Inside the Rivera Household.
Mrs Evelyn Rivera stood at the entrance of her house on a sunny afternoon with a smile on her face. She was expecting her guests any moment from now.
Her daughter April had informed her of her future husband’s coming with his family. Everything had been set to host the esteemed guests and all that was left was for them to make an appearance.
When a horn blared outside the gates and she saw the fleet of three cars drive into the compound, she was the happiest woman alive. With June permanently gone, everything was finally falling into place.
“Mother!” April’s excited voice made her smile grow wider.
April stepped out of the car and broke into a mini-sprint, engulfing her mother in a sweet hug. “Oh goodness! Easy my child, you are pregnant! You should be more careful so you don’t hurt yourself.” Mrs. Evelyn Rivera nagged as she embraced her daughter.
Ethan and his mother, Olivia Lontoc also stepped out of the vehicles with a smile on their faces and some servants behind them.
“Take out the materials and present them to our in-law.” Mrs. Lontoc ordered and soon, the boots were opened and the grand provision was brought out and presented before Evelyn Rivera who was all smiles.
“Welcome, Mrs. Lontoc. I hope you had a pleasant journey here.” She said in the sweetest voice, and to Ethan, she said, “Please, come in.”
Soon enough, the two families were seated in the living room, well-fed and relaxing as they discussed the reason for their visit.
Mrs. Olivia spoke first, “Thank you for the beautiful meal. I must say that the Rivera Family do know how to host their guests to a good meal.”
Buttered up, Mrs Evelyn smiled as she said. “Only the best treatment for the best people.” A brief pause. “I reckon my embarrassment of a daughter might not possess the skills to properly prepare meals so I took it upon myself to correct the terrible impression she must have created.”
“You have outdone yourself, Mrs. Rivera. Besides, I never let her cook in my house, now that you speak of it, I am glad she never did. The last thing I need is for my son to go down with food poisoning!” Mrs. Olivia said in a sneer and they shared a laugh.
Meanwhile, April and Ethan were coupled together by the couch, closely whispering to themselves and sharing secret smiles. The sight of them brought joy to the heart of Mrs. Rivera which prompted her to speak,
“I see that your son and my daughter have gotten close.” She said with raised eyebrows and April blushed profusely.
“Yes, and because of that we have come to see how to go about things.” Ethan’s mother took charge. “I do not know if you have been informed but June was divorced by my son three days ago.”
Mrs. Rivera nodded. “I see.”
“We have come to officially notify the Rivera family because we understand that this might have come as a shock to you but I assure you, my son had a valid reason for his actions.”
Mrs. Rivera sat up straight, “I understand that my daughter had failed in her duties as a wife to Ethan, your son. Of course, as a mother, I would be concerned if my daughter-in-law couldn’t provide a child.”
Ethan’s mother looked relieved. “I am glad you understand my plights, Mrs. Rivera. You are indeed a wise woman. A shame that June has brought you so much distraught.” Her tone was almost condescending.
Mrs Olivia sported a faux sympathetic look as she gauged Mrs Rivera, who swallowed it with a tight-lipped smile. Although Mrs. Rivera hated the manner in which this woman spoke to her, she couldn’t say a word.
The Lontoc family was one of the most powerful families in South City. As much as the Rivera family was doing well in their Jewelry businesses and had high-end stores and products scattered around the City, they were not to be compared with the Lontoc family which dealt in the real estate, construction and architectural industry.
Once again, her heart burned with hatred for June who she believed was somehow still causing her misfortunes in her dead state. She couldn’t understand why her body was yet to be found.
Even the men she paid to do the deal had been found. She couldn’t wait to finally see the news of her dead body give her peace of mind.
“June has always been the bad egg of this family. Bringing all sorts of shame. Even now, she is yet to return home after all the trouble she’s caused.” Mrs Rivera blinked back tears in an effort to appear aggrieved of the subject. “My late husband must be rolling in his grave. She can’t do anything right. All she does is bring shame and reproach to the family name.”
“I am trying my best to sustain the family business while she runs off to god knows where after divorcing her husband. Mrs. Rivera sounded pitiful.
One would think that she was a mother who was forced to reap the rewards of a wayward child. April soon got to her feet and sat beside her mom in a consoling manner.
“I’m so sorry mother.” She cooed, looking like she was not far from tears herself. “This is all my fault. If Brother Ethan had not chosen me to bear his children, she wouldn’t be out there causing a ruckus.”
Once again, April made things to be about her, eliciting reactions from both Ethan and his mother.
“Nonsense!” His mother spoke first. “We should not be blamed for the actions of a callous daughter or wife. June chose her path when she refused to tell me what went wrong with her womb after multiple asks.”
She turned to April, hoping to improve her mood. “If you had not told me of her numerous youthful discretions which led to the loss of her womb, my son would have remained a laughing stock in that cursed union.”
The last thing she needed was her grandchild getting harmed because of the fluctuating emotions of his mother. She regretted getting her child married in the Rivera family.
If she could turn back the hands of time, she would never have allowed her precious son to marry into such a family. It was not news that their net worth has faced a decline for the past few years.
At this rate, they were leeching off her Lontoc Family name!
After the child is born, she will find ways to put this cursed family away from hers and find a befitting wife for her son.
“Where is June?” Ethan suddenly asked. “Have you heard anything from her since she left the house?”
“She is probably somewhere with her numerous boyfriends,” April answered in a small voice. “Sister had always kept a bad company and I have no doubt that she would have run to a man in these trying times.”
Mrs. Olivia’s heart burned the more. “Such a callous woman! She has no shame!”
“I have sent out some guards to search her out. I hope we can get a good feedback soon. The only problem is that she is costing us a lot as it is. The family business needs all the attention to return to its former state. Now I have to invest as much strength on my daughter.” Mrs. Rivera spoke as one tired, stressed and overworked.
Ethan fretted in his seat. If June was not at home, then she might be planning something big. The last thing he needed was the news of his private affairs hitting the air. Although he was sure he could defend himself against her, he was no stranger to the lengths she could go when provoked.
Suddenly, he felt desperate to have her in sight, where he could place a leash on her. He wasn’t comfortable having her out there without supervision. Especially when the LT constructions were approaching bigger waters in the international playing field.
“You don’t need to stress yourself, Mother-in-law. I will take care of finding her and making sure she is brought to you.” Ethan voiced his thoughts, and April watched him with a fake smile.
Why was her husband volunteering to find that wench sister of hers?