Second Chance with the Billionaire

08. Helping Hands

MY MOUTH WAS SHUT as I sit across my mother while she waits for any words to come out of my mouth.

It is still processing in my mind that what should have been kept a secret until everything is settled was unveiled suddenly to my mother. And to make it worse, it wasn’t someone else who reveal it all, but it was me who did it. It is crazy just to think about it because it was me who constantly reminds Ezekiel to keep his mouth shut to my brother, but I was the careless one.

Like a little kid, my head is down, and I am just playing with my fingers on my lap with no will to face my mother at all. Just the thought of I need to explain and tell her everything that the son-in-law they adored did, it breaks me to pieces. They approved of him so much to the point that I was almost casted out of my family whenever he was around. But now, I don’t even know anymore.

“Dear, Gabriela,” Mom softly speaks up, trying to get my attention to her while I keep my silence. “You can talk to me, dear.”

She sounded like she was pleading, and it breaks my heart. For years, it has always been so easy to speak up what was in my mind since when I was a kid because my parents never made me feel like I shouldn’t approach them for any problems. But for this problem, I don’t think it will ever be easy to speak up about it.

Suddenly, Mom switch seats and occupied the one adjacent to mine then reaches for my hand to hold it, I look up to face her, not exactly sure of what I should say nor what I should do. I feel guilty for hiding it from her, but I feel even more guilty because I lied to her since the day I arrived here with my child.

“Did you remember what I told you on your wedding day?” She reminded me.

“You may be getting married today, but I will always be your mother, and you can come to me whenever and whatever.”

With just one reminder, it was enough for the build up tears that formed in my eyes earlier while talking to Gael to fall. In an instant, she pulls me closer for a warm hug as I felt the only warmth that I must have been longing for since the day Gael ruined our marriage.

“It must be so hard for you, my dear one.” She whispers with guilt in her voice while caressing my back for comfort.

We stayed in that position for more minutes until I calmed down and ready to speak. None of those time my mother pressured me to say something. Instead, she just let me do whatever I want and by then I know that I can tell her about it as well.

“I wasn’t sure how much is it that you heard, but it was true.” I confessed, looking at her in pain. “He… I caught him having an affair during the night I met Ezekiel as well recently.”

She immediately let out a heavy sigh, closing her eyes and feeling the disappointment that rushes through her body. I could tell how disappointed she was just by how lower her head for a moment and process everything.

“How long has it been going then?” She questions in a calm manner, controlling her voice.

I shrug my shoulder as an answer. “I really don’t know, Mom. But… I was suspicious of him when he suddenly went home with a red mark on his polo once, but I never really take it against him because maybe I was hallucinating and that it was just nothing.” I took a deep breath and it all just rushes in. “It wasn’t until I saw it in my own eyes as he was having s*x with his mistress while I was patiently waiting for the party to end.”

“This party… was it the recent one? The one that Ezekiel mentioned?” She confirms as I nodded. “So, Ezekiel knows about this?”

“He does.” I confessed once more. “But if you will call him out for not telling you about it, don’t. It was me who warned him to never tell anyone from my family until I get everything settled.”

She looks at me in confusion with brows furrowed and eyes squinted. “What do you mean?”

I took a deep breath once again and looks at her directly. “I am divorcing him, Mom.”

For a moment, I caught the glimpse of surprise in her face. I can’t blame her because she was the first person who knows how much I value this marriage and how much I wanted to make sure that my family will be in good shape.

“You… can do it? Are you sure?” She questions carefully, making me look down for a moment. “How about Kathleen? What will happen to her? What will be your plan after the divorce?”

“She will still stay with me, Mom. Although, I know Gael wouldn’t just let that happen easily, especially when my Mother-in-law even went to me already the day we left the house and warned me about the custodial rights. Nonetheless, I will make sure that she will be with me even after it.” I explained, making her nod slowly. “As for my plan afterwards, if it was okay with Dad and RJ, I am planning to come back in the company and just work there permanently.”

“I’m sure you father and brother wouldn’t mind that at all. But… how would you tell them and when? They will be suspicious if you just suddenly tell them about that.” She said, making a point.

“Well… I am already processing the papers for my divorce, and I already sent my resignation letter to the company. Kathleen and I already moved out of the house as well. So… soon.” I said, giving her a small smile. “I will tell them soon about it.”

I would be lying if I say that I am not scared. I know for a fact that it was partially a good decision to save Kathleen and I from her cheating father. However, it scares me of what will happen after the divorce is finalized. What would I after it considering I will be considered as a single person again? What will happen to my child and her relationship with his father? What will happen to me and Gael?

It was easy to say that Gael and I will just separate our ways and live our own lives already because that is how divorce works. He can do whatever he wants, and I can do whatever I want. However, it wasn’t easy for our case because… our lives will always attach because we have a child that we need to take responsible of.

Divorcing him is easy, but what comes after it was the questions. Whatever the case, I will make sure that I will be gaining more from it and not losing more.

“Okay, I understand. I cannot stop you with this one because I know that you already made up your mind. But dear, you need to be strong for you and your daughter. The journey for this will never be easy, but I know you can do it.” She said, smiling in comfort. “And whatever happens, you will always have us, your family, to support you, okay?”

I nod my head, slightly relieve of how it is now. “And for Kathleen, you don’t need to worry about your daughter. We can take care of her whenever and wherever. She is our dear grandchild! I wouldn’t let my grandchild be taken away from us… and especially, from you.” She firmly said.

“Thank you, Mom… so much.”

I leaned forward to give her a hug and savor her warmth. This is what I needed, the support that comes from her after a big obstacle that comes in my life.

“You have us, Gabby. You and your daughter have us every single time, remember that, okay?” She reassures as I nodded once more.

As long as I have my family, then I am okay… and I will be okay.