Chapter 8

Things didn't end with a bang. No, it ended with the scritch of a pen against paper. Maya silently packed her things after she signed the papers. This place was no longer her home. Barbara had informed her that Isla was the family's priority. Then, she continued to say that she was worried that Isla's pregnancy would be at risk if Maya continued to live with them. Arthur didn't say anything as Barbara harped on. He only mentioned that the Selwyn Corporation's branch office at Nousland was short-staffed. Maya had run out of tears at this point. So, there was only a faint smile on her lips as she quickened her pace. She didn't pack much, merely packing her daily necessities. Thus, she was locked and loaded in less than 15 minutes. As the sound of the lock clicked shut around her zipper, she turned on her heel and left without a backward glance. Arthur remained silent. He should feel relieved that she didn't create a scene. Yet, his chest felt oddly heavy, and there was a strange feeling that something was slipping away from him. As he stared at her retreating silhouette, he couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu. Seven years ago, Maya had gone against her family just to stay with him. The usually gentle and obedient girl had run headfirst into the first obstacle that stood between their relationship. She had been willing to break all ties with the Selwyns just to be with him. Back then, he was still a nobody with nothing to his name. All he had was his brains and ambition. The Selwyns disdained him and did everything they could to split them apart. Barbara had even threatened to genuinely disown Maya when she disobeyed them. He could still remember that day. It had been raining cats and dogs. Yet, Maya still removed every expensive piece of accessory from her person. She had done the same thing as she did today, walking out of the Selwyns with nothing but her daily necessities. There had been no hesitation, no backward glances. However, the only difference was that she had left holding his hand. Raindrops ran down her face, making her look utterly dishevelled. Yet, she had been smiling so radiantly when she declared, "Artie, you're all I need. I'm happy as long as I have you." Arthur's gaze followed Maya's figure as she disappeared from his line of sight. Could love vanish so easily? Maya had loved him so wholeheartedly back then. Was Isla right? Was Maya's love for him merely her projecting onto him? Did she love him because she couldn't have George, and he was the only option left? Those thoughts seemed to burrow into his heart, tearing the traitorous organ apart. Barbara noticed his inattention and swiftly tugged his sleeve. "Arthur, how's the baby? What did the doctor say?" Arthur snapped back to his senses, swiftly shoving those irrational thoughts aside. "Isla's fine, but she needs to stay in the hospital for observation. I came back to grab a change of clothes for her." Barbara bobbed her head obligingly. "Wait here. I'll pack them for you. Oh, please take some of Adam's, too. He's been…" she trailed off with a sigh. Maya had already hailed a cab when they were still stuck in conversation. Arthur jerked to his feet, his legs moving on their own to chase her. Alas, the cab didn't wait as it drove Maya off to the horizon. The vehicle drove further and further away until it was nothing more than a speck before disappearing completely. He sank back into the couch, feeling drained when his eyes fell on the divorce papers scattered across the table. He saw his signature inked on the page. It was bold, decisive, and it was a verdict of his own choosing. However, the longer he stared at it, the more tumultuous his emotions became. He had gotten what he wanted, but all he felt was a storm of fury and regret. He was furious that Maya hadn't fought for their marriage. He was angry that she had chosen to accept the divorce so quietly. He regretted signing those papers so rashly. Truthfully, he didn't feel much for Isla. In the beginning, he had been in a state of perpetual rage when he was deceived. After that, he wanted to see Maya suffer. He wanted to see her break. As time passed, he did all of that just to protect the baby in Isla's womb. He had brought up marriage out of spite. His initial plan was to placate Isla and ensure that she carried the child to term. Only then would they be able to cure Adam's illness. Adam was a child who'd grown up in his care for years. How could he possibly part with the boy now that he knew that Adam was his? Still, what's done was done. He couldn't do anything even if he regretted his choices. Regardless, all he had to do was wait for a few more months. Once the dust settled, he would just seek Maya out and marry her again. Although he already had a plan in mind, he still had a white-knuckled grip around the discarded wedding ring. … Barbara soon finished packing Adam and Isla's hospital bags. Then, she began to harry Arthur back to the hospital. Arthur followed her commands robotically, his mind wandering as he drove them to the hospital. He only managed to gather himself when they were approaching Isla's ward. He had just placed his hand on the door handle when the conversation inside froze him in place.