to do with any of this. I never got fired. And I didn't want to quit my job either. I am capable of earning my own money. It was Mercedes who insisted I quit. She sabotaged my work until I had no choice but to quit on the spot. She said you and her brother had the obligation to support us because Calvin made enough for all of us," he says, making Mercedes gasp, standing up furiously.

"SIT DOWN, MERCEDES!" He says in a firm tone, making her eyes widen in shock. She obliged, taking her seat again.

"I wanted to tell you about their affair the moment I found out, but it was Mercedes who warned me to stay out. She says it's normal for men in Calvin's circle to take at least one girlfriend and keep it hidden from the wife. I've never liked these rich kids' costumes, and I warned her... the moment she dares do the same, I am out. I may not be from a rich background, but if there is one thing my mother taught me, it was that women are to be respected and marriage is only successful when there is honesty between the two. I'm sorry. I know how painful it is to grow up in a cheating relationship. My dad cheated on my mom countless times, and she was scared to walk away because money was tight. She thought she couldn't live without his financial support," he says, lowering his head.

"I went to sleep every night listening to my mother cry herself to sleep. She always thought I didn't know, that I didn't hear her cries, but I knew. I should have told you.

"I appreciate your honesty, Rob. It's heartbreaking to know that someone outside of my in-law family is more understanding and supportive than the ones I should have counted on." I said through tears.

"So it's true. My son... is really cheating on you?" Sarah says, looking at me through tears.

"Mercedes, how could you hide this from me? From Eliana? Your father did the same thing to me before he passed away; you knew how hurt I was! Even as a little girl, you saw my pain. How could you be their accomplice?"

"Oh, please! If it weren't for my father's accident, you would have divorced him? No. You wouldn't have, and you know it, because just like Eliana, you have no studies, no degree, no money outside of Calvin's group. It was thanks to Dad that you didn't end up homeless in the streets." Mercedes says, making Sarah's eyes widen in shock.

Sarah raised her hand and slapped Mercedes across the face, shocking us all.

"Mom... how could you? You... you slapped me."

"And I'll do it again if I have to. I am so disappointed in you, Mercedes. I thought I had taught you better. You're so vile. Cold-hearted!" Sarah whimpers, her lip trembling as she lets her tears fall.

"Ellie, dear... I have failed you as a mother-in-law. I'm so sorry... How long have you known?" she asks, pressing her hand softly on top of mine.

"It doesn't matter. The only thing that matters now is the divorce. I'm moving out, Sarah. I'll leave with nothing; All I want is the divorce, nothing else. I've already moved my things out; please have him sign when he returns. I'm giving him one week before I let my friend file it at court." I say, making her take a small gasp.

"So there's no... no way to mend this relationship, is there?" She asks, looking at me through tears, her voice laced with pain.

"No, Sarah. I'm sorry. Calvin has no choice but to sign. I don't have any interest in mending this relationship. The moment he decided to cheat on me, he ended this marriage. I don't want any part in his life from here on out." I say, letting go of her hand.

I see the pain in her eyes as I pull away, and I know it's not her fault, but the longer I stayed, the more it hurt.

"Ma'am, we're done taking your stuff from the second floor. Is there anything else you'd like to take from this floor?" The young mover says politely, making everyone turn.

It wasn't until this moment that Mercedes and Sarah realized how empty the house was.

"You're leaving?" Sarah asks.

"I am. I stayed behind to make sure only my things were moved out. I already have a place, just outside of the city."

Mercedes scoffs, letting out a mocking chuckle. "Typical, she's a country bumpkin. That's all she will ever be, so now... you're moving back to be with your kind." Mercedes says, crossing her hands over her shoulders.

"Shut up, Mercedes!" her mom warns, making her roll her eyes.

"You're welcome to visit any time. But ONLY you!" I tell Sarah, giving Mercedes a stern glare.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Ellie. You're like a daughter to me. You'll always be family to me, you know that, right?" she says, giving me a tight squeeze.

"I know. You'll always be a motherly figure to me, too. Thank you for everything. I will make sure Eleanor sends you my address; come visit anytime." I say, squeezing her hands.

I stand up, wipe my tears, and sniffle, lifting my chin.

"Everything else can stay. I have no need for any of the furniture in this living room. Anything Eleanor says goes; the rest can stay behind." I tell the movers, making them give a quiet nod and carry on.

"I'm sorry, mother, but I have errands to tend to. I must go. Take care." I say, giving Sarah one last hug.

"I'll go visit. Take care, sweetie," she replies, letting another tear fall, and we bid our farewell.

I turn and walk out of the living room, grabbing my purse and coat from Nancy's hand and smiling slightly at her as she looks at me with concern.

"Ma'am, are you ok?" I turn to look at my soon-to-be mother and sister-in-law.

"Pff, please... she'll be back. She has no money; she'll come crawling back to my brother once she sees herself penniless." Mercedes adds, earning another scolding from Sarah and her husband.

I give a bitter chuckle and nod, turning away and wrapping an arm over Nancy. "I'll be just fine, Nans. I'll be just fine." I say as I walk out of that house, give one last glance, hop into the back of the black SUV, and signal my driver to drive away.