The Return Of Zade Delamonte: The Humiliated Son-in-law

Run away

The next day, Zade glanced impatiently at his watch as he walked outside the court.

The divorce had taken longer than he anticipated even when there was no share in property.

He wanted nothing to do with the Harpers, not even their money. 

They twisted the story, just as he'd expected to gain favour in the public eye.

They claimed he was a gold-digger who was ripping off their daughter of her hard earned money. 

Zade didn't argue their claims. They could do and say whatever they wanted as long as he was free from the humiliating union.

Roselia on the hand, felt guilty to no end.

A part of her curious as to why he didn't defend himself, the other selfish part was grateful he didn't expose her infidelity to the public.

When their union was officially severed, Roselia felt a deep sense of loss.

Zade walked out of the court after their session ended without sparing her as much as a glance.

"Zade?" He stopped when he heard Roselia's voice. He kept his face neutral as he faced her.

"Uhmm… since we are divorced now, I was wondering…" Roselia's voice trailed into nothing as she considered her next line of words.

"You can go ahead and marry your Ryan. Wasn't that the plan? To marry him immediately I sign the papers. Why are you wasting your time with me? Is your wedding dress yet to arrive?" He cut in and her cheeks flamed with mortification. 

"There is no need to be so rude. I just wanted to offer you a ride," she retorted.

Zade shot her a wary glance. He wasn't mentally ready to share the same space with her. 

"I'm fine. I can take a cab," he declined, turning away from her.

"I insist. Please let me drop you off," she pleaded.

Zade glanced at his watch once more. If he wasted any more time arguing with her, he would be late for his afternoon shift. Finding a cab would be harder. 

"Fine, thanks."

The ride was silent with Roselia stealing multiple glances at him and structuring her words carefully in her head. 

Zade noticed the heated glances she sent his way but chose to stare out the window.

He wasn't sure anything she planned to say would change their situation and frankly, he had nothing to say to her either.

He just wanted to get to his workplace on time.

Roselia suddenly jammed the brakes, startling them both.

Zade glanced worriedly between her and the road.

"What happened? Did you hit someone? Are you okay?" He asked, unbuckling his seatbelt to assess the damage.

He froze the minute her hand rested on him. 

"I didn't hit anyone. I… I just wanted to apologize," she said timidly.

An unimpressed frown settled on his handsome features. 

"You couldn't apologize in a less dramatic way?" He muttered, with a detached gaze.

His disinterest in the conversation pushed Roselia to rush her words.

"I know I caused you pain and I sincerely apologize for that. You are a good man, Zade. You have been nothing but a great husband to me…"

"But Ryan Myers was greater, point noted," He scoffed, taking her hands off him.

She was taken aback. She decided to let it slide and took out a credit card.

"Here. There should be enough to help you get an apartment in another city as well as feed you until you get a job," She told him, but Zade didn't make any move to take it. 

"Zade, look, Ryan has not forgiven you for what happened back at his office. He will find a way to get his revenge one way or the other. I don't want that to happen, I want you to leave, please," she pleaded. 

Ryan Myers was a very vengeful man.

He might not be skilled in a physical fight, but he was an  expert at ruining people's lives.

Zade was the last person she wanted as his victim.

"We are divorced and that means you have no say in my business. Concentrate on pleasing your new fiance and staying faithful to him. It would be a shame to make a repeat of this," Zade said indifferently, not caring how much his words hurt her. 

She wasn't as promiscuous as he portrayed her.

She was just an ambitious woman, willing to do everything in her power to achieve the money and influence she so desired.

She wouldn't change her actions for anything. Zade was not the stepping stone she needed to her goal.

He was more like a stumbling block.

She only felt guilty for hurting him in her quest to fulfill her desires.

"You can say whatever you want to me. Please accept this money and leave for the sake of peace," Roselia pleaded once more.

"I appreciate your kind gesture but I don't want your money and I am not going to leave the city simply because you asked me to," He stated, reaching for the door handle but Roselia grabbed his arm.

"Please don't leave yet. I know you're still angry with me and I want to make amends," she scooted closer, "I want you to make love to me, Zade, one last time. I don't want you resenting me for the rest of your life. I'm willingly offering my body to you, do whatever you want to do with it, as long as you leave for your safety."

Roselia hoped he would at least consider her offer. Perhaps his bitterness towards her made him fixated on facing Ryan instead of running.

"Get your filthy hands off me! Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Just look at you, shamelessly trying to get down with your ex-husband when you have a fiance," Zade grimaced.

"You cheated on me with him, now you want to cheat on him with me, as well? You are truly despicable!"

Tears stung her eyes as his harsh words resounded in her ear. His voice, laced with hate and disgust.

"Zade, please listen to me…" he smacked her hands off him.

"Don't you dare touch me! You disgust me!"

"It's really not what you think, I swear. I haven't laid with another man while we were together. I have been faithful to you. My relationship with Ryan, you are misunderstanding everything. I didn't sleep with him, I swear, I didn't," she sniffled, suppressing a sob but Zade couldn't care less. 

"I don't care about your stupid explanations. I have given you your wish so do me a favor and let me be. Have a great day," Zade replied coldly and she reached to kiss him.

He turned his face quickly, evading the kiss, and pushing her back at the same time.

The action stung Roselia. Zade usually adored her kisses.

Could it be that he was no longer attracted to her?

Was it possible for love to die that fast?

Two days ago, she could have sworn he couldn't live without her.

The Zade she knew would go to any length just to make her happy. He loved her that much.

Now, she wasn't sure anymore. The eyes that once gazed at her with were replaced with disdain. 

"Zade…" Her voice cracked as he opened the door.

Once upon a time, those tears would move him to grant her wishes but now, he saw them as nothing but deceit. 

Roselia's betrayal cut deep into him.

He wasn't sure he would ever forgive her for that.

His love for her wasn't completely dead, but he'd be damned if he succumbed to it.

He got out of the car and slammed the door shut, walking away without looking back at the woman who ripped his heart apart.

Tears rolled effortlessly down her cheeks as she watched the man who loved her unconditionally, walk away.