As Ria and Jayden stood sideways watching the cousin’s reunion, Ria felt it was time to leave. She went to the other children, telling them about her departure. They all waved at her before they started leaving one by one themselves.
As Ria walked back to Jayden with the bouquet of roses still in her arms, she smiled happily. She enjoyed her time with the children today. She wanted to tell Layla about her departure since she felt a kind of familiar love she had for Lina for the little kid. She walked towards where Kayla and Layla were standing and chatting.
When she moved closer to them, she heard Kayla in time saying Ashley and Raymond were a couple. Her legs paused their movements, her smile disappeared instantly as she heard Kayla mention Raymond was Ashley’s boyfriend.
Ria’s eyes widened in shock as she felt like she had been punched in the gut. She remembered Lina telling her about Raymond’s past relationship with Ashley, the celebrity, with whom her company, Glamour Clothing, and Textiles has had many collaborations in the past. According to what Lina told her, Ashley hurt Raymond badly in the past. Is something wrong with Raymond? Why would he go back to such a person?
Her mind reeled at the thought of Lina. How will she take this news after her previous failed relationship? No, Ria shook her head, trying to think all this was a lie. With Raymond’s care and concern for Lina these past few days, she wanted to believe all this was nothing but a cruel joke.
Ria’s thoughts swirled as her memories took her back to the day Lina was admitted to the radiology department.
Wait, didn’t I perceive a feminine perfume on Raymond’s body that day? I also saw a makeup stain on his white shirt, right? Ria pondered, her eyes scanning the surrounding area as if searching for an answer.
No matter how scared she was of Raymond, she wouldn’t let this lie if all this were to be true. If possible, she would help Lina file for divorce and free her from a second heartbreak.
“Here, these are the pictures.” Ria heard Kayla telling Layla as she took out a white sparking phone from her pants pocket.
Ria’s eyes snapped back to the present. She must see the evidence for herself. She rushed forward, her gaze on Kayla’s phone. She snatched the phone from Kayla’s hand impatiently.
Jayden, who also noticed the change in Ria’s demeanor also rushed forward in time to hear Kayla scolding Ria for snatching away her phone.
Ria didn’t mind Kayla’s rude behavior. With a sense of urgency, she flipped through the images, her eyes widening in shock and disbelief at the incriminating evidence. A minute passed with Ria still busy with the phone. The pictures showed Raymond and Ashley in a compromising position, their bodies entwined in a way that left no doubt about their relationship.
After seeing all she wanted to see, Ria shoved the phone into Kayla’s arms which were crossed defensively over her chest. She didn’t mind the dreadful glare Kayla was sending her way.
Kayla’s eyes flashed with anger at Ria’s nonchalant attitude, but Ria didn’t give a fvck on how she felt at the moment. She turned to leave, her mind reeling with the implications of the news as both people who were involved were public figures. She couldn’t help feeling a headache coming.
As she turned, she collided with Jayden, who had been standing behind her. He had also seen the scandalous photos of Raymond and Ashley. As he saw the pictures, he knew there was something wrong with them, but Ria, who was filled with anger, didn’t care about whatever was wrong with the picture. From her perspective, all she saw was evidence against Raymond’s infidelity.
“How could you, Jayden?” She spat, her voice venomous. “You knew about your friend having a fling with that godforsaken celebrity and you didn’t tell me?” Ria shoved the bouquet of roses she was holding into Jayden’s hand that was beside him.
Jayden was taken aback by Ria’s fury. Wasn’t the person that offended her Raymond? How was this his fault? He doesn’t know how to pacify her. This was the first time he had seen Ria this way.
“Ria,” Jayden took a deep breath, trying to control his anger. This was the first time someone of the opposite gender was talking to him this way. If she wasn’t the woman he loved, she would have been so sorry for yelling at him.
“Ria, listen to me.” His voice was firm but gentle. “Truly, I knew about Raymond and Ashley’s past relationship, I don’t know what’s going on between them now. And those pictures you see just now were taken from a misleading angle. Don’t be upset for nothing.” Jayden tried reasoning with the fuming Ria.
Ria’s eyes narrowed, her anger still simmering. “Misleading angle you said?” She repeated, her voice dripping with skepticism.
“You expect me to believe that when evidence showed how your friend was smooching around while Lina was hospitalized. I didn’t expect this animalistic behavior from him.” Ria shouted, making Kayla and Layla who was watching the show think about what had gone wrong with the loving couple.
Jayden sighed, trying to control his anger as much as possible. “Ria, you need to calm down. At least let’s hear Raymond’s out first before you accuse him of being wrong.” His right palm went for her shoulder, but Ria shook it off still angry.
“I’ve known Raymond for years. I knew him as someone who wouldn’t go back to his past relationship no matter what the condition might be. All this is just a misunderstanding.” Jayden defended Raymond as much as possible, but Ria wasn’t buying it.
Ria snorted, her expression incredulous. “Save it Jayden.” She raised her palm, shutting him up. “I’ve seen the pictures and they are real. You trying to defend him because he is your friend is not justified.” She picked up the strap of her handbag that almost fell off her shoulder due to how her body was shaking in anger.
“If Raymond can do this, you as his friend would even do more. Thank goodness I saw your true color on time.” Ria shut her eyes in pain, trying to control her emotions, but her heart wasn’t listening to her body.
Jayden pursed his lips at her words, the anger he was trying to control, almost busting out. “And what do you mean you saw my true colors in time, Ria? Do you mean to say I’m a cheat?” Jayden’s voice was so cold that it sent chills around the surrounding people.
Ria felt a shiver run down her spine as she met Jayden’s icy gaze, but she was too stubborn to back down. “Yes, all you guys are cheaters. She felt a surge of defiance, her voice coming out steady and cold, hitting Jayden like a tsunami.
“There is evidence in front of you, but instead of seeing the truth you are defending him. I’m breaking up with you.” She yelled, making Kayla and Layla gasped in shock.
Jayden’s face turned ashen, his eyes wide in shock and hurt. The Ria in front of him is different from the gentle woman he knew.
“Ria, what are you saying?” He asked, his voice shaking with emotions. “You can’t just break up with me because of Raymond’s mistake.”
Ria pursed her lips in a thin line. She knew she was out of control, but the urge to fight for Lina wouldn’t allow her to see her wrong-doings. If it’s to sacrifice her happiness for Lina, she would happily do that.
Not wanting to say anything anymore, Ria turned to her heels, walking away. She could feel a burning gaze at her back, but she didn’t care. She had to go back to the hospital to check on Lina and know if she was okay after seeing the news. Jayden’s heart followed her, his heart heavy with hurt and confusion.
With their earlier discussion, she knew Lina had started having feelings for Raymond. This was going to be a disaster. Ria thought as she walked out of the park, flagging down a taxi to take her back to the hospital that was just a ten-minute walk away.