For the Camera

19. I want a Divorce.

RUBY.

"I'm going to divorce him, Dad. I can't continue like this," I confessed, struggling to hold back my tears.

"What? Why would you want a divorce? It hasn't even been a year since you got married. Look at how radiant your skin is! And you're becoming more beautiful every day. This is a peaceful life. What exactly is the problem?" Dad inquired.

It took me hours to push Toby's words from yesterday out of my mind, and that was the final straw. He was right. Why should I remain in a loveless marriage? The moment I left, I made up my mind never to return to that house, consequences be damned.

He doesn't want me, and I'll give him what he wants. Public opinion, reputation, and even his political ambitions can go to hell. Unfortunately, I had nowhere else to go but my father's house.

"Dad, I don't care what you have to say, but nothing can make me go back to being his wife. I thought he was just an arrogant, egotistical fool, but Dad, I was wrong. He's... he's truly a monster disguised as a decent person. I wish everyone could see past the facade of beauty, fake smiles, and false kindness. His heart is as black as coal. No... their hearts! The entire Daniels family, the father, the mother, and the son. All of them!" I exclaimed, my voice louder than intended, almost pulling at my hair.

"Ruby, don't let the media catch wind of these nonsensical things you're saying. It would be detrimental to you. For us. What is it exactly that makes them so bad? All you've been saying is that they're terrible, but what specifically?" Dad advised, his tone cautious.

I lowered my head, afraid to meet his gaze. The whole contract, whatever they were trying to achieve or obtain, I didn't care anymore. I couldn't be a part of it.

"Dad, he's still cruel to me. He looks at me as if I disgust him. He constantly undermines my appearance and chips away at my self-esteem," I confessed, my eyes fixated on the floor. "Dad, we're not meant to be together, not at all. There's nothing but hatred between us. I'm done, Dad," I concluded, finally gathering the courage to meet my father's eyes.

Nothing. No anger, no remorse. His aged eyes revealed nothing, or at least not the reaction I had anticipated. Instead, there was a calmness, a seriousness that bordered on suppressing laughter.

"Dad?" I whispered.

And then he burst into laughter, even snorting a bit. I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me.

Just then, Lola emerged from her room. Her brown eyes, almost cat-like, added to her beauty but also gave her a resemblance to one of those Disney witches. She was dressed in a long, white summer dress adorned with an excessive number of gemstones. Her shoulder-length curly weave cascaded from her head. I hadn't even realized she was in the house, which meant she must have overheard our conversation. I always tried my best not to show any sign of weakness in front of her. She didn't deserve to see me that way.

"Oh, sweetheart! You shouldn't laugh like that; it's making her feel shy," Lola commented, a hint of humour in her tone as she attempted to conceal her sharp glares.

Lola had developed a habit of acting nice towards me whenever my dad was around. It always felt so insincere that I'm sure even my dad knew she was mean to me but chose to play along. Whoever she thought she was fooling, it was herself.

"Oh dear, I just can't help it. Ruby can be so innocent and funny. Only God knows where she got that trait from," Dad responded, taking his seat beside Lola, both of them chuckling.

"Which part of my story is humorous, Dad?! Is it the part where he's mean or the part where we hate each other?!" I snapped, my frustration seeping through.

"Young lady, you will not raise your voice at your father," Lola scolded.

I openly rolled my eyes as I stood up, finding the courage and words I didn't know I had. "Oh, please, shut up, Lola! Close your pretentious, mean mouth! You're not my mother, nor will you ever be, so don't even try to scold me. I know you don't like me. You're not fooling anyone but yourself. Please, do me a favour and mind your own damn business!"

Dad's eyes widened as he looked at me. "What is wrong with you, Ruby? You marry a billionaire, and now you think you know everything or that you're better than us? Is that it?"

I scoffed. "Really, Dad? Really? Being a billionaire's wife changed me? What kind of father laughs when his daughter tells him that she's in a situation she despises? Huh? But then, I'm not surprised! You're the worst father in the world, anyways! Why did I even come here? Why did I think I still have a father I can confide in? A father who would help me escape the misery I'm in? That was so foolish of me!" I shouted, sounding like a mad person.

Of course, he wouldn't help me escape my misery; he's the one who put me in it!

"Ruby, my dear. My baby girl, I'm sorry if I made you feel that way, truly, I am. You know it's not true, you know how much I care about you. You just need to understand some things about marriage. Please, sit down," Dad said remorsefully.

My demeanour returned to the usual Ruby, although I hesitated before reluctantly sitting down. "Please?" he pleaded, hoping I would comply.

"We're your family, Ruby, and all we want is the best for you. We would never put you in harm's way deliberately. It's simply impossible. I don't even understand how... how... what's going on between you two. He'll come around; you just need to be more submissive and appealing to him. He's your husband, not just any man. You should try to win his heart. You belong to each other, and that's the essence of marriage. Look, let me speak to you as a man rather than just a father. We, men, appreciate it when our women are obedient and submissive. I believe if you try that, things will work out, and he'll change," Dad rambled on while I stared at him, bewildered.

"But Dad... why are we even doing this? Why do I have to be married to him for them to assist us with our bankruptcy situation? Aren't you friends with this man? What kind of contract is this nonsense?" I pleaded.

He exchanged glances with Lola before speaking. "It's truly in our best interest if you continue with this. Just know that you're doing it for us, Ruby. For your family, the ones who will always stand by you no matter what. Even if you don't want to be with him forever, please, my dear, do it for just three more years, please," he pleaded, tears welling up in his eyes.

I sighed. "Superwoman it is, then? Alright. I'll be right back; I need to get a glass of water and clear my head or something," I said as I rose from the couch and made my way towards the kitchen.

However, the hushed whispers between my dad and Lola piqued my curiosity, so I stood behind the kitchen door and eavesdropped.

"You shouldn't have told her that; you only made her more curious," Lola remarked.

"Would you prefer she jeopardizes everything due to impatience?" Dad questioned.

"And you didn't even scold her for speaking to me like that! I can't wait for her to turn twenty-five so we can just get it all over with," Lola said, seemingly walking towards the door behind which I was leaning. I quickened my steps and entered the kitchen instead.

The conversation I overheard was puzzling, but one thing was clear: I was not going to remain married to Toby until I turned twenty-five. Whatever was meant to happen at that age would occur without Toby. So, I opened the kitchen door leading to the small backyard gate. I tried to move silently to avoid catching the attention of the bodyguards who had accompanied me.

And the moment I was out of the compound, I sprinted.