Chapter 5 David's POV

Now I fully understand why Uncle Benard couldn't wait to get out of the house the moment my mother's friends showed up. The air had barely settled when Catherine and Myer walked in, their voices already filling the living room with chatter and laughter.

Uncle Benard, who had been seated quietly in the corner, immediately grew restless. He shifted in his seat, cleared his throat a few times, and avoided eye contact with anyone.

He was never comfortable around women when they gathered like that, especially not the kind who talked endlessly about people, relationships, and things that didn't concern him. It wasn't just disinterest; it drained him.

Uncle Benard was the quiet type, someone who found peace in silence, who preferred a book and a glass of water over loud conversations and gossip.

So the moment he saw the crowd forming and heard the rising pitch of their voices, he stood up abruptly.

"I just remembered I have something to attend to," he said quickly, avoiding even his sister's gaze.

Without waiting for anyone's reply, he picked up his keys and left. And honestly, I couldn't blame him. That room was about to turn into a battlefield of words and opinions.

He's an introvert by nature. He draws his strength from silence and solitude. Crowds and gossip wear him out.

As I stepped into the room, the soft hum of conversation paused for just a second. Catherine was the first to see me. Her eyes lit up the moment they met mine, and the frown on her face melted into a smile gentle, motherly, and welcoming.

"Hey David, how are you doing, ma dear?" she asked with warmth in her voice, as if my presence brought her some kind of relief.

"I'm very good," I replied with a small nod, keeping my tone light though I felt the tension creeping in already. The air was too quiet. Too watchful.

At the far end of the table, Lizzy sat with her legs crossed, fingers tapping lightly on the surface. She looked up when she heard my voice and gave me a quick smile. It was polite but distant. The kind of smile you give when your mind is somewhere else.

"I'm sorry, Aunt," she finally said. "I had to leave the restaurant early yesterday when you arrived. I went to check on Eunice."

Immediately, my mother's face tightened into a frown. I could tell that she was still bitter about what had happened the previous day.

"I wonder why on earth you married that girl," she said coldly. "She has no respect at all. Not even a single ounce."

I remained silent. My mother's voice was sharp with disappointment. I knew she wasn't just angry, she was hurt.

"How can you get married and not tell your own mother?" she continued. "What were you thinking?"

"You think I don't see what's going on?" she asked, looking directly at me.

"Mum, I..."

"You think you can just run off and make decisions like this and expect me to smile about it? What happened to us talking things through?"

I looked down. The guilt hit deeper than before. She had a point, but things hadn't been that simple.

"Mom, please..." I muttered.

There was no way I could tell her the whole story not now. She didn't know how Eunice and I had gotten married quietly in Italy. Only Lizzy and I knew the details, and we'd both agreed to keep it between us.

Telling my mother would only add more tension to an already complicated situation.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Eunice calling.

I frowned. What does she want again? I asked myself. I stood up from the table.

"Excuse me, please," I said to everyone.

As I walked just a few steps away, I answered the call.

"We need to talk," she said immediately. No greetings. No emotions. Just straight to the point.

Her tone was cold and serious.

"I'm serious about the divorce," she said firmly. "I've already contacted a lawyer. The papers will be ready soon."

I felt a jolt in my chest.

"Eunice, calm down," I said, trying to sound composed. "I have some important things to take care of right now. Let's talk about this later, please."

"You always say that!" she snapped. Her voice cracked with emotion. "I'm never important to you! You always put everyone else before me. Everything else comes first except me."

"You always say you're busy," she continued, her voice trembling. "You say 'later' every time, David. What about now? What about me?"

"Eunice, don't do this. Not today."

"Why? Because you've got a pitch? Because your mom is watching? You can lie to everyone else, but you know this marriage is dying. And you don't even care."

I looked back and noticed that my mother, her friends, and Lizzy were all watching me. They must have figured out who I was talking to.

"Please hold on. I'll come now!" I said louder than I meant to.

My mother raised her voice from the table. "Is she disturbing you again? Give me the phone, let me teach her some manners!"

She said it loud enough that Eunice definitely heard. I was furious.

Can't this woman mind her own business for once? I whispered under my breath.

There was silence on the other end. Then clicking Eunice ended the call. Just like that.

I stood frozen, phone still in hand. My chest tightened.

Did she really just hang up?

That silence at the end... it wasn't just anger. It was painful.

I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. This wasn't just about today's pitch. This was about everything we'd been avoiding.

How did we even get here? I thought. And why does it feel like I'm about to lose everything at once?

I stood there, frozen. For the first time, I was truly shaken. That call felt different. Her tone, her final words,they weren't just threats. She was serious.

What was Eunice trying to do? She knew I had an important business pitch today. Why was she choosing this exact moment to throw everything into chaos?

I pulled myself together and returned to the table.

"Mom, I need to go check on some files at the office," I said quickly.

"I'll come with you," Lizzy offered, standing up.

But I shook my head. "Please, you can join me later."

I needed space. I needed to clear my head.

As I walked out, one thought burned in my mind: This has gone on long enough. I need to end this drama once and for all.

Eunice will finally see that I'm a man who knows what he's doing. A smart man.