Chapter 63

Book:Chasing His Ex-wife Published:2024-6-4

Maryann studied the sitting room carefully and closely. She loved what she saw. The sitting room was tastefully furnished. The white walls and ash seats blended beautifully with the ash curtains, giving the room a standard and polished look. The golden chandelier spoke volumes of Nathan’s networth. The TV console was screaming wealthy and sophisticated yet moderate. Maryann smiled within as she studied the room. This was the exact kind of comfort she dreamt of and wanted for herself and her children. She couldn’t wait to lay her hand on that huge amount of money. Nathan watched her from the stairs. He slowly descended the stairs with his eyes fixated on her. She was still beautiful even after all these years. In fact, it was this beauty that attracted him to her in the first place although his late wife, Nelly’s mother, Alice Stratford was prettier.
When she saw him, she put up a flat and serious face.
“Good day, Mr. Nathan Stratford.”
Nathan said nothing for the next ten minutes. He was just looking at her with a thousand and one thoughts running through his mind. He wondered why she lied to him many years ago, told him their unborn child was dead, made away with his bank card and hid from him till that day. He thought hard and tried to answer these questions himself but the answers weren’t forthcoming.
“Maryann? Is this really you?” he finally asked. She laughed till tears came to her eyes.
“Nathan, yes. This is me. This is really Maryann.”
“Why? Why did you tell me the child was dead when he wasn’t? Why did this same child tell me that you are dead? What’s going on?”
“A lot is going on. This isn’t time to ask questions. You will find out everything in due time. This isn’t time for all those questions. They should be secondary…”
“Hell no! I demand answers and explanation. You should come clear to me. I’m sure you know what your son is asking from me. If you don’t, you can call him and he will tell you. I can even…” he ranted.
“Easy,” Maryann replied with a sinister smile on her face.
“You shouldn’t be yelling when you know what lies before you. In fact, it seems Ethan didn’t state clearly what he wants. Look at this well furnished house. Look around, do you see the golden chandelier, the TV console, the curtains, the dinning room, gosh! I want all. That’s the luxury I want. I’m supposed to be your wife for heaven’s sake!”
Nathan was taken aback. ‘Wife?’
“You were never supposed to be my wife, Maryann. I was married…”
“When you were climbing, rocking and drilling, did you know that?”
“Enough of this madness. What brings you here today if you haven’t come to tell me all that I need to know?”
“On this day, the seventeenth day of August, 2004. Rockland institute. Davidson Sullivan. Do you have anything to say about that?” Maryann asked with a cold face.
Nathan felt his strength and courage leave his body. Does this mean that Maryann was the person who sent those messages? Before he could express his thoughts aloud, she answered,
“Yes. I sent those messages. Now, I’ve come to meet you physically.”
“How? Meet me physically for what?” he asked trying to act ignorant but Maryann was not to be fooled.
“Should I go into details? I know everything that happened. I know how you made Davidson give up his possession and his life. I also know…”
“Stop!” Nathan whispered and covered her mouth. Maryann smiled within, she knew she was getting somewhere.
“But, how did you know so much?”
Maryann broke the news of her pregnancy to her friend in excitement.
“What’s he saying about it?” Grace asked.
“He’s happy. He wants me to be his mistress. I will finally have financial abundance and freedom!” Maryann declared excitedly.
“That is absolute nonsense. Why are you so excited about being his mistress? What if his wife finds out?” Grace asked.
“She won’t. We’ve hidden it for long, she won’t find out now. Besides, Nathan has promised to take care of everything.”
“Maryann, remember, you are just a maid. Do you know who his wife is? She’s the wife of Nathan Stratford of Stratford group. She’s the owner of Alice cosmetics and a lot of other businesses in the country. She’s no small woman. Have you thought of what will happen to you if she finds out you are have an affair with her husband? A maid in her house, sleeping with her husband? Do you even think she’ll let your child inherit any property from the father? No! She’ll term him an illegitimate child and your child will remain a second fiddle and a second class citizen for life!”
Maryann kept quiet for some time after listening to what her friend had to say. She realised how naive she was. Her son or daughter would never have a proper home. He or she will be the child of a mistress, an illegitimate child and will not easily get to have any inheritance even in the company. Bullying was common and that child will be laughed at and mocked for being illegitimate. Maryann suddenly understood what she had done and what she was about doing to her unborn child. She didn’t want to bring him into a cruel world.
“Yes, what you are saying is true. What do you suggest I do, dear friend?”
“Now you are talking. I want the best for you, so, I’ll tell you a secret for free. Are you listening?”
Maryann nodded eagerly.
“Yes, tell me please.”
“Go to him, tell him you don’t want to be his mistress. Tell him you want full rights. Tell him you want him to marry you!”
Maryann gasped.
“Huh? Marry me? What about his wife? He will not agree, she might harm me too.”
“Damn! Most times I wonder how you think. I know all of these. You have to go to him first, come clean and tell him what you want. His feedback will tell you what to do next. I’m solidly behind you. We must win this battle. Go right now!”