Chapter 3

The news instilled fear in Leonica as much as it did hope. A baby was currently living inside her, serving as proof of the nights she and her husband made love together. Proof of how strong she and Gabriel's bond was about to become. Would Gabriel cancel his demand for divorce if he learned of his child growing in her womb? "I...I need to let him know." Leonica muttered under her breath, looking around for her phone. She quickly found it on the nightstand and with a smile on her lips, she dialed Gabriel's number and pressed the phone to her ears, listening to the line ring. It rang unanswered for seconds. Seconds soon turned into minutes and several more tries, but her efforts were futile. Gabriel didn't pick up. Well, how would he even have the heart to pay attention to her when his past love returned? Her smile turned bitterly as the tips of her fingers clutching her cell phone started to shiver. "Enough, Leonica," Benjamin sighed deeply and took away the phone from her daughter's hands after exchanging a look with his wife. "He might just be busy, Dad." Leonica forced a smile trying to explain. She knew her parents never looked favorably on the marriage. "Leonica my honey," Cassandra began as she held her daughter's hands. "Does Gabriel treat you this way, all the time?" "Treat me what way?" Leonica asked, not understanding the underlying meaning of the question. "Today was his grandmother's funeral, correct? Gabriel was at least meant to be with you, but the one who had brought you into the hospital after you passed out was a total stranger. What happened?" Benjamin asked with a serious look. Leonica sighed. She didn't know how to tell them that Gabriel had demanded for a divorce. From the go, they never liked the fact that she had sacrificed so much just for the sake of marrying him. In order not to worry them, she had kept many of their arguments secret, from both her parents and his Late grandmother. However, being loved or not could always be found from the smallest details. Her silence was enough to answer for her wise parents. They both sighed and Cassandra shook her head before helping Leonica back to the bed, "Darling, I'm glad you're alright, and I'm also glad that you're expecting a baby. But, this marriage of yours, you should think about it very well." "If it was not for Ms. Bryce's proposal and that you liked him so much, we wouldn't have even acknowledged Gabriel Bryce as our son-in-law," Benjamin scoffed. Leonica's heart clenched and her mother added, "Darling, three years is enough to see into a man's heart. You're so smart not to understand that. Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about the child in your womb." Benjamin nodded, "If Gabriel has behaved this badly since the start, then I'm sure he isn't a good husband to you and I doubt he'd be a good father to that child. Divorce him and come back home. We're capable of helping you raise this child well." Benjamin held his daughter’s shoulder to face his gaze and reminded her, "Leonica my dear, remember you're the daughter of the Romero family. We're not less powerful than his." Cassandra nodded her head in agreement, "Divorce him, Leonica. I'm sure you deserve someone better. And your baby." Looking at her parents' keen concern, to say Leonica was not moved would be an understatement. She didn't expect that so many people would ask her to give up her marriage in one day, all of whom were closest to her. Had she really made the wrong choice in the first place? She lowered her head and saw her bracelet, a wedding anniversary gift from Grandma. Gabriel almost forgot it every year but Grandma always remembered. It felt like Grandma was the only supporter of this marriage. Sometimes, even Leonica had no idea why Grandma had so much faith in her. If Grandma were around today, would she have advised her to get a divorce too? Leonica thought sourly but quickly dismissed the thought. No, Grandma would have been happy. Grandma had been looking forward to this great-grandson for a long time. And Ragriel didn't know that he was going to be a father yet. Maybe he'd change his mind? Tears blurred her eyes, and Leonica had made her decision. For Grandma, for the baby, and herself. "No. I can't." She muttered, shaking her head. "Leonica," Her mother began. "Please Mom, " She interrupted her with pleading eyes. "Let me try again. Just one last time." Her parents looked at her, seeing the determination and determination that swirled in her eyes. Sighing, they nodded and respected her decision. A few hours later, she was discharged from the hospital with strict instructions to avoid stress and stern lecturing from her parents to take care of both herself and the baby. Soon after, she arrived home and eagerly rushed into the house, wanting to tell Gabriel about the baby. However, just as she stepped inside, her heart clenched and her face paled upon seeing a pair of red heels and a Green Gucci bag beside Gabriel's shoes. Her heart ached once more while she tried to tell herself that there was no way Gabriel would do something like bringing another woman into their matrimonial house which had been a gift from his beloved late grandmother. There was no way he would break the promise he had made to his grandmother, right? 'But then again...' Leonica's thoughts trailed off as she recalled Gabriel breaking the promise he had made to his grandmother by contacting Angelina. Just the thought of that alone somewhat angered her and this time, she would not stand by and watch the blessed house she cherished be tainted by the likes of a third party! Clenching her teeth, anger cursing through her veins, Leonica furiously ascended the stairs, rushing to their bedroom. When she got there and furiously slammed their bedroom door open without so much as a knock, her entire body froze up and her eyes grew wide when she spotted a brunette sitting on the edge of their bed with damp hair and a bathroom towel wrapped around her body. The person sitting on her matrimonial bed, currently looking at her with the most innocent look in her eyes, was none other than Gabriel's past lover. Angelina Fernandez. The one person she hated. Her worst nightmare!