PIECES

Part 20

Anna's POV

I stared at the divorce papers before me, and a satisfied smile played at the corners of my lips.

"Well done! As agreed, I'll assume all the consequences"

"Don't just drag me into this. It's just a matter of time until Abel recovers. I'm his lawyer and bound to protect him. If he finds out I got involved in this, he won't let me off the hook"

I stared at Mike whose expression was nothing but worried...

Who cares? If it was before, I would have considered but now, never!

Rose had blurted nonsense to Corine, as if judging me. Who was she to talk to others about me? Who gave her such rights?

I was caught in the middle of two lions, ready to devour. What could I do? Everyone was going to get their own share of torment.

"Why are you bothered? Who's going to tell him about it? It's not like you presented the divorce papers to him yourself right? Don't bother, I've got everything under control" I said, giving him a reassuring smile...

He let out a sigh of relief, nodding as he prepared to leave...

"I guess you must have seen your balance?" I asked and he simply nodded before walking away...

I stared again at the divorce papers, smiling triumphantly. Two fools. They signed the documents, not even properly reading through...

Rose and Abel are officially divorced...

I was on high spirits with that thought in mind. What could be better than this?

I walked out of the restaurant, carefully placing the documents in my hand bag, returning to the office since lunch time was almost over...

Once I finished from the office, I didn't go to my place like always. Rather, I went to a shopping mall, as I planned getting some new set of clothes for myself...

It had been almost a week now, I hadn't seen Abel. Since we rushed him to the hospital that day, I had never set my eyes on him again. Now that I was planning to visit him, I wanted to appear in a different attire. Besides, we had some talking to do.

I went to one of the biggest shopping malls around, and was glancing at the dresses when my eyes spotted two familiar figures. Not wanting to spoil my mood, I ignored them...

I was staring at a red gown. It was so beautiful and delicate to touch. It was a strapless marmaid gown. I was admiring it when I felt someone touch my shoulders...

I turned to see who it was and there was Laura. Just behind her stood her best friend Rose...

I smiled warmly at them, acknowledging their presence...

"So you're here?" Laura asked, forcing a smile...

"Well, I just thought of changing my wardrobe" I said, glancing at Rose who wore a neautral expression, and somehow I felt like provoking her...

"I see! Looks like you love the red strapless gown" Laura said...

"Of course it's gorgeous. Rose, what do you think? It will fit me right?"

I asked, staring at the lady...

"Obviously. It'll look great on you. I love it too but it'll suit you better"

"Really?" I raised a brow following Rose's response...

She simply nodded smiling at me, thought her smile didn't reach her eyes...

"You know, I'm actually short of cash, so I was thinking of where to get some to pay for the dress. Can you lend me some?" I asked Rose, but before she could reply, Laura chimed in...

"Of course not. We don't have enough cash either. You might as well not buy the dress today..." Laura said, her tone mocking...

"Oh! That's sad. Maybe some other time then" I said, acting like I was hurt...

I glanced at the two ladies, before smiling broadly, then saying...

"You know, I think I know someone who will help. Abel" I said, my smile broadening...

I glanced at Rose, and her expression was nothing but hurt, and somehow, that made me feel happier...

"And why would you call Abel? As who exactly? His wife or what?" Laura glared...

"Well, maybe his wife to be"

"Dream on..."

"Laura, let's get out of here" Rose said, pulling Laura's hand, but she shoved it away...

"You know Anna, you're such a shamless woman. You're simply disgusting. It's your mistake thinking Abel will ever marry you. Do you think he'll divorce his wife, his pregnant wife and come running after you? He definitely knows better than settling for a cheap woman like yourself"

Laura lashed out, her voice raised...

"I don't mind. At least I didn't have to put in much efforts to win him." I said, glancing at the two ladies before adding...

Besides, I didn't ask him to lose his memory. I mean, if he really loved his wife that much, why didn't he for once feel the desire to see her even if it's just once? Haven't you noticed his life revolves around me since after the accident?" I asked, and noticed the unshed tears around Rose's eyes, while Laura seemed to be burning with anger...

"Oh! Forget it. It's pointless mentioning it. I'll just call Abel right now. He wouldn't mind spending a little cash on me right?"

I added, feeling bold...

"What have I done to you? Why are you bent on ruining my marriage? I thought you were willing to help me out. What happened? Is this how much you hate me? At least pity the child in my womb, please"

Rose's pleaded, letting the tears off her eyes...

I stared around and noticed people were watching...

Somehow, her words stared up a feeling in me...

Was it pain or guilt?

If I were to be in her shoes how was I going to react...

My gaze softened considerably, as I felt a pang of sorry for her, but then I remembered every single word she blurted out to Corine about me, and my anger flared immediately...

"Cry and beg all you want. I don't care. All I know is, Abel is going to be mine. As for the consequences later on, I don't care. As long as you get to cry the way you're doing right now, I'm okay"

"Are you that desperate that you want to steal another woman's husband?" Laura asked...

I let out a mocking laugh, before saying...

"Her husband? Did you just call him her husband? Well, I'm sure you meant her ex husband" I said, laying emphasis on 'ex husband'

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Laura asked, while Rose stared at me with a curious gaze...

I smiled and walked away, not answering her question.

Once out of the mall, the smile on my face vanished and was replaced by disdain...

Rose had the nerves to ask me what wrong she had done.

That day, after Corine's confrontation with Abel, I had pleaded with Rose to go talk with her, so she could understand the situation at hand. I knew that showing up myself was going to make Corine lash out at me, not giving me a listening ear...

Rose had gladly agreed, and had indeed gone there. But what did she say?

I went there just in time and hear her say...

"Honestly aunty, I had once been jealous of Anna, but little did I know that she was only after his money. He was facing a financial crisis and she made it clear that she couldn't cut down on her expenses simply because he was broke. She'll definitely make a good wife, but what if her husband one day goes bankrupt? Won't she just divorce him? Or even cheat on him? Aunty, I'm scared of her seducing my husband. Please act like nothing had happened, and when my husband gets well, you can have them end the relationship..."

If someone would have told me that Rose was capable of saying such, I would have denied it with my life.

I had always known her to be a modest and decent woman...

I stared at the time, boarding a cab, leaving for Abel's house and somehow, a plan began forming in my mind...

****

Roy's POV

"I'm sorry Roy. I can't keep the baby. I have my career to deal with"

"Have you really made up your mind?" I asked Miranda, who seemed determined to abort the pregnancy...

"Listen, we both know I'm not ready to settle down, neither am I ready to have a child. I just want to get rid of the child, and that's it"

She stood her grounds...

I glanced at her, sipping the wine in my glass.

I had invited her over so we could talk about this properly. Who knew the disadvantages of an abortion better than myself?

"Fine" I let out a heavy sigh, before saying...

"If you want to have an abortion, I'm not against it. It's your decision, and not mine. But keep one thing in mind. Whatsoever the consequences may be, I won't be responsible, and once you have the abortion, there'll be no us..."

I explained...

She stared at me, seeming at a lost for words...

"Meaning?" She raised a brow..

"Meaning the termination of that pregnancy, is as good as the termination of our relationship. And again, you'll be responsible for everything that has to do with the abortion. As of me, I'm not a part of it..." I explained...

"So, are you by chance trying to say you won't give me even a dime?" She asked...

"Giving you money is as good as supporting you in this. So I won't. Suit yourself" with that said, I poured myself another glass of wine, gulping it in one go, standing up, saying...

"When you're done, you can use the door"

With that said, I retired to my room...

There was no way I was going to permit her to flush out my child all in the name of a career...