Chapter 28 Penny for your thoughts
Far away in Melbourne, Australia, in a luxury Villa, Cathy was in the garden sitting on the swing. She was surrounded by a sea of flowers. However, she didn’t enjoy them because her heart was somewhere else. Her eyes were puffy and red. She didn’t even hear her best friend, Mia, calling her name. Mia pinched her on her thigh, and then Cathy snapped back on her senses.
Mia smiled and said, “Penny for your thoughts, Cathy.” Cathy wiped her tears and looked at her friend. She smiled faintly and replied, “I didn’t see you coming, I was thinking about my marriage.” Mia was surprised to hear Cathy’s words because Cathy and Edwin’s marriage was so strong.
They started dating when they were still in high school, and they were inseparable. Her friends were not surprised when they got married. She looked at her and asked, “Is Edwin cheating on you?”
Cathy shook her head and replied, “No, it is my sister-in-law, Elizabeth. She acts like she is my love rival. On the day that we were supposed to visit you, my sister-in-law hurt her daughter. Then we had to cancel our trip. Again, last week, she hurt her five-year-old daughter and broke her arm.”
She took a sip of water and said, “After Sandy’s wedding, we went to Pastor Andrews for counseling. In the middle of the counseling, Elizabeth called my husband. He excused himself and walked outside to answer the call. When he came back, I asked him if it was his sister who was calling. He said it was his sister and we had to go back that night because his sister was waiting for us outside our house.”
Mia looked at her friend and asked, “He wanted you to drive back that night? Wasn’t he scared of hijackers and animals? I am so disappointed in Edwin, he wanted to put your life in danger because of her sister. Wasn’t Elizabeth at the hotel?”
Cathy replied, “Apparently, Elizabeth told her brother that she didn’t want to stay in the hotel. Also, she was expecting us to come back on the same day from my best friend’s wedding. I thanked Pastor Andrews, and I left him at the church. Luke told me that you went to the airport then I decided to leave him. I am tired of my husband for putting our family second all the time.”
Mia looked at her friend with worried eyes and asked, “What are you going to do, Cathy? Please don’t be impulsive. I know that you love each other whole heartedly.” Cathy said, “I love him so much and it hurts, but I am exhausted. I told him that I would send him divorce papers and I wasn’t joking. Also, I am scared that his sister will kill her daughter if I don’t leave her brother alone. My niece is innocent, and she is the most beautiful child I have ever seen.”
Mia had been married to the love of her life, Brad Shelton, for five years but they didn’t have a child yet. She was longing for a child. Since she was young, she wanted to have a big family. She was so sad to hear about Cathy’s niece and asked, “What is wrong with Elizabeth, why is she abusing her daughter?” Cathy told her the whole story. She was fuming and said, “I am so sad right now. I wish that little bunny is mine. Is she pretty?”
Cathy took her phone and replied, “My daughter, Lily, paled against Avery. Her beauty is unparalleled.” Mia didn’t believe her because Lily was very beautiful. She inherited genes from both of her parents. She showed Mia Avery’s photo. She smiled brightly and said, “Wow, she has a soul-stirring beauty. I haven’t seen anyone so beautiful. Her mother is shameless to abuse such a beauty.”
Cathy nodded her head and said, “She is heartless and jealous of her daughter.” Mia’s eyes lit up and asked, “I fell in love with this cute bunny. Do you think her father will allow us to adopt her?” Cathy looked at her friend with sympathy and replied, “Avery is the apple of her father’s eye. Also, she has a pretty nanny who looks after her. She is treating her like her daughter.”
Mia hugged her best friend and said, “Take your time, don’t rush things. You can stay with us as long as you like. It is a joy to have Lily with us.” Cathy smiled and replied, “Mia, if something happens to me, please raised Lily as your own daughter.” Mia was so shocked and said, “Don’t scare me, Cathy. Nothing is going to happen to you.” Then they walked back to the house hand in hand.
In the meantime, at the Martins residence, Edwin looked at his sister and asked, “Is it true that you didn’t love our mother? Did something happen between you?” Elizabeth laughed out loud and replied, “Big brother, don’t you see that your niece is trying to sow discord between us?”
Edwin looked at her coldly and replied, “She learnt from the best. Were you not doing the same when you were telling my nephew that my brother-in-law chased you away from your house? You will reap what you sow, Elizabeth. One day you will wish you had never treated your daughter so coldly, but it will be too late.”
Elizabeth smiled and replied, “That day will never come, big brother. I promise you that I will stop hurting her, but I will never forgive her for stealing my husband from me. August doesn’t even look at me anymore. We became strangers. It is clear to me that I don’t exist in his life. I hate your niece to the core.”
Edwin looked at her and said, “Mark my words Elizabeth; it will be too late to regret. I am going to the airport to see if I will not be able to get a flight to Australia or maybe they can put me on standby. I missed my family so much.” Then he walked to his car and drove to King Shaka International Airport.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
When he arrived at the airport, he was told that there was a cancellation, but it was a business class ticket. The flight was going to leave at 8 pm. Since Edwin was not short of money, he immediately bought the business class ticket. He didn’t linger at the airport because he was tired, he needed to rest.
Then he walked to the parking lot and sat on his car. He called his wife, but her phone was switched off. Fortunately, he had Mia’s phone number. He dialed her number. When it was connected, he said, “Hello Mia, are you well?” Mia replied, “Hello Edwin, all is well with us. Are you looking for Cathy?”
Edwin smiled when he heard Mia mention his wife’s name and replied, “Mia, I know that I was wrong for listening to my sister all the time. However, my life without my wife by my side is meaningless. Would you be so kind as to fetch me from the airport tomorrow? My flight is leaving tonight at 8 pm. Please keep this from Cathy, I want to surprise her.”
Mia was so happy for Cathy. She wanted their marriage to work because they loved each other so dearly. Also, her best friend was hurting. Mia promised to fetch him at the airport, and then they hung up. Edwin sent her the flight details. He couldn’t wait to embrace his lovely wife in his arms. Would his beloved wife trust his words?