Chapter4
1652 Words
The Blackwoods mansion, located in a deserted part of the east side of California, sprawled over miles and miles of land, belonging to the powerful Blackwoods family.
Just like every other Thanksgiving night, the entire family sat around the large table in the dining hall to eat. The maids attended to their beck and call. Different varieties of food are laid out for them on the large table.
“Before we eat, let’s all go around and say what we are thankful for.” An elderly woman said.
She exuded elegance and authority, her silver-grey hair swept up in a regal bun. Dressed in a scarlet gown, the fabric shimmered with intricately sewn silver diamonds, the high slit at the hem revealing just a hint of her poised figure. Resting on her lap was a sleek Ashera cat, its fur soft and exotic, its amber eyes surveying the room with as much quiet command as its owner.
This was Nate’s grandmother, the formidable matriarch of the Blackwoods, “I’m thankful for this family and this food. I’m also thankful for Godfrey and our new guest..” She said as her eyes fell on Kate with a smile on her lips.
A girl picked up her glass and raised it in the air. She wore a black dress and a black glove. Her hair was tied into a bun and jewelry adorned her neck. The emerald necklace complimented her dull green eyes. She was part of the extended family and Godfrey’s cousin.
“I’m thankful for my new job at the modeling company. I’m also thankful to my grandfather for his promise of setting up a business for me.”
Soon, everyone around the table was allowed to speak, before they went back to eating. The hall filled with silence as the family ate.
“This tastes like heaven.” A young boy of about 14 of age, complemented, his mouth munching on the soft cake as he savored the taste on his tongue.
Light chuckles filled the hall. Utensils clattered noisily against each other as the laughter quieted down.
“Where did you say you are from? Young lady?” the leader of the Blackwoods, Alexander Backwoods asked.
Kate smiled, her eyes moving towards Godfrey who gave a reassuring nod and grabbed her hand softly. “Russia.”
“You don’t say.” Alexander Blackwoods muttered, wiping traces of food from his lips with a napkin. “You know, I have powerful friends from Russia too. Tell me, did you grow up there?”
“Oh no.” Kate let out a smile. Her eyes moved from the elderly man to everyone seated around the table. Even Godfrey’s father seemed uninterested in the conversation as he sat closely to the elder and ate in silence. “I stayed there with my father. He got a job and we had to move.”
“Your mother?”
“She died In a fire.”
The hall went quiet as tension filled the air. Kate had a slight smile on her face, while Godfrey just stared at her, before tightening his hold around her hand. No one spoke for a long time, as they felt pity for her and didn't want to overwhelm their guest but Alexander had no care In the world, as he stared at his grandson.
“What about Rowena? Where Is she?” he asked casually, his eyes displaying his lack of Interest In the new guest. “Isn’t she your wife?”
Godfrey sighed. He knew there was no avoiding this, even though he had wished for a nice silent dinner, without his grandfather asking for Rowena. But then why wouldn't he?
Rowena was his favorite daughter-In-law and he had often said It himself. It was only because of Rowena, that he had received most of the companies he owned, from his grandfather. He knew the old man would flip If he found out what happened but he was willing to tell him, even If it was to paint her in a bad light.
“We…”
“Stop!”
However, before he could speak, he was Immediately cut off by the butler. All eyes turned towards the door and he gulped loudly, as his eyes fell on Rowena. She had a creased brow on her face, as the butler tried to block her path.
“Let her through!” Alexander yelled at his butler, who gave a slight nod and moved out of the way. As Rowena approached, his smile faded as he noticed the anger on her face. “Is there something wrong?”
Rowena looked around the room. Her eyes fell on Kate who sat nervously beside Godfrey. Staring back at her, Kate’s heart rate Increased and she felt her stomach churn.
“Natalie…what—What are you doing here?” Godfrey asked, as he stood up nervously, while his grandfather watched them closely and suspiciously. “I thought you said…”
Rowena’s POV
“Cut the bullshit, Godfrey .” I Interrupted him, raising my palm to silence him. “I came to drop off something.” I added and rummaging my handbag, i pulled out a document and hurled It across the table, to Godfrey.
“What’s this?” Alexander asked, his eyes straining to make out what was written on the document. Godfrey picked up the document and flipped a page, before lifting his brows and staring at his me.
“I know you are tongue tied right now, so I will say It for you. That’s a Divorce paper and I'd be glad If you sign It so we could go our separate ways. I want nothing to do with you anymore…Not after losing my baby.”
“Excuse me?” For the first time, Godfrey’s father spoke, as he stared at me In shock. “What do you mean, you lost your baby? Were you expecting?”
Gidfrey glared at me with his fists clenched so tight that they turned white. “You lying w***e. Why don’t you tell them how you’ve been cheating on me? There Is no way you can have a baby. You are barren.” His voice came out In cracks as he spoke.
He didn’t want to believe It…he didn’t want to feel guilty for being responsible for the death of his child.
“Here.” I said as she hurled another document at him. I had come prepared and i was not going to let him humiliate me again. “That Is the medical reports from the hospital. You can go through It.”
Before Nate could grab the document, his grandfather beat him to it. He adjusted his glasses at the bridge of his nose, his eyes glancing through the written words on the document and his brows creasing In response. He was not pleased with what he read. He slowly lifted his head as he passed the document to his wife while his eyes rested on Godfrey.
“What Is this?!” He yelled, banging his fist so hard on the table that almost everyone flinched. His eyes burning with Intense fury as he locked his grandson down with a glare. “YOU!” He yelled, as he pointed a finger at his grandson.
Kate Immediately rose up In defense as she grabbed Godfrey’s hand. “Grandfather, she Is lying. This Is…”
“SHUT UP!” Mr. Blackwoods yelled at her. His eyes zeroing In on her for a brief moment, before it fell on their Interlocked hands. “Oh I see…so you are the one? You are the reason my grandson Is so stupid.” He said before he stared at her again.
His face contorted, as he staggered back a bit, causing everyone to go apprehensive. He clutched his chest and slumped back In his seat. He was In pain and It had been all because of his Useless Grandson.
“Are you okay, Grandpa?” I asked as i rushed towards my father-In-law. He grabbed my hand, his eyes on me as he Ignored the rest of his family. “My beautiful daughter. I’m sorry for all that my grandson has done to you.” His hold on me loosened, before he freed me.
Godfrey was furious. He had never felt such an embarrassment and he knew his father was upset, as soon as he moved his chair back and excused himself from the dinner.
With a fountain pen, Godfrey scribbled his signature on the divorce document. “Here.” He said as he handed the document to me. “Take It. We are done.”
He turned towards Kate. “We are leaving.” Grabbing her by the wrist, they both walked out of the hall.
His grandmother was also upset but her anger was targeted towards me. She Inwardly blamed me for what had just happened—For ruining their family’s thanksgiving dinner. It wasn’t like she liked me as her daughter-In-law anyways.
“Get out of my House!” She yelled at me, as soon as her husband was helped upstairs to his room to rest. “Trying to be relevant, Is downgrading. I never loved you as my daughter-In-law. I’m grateful that my grandson finally saw who you are.”
I Ignored her as I grabbed the documents and walked out of the Mansion, only to be approached by Godfrey, who hadn’t left and had been waiting for me to come out.
“What Is this?” He asked as he approached me, with a burning Intensity In his gaze. “What do you think you are doing?”
“Fulfilling your wish.” I replied, before I walked towards him, stepping just an Inch away from his face. “Trust me, I’m not done yet. When I’m done, I promise you Godfrey. You will feel every bit of my pain and my wrath.”
- Writer
