No Longer Your Luna: A Mother's Reckoning

FRAMED

SELENA’S POINT OF VIEW

A few days later after my cruel confrontation with Isabella, I confronted Victor privately. He was hesitant to talk to me but he still gave in and decided to hear me out. He had not explained to me about why he chose to humiliate me like that but that didn’t matter now. I was in trouble. If I didn’t stay in this marriage, I was at risk of getting kicked and if that were to happen I had nowhere to go especially with two kids and no job. I had to make sure my position in this family was still insured even if there was another woman beside. I had no choice. I couldn’t leave even if I wanted to.

“What do you want?” Victor asked me coldly. I couldn’t believe this was my husband giving this much coldness. I had to endure it. I was here to sweet talk him not give him reasons to get rid of me.

“I see you have a woman. What is the meaning of that?” I couldn’t help myself. My brain knew this was a bad idea but my mouth had other plans. At the end of the day, I was hurt and I felt like an explanation was the least thing Victor could offer me after his public disrespect.

“I don’t feel like I should answer that question, Selena. I never loved you.” Victor told me and my already broken heart broke even more. Of course he loves Isabella. She told me herself.

“We have two children Victor. After all that, this is all you have to say to me? That you don’t love me? Do you love Isabella?” I asked him bitterly. I knew the answer to my question but for some masochistic plot, I needed to hear Victor say those words himself. That he loves Isabella. God, the name Isabella tasted so biter on my own tongue.

“Yes, I do love Isabella.” Victor didn’t even hesitate to answer. “Selena, you should know by now. Our marriage was not my choice. It was arranged by my father. Now I need a partner who can help in the council. You take Mia and leave. I’ll give you some money and a place to stay in the northside, but Leo stays, he’s the heir after all.” he told me and I stared at him.

I knew I would be this hurt. He didn’t seem to mind that he was breaking my heart and just discarding me like I was nothing.

“How could you do this to me? I gave you everything. You took all my first, I tried my best to be the best wife, best mother of our children, best person to your family and this is what you do to me?” I asked and seeing that I might have said too much, I sighed. I suddenly became determined. “What can I do? Tell me what I can do more to make me enough for you. Just don’t kick me out please. Our children need us.” I tried to negotiate with him.

“I don’t need anything from you anymore Selena. I’m grateful for giving birth to my heir but other than that, I don’t need you at all. Now leave.” Victor said and without waiting for me to speak he walked away. I was left there standing lost, hurt and a sobbing mess. My marriage was over, wasn’t it?

I wasn’t ready to leave yet though. I had put too much effort and invested so much in this family to just give in. I had overcome so much while staying in this family I believed I should try harder to get my husband back so days after my confrontation with Victor I was still in the Grey family mansion going about my job in the house as usual.

That was until something happened. My mother-in-law approached me enraged and before I knew it a slap landed on my cheek. The pain stung so much tears fell down as I stared at my mother-in-law confused about the sudden violence against me. She was accompanied by Victor who seemed as enraged as his mother. What did I do to them?

“Where the hell is it?” my mother-in-law asked but I just stared at her confused. “Where is the document you useless woman? Do you know how important that document is?” she yelled.

“I have no idea what you are talking about. What document?” I asked.

“Stop feigning innocence. I saw you take it. I just wish I would have known that the document was important. Then I would have stopped you.” Isabella said and I looked at her. I looked just in time to see her smirk and I already knew what was going on here.

So she wasn't joking about her warning? She did tell me to leave or she makes me leave herself. This was her doing. She was framing me. Is this what being framed felt huh? Did I even have a chance of convincing them that I didn’t steal the document? I don’t think they were going to believe me. If this was Isabella’s scheme then I had no chance of convincing anyone in this family that I was innocent. She probably had played her cards right and I was trapped in this lie.

I turned to look at my mother-in-law. “I didn’t steal any documents. I have been living with you for almost a decade and I have never had any case of being a thief. You should know better.” I tried to defend myself even though I knew it was futile.

“I actually believe Selena.” Someone suddenly said. I knew him. It was Victor’s younger brother, Luca. I turned to look at him and so was everyone in the room. Of course, there was one person in this goddamn family that was a little sane. That was Luca. He was the only person who mostly took my side when things went to hell with the family especially my mother-in-law. I really appreciated his support and trust.

“There is only one way to prove her innocence. Why don’t you guys search her belongings?” Isabella suggested and my mother-in-law nodded in agreement. So she hid the documents in my belongings? There was no way I was going to get myself out of this mess. She won. It hurt to admit it but yeah, she won.

I shared a moment of eye locking with Victor. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking about but he later agreed to search my things. I already knew what was going to happen. I was already cooked. Isabella got me and got me good. I just waited for the consequences. The worst that could happen was getting kicked out especially now that they didn’t want me anymore. They had Isabella now, a better option, an upgrade from me.

They left and I stayed. Luca didn’t leave with them. He stayed behind with me. “You know that sly woman is framing you right?” Luca suddenly asked. He and I rarely spoke but I had never had any bad interaction with him.

I smiled happily realizing that he could tell the truth and the dirty scheme Isabella played. The rest couldn’t. That meant so much to me. “Thank you for standing up for me.” I told him.

He was quiet and later he turned to look at me. “They are going to kick you out. This was their last straw. They are super irritated with you and they want you gone but you have been stubborn.” he told me. More like enlighten me.

“I was trying for my kids. They need their family unified but I guess that’s not possible.” I told him and he picked a cigarette packet and took one cigarette before he lit and inhaled it.

“You are a good woman. You will find good opportunities. I always sympathized that you were wasting your potential stuck in this family trying to impress them. Take them kicking you out as your freedom. Go spread your wings. I know you will do just fine if you have an opportunity to showcase your potential.” was Luca advising me? Conforting me maybe? I wasn't sure but I really appreciated his kind words and him believing in me. That meant a lot.

“I’m worried about my kids the most. They are too young for this drama.” I told Luca.

“Leo will be fine. I know Victor adores him so trust that he will be taken care of well. As for little Mia, you will be asked to take her with you. She’s better off with you anyway.” he told me blowing a cloud of smoke. “that’s the bare minimum but it’s better than nothing. I know you would love to have both your children with you. But at least you have one of your kids with you. The worst would have been Victor keeping Mia too.” he added and I nodded. Thank God, I was allowed to stay with Mia. I think I would go crazy if she was taken away too. I understand Leo staying though. He was the heir, there was no way Victor would let me leave with him.

Suddenly, our heads snapped towards the stairs at the same time. Those aggressive footsteps were nearing. “Here they come. Good luck in life.” he told me as hen walked away and just after my mother-in law came holding a brown envelope enraged. Victor and Isabella tagged along.

“You are exiled from the Grey family.” My mother-in-law yelled waving the brown envelope. “I found this in your belongings after you lied about not knowing about them. You and your mannerless daughter should leave this place with immediate effect.” she sternly said and it happened just like how Luca told me it would.