Chapter 3

Samuel enveloped me in a hug and promised, "We'll hold our wedding the second I come home. Whoever changes their mind will be the ultimate loser." My eyes followed him as he left. I smiled bitterly. "He's literally the heir to the Byron Corporation. Is he really that insecure?" It was dark, so I headed home with the flowers in hand. What I hadn't expected was to see Letitia and Jonas when I opened the door. Letitia was decked out in my pajamas and watching television while Jonas bounced on my couch in his shoes. It had cost me a few hundred thousand, but now, it was riddled with footsteps. Anger flared up within me. Before I could say anything, James walked out of the kitchen with a frown on his face. "Why did you come home?" I was livid. After a moment, I said coldly, "I'm pretty sure this is my house." Jonas suddenly lobbed the toy he was holding at me. "This is my Dad's house. Our house. Get lost." Letitia said dismissively, "Don't hold it against Jonas, Natalie. He's just a kid. He doesn't know much." Walking over, she grabbed my flowers and announced, "Is this for James and me? Thanks for your blessings." Just as I was about to take it back from her, Jonas yanked it away, throwing it onto the ground and stomping on it for good measure. "Stop trying to butter up Mom. We don't want your flowers." I felt a migraine coming on. "You owe me those flowers!" James replied impatiently, "He's just a child, Natalie. How could you sink to his level? Go to the kitchen and cook. Stop disturbing Jonas." How dare he hand me the apron? I snorted angrily. "James, do you think I'm your maid? Why would I cook for you guys?" Frowning, he complained, "Natalie, can't you be more understanding of us? You've been throwing tantrums since we were at the registration office. Everyone was in high spirits, but you messed everything up. "I'm giving you an opportunity to apologize to Letitia and Jonas by cooking." While looking straight into his eyes, I asked, "Do you genuinely think there's never been any conflict between us, James? Do you really think I should be the one apologizing?" James' eyes were a little shifty. However, he then sighed and said, "At the end of the day, the kid is innocent. You're an adult. What's a little hurt for the good of the child? If you want to, I can compensate you for it." I felt as though my heart had been dunked into an icy pool. "How could you do that? Am I not innocent?" Jonas pulled out a fork and stabbed it into my thigh. "Get lost. Get out of my house." Pushing him away, I stated coldly, "I bought this house. If anyone's getting out, it's going to be you." Jonas began wailing in Letitia's arms. I had indeed purchased the house, thinking that we'd live there after getting married. It looked like James had forgotten all about that little detail, seeing as he was planning to live with another woman and her child here. A happy family. Letitia wiped at her tears. Between sobs, she wailed, "It's our fault. We shouldn't have come. We'll be leaving now." James stopped her from leaving with a pained expression on his face. Annoyed, he questioned, "It's dark outside, and Letitia has her child with her. Where could they possibly go? Can't you be more generous, Natalie?" I nodded and replied, "Alright, but they must leave tomorrow morning. If not, I'll call the cops." James frowned and said, "I'll have to leave with them if you're set on chasing them out."