Chapter 33
Chapter 33 Chapter Thirty Three
With a sigh of resignation, I boarded another taxi and headed for the Torres man-
sion. I knew it was where Grandma Doris would be. The mansion was more her
own than Rose’s.
But since Grandma Doris was barely around, her vivacious nature would not al- low her stay stuck
in a ce; she didn’t allow her age or responsibilities to cl*p
her wings, the mansion was solely left in Rose’s care since Mark didn’t stay at the mansion, leaving
Rose the opportunity to wad around the ce bullying andmanding others – her best traits.
As I entered thepound of the Torres mansion, right in the garage of the
mansion was the car I left at Milli bar yesterday. It was probably driven over by
Mark. Good, then I can just go with it when I’m leaving here.
My mind was still upied with the prospect of seeing Grandma and what she
might have to say when I was pulled out of my thoughts by Grandma’s shrill
voice.
“Sydney!” Her voice might be weak but her b*dy definitely wasn’t. I watched, a
mixture of happiness and admiration coursing through me, as Doris leapt out of
the entrance of the mansion and ran towards me, her arms outstretched. Fir an
old woman she sure was physically fit.
Mark emerged behind her, his face looked gloomy and his hands were dipped
in his pocket as he nodded at my presence. Rose was by her side, her usual
scowl on disy and she directed a sneer my way.
I met Doris halfway and she pulled me into a tight hug, “My daughter inw,”
she murmured softly and endearingly. “My God, I’ve missed you.”
I closed my eyes and let her warmth seep into me. I sighed contentedly. Since I
found my parents and got introduced to both worlds, Grandma Doris was the on-
ly one who had shown me something akin to love – a motherly love.
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“I miss you too,” I whispered and allowed my arm to go around her small frame and hug her back.
“Long time no see, Grandma,” I said when we pulled apart. My eyes skimmed her face and I could
tell how happy she was, her face held that tanned glow and she looked even learned and
experienced than she did when she left. “I almost thought you were nevering back again.”
Her b*dy shook as she chuckled at my words. “Trust me, Sydney, it was tempt- ing but if I didn’t,
who would look after my grandson that has refused to grow?”
I giggled. “I know, right? It would be sad if he went astray because his Grandma
wasn’t around.”
Much to Rose’s disdain, Doris and I burst outughing. From my peripheral vi- sion, I saw her roll
her eyes then she turned on her heels and strutted back in- side. It was ring that she didn’t like
the rtionship between Doris and I
more than she liked the one I was in with her son.
“Come on, let’s go in,” she gave me a pat on my forearm and I followed her in. I made sure to show
Mark my displeasure with a re as I passed by him. I
could feel the bleak heat emanating off him as he silently walked behind us.
“Gosh, you look tired,” Grandmamented when we took our seats in the
grand living room. She smiled at the servants and ordered them to bring us or- ange juice. Then she
turned to me, “Tell me, did anyone try to mistreat you while
I was gone? Who is it? Tell me so I can teach them a lesson they’d never for- get.” Her tone
sounded light and humorous but the expression on her face said. otherwise; it was a no–nonsense
expression that looked like she would actually get in a fight if she had to.
Well, where do I start from? There’s Mark, for one. There’s Doris, Joel and San-
dra. There’s Be. Just to mention a few. It would give me intense joy to see her deal with them and
make them regret what they did to me and Grace.
But instead of listing those names for her and going ahead to weep at her feet how they’ve all been
wicked to me, I simply smiled at the gnawing concern in her eyes. “Grandma, I’m fine.”
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She turned her gaze to Mark who sat opposite from her, one leg regally
propped on the other. Rose was perched beside him, a permanent scowl on her
face. She red at him, “Are you sure?”
I giggled, “I’m sure, Doris. One mention of your name and they always retreat.”
She seemed to be struggling to drag her re away from Mark. Then she mut-
tered, “As they should.”
One of the servants arrived with three boxes of wine in a tray, another ced
ss stools before each of us and then we were all served orange juice.
The silence in the room stretched as Doris sipped her wine. She lowered her vip and nced at
each of us. “Come on, don’t just watch me drink,” she ges- tured at our sses, “Drink to your fill.”
Reluctantly, each of us picked up our sses and drank.
I could tell from the tense air in the room the one Doris was trying to clear away – she was going to
talk about the divorce and she wouldn’t just talk about
it, she would try to stop me from divorcing her grandson.
I highly respect Doris but I couldn’t just agree. I couldn’t give up all my efforts to end this and just
agree to stay with Mark. I couldn’t keep hurting myself and living this life anymore. Every time I saw
either Mark or Be, all that I could think of was both of them entwined in bed, butt n*ked. How
could I continue to pretend like nothing had happened? How could he continue to act like it was
okay?
Since we all seemed to be hesitating,I decided to bring up the topic. I dropped my half emptied
ss of orange juice on the stool and faced Grandma, “Grand- ma, I want to divorce Mark.” And
there, it was out. Grandma was frozen for a nanosecond before she pulled herself together. “I was
the one who proposed it,” I continued, “I don’t think it’s unknown knowledge that I am not happy in
this marriage.” I passed her a pleading eye, “I hope you can support my decision.”
“I don’t want a divorce,” Mark’s voice sounded, almost interrupting me. His face still held that bleak
expression as she red at me.
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Rose snapped her gaze to her son, highly displeased by his utterance. “Mark, stop talking
nonsense.” She told him, “If you divorce Sydney, I will introduce you to someone better, a much
better girl from a better family. I’ve promised you.”
“Mom, please,” Mark bit out harshly at his mom without even sparing her a nce. Rose stared
opened m*uthed at her son,
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
Shock and anger written all over her face.
Doris looked at the both of them and slightly shook his head, the expression on her face was a
telltale of her disappointment. She turned to me, her eyes as- sessing me like she was trying to
communicate her mind without actually speak- ing. Finally, she spoke up, “It must be my grandson’s
fault.”
“Grandma, I know you and Mark have made an agreement about the inheri- tance of shares.”
Grandma looked quite stunned at my revtion and I nodded, “Yes, Grandma, I know about the
whole thing.” Maybe not the whole thing but atleast, I had an inkling of what was going on. I tried to
keep my voice steady, “I
appreciate it but I don’t want to be tied to the inheritance of shares. So even
when we divorce, there is no need to punish him,” I threw a brief nce in
Mark’s way before facing Grandma again, “He may not be a good husband,” I
shrugged subtly, “At least to me, but he is a good heir.”
I
Doris‘ eyes lit up in surprise and I could feel Mark’s gaze on me. They both obvi-
ously didn’t expect me to speak well of the man I so desperately wanted out of
my life but it was the truth. If Mark remained Grandma Doris‘ heir, then she would, one day, die a
happy death, knowing that thepany was in good
hands.
She looked at me then her gaze switched to Mark with an unfathomable expres- sion. She then held
my gaze. “Sydney dear, can we speak privately?”
I stared back at her and I knew that there would be lots of convincing and plead- ing and I would
have to firmly stand my ground if I intend to really go on with
the divorce.
“Sure,” I answered, my voice definite as I made my intent clear. “But I would not change my
decision no matter what.”
Chapter 33 Chapter Thirty Three
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