"You are what?" Nathan barked in shock and disbelief, his voice laced with denial as he looked at his wife. His jaw was clenched so tightly that it could break.
Diana's expression was cold, devoid of any emotion. If anything, it was contempt for Nathan. "You heard me loud and clear, Nathan! Unless you have grown deaf! Or what part of 'I am pregnant' don't you understand?" She spat, glaring at him with contempt.
He knew from the fire in her eyes that she wasn't joking. But how could it be true? It wasn't possible.
He shook his head. "That is an expensive joke. You can't be pregnant, Diana. You and I both know that is impossible!"
At that moment, Diana's mother, who had been some inches behind Diana, burst into laughter, striding toward them. Her mocking tone and the tears of joy in her eyes confused Nathan even more.
She whispered, but loud enough. "Is it Edwin's?" Her grin stretched from one ear to the other.
Diana smiled. "Yes, Mama! Edwin and I are expecting our first child. He is so thrilled, just as I am!"
Nathan's jaw nearly hit the floor. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. His wife was proud of cheating and getting pregnant. And his mother-in-law was celebrating her daughter's adultery. And now they were parading it like a golden trophy?
Nathan was still trying to understand what was happening when a cold tone cut through the house. "Well, get moving, you fool!" the older woman snapped at Nathan. "Make something delicious for my daughter. She and my grandchild need to eat well to stay healthy. Double your efforts now for the sake of my grandchild—the heir of the De'Mario family."
Nathan stood there, unable to grasp the audacity of the women. After everything, they still expected him to cook for that cheater and the little bastard?
He thought back to how he entered their lives. He had saved an old man from some thugs. A wanderer with nothing, he was brought into their home. The old man even asked him to marry Diana. Neither Diana nor her mother protested. However, after the old man passed away, they made him their house servant.
For three years, he had never touched his wife. Yet now she stood before him, beaming about being pregnant with another man's child.
"Cook, you said?" Diana asked, glancing at Nathan.
He tensed. What now?
"Nathan doesn't need to cook anymore. We are getting divorced tomorrow. Edwin and I agreed on it. So pack your trash and be gone by morning!"
Rage engulfed Nathan. His fists clenched. His body trembled. His eyes burned with fire. Diana stepped back.
"On second thought," she started, her hands caressing her womb as if anything was showing. "Nobody needs you here again. Leave this minute! Get out!" She screamed.
"You can't—" he started, but her mother stepped in.
"You heard my daughter, you useless, pathetic fool!" she shouted, grabbing his collar. She nudged him back and kept pushing him until Nathan was out of the door. "Don't move an inch. Wait right there!"
She disappeared inside, while Diana stood guard. 'If you must know, I only married you so Grandpa wouldn't have a heart attack. That is the only reason I tolerated your filthy presence!"
Nathan did not respond. He just stood there and watched her talk rubbish.
Her mother returned and flung a bag at Nathan. "Get lost!"
Nathan's clothes littered the floor as he failed to catch the bag.
"Do well and present yourself at the attorney's office tomorrow to sign the divorce papers. After that, don't ever show your ugly face again!" Diana added as they slammed the door in Nathan's face.
Nathan gave Diana one last glance. It was not his intention to be tied to Diana. He had been homeless for years, with no idea of who he was or who his people were. Then one day, he walked in on a man being assaulted by street goons. He saved the man, and in return, the man offered him shelter and a wife as a bonus. Later, Nathan learned the old man needed his daughter to get married so that they could retain the family wealth. Even though Diana never treated Nathan well or even allowed him to touch her, Nathan was okay. But everything changed the moment the old man died. Nathan was reduced to a servant, mistreated, and denied even food.
"Even if you beg on your knees," Diana spoke once again, "there is no space for you in this house anymore. Just leave!"
Nathan nodded confidently. "I wasn't going to do that at all. Text me the meeting place with the attorney and time."
With that, he turned and started his journey to nowhere.
"Oh, I am sure he will come begging for you to take him back in a few minutes," Diana's mother said behind Nathan.
"Oh, of course, Ma. He has nowhere to go to." Diana added as they watched Nathan walk away. "He has not even a coin to last him even a day. But even if he begs, I won't take him back. The streets have been his home. He still fits there."
They shut the door and went in.
With nowhere to go, Nathan walked into the night, broken and filled with rage. He didn't know where he was going nor what would become of him. He just kept walking into the peaceful darkness.
Then suddenly, he heard a cry. "Help!" It was a girl's crying tearing through the vacant streets.
Nathan paused, startled and alarmed.
"Someone, please, help!" The cry cut through again.
This time, Nathan could not ignore it. He dropped his bag and sprinted toward the voice. In a flash, he bumped into a girl, breathless and terrified. Beads of sweat ran down her face, her hair was messy, and her blouse was torn. Behind her were six men, slowing as they noticed Nathan.
Nathan stepped in front of the girl, shielding her like he was her God-sent protector. He eyed the men who did not show any signs of stopping. "What do you want from her?"
One of the men, bearded and muscular, warned. "Get out of our way unless you want to get hurt. Hand her over right away!"
"Please don't let them get to me," the girl whimpered, clutching Nathan's shirt.
Nathan hesitated. He had helped someone once before—and ended up here. Was it worth it again?
"Please, Mister," The girl pleaded again, holding on to him like her Black Messiah. "They are not good people. Please don't hand me over to them. I will pay you handsomely if you can save me."