Chapter 2 MARRIED MY ILLUSION

Mabella's POV

Silence.

Frowning, I walked through the sleek marble hallway, past the elegant chandeliers and expensive artwork, towards his study.

Then I heard sounds, curious I followed the sound to the living room. The door to the bedroom is kept slightly open, and I can hear hushed voices inside.

I smiled softly. Maybe he's on a business call. Should I surprise him instead?

Just as I was about to step in, I heard a familiar voice -- a woman's voice, sickeningly sweet, filled with laughter.

"Oh! Seems Williams invited his cousin over." I thought with a slight smile

Absentmindedly I pushed the door open. I froze immediately seeing Williams shirtless on the bed with...

Is that your cousin!???

Feeling relaxed and comfortable, sipping wine from my anniversary glasses.

Beside her, Williams leaned back, completely at ease.

My stomach twisted.

"What's going on here?" My voice is calm, but my fingers dig into my purse.

Williams barely glanced up. "You're home early."

I was too stunned to speak; my knees suddenly went numb, and I couldn't move. I could remember a year ago when Williams approached me with urgency on his face.

"Bella darling, my cousin Mandy had a terrible accident. She needs a blood transfusion immediately, but her blood type is rare. The same as yours." He said

"Oh, my world! That's so sad." I replied, and I didn't hesitate to accept.

I have always believed in family and in standing up for the people I love. If this cousin of Williams is in danger, I will gladly help. I thought

I donated the blood without a second thought.

But now, standing in my bedroom I'm staring at the same supposedly distant cousin, then it done in me just how blind I had been.

My stomach twisted with pains flowing from my heart. My voice was barely above a whisper. "Williams.... I thought Mandy is your cousin?" I asked trying to fight back tears that were threatening to drop.

Williams turned lazily, unfazed, unbothered. But before he could speak, the woman beside him laughed --- a sharp, mocking sound.

"What kind of absurd question is that?" Mandy mused, stretching her legs out. "Who is your cousin?"

My breath hitched. "What?"

The woman smirked. "I'm Mandy. And I'm no ones cousin. Williams here? He's my first and only love. Considering how 'useful' I have been to him, I have always been his priority." She leaned against him, her fingers running his hair. "You know....... I had to rest after the accident before coming back, but now I'm here for good."

My hands trembled as I looked at Williams, my mind desperately tried to make sense of what was happening. "Williams... Tell me she's lying.

"Ha ha ha... Williams I know it's Halloween, of course you got to pull one or two pranks. But these... It's too extreme Williams." I said smiling and gesturing at the bizarre sight.

For a brief moment, he hesitated. Then, he sighed and sat up, his face devoid of guilt. "She's not lying Mabella."

A sharp pain pierced my chest. "Then what... What was all this?" I snapped at his words, his relaxed self fueled my anger the more.

Williams ran a hand through his hair, looking irritated. "It was Convenient Mabella. You were convenient."

My world cracked.

"But I -- helped you! I gave you everything and supported you when everyone seemed busy!"

"Oh please! Enough with those lines. Williams I don't even know why you still kept her around," Mandy's voice purred. "She's nothing but an inconvenience."

Completely frozen. My chest constantly hurt from the arrows thrown at me.

Williams's voice followed, calm, detached. "Mandy, be patient. She serves her purpose."

My fingers clenched around the ultrasound. I serve my purpose?

"She thinks you love her." Mandy laughed mockingly. "And you let her believe it?"

Williams chuckled, the sound like a dagger slicing through my heart courses. She's useful. But love? Don't be ridiculous, Mandy."

A cold numbness spread through my limbs.

"I married her out of pity because she promised to talk to some of her friends since I had knowledge of business," Williams continued. "Her few strings got me my first job, like you know of course that wasn't enough."

"Now I don't need her anymore since your family is arranging a major deal with Shelton Technology. What she claims she has done is nothing compared to what I'm about to be now, all thanks to you my love." Williams placed Mandy's face on his hand, giving her a kiss on her forehead.

I felt as though the walls were closing in around me. I struggled to breathe, my entire world cracking apart with every word that came from his mouth.

"Then why keep her still?" Mandy pressed.

There was a pause before Williams replied, his tone dark and final.

"Because she's naive enough to believe in me. Once I'm done with her, I'll throw her out like yesterday's trash."

The ultrasound slipped from my fingers, fluttering on the floor like a fallen leaf.

My chest heaved, an unbearable pain gripping me. The excitement, the hope I had carried, shattered into a million pieces. The man I had loved, the man I had devoted my life to, had never... Never truly loved me in return?

My stomach churned violently, I leaned on the doorframe for support.

Williams had used me. All this time.

And I had been so blind to see it.

"Hey, you forgetting something. They is a document you must sign. Just in case you feel you can still pave your way to my man's heart." Mandy said mockingly she gestured towards the dresser.

I turned my left and picked up the file, my eyes teary but I stopped it from flowing. The situation wasn't worth my tears as I signed the divorce paper.

"That's right."

I turned, stunned to see my mother-in-law stepping out from behind the doorframe, arms crossed.

"Your presence here has been tolerated enough, and we don't need just a housewife who cooks and cleans with the only support of telling her wrenched friends like her to connect my son. We don't need those types of gestures. We have grown past that," she pressed on with her hurtful words.

"Mandy here is well connected and can give my son a well-deserved connection now she's back. The only right thing for my son to do is marry her."

I felt like I couldn't breathe any longer.

Williams's mother smirked. "Maybe you should go back to selling burgers and playing housewife. That seems more fitting for someone like you."

I swallowed hard, every word cutting deeper than the last.

They had never valued me.

Not Williams.

Not his mother.

Not the man I thought I had built an empire for.

And they think they can discard me like nothing huh?

No!

They will regret this, I won't cry, not in front of them.

I turned to Williams, my voice calm. "You want me gone?"

Williams smirked. "Yes. With all pleasure."

"Fine. I'm giving you what you want." I said throwing the signed divorce papers on the floor.

"Remember this day Williams, it is your regret and reconning. When I'm back, the man who betrayed me will lost everything." I turned and left without saying a word about my pregnancy.