Chapter 30 The next day , I left for the office early in the morning without waiting for Xavier to wake up . " This project is the most tedious and would require you to work overtime , do any of you want to take it ? The budget allocation is higher and you will be paid a good bonus . " \ " I will do it . " As soon as I agreed to work overtime my colleagues were all startled while my boss asked hesitantly . 1 " Mia what about your husband ... also you are pregnant so we thought that you would soon go a maternity leave- " " " Unfortunately , I had a miscarriage so I would not be needing any leave . " The tense atmosphere made the meeting abruptly come to an end , my boss asked others to leave while retaining me in the conference hall . " Mia , I am sorry if I am overstepping my bounds but is everything alright between you and your husband ? " " You are an exceptional employee and I always wished to promote you but then you would not have liked being separated from your family.I was wondering if you want to work at the main branch in the capital city . " she said , her tone careful to not offend me . I smiled gently " Thank you for considering me.I would love to relocate ." " Surprised , she paused . " Actually , my husband was at the Southwest bar last night when he heard Xavier talking to his friends . When I saw her hesitating I urged her to continue . " He was discussing about your baby , saying that since you are an orphan you might not know how to raise a child , thus he asked a friend of his , uh ... Vanessa , to help him around with the baby . I am sorry Mia , I just thought that if I were at your place I would want to know if my husband talks like this about me outside . " } I felt like a bucket of ice - cold water was poured over my head . So this was what my husband really thought about me . I gave a teary smile , shaking my head . " Thank you . " At that moment my phone rang with Xavier's caller ID flashing across the screen . " Mia , did you leave early today ? You are working too much when you are already in your second trimester , didn't I tell you already to resign.I am not sure if you ate your breakfast because when I woke up there was none for me . " At first he sounded concerned yet there were hints of displeasure in his voice . I simply hummed as he continued . He paused ." Even though I could not attend the anniversary dinner , l got a gift for you . " " " Did you ? " I asked indifferently . " You love diamonds in a heart shape , don't you ? I bought a pendant for you ... Strange , where did I keep it . " he mumbled under his breath incoherently as I heard the sounds of shuffling around . I heard him fumble through his pockets , muttering , " Strange , it's not here- " The rest of the words were swallowed as he recalled that he had given the pendant to someone else . In yesterday's photo , Vanessa was wearing a diamond heart pendant around her neck . The imagery flashed across my eyes , making me tear up . To quickly cover up the incident Xavier made an excuse . " " I must have lost it somewhere- " " No need forgot to get you anything anyway . " " Mia you have been like this since yesterday.since you cannot do much , the least expect from you is to take care of the household chores , cook and look good for me . Stop behaving like it was a big deal ! " " Yes , it was unimportant . " Tears dribbled my eyes listening to his cruel words . Yes he did buy me a gift , one that must be first worn by his childhood sweetheart and later given to me as a charity . " " I can never make you happy no matter how hard I try . Also , Xavier , my favorite gemstones have been sapphires since I was a child , never once in my life have I worn diamonds ." With that , I hung up . After that , I threw myself into work so completely that I rarely went home , and Xavier could tell something was wrong . & One day my mother - in - law - who had always treated me like a filthy orphan unfit for our status - called out of the blue.N " Mia , Xavier told me you were the one who started that argument and that it was mainly your fault we were delayed at the farmily banquet . You were born poor with no one to teach you manners ; the least you can do is not drag down my son's reputation to your level ! You're about to give birth to our future child , so stop this nonsense . People are already spreading rumors that you and Xavier are separating I've arranged a dinner tonight with Xavier's close friends . Be there on time with him and don't make a scene . " P P. From start to finish she bossed me around before hanging up . I wanted , one last time before leaving for the capital , to see the faces of those who had betrayed me and treated me worse than an animal , so I took a taxi to my mother - in - law's house . Xavier's mother sat at the head of the table when I entered.A hush fell over the room as Xavier's friends rolled their eyes at my arrival . [ " Aunty , why invite her ? She'll only spoil the mood ," one of them scoffed . " The witch is here to intrude between the loving couple again , " they said loud enough for me to hear . " " Mia , sit here . " Xavier's mother pointed to a seat , but I ignored her and took the place at the far end of the table . " Hey Mia , what was your surname again ? Oh - sorry , I forgot you don't have one , since you don't have a father , " Xavier's best friend Theodore sneered , smirking as he waited for me to lose my composure . " Who are you again ? " I asked , looking up at him with a disinterested stare as if he were a clown performing for laughs , their smiles vanished . Shortly after , Xavier arrived with Vanessa at his side . Seeing that I had come earlier than expected and was looking between him and Vanessa , he quickly put some distance between them . " I noticed Vanessa had taken off the pendant , and without another word she followed my mother - in - law into the kitchen . Xavier slid into the seat beside me , smiling gently as he tucked my hair behind my ear and fastened the diamond pendant at my throat , creating a picture of a loving couple . This will be the first time you've worn real diamonds , right ? Don't worry - I'll buy you your favorite sapphires next time . " Shamelessly , he looked at me and lied smoothly , " I lost it at the house , and when I realized it was gone I rushed back to look for it . " The pendant felt especially suffocating , so I took it off without another word , which shocked Xavier . " Mia , what on earth are you doing ? " " " To think she's so greedy - no wonder Aunt doesn't like her . " } " Mia , why did you take it off ? " my mother - in - law snapped . " It's too tight . " I ignored the murmurs and sat quietly without speaking to Xavier.R In truth , diamonds were considered inappropriate for our family's traditions . In older customs outcasts were given a single diamond as the last token of value before they were banished . And I was not banished . \ I was going home . From the kitchen I heard my mother - in - law chuckling as Vanessa clung to her arm , acting spoiled . " Auntie , how could you work so hard all these years ? If I'd been here , I would never have let you- " " This child ! Of course things would have been different if it were you . Oh Vanessa , let Mia help the servants with the dishes . You've probably never done such things ; you're always so considerate even toward the maids , If only Mia were halfway as sensible as you . Since she moved into Xavier's house , he's let the maid go . She can do all the chores herself - mopping the floor and washing dishes are normal for her . Don't ruin your beautiful hands ; I'll make Mia do it . " I bit my lip as my husband agreed with his mother , seeing nothing wrong with overworking his wife , They came out of the kitchen hand in hand , Vanessa sitting between Xavier and my mother - in - law . " Auntie , I've missed you so much these past years . There hasn't been a day I didn't miss Xavier . " The others at the table didn't find anything odd about Vanessa longing for another man while she was already in a relationship with someone else . " Of course , dear . If things hadn't gone wrong , you would have been my daughter - in - law by now . " Xavier's mother teased , casting a quick glance in my direction before pulling Vanessa closer ; Xavier said nothing , clearly annoyed that I had rejected his gift.N Turning to me , my mother - in - law added with feigned innocence , " Oh my , I must have spoken too much because of my old age.Mia , meet Vanessa , my goddaughter - she and Xavier are childhood friends and were raised together . " N " I heard that you were making a fuss at home because of her , but Vanessa is like a sister to Xavier so you should not throw a tantrum out of jealousy . % These two have always been so close , so you must trust your husband a little and stop keeping tabs on him " " Auntie is absolutely right , Vanessa was only doing a favor to you . " Xavier's friend Colin spoke with a smug look on his face . He was the one who supported the'perfect match'and secretly gave me the nickname homewrecker ' " Yes , Mia , you're always checking up on Xavier . You are just too controlling , do you think we are going to ruin Xavier's life ? Since Vanessa and Xavier are inseparable , if he wanted to leave you , he would have done that long ago . " Besides , Xavier promised Vanessa to soon merge our two family businesses to create a larger one , so it's better if you accommodate her . That's the least you can do as his wife . " # PP ... UGComEout me Thus the cast you on a WC . D My eyes widened when I realized that our Jade Moon company was going to be amalgamated with another one . As his wife I was not even aware of any such thing Realizing he'd said too much , Colin instantly fell silent , exchanging uneasy glances with the others as the room went quiet . \ " Do you even understand how serious this is ? If the other company committed any crime we would be held equally responsible- " } " Mia , l know you don't like me , but please don't besmirch my company like that . " W I turned to look at Xavier , only for him to glare at me before saying , " Vanessa is right . You didn't even have a proper education , so you wouldn't know much about company affairs . How would you understand whether this is beneficial or not? " " It's better to leave the company responsibilities to me.Vanessa held a senior role for more than three years ; I can't be biased in your favor when you're just an uneducated orphan . " My body trembled as my husband insulted me in front of everyone . The dinner lost all flavor ; I didn't speak a word after that , though Xavier glanced at me from time to time . My mother - in - law seemed pleased with the exchange and grew boisterous with Vanessa . Only when I reached for an oyster did she suddenly interrupt me harshly . " " Mia , l understand you had no one to teach you manners , but are you stupid enough to eat something so spicy in your second trimester ? Don't you care about the baby at all ?No wonder Xavier had to go to such lengths to protect you . " " " Like he's protecting me right now from your relentless attacks ? " The words left my mouth and the chatter fell silent ; even my mother - in - law was too shocked to speak.Xavier froze , then looked at me in confusion . " This was the oyster the nurse made for me to help digestion.I brought it because you asked me to hurry up and get food for everyone while I was at lunch.But I feel like I've made a mistake coming here- " " Mia ! " I stood up quickly without eating , and Xavier followed me outside cautiously . " " Mia , Mom didn't mean it like that.Come back with me right now ! " " To tell you the truth , Xavier , my parents are very much alive . If I had listened to them at the start , I would never have chosen such a place where I'm never welcomed . " Xavier held my shoulders , shaking his head as if I were inventing excuses to comfort myself . " Mia , let it go this once . You must be a good daughter - in - law and wife . " " " Xavier ! Vanessa is having trouble breathing , you must come quickly . " Our conversation was cut short by Colin , who hesitated as he looked between us . " " Mia , come inside - it's going to pour.I must help Vanessa ; for now , please wait ." He looked at me like I was a stranger , hesitated for a moment , then squeezed my hand before rushing to Vanessa's aid . " My mother - in - law messaged me instantly : [ You can come inside now . Earlier I assumed things . ] [ Let's not waste this dinner party . ] I smiled through my tears as I realized I had never once been welcomed in this household ; it had always been about status and prestige . Three years ago I was kidnapped by criminals , and my father and brothers had left no stone unturned to find me , though my identity was kept hidden to protect my life.In the end , it was Xavier - head of the Jade Moon firm - who helped rescue me along with others . My mother agreed to compensate him handsomely , and I told her I liked him and wanted to be his wife . My brothers opposed the match . They argued that as the only daughter of our family I had never known hardship , and marrying someone cold like Xavier would not suit me . How foolish I was to think love could transcend status when today my husband told me I was worthless because I had no standing . Rain drenched me as I ignored Xavier's mother's insistence that I come back . In that moment I felt foolish for loving such a heartless man . I was ashamed to return home - what would I even say to my parents ? Would they accept me back ? N Suddenly warmth wrapped around me as Xavier embraced me . He was soaked through , but he pulled me aside . " Are you all right ? I'm sorry I left you like that . Just go inside and obey . " !! " See , Vanessa is terribly ill , " he continued in a softer voice . " She came because I invited her ; l couldn't leave her like that . You should learn from her . " " Mom has been trying to call you , she even messaged you to come inside . Why can't you stop being stubborn for a moment ? " he sighed , his tone almost reproachful before he noticed my pale face . He then took me to a nearby shop so I could change into dry clothes and avoid getting sick . " Are you all right , Mia ? I'll call a taxi to take you home . " I shook my head and asked , " Are you not coming back with me ? " N " I have work- " W " Are you going to drop Vanessa at her place now ? " " What ? " Xavier looked taken aback that I saw through his excuse . His expression shifted from indulgent to guilty and angry as he answered carefully , " I'll be home right after that . Please understand - Vanessa is a single mother and she's really ill What if something hann . PP . TTML . AURICE LUBUT UNwon VERMA ! His expression shifted from indulgent to guilty and angry as he answered carefully , " I'll be home right after that . Please understand - Vanessa is a single mother and she's really ill . What if something happens on her way home ? " I cut him off before he could continue . " I understand . You want to take her because she's sick and can't take care of herself , while I can very well go home by myself . " After saying that , I turned around and tried to walk away , but Xavier hugged me from behind . " You just have to learn to adapt.I can't always indulge you , but from now on , I'll be by your side to take care of our children . " He leaned over and gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek . Before I even got home , Xavier's friend Theodore sent me a message . " Sister - in - law , Vanessa is very ill , so Xavier can't come home tomorrow . " Xavier was planning a big party tomorrow to welcome Vanessa's team , but since I don't agree with merging our teams , it seems my husband doesn't want me to come . " Reading the message , I shuddered , feeling awful . At the same time , Vanessa's latest Facebook status came to my phone . In the video , a moon rose slowly from between the mountains , casting a golden glow across the sky . Exclamations echoed from all sides . The camera panned , revealing Xavier's fleeting figure , yet his face still beamed with happiness . & " I once loved you , but for some reason I had to leave you . I'm so glad I'm back with you , and that you chose me again . Love forever, Xavier . " " Seeing those final words frozen on the screen , my heart tightened , a dull pain slowly growing and spreading . A self - deprecating smile played on my face , yet a deep sadness settled within me.§ Xavier , what's your expression when you see the official divorce agreement ? "