THE FALL OF THE TROPHY WIFE

CHAPTER FOUR

“Hey, who do we have here?" Gary exclaimed with delight as his eyes fell on his younger sister.

All at once, she crumpled into his arms, sobbing heavily. His father became alarmed and stepped up to the occasion. He joined in consoling her.

“What happened?" Mr Graham asked when his daughter was much calmer. “Why were you crying so profusely?"

“David had an affair and filed a divorce that was completely not in my favor."

Mr Graham cast a knowing glances at his son.

“A divorce after an affair?" He asked.

Andrea nodded weakly.

“And she's pregnant."

Gary couldn't hold it in anymore.

“Now there's something fishy about that, little sister. The girl is pregnant?"

“Girl?! She looks thirty! And she's pregnant. She has spent just six months with him and she's pregnant. On the other hand, I have lived three years with him, and we've not even shared a bed in six months!"

Mr Graham soaked the information in. It was enough.

“It's all for the best, Andrea. All I want you to do is go get some rest, and stop crying over the senseless boy. Real men don't do that to their wives. Did he ever join you for the fertility tests?”

"No. He was always too busy with work.”

"Exactly. But not too busy to get another woman pregnant outside matrimony. It's always like that.” Gary inferred. He turned to his father. "Why don't we cut some contracts with him? He doesn't deserve to have our sponsorship anymore.”

"We won't do that, Gary. It's unprofessional.”

Andrea was somehow loathing her father's kindness.

"Unprofessional, dad? Compared to the humiliating divorce I got today? I'm grateful I hadn't been working my ass out for the growth of his company. My being in his life earned him those sponsorships. Now I'm gone, they should be gone too. He doesn't deserve any part of it.”

"That's too rash. Let's give him time and see if he comes back to his senses.”

Andrea wanted to protest but her brother eyed her to be calm. She sank back into the chair.

“He asked me to leave without taking anything. I even came home on a bus. I couldn't stand the shame of going back to his house."

Gary's hand folded into a fist without his knowledge.

“It's alright! I think we've had enough of Strafford for the evening. It's time we get all Stevens about this. I'm sick of hearing how bad he treated my little sister. And I'm about his age, you know."

Mr Graham nodded.

“Alright, Andrea. You heard your brother. You can go get Betsy to make you whatever you want for dinner. She'll be most delighted to see you."

“Sure", Gary agreed.

Andrea managed a smile as she walked from the courtyard into the kitchen. She was back in her father's house and she would be receiving all the princess treatment she deserved but deep down, she missed her rapport with Ms Russell. Well, she'll just have to get used to Betsy again.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Oh, wow! Your house is so beautiful, David." Simona praised the architecture, suddenly feeling angry that a street orphan had actually been enjoying all of this. Now she could have it all to herself. “This foyer is magnificent."

“Ramona!" David called for Ms Russell to introduce Simona.

“Yes, Mr Strafford. You called."

“I did. This is Simona, my new fiancee."

Ms Russell instantly took a dislike to Simona. She almost wrinkled her nose in disgust.

“What happened to Andrea? I haven't seen her since she left in the morning with surprise gifts for you."

David brushed it away very dismissively.

“Maybe she has gone where she belongs. This is my new fiancee, Simona Quentin, soon to be Mrs Strafford."

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Quentin. I hope you enjoy your stay here", she greeted with a plastered smile and cold eyes. She returned to the kitchen to fix up dinner, her heart heavy for Andrea. She wished she had one last chance to speak with her. She even wondered if there was a proper divorce.

“I don't like the maid." Simona remarked as David took her upstairs to show her to her room.

“Why?"

“I think it's mutual. I don't think she likes me either. It feels like she'll forever side your ex-wife, and I feel threatened. I don't want to take any chances.”

"Ramona will get over it, and you too will get along someday. Just be patient.”

Simona agreed uneasily. Her jaw dropped as David gestured to the wing for the adult bedrooms.

"Wow! How many are there?”

"Three. One for each of us, and a master bedroom. So we have our privacy, and still have a place we can share. What do you think?”

"It's perfect, David”, she replied breathlessly. "What's on the other wing?”

"For the kids, hopefully. With you, there can finally be life on the other wing.” He pulled her close and kissed her deeply.

“Is there a pool?" She asked when he had let go of her lips.

“Yes. Right behind the house. The courtyard is open and there's a garden further down."

“Your architect must have been real good. How did he incorporate all of that into one piece? It's brilliant!"

David smiled, absorbing the praise like a paper towel does oil. These were the kind of conversations that Andrea could never hold. All she ever wanted was to be cuddled, kissed and served breakfast in bed. He was a typical business man.

"Thank you, Simona. You have good taste.”

She went into the bedroom that formerly belonged to Andrea.

"I don't think I like the clothes here. I'll bring mine over tomorrow.”

"You're moving in?”

"Of course. We'll soon be married anyway. I don't mind. My parents will be so glad to hear the news.”

"Oh. In that case, I'll just freshen up. You can have my bathrobe and pajamas for the night.”

"Thank you.”

David closed the door and smiled to himself outside. Finally, he had a life that was moving the way he loved it. Whatever brought him together with Andrea?