Chapter 133

Declan's POV.

I received a message from my grandmother. She was arranging a family gathering and she wanted me to be around but when I told Sabrina about it, she was persistent on joining me and I also didn't want to argue with her so I just let her do whatever pleases her.

Family gatherings in Eleanor Westwood mansion used to feel warm in different ways. But now Sabrina was all a part of it and she made it impossible for me to breathe properly.

She had completely left no stone unturned to make herself not look or feel ignored. She was always smiling too brightly, always talking too loudly. And acting as though she had the right to be here in this family gathering.

I watched her laugh at jokes that weren't funny and I felt myself getting angrier but it was of no use if I tried to show it because it would still land in a fight between us.

My grandmother sat across the table. Her eyes were fixated on us but she didn't speak. She just watched Sabrina quietly and I noticed the way Sabrina reacted under my grandmother's pressing gaze as she tried to fit into where she didn't belong.

I stayed quiet. Not because I didn't see but because I was tired of all the conflicts that were happening in my life. I was tired of explanations and tired of pretending that any of these made sense in my life without Isabella sitting next to me.

“Daddy, can we go soon.?” Ethan asked as he tapped me lightly and I turned to face him. He was seated beside me.

“We will go soon, buddy. It hasn't even been up to five hours since we arrived here and we have to spend more time with grandma.” I replied and I squeezed his hand in mine.

My son was the only thing keeping me steady these days. Because each day I felt him drawing closer to me and leaning on me more. And I was ready to cling onto that bond forever.

But even that peace I was trying so hard to have in my life wasn't going to last from the look of things, and Sabrina will be the one to make sure of it.

“So how is everything going on in the office?” my grandmother asked, finally breaking the silence.

“Everything is going smoothly grandma. The investors and the board members are all doing well and nobody's complaining. The company is moving well.” I replied.

“I'm sorry Grandma for interrupting. But as you all know now that I am the mother of Declan's son, and so I was thinking that he could also put me up in the family business. Like I mean I don't want to be jobless, I need something to be doing.” Sabrina interrupted and I rolled my eyes at her.

She was actually annoying and she did not know when to speak and when not to speak. She just feels like she has to include herself in every conversation which is wrong but she does not understand that fact.

“Sabrina. I can see that you're very excited but I can also inform you that you are not fit enough for the family's business. At least not now, and if you feel like you are jobless then you have to go back to what you were doing before you walked your way into Declan's life again.” My grandmother said and I could see the way Sabrina's facial expression changed.

I could see that she was angry but I did not give two fucks about it. She got what she deserved from always having to insert herself into conversations that didn't concern her. And also, my grandmother was a genius because she always knew how to put people in their rightful place and she just did the same to Sabrina.

“All right grandmother. I think that this is enough for today and thanks for inviting me over. It helped a lot in my mood but I need to go because I have something important to do. I'll see you some other day” I said as I stood up and moved closer to her. Then I leaned closer and placed a kiss on her cheek.

“All right grandson. See you soon too.” She replied.

“Bye, great grandmother.” Ethan said as he waved at her. And she also waved back.

No one had to tell me what my grandmother was thinking inside overhead but I knew that she was not happy with the whole situation and how everything turned out.

And I will get a better chance to know more about her feelings if we spoke in private instead of publicly because she would never say anything publicly. That was how private and secretive she was.

We arrived outside and Ethan quickly jumped into the backseat of the car. I was about to enter the driver's seat when Sabrina held my hand and I turned to look at her.

“What is the meaning of all of these Sabrina?” I asked with a stern expression.

“I am sorry for stopping you this way but we need to talk. What I am about to say to you is very important and it cannot wait any longer.”

“Not now Sabrina. Can you at least let us leave this place before you start with your drama.”

“I am not trying to stir up any drama and this conversation must be held now and right here. You keep avoiding this conversation and I am done waiting for you to take action because to me it seems like you are not trying to take any action.” she said, stepping closer to me and I chuckled at her words.

Not because she was trying to be funny to me to probably make me laugh but because she wasn't making any sense. In fact she has never made sense to me.

“So let us get your facts right. What are you trying to say by doing all of this.?” I questioned.

“All I want to say is that we have a child together, Declan. We have a son and you have to remember that. We are a family and people already see us together at events and outings. So don't you think that it is time we make it official? Our relationship, that is what I'm talking about” Sabrina expressed and her words slammed right through my chest.

“Official?” I repeated my words, though my voice sounded deeper than usual.

“Yes you got it all right and if you don't understand then let me explain it to you better. I am talking about marriage. You and I should get married because that is the next step forward.” she said and those words weren't even hard for her to say.

“Are you seriously standing here and talking to me about marriage?” I asked again just to make sure that I didn't hear her correctly the first time when she spoke.

“You heard me right. So why do you keep asking me the same question? And don't tell me I'm wrong about speaking to you concerning our marriage because Ethan needs stability in his life, especially from his childhood. He deserves to see his parents together and as for you, you need somebody beside you. You need a woman like me to be with you for life. I can be that person for you Declan, I already am.” She expressed, placing a hand on my chest.

I pushed her hand away from me because I was always irritated with her touches. I didn't want her close to me in any way and I knew what she was doing so I was going to give her the piece of my mind that she so desperately wanted.

“You will never be Isabella.” I voiced out and I could see the anger that had developed in her eyes.

“Can you just stop singing Isabella's name as though it were some kind of lullaby. Isabel has left you and you have to mask it up. She dumped you because that was her choice and you cannot keep drowning in the memory of a woman who abandoned you, or you can face reality. I am here Declan, at least just look at me. I've always been here.” she said, instilling more anger inside of me because that was what she knew how to do best.

“Stay within your limits, Sabrina!” I warned as she flinched because of the tone of my voice.

I bet that she had never seen me so angry before.

“Don't you dare push me into something I don't want. And don't you dare use Ethan as a weapon to soften my heart. He is my son and I will be there for him as his father every single day of my life. But I will never marry you and I want my words to sink into your head so that you are going to understand because you never seem to understand anything and you just want to keep on living in your illusions.”

“We are going to see. You are definitely going to come around and I will make sure of it” she said as a smile curved up her lips.

I was supposed to be shocked but there was nothing she ever does that amazes me anymore. Because she had the attitude of a maniac who wouldn't rest until she got what she wanted but it won't be from me and I will make sure of that.