Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 40

{VICTORIA}

~AFTER 1 YEAR

"HAPPY 7th anniversary," Liam told me as he cupped both my cheeks. I sweetly smiled at him.

It's been almost a year since I agreed to his last favor for me. I knew that 2 years is a very long time, and Jackson was waiting for me. Still, I agreed with him since it would be the last time for us, and for a short period, I wanted to experience everything we had been dreaming of together. This would serve as our closure. During those days, I found myself being comfortable with him, like we were best friends. He never mentioned romantic feelings again, and we just comfortably acted like co-parents having a great time together raising our daughter.

I'm fully aware of the consequences of my decisions. I know that when I come back to Jackson, it won't be easy for me to enter his life again, and maybe he doesn't love me anymore. Maybe right now he is already loving a woman, but I hope he doesn't. I know he was angry at me, and he has the right to But I'm bearing the consequences of my actions, and I'm ready to face them.

"Happy 7th anniversary, too," I replied to him.

I'm not insensitive enough not to feel that Liam still loves me. But I'm glad that he already knows his limits and boundaries. He never pursues his romantic feelings for me anymore. I know he can totally move on from me. And I hope the second time around he loves another woman; that woman was already the one for him. I want to see him happy.

He offered his one hand to me, and I immediately held it. We both slowly walked into the busy street of Bourbon. Many people crossed our path. Different colors of lights illuminated the long bridge. Everyone on this street seemed to be happy and having a great time here.

Liam stopped in front of three street musicians, each holding a flute. Liam handed them $25 and requested the song 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now'. Shortly after, they began playing the tune.

Liam faced me. "Shall we dance?" he asked with a smile.

"You know I can't say no to you," I jokingly replied.

I slowly placed both my hands on his shoulder, and he put his hands on my waist. We started moving along with the music, smiling at each other. I would literally miss this man forever.

One thing I realized from our relationship and marriage is that ending it wasn't a tragedy. A tragedy is staying in a marriage where only bad memories are created. Sometimes the best way to fix a marriage is to completely break it off before we repeatedly hurt each other. That way, only happy memories would be left as we reminisced about our marriage. Letting go was actually hard. Even though I didn't love him romantically anymore, there would always be a part of me that wanted to fulfill all my vows to him. But letting go made me realize that some people were just a part of my history and not part of my destiny.

"I'm glad that I am able to experience this again. Dancing with you on Bourbon Street, where we had our greatest memories together," Liam said with a smile, his eyes starting to water.

"Before we let our marriage end, let's make more happy memories so that we won't be sad when we part ways completely. All we should think about is our happy memories when we reflect on our marriage," I told him.

He nodded in agreement. Before his tears could fall, he quickly hugged me. We continued swaying to the music. I could feel the shuddering of his shoulders due to crying. I let him cry on my shoulders for a couple of minutes until his pain began to subside.

I'VE been knocking on Liam's office door in the mansion for a while, but he hasn't opened it. I decided to enter because we need to pick up Demi from school. Their classes would end in 15 minutes.

I found Liam staring at a small violet envelope, deep in thought.

"Liam?" I called to him, and he snapped out of his trance, quickly hiding the envelope in his drawer, as if he saw a ghost. Now, I'm getting curious about what's inside that envelope.

"I've been knocking on your door for a while," I told him.

He scratched his head and stood up from his swivel chair.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought," he said as he went in front of me.

"Why are you here? Do you need something?" he asked with a curious smile.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"We're picking up your daughter," I sarcastically remarked.

When he realized what I said, he laughed and gave me a peace sign.

"Okay, let's go," he said with a smile.

He walked out of his office first, and I followed. I closed the door behind me, locking it. We headed straight to the garage where his car was parked, and I took the shotgun seat while he settled into the driver's seat.

He started his car and drove out of the gate, opened by Sabel. Demi's school was quite nearby. She was in grade 2, and her school year was about to end.

Upon reaching the school, Liam parked his car in the school's parking lot. This school was private, and only the wealthy could afford to study here. Liam's parents had suggested enrolling their grandchild here.

Liam opened the door for me, and we walked to Demi's classroom. We found her standing by the door, looking like she was waiting for someone. As soon as she saw us, she ran towards me. Liam lifted her into the air and carried her.

"Dad, I want to have some ice cream with many chocolates on it," Demi said with a pout to her father.

Liam looked at me, seeking my permission. Occasionally, Demi complained about toothaches because she frequently indulged in sweets.

"Don't look at Mom. Let's go, Dad!" Demi insisted to Liam, and I quietly chuckled.

"As you wish, my princess," Liam said with a smile to Demi, and they turned away, leaving me behind without saying anything to me.

"Bye, Mom," Demi teased me, then whispered something to her dad, and they both laughed.

Once again, the two of them teamed up against me. I quickly followed after them before they could totally leave me behind.

"ARE you both really sure about your decision to get a divorce?" Mom Maria asked me with a sad tone. She was my mother-in-law, Liam's mother.

I visited their home today with Demi. My plan was to leave Demi with them for a while while I took care of the divorce papers with Liam. It would also give them more time to be with their granddaughter.

"We are both sure. Please don't be sad. You're both still my father and mother-in-law. I appreciate that you accepted me wholeheartedly into your family even though I'm just a simple person," I said with a smile to the couple.

"We're very lucky to have you as our daughter-in-law. You're like a daughter to us. We can't help but feel sad because you and Liam are really going through with the divorce. Although you've been separated for almost 4 years, the actual divorce is a whole different thing. But wherever you both find happiness and whatever decision you make, we're happy for you. Don't forget us, and if it's okay with you, we'll visit you in Italy to see you and our granddaughter and maybe borrow her for a while if you would allow us," Dad Miguel expressed at length.

I smiled at both of them. We were now on the terrace of their mansion, sipping tea made by Mom Maria.

"I have no problem with it. Our relationship won't change even if Liam and I get divorced," I assured them.

Mom Maria held my hand and lightly squeezed it. She genuinely smiled at me.

"Whenever you need anything, we're here for you, along with your dad, Miguel," she said, warming my heart. I felt like crying now.

I know we'll still see each other, but I'll miss them both. They never made me feel like I had lost my own mother. Even though I'm not from a political family and couldn't contribute to their political career, they accepted me. They never treated me as someone of lower status compared to them, which is often the case in political families.

They both hugged me, and that's when I finally cried. After Liam and I got our divorce, we would move on with our lives. Even if I say nothing will change in my relationship with Liam's parents, there's still a bit of pain because this feels like a goodbye.

"Why are you all crying?" Someone spoke behind us, and I saw Demi with a furrowed brow. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest.

Mama Maria quickly wiped away her tears. Dad Miguel, although he was not shedding tears, had watery eyes. Dad Miguel approached Demi and lifted her, despite her being quite big now. Dad Miguel was still strong in his 60s, but I couldn't help but worry when he carried Demi. I'm afraid he would be too tired of spoiling my daughter, who always wants to be lifted up.

"I think I'll be going for now. Demi, please behave toward your grandparents. Don't do anything bad," I reminded my daughter.

~1 YEAR LATER

I WAS slowly walking down the hallway of the courthouse. Today was the day we would receive our decree absolute, a certificate officially declaring the end of our marriage.

We spent a couple of months dealing with the divorce proceedings. Too much arguing and conflict became the reasons we presented to convince the court to approve our divorce papers. Even though I didn't want to and didn't agree, I had no choice but to let Liam admit that he was mainly at fault for what happened in our marriage. He took responsibility for making me leave the house four years ago with a baby in my belly.

However, I stopped him from including the detail of me walking alone in the snowy, chilling night on the streets of Bourbon on my way home. If he had included it, it might have jeopardized his license as a prosecutor. And I don't want that to happen.I know how hard he came through studying in college with his 6-year course just to be a prosecutor. Liam had connections in the court, so admitting that mistake didn't create any conflict for him, ensuring the approval of our divorce.

After a while, I stopped in my tracks as my gaze met Liam. He was on the opposite side of the hallway, and with just a few more steps, the two large doors of the courtroom would stand between us.

He wore a casual suit, while I was in a simple blouse and jeans. My heart momentarily stopped as I caught a final glimpse of him as my husband. We walked toward each other. He gave me a sweet smile, the one he used to give me years ago. So, this is how it felt to see him one last time as my lawful husband.

Without a word, he suddenly embraced me. A tear fell from my eyes as I stared at the empty hallway behind him.

"I'm going to miss you forever. I want you to know that I will always love you. I had never stopped loving you. I want you to know that I didn't want this divorce thing. If I could be given another chance, I would repeatedly insist on fixing our marriage. God knows that I don't want to lose you forever. But maybe this is our fate. I hope you find happiness after this. Thank you for staying with me for another 3 years. Thank you for giving me a chance to be with you and Demi again for three years. I will treasure all our memories in my heart. I love you, goodbye," he said to me.

His voice wasn't sad, and I'm glad. I closed my eyes, recalling our past, knowing that I would leave it all behind once I stepped inside the courtroom for good.