Lisa's point of view

They say love is sweet when the feeling in-between is mutual, but for me, mine was nowhere near mutual but a daily constant struggle- a life where my emotions don't count, a life where choice isn't an option.

I walked into my room with my bag on my arm and a white envelope resting on the bed. I paused, then took a step closer, divorce boldly written on the front page.

"Lisa, I'm done with this thing called marriage! I'm getting a divorce! And it's official, so park your things and leave my life for good!"

Frozen! My eyes widened in shock; my breath hitched as I tried to swallow the lump that formed in my throat-my heart thudding in my chest.

"This can't be!" I muttered as the bitter sting of disappointment hit me. Slowly, I sank into the recliner, staring at the envelope- the tears from my eyes fell freely, ruining my face without pity.

I could remember the death of my parents. During this period, I felt a precious part of me taken, but a glimpse of hope washed over me when I was shoved to live with my grandparents- The De Villa dels- the family I was born into.

Growing up, I lived as a young lady with my sister, Ella. We were the only survivors of my parents. She was a lawyer working overseas while I lived with my grandparents, cousins, and the entire De Villa del's family.

"I remember that very faithful day when we walked through the isle; he confessed his love for me. Our kisses could attest to this even if I was forced to forsake my only true lover - Benson, to be with Frank because of his affluence and, most importantly, what the De Villa del's company-my family stand to gain from his." Being an orphan, I needed to obey their every word to remain one of the family members even if I knew my place well." I watched him reject my cousin Bella just to be with me, and now this."

"Gosh!" I yelled, whimpering like a wounded lion, my feet angrily pacing to and fro around my room, breath coming out in short gasps.

I swallowed hard, and my other hand quickly reached for my phone. My sister, Ella, is the only soul I could freely talk to. My feet were cold, and my tongue felt thick, and the imposing surroundings made me smaller and smaller.

"Hi sis, long time," She greeted.

"Benson wants a divorce!" I let out.

"Then leave!" She snapped, and my heart skipped a bit.

Leave that monster; he doesn't deserve you." She pressed, her voice cold and musty.

"You saw how he rejected our cousin-Bella, just to be with you, how you were forced to accept his proposal and learn to cope with the marriage, because of this same singular act, you and Bella are in squabbles."

I cut in immediately.

"But you know Grandpa and the rest of the De Villa dels need this alliance for the company." I sneered.

"See Sis, return home to our grandparents, leave that marriage." She protested, her voice back with confidence.

I try to speak, but she cuts in immediately, rooting in her words.

"De Villa dels are waiting to receive you. They would understand how cruel and domineering Frank is. You should put yourself together. I will be back by tomorrow."

"Can I at least go see him and talk things through?"

I sob.

"But you must promise me that you will leave him and not stay an extra day in that house."

I nodded in agreement, a fresh air of relief washing over me.

"I missed grandma's pastries, you know how she never misses winning us over with them while growing up."

I smiled, and a weak smile found its way to my cheek.

I've always known my sister as the bubbly type who has loved to wear a smile since childhood, but not even a bit of that changed. She's still the same; not even her voice has changed.

"I hung up the call. Finally, I head to the family house ready for whatever comes out. I stormed into the dressing room, dragging all my necessities into my bag, for all of my belongings I threw in, my heart welled up as tears trickled down my chin. Like a hammer, it hit me that I was leaving the mansion I once called home. My life, which was once a life of great affluence and respect, was already crumbling in my very own eyes. Considering the fact that I was the wife to the popular Don Frank of the Marvins, my cheek burns in disgrace, drowning me in a pool of shame I doubt I would ever recover from."

I held my bag firmly, casting my very last glance at the imposing surroundings. I swallowed hard, wiping my face with my handkerchief. I'm heading to see Frank. I caress my stomach as I hop into the taxi-his seed in me the only reason I'm going to see him.

With shaky steps, I entered his office. His eyes, unphased, focused on the papers before him. I sobbed to get his attention, but he still wouldn't spare me a glance.

I exhaled deeply; the silence was defeating.

"I'm pregnant with your child!" I said lightly.

He raised his head, his face sunken disgust evident in bold prints.

"Get the hail out of my office, with that thing...that bastard!. He says coldly.

"You think you can manipulate me! Huh! You lie. Go look for the father of that bastard in your womb!"

I melted, my heart like a knife plunged into my side. Holding my stinging cheek, I say to him, my hands clenching in the air.

"Read my lips, I will make you pay! For every pain you've caused me , you will regret it, for forsaking our child and our union you will pay!" I said boldly.

Just then, a lady walks in, her gown short and tight. She found her way to his lap. A smirk curls at the corner of her lips as he pulls her closer to his arms.

I bit my lips.

"His C. E. O...!" I muttered, my eyes flickering wide as I watched with disgust.

"So your CEO, Stephanie, has been the whore all this while, she's been the cheap mistress that stole your heart, right?."I asked as the realization hit me that my instincts were right all this time.

I sucked my teeth, Stephanie smacked, a wicked grin playing across her face. I sighed before turning to leave, but home was next for me.

I walked into the family mansion with my luggage in my hand. Bella was the first person I met.

"See who dropped by," she mocked.

"You snatched my husband away from me only to get kicked out!.. Pathetic loser." She smirked.

I swallowed hard, ignoring my cousin.

Softly, I yanked the door open, all eyes fixed on me, disappointment laced their faces as they stared, irritated by my presence.

They heard the news already. It's official.

I looked around, their faces stern and brooding.

Finally, my grandpa opens his mouth to talk.

"Shame! Reproach and Ridicule is what you've brought home." He spat.

My grandma adjusts herself in the seat. Both grandparents were in their early 60s, and their children were all grown-ups scattered around the sitting room.

"You disgust me! How could you ruin our chances? I felt relieved when Don Frank proposed to you. At least, I knew we would still get what we wanted from our alliance with his company. Hope you know that Bella would have been his, but you stepped in and ruined it!"

I watched my grandma speak with extreme anger, her voice ice-cold.

"You see... karma they say it's real, hope this serves you right." Bella chuckled, then continued.

"From one who parades herself as a wife to a billionaire to a miserable loser!"

My face fell, waiting for the ground to open and swallow me.

"How can my husband and family reject me simultaneously?" I muttered, my eyes rolling around the sitting room to see if anyone would stand by me at least, even if it were just a

soul."

"So no one wants to at least hear me out."

I finally let out; the silence in the room was extremely palpable.

"I'm here for you Lisa. I knew you would come back."

A tiny voice said behind me.