Chapter 8

Serena’s POV “Catherine.” My heart ached and beat with anger as soon as her name escaped my lips. I won’t call her if I don’t need her. I don’t even wanna think about her because she makes me miserable but I need her. I need her so I can finally get what I want. [Who is this?] I clenched my jaws. “Serena Anson. Tyler’s wife. Meet me tonight. I’ll send you the location.” She fell into a deafening silence. I guess she was too shocked to process that I called her today. Guess what? I’m also shocked because I can talk to her calmly despite the situation. I can talk to her calmly even when I’m full of hatred and pain. [W-Why do you want to see me?] I rested my left hand on the steering wheel of my car. I don’t have time for dramas or such. I want my freedom and I know I could use Catherine to make Tyler agree to what I want. They’ve been hiding the truth from me and I don’t really like it. My patience has worn out. “I’m expecting you to come, Catherine. It would be your loss if you didn’t.” I ended the call right after I spilled those words. I sighed and buried my face on the steering wheel as I squeezed my eyes closed and bit my bottom lip. If I had to manipulate them so things would go the way I wanted, I would do it without thinking twice. I rented a private room in a luxury restaurant. Catherine came 20 minutes after I came and she was looking at me with a fierce expression on her face. I guess my words earlier triggered that side of her but I don’t care. Crossing my legs, I watched her sit in front of me. I don’t wanna act like everything’s good between us. I can’t even stay here long and see the face of the woman my husband chose over his family. “I’ll ask you straight, Catherine. Woman to woman. Mother to mother. What is my husband’s relationship with your son?” She stared at me as if she was expecting me to ask the exact questions. I don’t know but the expression on her face felt like insulting me. Slowly, she gave me an innocent smile, making me clench my jaws in irritation. “You wasted money for the reservation to ask that when you can directly ask your husband about Andy.” I let out a mocking laugh and shook my head before I bore my eyes at her again. “Money is not a problem to me, Catherine. What I want is your answer. Why don’t you bargain with me?” Her forehead creased. “You can’t make me do something that will eventually hurt my son, Serena. I must’ve begged you to save my son’s future but you can’t use your authority to your advantage.” I chuckled without humor. “I’m impressed that you know my name. Did my husband mention everything about me?” She looked offended. She grabbed her bag and looked at me. “I should go.” “Why don’t you convince Tyler to agree to the divorce.” She was taken aback. Her plans to leave got delayed as she looked at me with confusion. I lifted my chin and met her eyes. She didn’t know that Tyler was refusing to divorce me? Or did Tyler make her believe otherwise to make me look like the desperate and martyr wife here? I took a deep sigh as my expression hardened. My eyes were coldly staring at her face as I spoke again, “You don’t want your child to remain an illegitimate child, right? Convince Tyler and you’ll get all the benefits.” She gritted her teeth as her eyes sharpened. “Tyler never treated Andy as an illegitimate son. He cares for him more than anyone and he never misses a day without asking Andy’s condition. No matter how busy he was, he would always spend time with Andy. He never neglected us so I don’t need the benefits you’re saying.” I balled my fists on the table. Tyler can do that. Tyler can be flexible when it comes to his hidden child but he rarely goes home to see his daughter. When was the time he sent Millie to bed? When was the last time he went home carrying something for our daughter? I don’t know. I don’t remember. There were even times that Millie would cry to sleep waiting for her father because he failed to fulfill his promise of coming home early and everything was witnessed by Maria. Now, hearing that from Catherine pierced my heart. I now realize the time will come when he’d completely forget about Millie for his other child and it tortures me inside. My anger just intensified and my will to end this craziness has intensified too. Hatred is eating me alive. I even felt like it was swallowing my sanity and that I’d lose it anytime now. I won’t even be shocked if I suddenly slap Catherine right now just so I can release the burdening hatred in my heart. Is this Tyler’s revenge? Is he doing this purposely? Hurting me and his daughter so he can get back at me for what happened in the past? To make me suffer and make me feel hell just because he believed that I framed him up into having one one-night stand with me? If yes, then he’s immature and evil. He’s ruthless and heartless. If he can hurt my daughter just because of his selfish reasons, then I will force him to free me. I don’t care if I’d be called selfish or heartless but I will not think twice of using his son against him. Andy will be my ace against him. I will use him to my advantage. I don’t care if I hurt someone in the process of seeking freedom as long as my daughter will be saved from great pain in the end. This marriage is like a dead-end street anyway. “I’m gonna call Tyler now to tell him about what you’re doing.” Catherine fished out her phone and was about to dial Tyler’s number when my phone, on the table, rang and Tyler’s name was registered on the screen. Catherine’s lips parted as she stared at the screen of my phone. I stared at Catherine and let the call end. She gasped and looked at me after the call ended. She looked really annoyed and insulted when my phone rang again. My gaze landed on the screen of my phone. I guess he found out. Slowly, I picked up my phone and answered it while staring back into Catherine’s eyes. [Serena! Where is my daughter?] His daughter? I see he still has the guts to call her his daughter when he’s slowly abandoning her. The corner of my lips rose into an evil smirk. “I’m with Catherine.” Catherine looked at me with a worried expression on her face. She looked like she wanted to steal my phone but that would make her desperate. I heard him let out a curse followed by a series of silence. I heard him sighing from the other line as if restraining himself and it made me clench my jaws. [Come home. We’ll talk here, Serena.] I laughed sarcastically and glanced at my wristwatch. “You’re home. You seemed early tonight? Why don’t you ask Maria to prepare your dinner—Oh wait…Maria’s not there anymore.” [Come fcking home, Serena! I’m warning you!] “I’m still talking to Catherine. Since you don’t want to agree to the divorce, I’ll convince her to convince you. Maybe she can.” He fell into a deafening silence again. I can hear his heavy breathing and I can imagine him now looking so angry with a reddish neck, clenched jaws, a dark expression on his face, and cold eyes. I don’t care though. [Come home and let’s talk about this. This is my last warning, Serena. Come home or I’ll make sure you’ll regret it.]