CHAPTER 8
1208 Words
What the f**k did he just say?
I turned to glare at him incredulously.
He held my gaze as if he wasn't asking me for the impossible. His expression was unfathomable. I don't know what's going on inside his head, but mine...
For f**k's sake, my mind was still reeling from the explosives he just threw at me. First, a divorce petition sat comfortably in his drawer, waiting to be signed at any moment. It was as if he were just waiting for me to commit the slightest mistake before throwing the papers at my face!
Second, Hacienda Camilla was no longer mine. It was already transferred under his name. I don't know what kind of illegal transactions he made to make it possible, but the papers he showed me seemed legit. I lost my inheritance just like that.
And now, he's telling me to leave my daughter?
"Why don't you kill me instead?" I muttered defiantly under my breath, just enough for him to hear.
My gaze held fury while his eyes widened a fraction. The words that left my mouth seemed to have taken him aback. He was speechless. I left him just like that, slamming the door behind me.
I quickly went to my old room. My whole body shook tremendously as I let my tears fall. I bit my lip to somehow muffle my inconsolable cries.
I can't...
I sobbed while pulling my hair. I don't know what to do. In just a snap, he was able to take everything away from me. I can't give up just like that, but what should I do?
I am powerless. I have no money. No connections, not even a friend or family member by my side. I harshly wiped my tears away with the back of my hand. Crying won't solve anything. I have to think!
Ugh! I groaned painfully. The thought of losing my daughter kills me. Tears fell incessantly from my eyes, no matter how hard I tried to control my emotions.
I can't lose Mira. I have to do something. I need to get her out of here, even if I die trying.
No!
What am I thinking?! I can't die and leave my daughter alone. I'm sure Sofia will make her life a living hell, and I will not allow that to happen.
I need to escape. Ares can take the ranch if he wants to, but I will never let him take Mira away from me. She's all that I have now. She's the only reason why I still choose to keep fighting.
"Think, Camilla. Think!" I chanted, the wheels in my head turning as I thought of a way out.
Surely I can think of something. I can't lose hope just yet. I need to exhaust all my options, even though there seemed to be none.
"My trust fund..." I whispered when it suddenly clinked in my mind. Surely, Ares won't have access to that, right?
Right!
It was left to me by my parents before they died. I never got to touch it since Abuelo paid for all my expenses, including my college fees. A glimmer of hope swelled inside me.
I'm sure Ares didn't know about it since it was from my parents and not included in my grandfather's will. I have money!
Damn it. My happiness quickly simmered down when I realized that's not enough to escape. First, I need to get the hell out of here before I can even touch that trust fund!
I don't think I can get to the gates without anyone informing my husband, especially if I were to take Mira with me. Everyone turned their backs on me, and I couldn't blame them.
How can I when I know I haven't been a good leader?
Abuelo was a great grandfather in my opinion, but his leadership style was old-fashioned. The rules he implemented were too strict, almost dictatorial. He barely considers the employees' morale and satisfaction.
He only cared about getting the job done. He was cruel, if I were to be honest. I knew that now. But then, I thought it was the right way to rule.
He trained me to be just like him. I had seen him manage the hacienda while growing up. His ways made the workers more efficient, or so I thought, making me believe it was the only way to go.
When Ares came and forcefully took the reins from me, I slowly began to realize our mistakes. He earned everyone's respect and loyalty so easily as soon as he started managing Hacienda Camilla. The workers quickly turned their backs on me.
His shitty behavior was reserved only to me. He was a kind and considerate ruler. He changed the whole system, making the workers more effective. The production expanded, so did the market. He brought Hacienda Camilla to new heights.
In just a few years, production had doubled, something Abuelo hadn't been able to achieve over the decades he had ruled the ranch. Ares seemed to be born for this.
I know the hacienda will continue to thrive under his management. I can rest assured that Abuelo's legacy will be passed on to good hands. Unfortunately, I couldn't say the same for my daughter, seeing how easily Sofia manipulated him against Mira.
And even if it wasn't the case, I still can't just leave her here. I am her mother! I have every right to have her custody. Perhaps I can take him to court, but that will take time. I don't want to be away from my daughter, even just for a day!
Besides, how can I be so sure he wouldn't do something about it? He was able to transfer the ranch under his name! What else can he do? I wouldn't want to know!
I have to think of another way.
If only I could ask for help. But how can I do that when I don't even have a f*****g phone?! And even if I do have one, I don't have anyone to call either!
"You're pathetic," I murmured to myself.
My heart clenched at the thought of having no one I could rely on, nobody to trust. But wait...
"Nana!" I gasped.
Nana Luisa was an old maid who worked for us even before I was born. She was the one who practically raised me when my parents died. Abuelo took me under his care, but he was busy managing the whole ranch; he barely had time to eat with me.
Nana Luisa was the one who took care of me. She was the only one who could put up with my stubbornness. She knew me better than I know myself. I know she will not hesitate to help me.
She wasn't here in the villa, but she's still somewhere here in the hacienda! Ares didn't fire anyone. He kept all our employees and even added some when the workload increased.
"Oh my god," I sighed. A sudden wave of relief washed over me. I'm not so hopeless after all!
I can do this. But I need to act fast. I don't know how much time I have left before Ares kicks me out. I need to move now...
- Writer
