The Unexpected Son-in-law

4

The ringing of Liam’s phone is what wakes him from his sleep. He doesn’t look at the screen, just answers with a ‘hello’ and then sits up after hearing the voice on the other end.

‘’Nova?’’

‘’Hey Liam, where are you?’’

‘’I’m… at a motel.’’

‘’Oh ok, can I meet you there? I would like to speak to you about something.’’

‘’I have to speak to you about something as well, but we can’t meet here. I think coming to your parents' place will be better.’’

‘’Liam, my family doesn’t like you and doesn’t appreciate that I am married to a man like you, either. I will just meet you somewhere else.’’

Liam breathes out a laugh. ‘’We have been together for four and a half years with two years of marriage. I am not about to throw this all away.’’

‘’Liam just-’’

‘’Nova, I’m coming there and I’m sure your family will love what I have to say.’’

‘’Fine!’’ Nova groans, then hangs up right after.

Liam throws himself back on the bed, still not believing that someone he has spent so many years loving left him just like that, but now he knows that he has a chance to get her back.

He sits up again to throw the covers off, thinking that he should do his best to impress his in-laws.

After taking a quick shower, Liam goes downstairs to find breakfast already set out for him.

‘’You’re up early,’’ Carl notes.

‘’Yes, I am going to meet up with someone.’’

When he is done eating, Liam makes his way to the Grayson residence, where he had to wait for almost two minutes before the butler opens the door.

‘’Who is at the... oh? You have some nerve coming here.’’ Venus looks Liam up and down in disgust.

‘’I’m here to see Nova. She said she wants to tell me something and I wish to speak with the family as well,’’ Liam tells her.

Venus lets out a laugh. ‘’My family has no time conversing with a lowlife like you. I can’t believe Nova had the nerve calling you here.’’

Venus walks away and not long after, Mrs Grayson comes to the foyer with her long nose stuck in the air.

‘’What do you want?’’ she asks.

‘’To speak with the family, I am here to redeem myself.’’

With a laugh, Mrs Grayson says. ‘’And how are you going to do that?’’

‘’Just hear me out, please.’’

She makes a face before nodding. ‘’The family is in my husband’s study. Follow me.’’

“What the fuck is he doing here?’’ Kyle roar upon seeing Liam.

But Liam isn’t paying attention to him. His eyes are on Nova, who he hurries over to and pulls into a hug but she pushes him away.

‘’Liam, I didn’t call you here to-’’

‘’What do you want, young man?’’ Mr Grayson asks, his voice thundering.

‘’I am here to redeem myself.’’

‘’And how do you expect to do that?’’ Mr Grayson asks.

‘’I am now the owner of the Wellington Group. I have billions now and I think I am more than deserving of Nova with this.’’

There is silence in the room at his words, then Kyle is the first to laugh.

‘’This is what you come here with? A lie.’’ Kyle continues laughing.

‘’t is not a lie. Last night-’’

‘’Where is the proof?’’ Mr Grayson cut him off by asking.

‘’Proof? Oh, I will be taking care of a few things soon, so hopefully-’’

Venus laughs cut him off this time. ‘’I can’t believe you marry this pathetic man, little sis.’’

‘’Not only that, but he is also delusional.’’ Mrs Grayson puts in.

The entire family begins to laugh at Liam, even the two maids, and butler who are listening at the door. Nova tries to hide her laugh but couldn’t.

‘’Liam, there is no need to lie. You are nothing but a poor man and I see now that I made a mistake in marrying you,’’ Nova tells him.

‘’What are you saying?’’

‘’I called you here so you can sign the divorce papers. I have already signed my part.’’

‘’Nova.’’

‘’Liam, don’t. You came here acting like a fool and embarrassing me even more. Just sign them and leave.’’

‘’But I love you, Nova, why are you doing this?’’

‘’You wouldn’t understand.’’

‘’Nova.’’

‘’Can you just sign the goddamn papers so I can marry Cameron!” Nova yells.

Liam momentarily freezes.

‘’When is this going to happen?’’

‘’After my sister’s wedding, now, please.’’ Nova hands him the papers.

‘’Now I understand, I perfectly understand that you are superficial.’’ Liam nods.

‘’I don’t care what you have to say, Liam. You are a poor man, you can’t tend to my needs. I made a mistake in getting married to you.’’

‘’Mr Tate, I am Louis Spade, family lawyer of the Greyson’s,’’ a man he didn’t notice before says.

‘’Due to the nature of this divorce, it will be immediate once you sign these papers. After that, you have to cut every connection with miss Nova Greyson and the Greyson family.’’

‘’Yes, I understand,’’ Liam says, then glances at Nova but she avoids his eyes.

‘’Just sign on the dotted line. This one is for the divorce and the other document is to say that today will be the last day you will ever speak another word to miss Nova.’’ Louis clarify.

Liam signs the papers, trying to hide the tears that are forming in his eyes.

‘’Does anyone from both parties have any last word to say to each other before you part ways?’’ Louis asks.

Liam shakes his head. He has no words for his now ex-wife.

‘’Good, just know that matters like this are usually done at my office, but due to it being so urgent, it had to be done here. Have a good day Mr Tate.’’ Louis gives a slight nod before turning to leave the room.

‘’Good, and make sure you don’t ever call me again, Liam. This is where we cut all ties,’’ Nova tells him.

‘’Now it is time for you to leave, young man,’’ Mr Grayson folds his arms across his chest.

Liam looks at Nova one last time, but she is busy talking to her sister, so he turns to leave.

‘’Hey poor man, I would say see you around, but I know that this city has a way of swallowing up people and spitting them back out, so I won’t be seeing you. Unless it’s passing you in my Porsche.’’ Kyle mocks.

Liam removes the wedding band from his finger and tosses it at Nova’s feet.

‘’I still can’t believe that he came here pretending to be rich.’’ Kyle laughs, and the others join him.

When Liam gets back to the mansion, Carl goes up to him.

‘’Good, you are back. We have a few things to go over before you can sign the papers tomorrow.’’

Liam only nods.

‘’What is wrong master Tate? You look… sad.’’

Liam takes a deep breath before telling Carl what happened.

‘’Dear God, you were married to a Grayson? Well, I’m glad you have cut ties with those people.’’

‘’Are they rivals?’’ Liam asks.

Carl snorts. ‘’They can’t compare to the empire your family has. But yes, they try to compete with the Wellington group.’’

‘’So it is a good thing things have ended then?’’

‘’Yes, otherwise they would try to suck us dry like they have done to so many before you.’’

Liam only nods at Carl’s words because in his head he is planning to get his revenge on the Grayson.