Chapter 4 Chapter 4
I checked into a small, cheap motel on the edge of the city. The appearance wasn't really nice, but it was better than going back to that house. I sat on the edge of the hard bed, staring at my phone. Notifications kept coming in. Hundreds of them actually. I scrolled through some, even though I knew it would hurt.
“Gold digger whore.”
“Disgusting. Fucking an old man while married?”
“Poor Bennett! Divorce her immediately!”
My cheek still hurt from where Bennett hit me. I looked in the cracked bathroom mirror and pressed a cold towel to it. The red mark was turning into a bruise. I wanted to cry again, but I was tired of tears. Instead, I took a long shower, letting the hot water run over my body until it went cold.
I changed into clean clothes and lay on the bed, trying to figure out my next step. My father had called three times already. I couldn’t bring myself to answer. What would I say? “Sorry, Dad. I slept with your best friend”?
A loud knock on the motel door made me flinch. I peeked through the curtain. It was Lira. Her face was twisted with anger. How did she even find me? I opened the door slowly, letting the worse happen.
“What do you want, Lira?” I asked, keeping my voice steady even though my heart was racing heavily.
She pushed past me into the small room without asking. “You really did it, didn’t you? Slept with my dad? My own father, Diva! After everything?”
I closed the door and turned to face her. “Your dad? I didn’t know it was him that night. The power was out and the storm was terrible. I was hurting because I saw you and… Bennett together.”
Lira laughed loudly, but it sounded really crazy. “Oh please. You expect me to believe that? I’ve seen the way he looks at you for years. Staring when you came over. Always asking about you. And now you give him the welcome gift he’s always wanted? Thank you so much for fucking my father! Bitch.”
Her words hit hard. I stepped closer, anger forming. The word welcome gift made me remember he has been away since I married Bennett.
“Welcome gift? You stole my husband! I trusted you. I told you all my problems, cried on your shoulder, and you were sleeping with Bennett behind my back. Mocking me for not being able to have a baby.”
She crossed her arms, eyes flashing in an annoying manner. “Bennett needed a real woman. Not someone desperate and boring like you. And now look at you… ruined. The whole internet is laughing at the age gap. Daddy’s little secret finally came true.”
I felt my face get hot. “Don’t call him that. I didn’t plan any of this. I was running from the pain you both caused me. The thunderstorm trapped me there. But you... you chose to betray me.”
Lira got in my face, her voice rising. “You think you’re the victim? I saw how you dressed around him sometimes. Flirting without even knowing it. Now you’re going to be my stepmother? Disgusting. I hope the shame eats you alive.”
“Stepmother?” I almost laughed through the pain. “I’m not marrying anyone. I just want to be left alone.”
We stood there yelling at each other for what felt like forever. She called me names. I reminded her of all the times I supported her, helped her through her own problems. The heated words filled the tiny motel room until my throat hurt. Finally, she headed for the door.
“This isn’t over, Diva,” she said, turning back. “I’m going home to thank my father properly for his welcome gift. Just know You’ve ruined everything.”
She slammed the door behind her. I sank onto the bed, shaking. The argument left me drained. I wondered what she would say to him. Part of me wanted to know. Another part never wanted to see either of them again….. including Bennett.
Lira drove straight to her father’s mansion. She burst through the front door yelling at the top of her voice.
“Daddy! Where are you?” she shouted, “Thank you for the perfect welcome gift! You finally got what you wanted, huh? Diva Thompson in your bed. My best friend!”
Mendez was in his study. He stepped out, looking calm but with something dark in his eyes. “Lira, lower your voice.”
“No!” she yelled even louder. “I’ve watched you stare at her for years. You distanced yourself when she married Bennett, but you never stopped wanting her. And now? After almost 3 years away, you come back to this? You slept with her the same night I was with Bennett. Just wow!! Perfect timing!”
He didn’t raise his voice. He actually never did as long as it was Lira
“What happened between Diva and me is not your business. You betrayed your friend. Don’t come here acting innocent.”
Lira laughed bitterly. “Betrayed her? She betrayed all of us by spreading her legs for you. The photos are everywhere. Congratulations, Dad. You destroyed her marriage publicly.. made people drag Bennet and me along side because she is my best friend abd you are my dad!!. Happy now?”
Their voices carried through the entire house. Servants probably heard everything. Lira kept going, throwing accusations, crying real tears mixed with anger. She talked about how she felt replaced, how the age gap made her sick, and how her friends kept talking about her father's shamelessness.
Mendez finally cut her off. “Enough. Go to your room or leave. I won’t discuss Diva with you like this.”
Lira stormed out, still muttering about the scandal.
DIVA'S POV
I was trying to eat some cheap food I ordered when another knock came. This time it was a delivery guy. He handed me a thick envelope.
“From Mr. Bennett Thompson,” he said, looking uncomfortable. “He said to sign for it.”
I took the papers with trembling hands. Divorce papers…. Already. He had moved on fast…. Pathetic.
I sat at the small table and read through them. He wanted everything back… the house, most of our savings, even some things that were gifts to me. At the bottom, there was a note in his handwriting.
“Sign them. The world already knows what you are. I’ll be on TV tomorrow making it official. Don’t fight this, Diva. You lost.”
I cried quietly while reading it. Three years of my life reduced to these pages. I thought about our wedding day, the hopes I had, the children I dreamed of. They are… All gone!.
I didn’t sign them yet. I put the papers aside and lay down, staring at the ceiling. My mind went back to the motel argument with Lira, then to what she might be saying to her father right now. Then thinking of her father made my mind drift back but I shifted quickly.
My phone rang again. This time it was my father, Mr Marcus. I answered with a weak voice.
“Diva, what is this I’m seeing online?” he asked, sounding disappointed and angry. “My daughter with Mendez? My best friend? Have you lost your mind?”
“Dad, it’s complicated. Bennett cheated first. With Lira.”
He sighed heavily. “Still... Mendez? People are talking. This shame on the family. I need time to process this.”
“ Dad I didn't know he was the one trust…”
“ Trust you ? Diva everyone is speaking about this!! Your husband met me at the office, insulting me because of you!! You think this is a small issue ?”
“ But dad…”
“ Find a way to fix this Diva. While I speak with Marcus personally.”
The call ended shortly after. Tears filled my eyes knowing i’d disappointed my dad.
I spent the rest of the day in that motel room, dragging myself through memories. I remembered cooking special dinners for Bennett that he ignored. Laughing with Lira at coffee shops, telling her my secrets. Visiting Mendez’s house and feeling his eyes on me sometimes, but never thinking much of it. Now everything was connected in the worst way.
Evening came. I stepped outside the motel for fresh air. My bruised cheek still stung, I thought about the future. No home.
.. No husband…. No best friend…. I had absolutely nothing to call my own now.
I went back inside, lay on the bed, and pulled the covers over my head. Tomorrow Bennett would go on live television. The scandal would grow bigger. Lira would keep causing trouble.
I whispered to the empty room, “I just wanted love. Was that too much to ask?”
MENDEZ’S POV
I sat in my study staring at a pic of Diva on my phone.
I have to find a way to settle all this and save her image as well.
Just then a call came in.
“ Sir Mr Marcus is here to see you… he looks rather furious sir.”
“ Show him in.” I said calmly.
In no time Marcus was right Infront of me. We stared for minutes without speaking till he finally broke the silence.
“ Why my daughter?” He said trying to comport himself.
“ I don't think I have to explain myself Marcus. If this is why you came here I'll suggest you leave.” I said sipping from my glass.
“ Our fight is between us Mendez but instead you involved your loose daughter to go after my son in-law and now.. you distroy my daughter's life in a blink of an eye.. I thought you saw her as your own daught..”
“ I never saw Diva as my daughter and you know that Marcus or maybe you were way too daft to understand. I'll appreciate you leave my mansion else I'll call the security. And Diva… I have a way to save her from all of this, so you need not worry. My next move is gonna be a mind blowing one.”
