Chapter 8 – Feeling Free
After my grandparents left I pulled the duvet around my body and sighed.
—
Eleven years of my life and it was filled with one purpose to care for Gabriel and the kids.
Now that I’m out of that hellhole I don’t even know what else to do and if I’ll be able to do what is required of me.
I spent so much of my time doing one thing and now I don’t know what else to do. The door opened softly and my grandmother stepped inside with a warm smile.
“Dear, we noticed you were a little overwhelmed earlier so we left. I returned to ask when you’d like to be reintroduced to society,” my grandmother asked.
I frowned. Did I want to be reintroduced to society? The whole world would know me as The Berkeley Heiress.
Shaking my head I smiled, “Not yet, Grandma, I’m not ready for all the publicity. Besides, this thing with Gabriel is still fresh. I don’t want anyone digging up old news.”
My grandma nodded, “You don’t have to worry, Faye, anytime you’re ready we will handle the news. We own more than eighty percent of the news media and publishing houses.”
I smiled at her, “Thank you so much, Grandma.”
My grandma ruffled my hair, “Now don’t look so gloom. Smile.”
A small smile broke out on my cheeks. It’s been a while since anyone has told me to smile and be happy.
When she left, I picked up my phone and turned it on. I saw a series of missed calls, messages, and voicemails from Gabriel.
I played one of the voicemails and Gabriel’s furious voice filled my room.
“Where did you go, Faye? What man did you leave with? So you’re cheating on me?”
Scoffing, I played the next one.
“Come back home you slut! No wonder you’ve been acting up because you’ve got a side man. You have some serious explaining to do.”
The nerve of this guy to accuse me of cheating when he didn’t make any commitment whatsoever. I played the next one.
“Please come back, Faye, I’m so worried. I’m sorry I hurt you and let the kids bully you, I’ll do better. Come home so we can talk. I’ll get married to you immediately.”
I stared at my phone and smiled. A few years ago I would have jumped at his last statement.
I would have left this house and ran into his arms but not anymore. I’ve realized the hard way that Gabriel had been deceiving me all along.
I deleted all the voicemails and proceeded to delete his number when my phone rang.
It was Gabriel.
2/2
11.4%
15:53 Fri Jan 30
My fingers hovered over the answer button and finally I clicked it.
27
“Faye?” Gabriel’s loud voice screeched in my ears, “Are you alright, love? Where are you? I’m sorry I didn’t take you to the hospital immediately, Lily was in so much pain. I returned to take you but -”
“Shut up!” I hissed into the phone.
There was a quiet pause on the other end of the line but I knew he was still on call with me because I could hear his uneven breathing.
“W…what did you say t…to me?” Gabriel’s quiet voice finally came up.
I chuckled, “I said shut the fuck up, Gabriel, I didn’t ask for any explanation and I don’t wanna know.”
Gabriel sighed over the phone, “Faye, it’s Gabriel. Where are you? Did you hit your head? Did you lose so much blood?”
“I know who you are just like how I know that I will never have a place in your life so get off my phone and never call me again!”
“Faye, what -”
I hung up the phone and blocked him immediately. A small smile spread on my lips as I relished the feeling of liberation.
For years I’ve always done what Gabriel wanted. I’ve listened to him, taken care of the kids and swallowed insults from everyone but no more.
This time I’m choosing to rise above it all and show them exactly what they missed out on.
My eyes gleamed with mischief and satisfaction as I stood up from the bed.
I swayed slightly so I held the wall to balance myself. Then I left my room and went to find my grandparents.
They were surprised to see me out of my room.
“You shouldn’t be out of bed, Faye,” my grandfather said.
“Yes, you’re just recovering you could hurt your shoulders or rip your stitches,” my grandmother added.
I chuckled, “Calm down, guys, I just came to tell you that I’ve changed my mind. How quickly can I be introduced into society as The Berkeley Heiress?”
3/2
