Page 3 of Always Been You
For a while, I was certain I had achieved everything I could in life and was happy. I had a husband who I thought loved and adored me and my own firm in addition to working for my family. Ha! I should have known it was all too good to be true.
I can’t help but wonder if Derrick is still with her or if a bit or part of him still thinks of me. Does he love her enough to throw away all that we had? Did he ever love me?
My thoughts over the month make me feel so foolish. I can’t believe I missed the signs. He was always busy whenever I had free time and claimed I was the busy one. He kept talking on the phone late hours, claiming it was work and every single time I believed him. I’m supposed to be a human lie detector yet here I am.
My family and friends pointed it out but I made excuses time and time again for his absence during family dinners or gatherings.
My eyes flutter close as my thoughts keep swirling around in my mind. Continuous messages bring a stop to my internal and pathetic mulling. Stirring from the bed, I sit with my head relaxing on the headboard and pick up my phone. Scrolling, I realize I have messages from my parents and sisters. I decided to check the sister one first since they’ve tried reaching me several times.
I’ve ignored them for a while because my sisters are too nosy and it seems they won’t take my silence and one-line answers this time. The usual intervention, I guess. Seeing an incoming video call from my sister’s only page again, I sigh and decline it.
I move to sit and relax on the bed; after that, I check the group and as usual, there is an ongoing conversation.
Lauren: You better pick up the phone, Law, or I’m showing up at your door! Don’t test me…
Aria: Lau, back off. She needs time. Stop trying to be the bossy older sister.
My elder sister’s response makes me smirk. I am the second daughter of the in-famed Dua family. My family owns the largest market share in the textile industry globally and lately, we’ve dubbed into other industries. Growing up, our parents gave us the freedom to live and choose our careers and also made it clear we all had shares and positions in the company so we were required to do whatever we wanted with the information we had.You can delegate or do whatever; just know you are the future.My father had said to us.
I’m in charge of the Legal Department. My elder sister, Aria, studied nursing because she had an interest in the area, then went ahead to study design when she decided to take over the company after our grandfather’s death while Mom remains the chairwoman.
Aria is the C.E.O. of the company, and my twin, Lauren, who studied communications, is in the Head of Media Department. My youngest sister, Elisa on the other hand, is head of the International Department dealing with acquisitions abroad. Where my elder sister is the voice of reason, my youngest sister is the voice and life of the party. My siblings and I have always been close and it’s a love-hate relationship with us.
Elisa: Please tell me you’re not just lying around or crying, making that cheating asshole happy. Get up and hit a bar or something!
Lauren: YES! Elisa gets it. You’re stronger than this, Law! I’m supposed to be the dramatic one in the family.
Lawliss: Who said I’m crying?
Lauren: Finally, proof of life! We thought you went off the grid. Dead possible… Oh, by the way, your divorce is finalized. You’re officially a free woman!
Aria: Lauren! Seriously? That’s not how you break that news.
Lawliss: Wait—what?
Aria: Are you okay, Law?
Divorce? The word feels heavy, even though I thought I was prepared for it. I had left the draft alongside the evidence and assigned my assistant to speed up the process and I guess she did since I didn’t receive any hearing notice. She sure moved fast on this one.
Officially a free woman,Lauren says. But instead of freedom, all I feel is a dull ache—a reminder of everything I’ve lost. Not just Derrick, but the life I thought we were building together.
I should be relieved. Maybe even happy. But all I can think is, how the hell did I get here? Before my thoughts can take a turn for the worse, the sound of incest ringing brings me back. Sighing, I pick up the video call and position the phone on the bedside table as I stand from the bed to get ready for the day. I don’t even know what time it is now, but one thing I’m sure of is that my sisters will keep calling until they hear my voice.
“You look like shit!” Elisa exclaimed. I ignore her and walk to the vanity table to grab my toothbrush and toothpaste.
“No kidding, Sherlock,” Aria replied to her. I shake my head, toothbrush in hand, and saunter towards the sink to brush my teeth. The truth is, I don’t care about how I look right now. I just want to disappear or get my life back.
“What do you guys want? I know you didn’t call to talk about my appearance.” I carry the phone, placing it on the vanity before turning on the tap to brush my teeth.
“Are you ready to move on yet?” I open my mouth to answer, but of course, Lauren barrels on.
“Come home, Law. We miss you. It’s been what? A month? You’ve had your space, but maybe it’s time to face things head-on. Not the media, but… you know, put yourself back out there.”
“Or! You could put yourself out there right where you are. How’s the beach? Any hot guys yet?” Elisa interjected.
“Ignore them. You deserve a break. Take your time, Law. The company’s running fine. We’ve got everything under control.” Aria, the voice of reason says.
“What? You don’t need me anymore?” I tease, glancing at the screen to see their shocked faces before they all respond in unison, “No!”
