Chapter 121

Chapter 121
I moved the duvet off my body and dragged myself out of bed.
For a few seconds, I just sat at the edge of the bed, still and tired. My mind was blank, my body drained. I rubbed my palms together slowly, trying to fix my strength, trying to feel human again.
A long breath left my lips. I exhaled as if that would somehow push the sleep out of my bones. It didn't.
I slid my feet into my flip-flops and stood up, yawning as I stepped out of the room. The house was quiet, only faint murmurs of morning activity could be heard. My eyes were still half-closed as I made my way toward the kitchen.
The moment I walked in...
"Ahhh!!" Tricia let out a scream, jerking back with a hand on her chest.
Joshua burst into loud laughter beside her, almost knocking over his cereal bowl.
I froze, completely confused.
"What's going on? Why are you screaming and why are you laughing, Joshua?" I asked, frowning.
Tricia shot me a dramatic look. "You scared the crap out of me... Goodness! You look like a virgin ghost! Ah! Not virgin... but definitely a ghost."
My eyes narrowed, still dazed. "Why?"
She waved a hand at me. "Did you take a look at the mirror? You look awful."
Joshua giggled uncontrollably. "Mummy looks funny."
I scoffed, blinking as I walked over to the sink. "I do, huh? Naughty kid."
Then I looked around. "Where is Donald?"
Tricia shrugged and said , "I don't know. How am I supposed to know?"
I turned to her sharply. "Yeah, that tone of yours and that reply... You two better fix whatever mess that's going on between you two. I'm sick and tired of it already."
I ran a hand over my messy hair. "I'll go fix my hair and come back for breakfast."
As I started to turn, Tricia called after me.
"One minute. Ain't you going to work today?"
I looked back at her. "Why? Of course, I'll be going to work. Why do you ask?"
She gave me a knowing smirk. "Yeah. Just check out the time while you're in your room."
"Time?" I muttered.
Something about the way she said it made my stomach sink.
I stepped back slightly, tilted my head, and looked across the hallway toward the wall clock.
My heart skipped.
My eyes widened.
"Oh shit!!! I'm fucking late!!! What the fuck!! 8am!! I need to go get ready!!!"
I didn't even wait to hear their laughter. I spun around and bolted back into my bedroom.
I rushed straight into the bathroom, practically tearing off my clothes as I turned on the water.
"Shit, shit, shit," I kept muttering under my breath.
The cold water hit my skin and jolted me fully awake. My head was pounding from the rush. I scrubbed my skin faster than I ever had before, barely giving myself time to breathe.
By the time I came out, my towel was half hanging from my body as I pulled open my wardrobe.
I grabbed a green corporate gown and slipped into it quickly.
My hands reached for my black loafers, and I snatched my black handbag from the chair.
I stuffed my laptop into its bag and dashed out of the room.
By the time I returned to the kitchen, everyone was almost done with breakfast. The table was half-cleared and bags were already zipped up.
I grabbed my meal and set it down on the table, shoving spoonfuls into my mouth as fast as I could. I didn't even care what I was eating, I just needed fuel.
Donald appeared a minute later, already dressed and holding his car keys.
I was still chewing when he walked up beside me, calm as ever.
He looked down at me and smiled. "Shall we?" he asked, gently.
I looked up and let out a small sigh. "Oh yes, please. I'm really exhausted."
"Sure. I'll get that for you," he said, reaching for my laptop bag. "After you."
I raised a brow and grinned. "Oh yes, such a gentleman you are."
Donald chuckled softly, lifting the bag. "Yes I am."
Later at the office...
The day dragged like a punishment. Every second felt like five minutes.
I was tired so tired that I nearly dozed off during a meeting. My body wasn't functioning right. The lack of sleep, the emotional stress, and the mental chaos from the night before all caught up with me.
By the time the clock hit the end of work hours, I was already halfway out the door in my head.
And just as I reached for my bag
There he was, Donald, standing in the doorway of my office with that same soft smile.
"Ready to go?" he asked, lifting the laptop bag in one hand.
I didn't waste a second.
I stood up quickly. "God, yes."
I walked over to him, my shoulders sagging with relief.
"Oh yes, please," I added, almost breathless. "I'm really exhausted."
He nodded, offering his arm.
"Let's go home."
While driving home, Donald made a turn and pulled into a restaurant without saying a word. I turned to him, raising a brow, and he smiled a little.
"I figured we all could use something to cheer up," he said softly.
We got down and went inside to pick up some snacks nothing too heavy. We ordered some pizza and ice cream for Joshua, chicken wings and drumsticks, and spicy grilled chicken breasts for Tricia. I didn't even realize I was hungry until I smelled everything. It made my stomach twist.
Once we got back into the car, Joshua was already giggling in the backseat, clapping his hands when he saw the food pack with the pizza logo.
"Pizza!! And ice cream!! Yaaaay!!" he squealed, hugging the box like it was treasure.
That made me smile.
By the time we got home, the sun was already setting. The house felt calm, quiet, and peaceful. After a quick evening bath, we all gathered in the living room with the food spread out on the center table. The TV played in the background, but no one was really watching. We just wanted comfort. Something that felt normal.
Tricia tore into her wings like someone who hadn't eaten in weeks. Joshua was already halfway through his pizza, ice cream all over his chin. Donald sat on the floor beside the couch, chewing quietly.
After dinner, we all helped clean up. Joshua carried the empty pizza box like a proud waiter and tossed it in the bin. Tricia wiped down the center table, and I grabbed a bottle of cold water from the fridge, twisted the cap, and took a long gulp.
The cold hit my chest like a shockwave.
"Ahhhh! That hit the spot," I muttered, wiping my lips with the back of my hand.
I pulled out one of the kitchen chairs and slumped into it, exhaling deeply. The house had quieted again. My body was here, but my mind was everywhere.
Tricia walked in quietly and leaned against the sink, folding her arms.
She stared at me for a moment, then said gently, "Are you okay?"
I looked up, forcing a weak smile. "Oh, yes, I am."
She didn't buy it. "Really? Yet you slept in this morning. Is everything okay with you?"
I looked away. There was no point lying.
"Actually... I don't know," I whispered, voice cracking a little. "I couldn't stop thinking about what happened last night. I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that Jayden... Jayden plotted my misery."
Tricia's brows pulled together as she sighed and walked toward me.
"Same here," she said, sitting across from me. "It was pretty hard for me to digest too. I mean... I get that he's a scumbag for throwing you out of his life, but... would he really go that far? Would he go that far just to erase you like that?"
I nodded slowly. "I'm glad we're thinking alike... because it just sounds absurd. I can't shake the feeling that something else is going on."
Tricia leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Of course it does. Also, why would he marry you just for sex and then throw you out like trash? I mean...he spent money. Real money. On a wedding. Just for sex? That doesn't add up."
I chuckled bitterly. "Girl! It sounds so stupid!"
Suddenly...
"It's possible," Donald's voice cut in from the doorway, startling both of us.
"You startled us!" I exclaimed, my heart thudding in my chest.
He raised both hands slightly. "My bad."
Tricia stared at him. "How is it possible?" she asked suspiciously.
Donald took a few steps in. "Nothing is impossible, so yes...it's possible for him to do whatever you guys think he did."
Tricia's eyes narrowed. "And what do you think we think he did?"
Donald gave a light shrug. "Whatever you think he did... I think he did."
Tricia scoffed and leaned back. "Seriously? You have no idea what we were even talking about and you already jumped to the conclusion that Jayden did it? Seriously?"
"Yes, seriously, Tricia," Donald replied without flinching. "And why are you trying to paint Jayden like a good guy all of a sudden?"
Tricia's jaw dropped. "Wow. I'm going nuts!!" she groaned, throwing her hands up in the air.
"Guys!! Enough," I snapped. "No fighting. Not tonight. Especially for Joshua's sake."
They went silent.
I rubbed my hands, inhaled deeply, then said quietly, "I'll tell you what happened. Actually... a few days ago, I met with Jayden."
Donald blinked. "You did what?!"
"Calm down," I whispered. "He kind of kidnapped me..."
"He did what?!!" Donald screamed, nearly kicking the chair. "I'll get him for that!"
"Chill," I said quickly, waving my hand. "He wanted to talk. But before we could even have a proper conversation... I received a video."
Donald leaned forward. "A video? What video?"
My voice broke as I replied. "A video of Jayden confessing... that he never loved me. That he married me just for sex. That he was lusting after my body."
Silence.
Donald's hands clenched. His eyes darkened.
"He's a scum bag," he hissed. "Thank goodness that video popped up at the right time and saved you from listening to his cooked-up bullshit. Trying to win you back like some manipulative bastard. He's a lowlife. Don't you ever believe anything he says. And don't ever meet up with him again."
I nodded slowly. "I know. And I also received a text... from an unknown number. It said Jayden is behind my misery."
Donald stared at me.
"I'm not surprised," he whispered. "I'm not."
Donald straightened. "You girls wrap up your discussion and go to bed. Goodnight, ladies."
And just like that, he turned and walked out.
But Tricia didn't move.
Her eyes followed him until he was out of sight, and she didn't blink once. Her brows stayed drawn, her mouth slightly open, like something in her head just clicked.
"Nah," she muttered under her breath. "Something is really off... and I have to find out ASAP."
I frowned. "What are you mumbling?"
"Nothing," she said quickly, forcing a smile. "Goodnight, sweetheart."
Tricia stood and walked out of the kitchen. But even from behind, I could see it. The tension in her shoulders. The way her hands were balled into fists.
She was thinking too hard. About someone.
She didn't believe everything she heard tonight.
She didn't trust someone in this house.
And I had a feeling... it wasn't Jayden she was doubting.
It was Donald.