A smug smile spread on Tania’s face as she settled down on the chair, gazing around the dining room. Satisfaction washed over her as she saw the surprised look on Vanessa’s face.
This was the moment she had desperately been anticipating, the manifestation of her carefully laid out plans. She didn’t even work hard before her plans fell into place.
With a sense of triumph, she thought to herself, “This is it, the perfect opportunity to finally throw Vanessa out of Darryl’s life.” Tania’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, but she masked her triumphant feelings under a confused look, pretending to be ignorant of what had happened.
Thanks to Mrs Peter for making her plan successful without stress. Tania had used Mrs Peter’s gullibility to her advantage and her victory came without stress.
With a smirk on her face, she acknowledged the ease with which she had gained the upper hand, as she sat there, poised and self-assured.
“Welcome home, Tania.” Mrs Peter said with a smile on her face.
Welcome home? Vanessa’s eyes moved around from Darryl’s face to Sophie’s, then to Tania’s face. To Vanessa, it seemed others understood what was happening, and she was the only one in the dark.
“This is Tania, Darryl’s fiance.” Mrs Peter dropped the bombshell.
Vanessa gasped in shock and her eyes widened at the same time. So Darryl was the man Tania had told her all this while? So Darryl was the man who used her to heal before dumping her with her unborn child?
Her eyes moved to Darryl’s face, silently asking him for answers, but the helpless look on Darryl’s face gave her all the answers she needed.
So he knew his mother invited Tania to dinner? She thought as she scoffed at her own foolishness.
She had failed to protect herself again. She had given Darryl the chance to use her for his own benefit. She was deceived again. Those words tormented her as she got out of her seat.
Giving Mrs Peter a sympathetic smile, Vanessa walked out of the dining room. Only if she could disappear from the house. Only if she could turn back the hands of the clock. Only if she could go back in time to change her decisions. Only if she hadn’t met Darryl in her life.
Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her view as she fumbled for her way out of the house. All she wanted now was to leave the house before she thought of a solution.
“Vanessa, wait!” Darryl called after her, but she didn’t answer him.
“Vanessa! He tried again but she didn’t acknowledge him.
As Vanessa attempted to storm out of the house, Darryl grasped her hands, trying to hold her back. But Vanessa’s anger and hurt had reached a boiling point. With a sudden burst of strength, she wrenched her hands free and spun around to face him. Her eyes blazing with fury, she raised her hand and delivered a sharp slap to Darryl’s cheek. The sound of the slap echoed through the house, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.
Darryl’s face reddened from the impact, his eyes wide with shock and surprise. Vanessa’s chest heaved with emotion as she stood tall, her hand still trembling from the force of the slap.
“You are a piece of shit. A despicable person. To be honest, no words can explain how dumb you are. You used Tania to your advantage, got her pregnant and dumped her after she sacrificed everything for your sake. Now, you elaborated your madness by luring me into a marriage and humiliating me in front of your family.” She paused as she tried to catch her breath.
“Vanessa.” Darryl called her name, willing she would calm down and listen to her.
“Shut the hell up and don’t fucking say my name with those lying lips of yours. Stay away from me, stay far away from me. I don’t want to see your face again. I don’t want to have anything to do with you. I despise you.”
Tears flowed down her cheeks as she walked out of the house. She should have known better than to get used to it again. A bitter pang tugged at her heart as she walked down the street of the estate without direction.
Frustration gripped her with the pain she was feeling as no taxi passed by her. She had walked a few steps away from Darryl’s parents’ house and still no taxi came around. Who could help her tonight? She sobbed furiously.
Carolyn was the only one that could come to her rescue tonight. Guilt mixed with pain filled her as she dialed Carolyn’s number on her phone. She didn’t tell Carolyn about the wedding before she agreed to it. Now that everything had gone haywire, Carolyn was the first person she called.
“Carolyn”, Vanessa sniffled despite trying hard to hide her pain and tears from Carolyn.
“What’s wrong, Vanessa? Why are you crying?” Worry laced in Carolyn’s voice as she asked Vanessa.
“Can you pick me up now?” Vanessa said with a shaken voice.
“Where are you?” Carolyn asked.
“I don’t know,” Vanessa cried.
“Where the hell is Darryl? Where did you go with him?” Carolyn was worried, confused and scared as she asked.
It was late at night and her best friend was in the middle of nowhere, crying. That’s terrifying. She told herself.
“Darryl took me to his parents’ house, but I had already left the house and I didn’t know where I was headed. Please, I’m getting scared already.” Vanessa cried over the phone.
“Vanessa, stop crying and calm down. Look around you and tell me what you see.” Carolyn said, trying to calm Vanessa down.
“I don’t know,” Vanessa told her with a trembling voice.
“To start with, send me your location. You know how to do that, right?” Carolyn said.
“Yes,” Vanessa answered.
“Do that as fast as you can. Now, listen to me. Look around you and find somewhere safe to stay. I will get to you as fast as I can. Don’t be scared and don’t cry anymore. I’m on my way.”
“I already sent the location to you.” Vanessa said, trying to calm herself down.
“Seen. Don’t hang up. I’m on my way already. Just find somewhere safe to stay. I will be with you shortly.” Carolyn assured her.
Tania, Sophie and her mother witness how Vanessa slapped Darryl across his face. With pain in his heart, Darryl wanted to go with Vanessa, but his mother stopped him before he could leave the house.
Guilt mixed with anger filled him as he saw Tania standing behind him, observing the chaos she had created. With a long stride, Darryl approached Tania with fury in his eyes.
Grabbing her shoulders with his hands aggressively, he glared at her with disgust. “You caused all of this, and I hope you are satisfied with yourself.” With that, he hissed and walked out of the house, willing to catch up with Vanessa.