CHAPTER 2: PUBLIC DISOWNED
1408 Words
"No, Dad, please don't cause a scene here because we are already married, and you can't do anything about it," Sarah pleaded, sobbing as she saw her father ordering the journalists to take pictures and video everything in the church hall.
She knew that a wealthy businessman like Mr. Richard could ruin everything in a second, so she was terrified.
"Shut up!" Mr. Richard barked at Sarah, causing the guests to flinch and gaze at him unblinkingly.
With anger in his eyes, Mr. Richard glared at Sarah, who was holding Collins' hand, and he ranted through gritted teeth, "I'm very ashamed of you, Sarah. I gave you everything a responsible father would."
"I gave you my name, security, invested much into your education, and trusted you."
"You never lacked anything in your world, and what did I gain in return? You abandoned our family and disobeyed me because of this pauper."
"Such a disgraceful and ungrateful daughter!" a voice echoed from the guests.
"Yes, she doesn't deserve to remain part of your family anymore. How can she turn her back on the family that raised her?" another voice added.
"This wedding is annoying and cursed. I'm out of here," someone else muttered.
Their comments pierced through Sarah's heart like bullets. She looked around and saw people throwing strange glances at them, feeling a deep sense of remorse.
She fixed her gaze on her father, who carried a disdainful glare toward her, and she bent to her knees, saying with tears in her eyes, "Forgive me, Dad. I know this isn't what you envisioned for me, and I've let you down."
"I wish I could fulfill your business aspirations, but I can't let go of the man you're asking me to because I love him so much, Dad."
"I will never find happiness in life if I let go of the love I have for him."
Collins' eyes filled with tears as he heard Sarah confessing how deeply she loved him. He joined Sarah on his knees, gazing at Mr. Richard with a pleading look as he said, "Please, Sir, I'm not a gold digger as some might think. I genuinely love Sarah with all my soul and heart. Give us a chance to prove that our love is worthy of something."
"Don't look down on me because I'm a hard worker and a dreamer."
"Are you sure you can take care of my daughter?" Mr. Richard questioned angrily, making Collins nod quickly.
Mr. Richard gazed at them, smiling at each other, and he hurled, "Then, take her for good because she isn't part of my family anymore. She isn't part of Richard's Building Holdings, my hotels, or my subsidiary companies in New York until she divorces you. I have disowned her for a lifetime."
Sarah's heart raced when the word "disowned" emanated from Mr. Richard’s mouth.
She felt as if her heart had fallen to her stomach when she saw her dad leaving with Mrs. Hannah and Agatha without even a glance back.
When everyone exited the hall, Collins gazed into Sarah's puffy eyes and engulfed her in a passionate hug. He wiped away her tears with his thumb and, staring deeply into her eyes, said, "You are not alone, my love. We will overcome this challenge as long as we are united. My family will support you until your father comes around. He won't be angry at you for long because he loves you."
"Yes, my daughter. We won't turn our back on the good things you've done for our family lately. Even if the world rejects you, you will be much appreciated in our midst," Mrs. Ruth, Collins' mother, intervened, putting a smile on Sarah's face.
"We make great sacrifices for the people we love, and you have proven to us that you love my brother and our family."
"You became the pillar in our family when my brother met you in university. Without your support, he wouldn't have graduated, and you did the same for me in high school."
"You set up a jewelry store for Mum and bought a house in our name. You are our savior, sister-in-law," Spendy lamented, gazing at Sarah.
Sarah's heart was consoled when she heard the words of appreciation from her in-laws.
She recalled when her mom told her to help the needy and expect nothing in return because nature would repay her with intense blessings. Her mom's words stuck with her until she met Collins, and he revealed his problems to her.
Collins was able to get into a top university because his uncle was sponsoring his education, some of which he used to support his family, but unfortunately, his uncle died in a vehicle accident, which put them in a difficult situation because his uncle’s wife took all his properties and abandoned him.
Collins' family continued to face hardships to the extent that, without Sarah's daily support, they would have starved.
Sarah managed to transform their poor life into a middle-class status with the revenues she gained monthly from her father's various businesses.
Sarah grinned as she thought of the amazing things she had done for them and the benefits they had received from it.
She caught them staring at her with pleasant smiles on their lips, and she said, "It's nothing, mother-in-law."
"You are our blessing, my love," Collins interjected with a pleasant smile. Looking at his wristwatch, he continued, "It's already past 5:00 pm. Let's get home and have some rest."
"Yes, lead the way, our bride and groom," Mrs. Ruth seconded with a hearty smile, and they held hands and started moving toward the entrance.
They exited the hall and boarded a cab in front of the church. Sarah sat beside the driver, and the others joined in the passenger’s seat.
The driver ignited the car engine, and Sarah turned to the window, lowering it to breathe in the fresh air.
As the air brushed her face, she recalled the promise she made to her dad that she would be among the top businesswomen in New York and win many awards for his companies when she took over.
Whenever she revealed her vision to her dad, he showed enough concern and assured her he would be very impressed when she fulfilled her ambition.
In Sarah's thoughts, tears filled her eyes as her father's disowning words replayed in her mind repeatedly.
She held her breath and muttered, "Dad, I will make you proud of me by fulfilling my goals and proving that Collins was the best choice for me."
Collins noticed tears streaming down Sarah's cheeks through the driver's mirror, and he asked with concern in his eyes, "What's wrong, my love?"
Sarah turned her gaze to him and replied, sniffing, "Nothing."
"Okay then, we’re getting off here, my love," Collins said as they exited the car and entered the four-bedroom house Sarah had bought for them three years ago.
Sarah paused in her steps, taking in the sight of the house, and smiled as she thought that if she hadn't bought the house for them, she wouldn't be here with them. She heaved a deep sigh and embraced her new life. She held Collins' hand, and they moved towards the door to the hall.
When they reached the hall, Collins engulfed Sarah in a warm hug, staring inwardly into her eyes, and muttered, "No matter what happens in our lives, I will never betray you, my love. Is that a promise?"
Sarah grinned when she heard that from Collins, but a phone buzzing caught their attention, directing it toward Spendy, who had been staring at them for a while.
Spendy reached for her phone in her bag, and when she answered, she frowned upon hearing strange questions.
"Are you related to Collins Stones?" a voice asked from the other end.
"Yes, he is my brother. Who are you, and what do you want?" Spendy replied rudely, questioning with anticipation.
"Good, then. Don’t step your filthy body into A+ Hotel again, because you’re fired."
"What! What have I done wrong?" Spendy yelled through her sobs, making everyone flinch. Collins and Mrs. Ruth approached her, asking with much concern, "What happened?"
Spendy sniffed, and when she was about to answer, another phone buzzed, catching their attention as they turned toward Mrs. Ruth.
Mrs. Ruth answered, and within a few minutes, she burst out, tears soaking her eyes.
"No! This cannot happen! No—no—no!"
- Writer
