The Billionaire's Bundle of Joy - COMPLETE & FREE

Chapter 49

RIZ

I was checking out other blouses on the rack when I heard a chuckle near me. Of all people, I had to see her here. I was hoping to mark this day for Justin and me, but it seemed like a bad memory was about to intrude, and there was no stopping it by the look of things.

“Well, what do we have here? Are you lost, dear? Shouldn’t you be at the market or rummaging through a thrift shop for clothes?” she taunted me.

“Riri, let’s go. We can come back for that dress later,” Matet said worriedly. She knew my stepmother well.

I knew her behavior was terrible, but I also knew she wouldn’t cause a scene in public. Her claws come out when we’re alone at home. That’s when she reigns over the household staff, knowing they wouldn’t dare speak up for fear of losing their jobs.

“Madam.” I forced a smile at her and lightly tapped Matet’s hand to calm her down.

“You’ve gained weight.” She smirked. “You still haven’t returned home. That means you haven’t found the one who got you pregnant.” There was a mocking tone in her voice.

I chose to stay silent and let her think and say whatever she wanted since it was just the two of us facing each other. The more I interrupted her, the more she would voice her thoughts. She was loud, like an empty can.

“It’s good that you got pregnant. See, I didn’t have to worry about you leaving my household. If I had known that would make you disappear from our married life, I should have pushed you to have a boyfriend long ago. Even if you had two at the same time, it wouldn’t have been a problem.” She laughed softly. “Like mother, like daughter.”

My ears burned at what she said. While it was true regarding my mother when it came to relationships, I am not like her. I value my relationship with Justin. Yes, I was once lost in desire. I had a one-night stand with a man I barely knew, and it wasn’t exactly my proudest moment, but it also led me to the life I’ve been dreaming about.

To have my own family.

“I don’t appreciate your tone, madam. Please excuse us.” I turned my back on her, but her quick hand grabbed my arm tightly. “Let go of my arm.” Her grip was painful. Her well-manicured nails were digging into my skin.

“Painful? You’re actually sensitive. I thought that with how thick-skinned you and your mother are, you wouldn’t feel anything.” Her words were low but emphasized.

“I’m pregnant. You don’t really want to be famous on social media, do you?” My stepmother’s brow furrowed immediately. “We are in public, in case you forgot.”

Matet was smart enough to pull out her phone and record what was happening. My stepmother immediately released me and brushed her hands off as if she was disgusted by me. She even sanitized her hands as soon as she took out a small bottle of hand sanitizer from her purse.

She faced me with her nose in the air. “You know it’s not always admissible in court. But fine, I’ll give you this one. Stay as far away as you can and never return to our lives. You are the biggest mistake my husband made in his life.”

I closed my eyes and counted to ten. I told myself that I would just be wasting my time and breath if I engaged with her. I shouldn’t be affected by the things she said because they weren’t true. I am not my father’s mistake. He made a choice with my mother, and whatever happened in their relationship is none of my business.

I am the casualty. But why is it that in moments like this, I feel crushed, yet still being crushed into dust? It’s too much.

Way too much.

“If you think I am the biggest mistake my father made in his life, take a good look in the mirror. If my father knew you couldn’t conceive, can you honestly say that he would still marry you?”

I heard her gasp. Her whole face, including her neck, turned red. Her eyes were throwing daggers at me, and it seemed like smoke was coming out of her nose from her anger. That was low, and I felt some remorse, but when I remember how she hurt me when I was a child, my words today are not enough to avenge myself. I don’t want to be vengeful. I don’t want to feel hate toward her. A few months from now, I will be giving birth to my child, and I don’t want to start my journey as a mother with a heart full of anger. Why is it so hard for them to love me? They don’t even have to love me; they could at least respect me as a person. I wasn’t here to pick a fight, but she managed to find me.

“You ungrateful b***h! How dare you insult me?!” She raised her hand as if to slap me, but I quickly grabbed her hand to stop her.

“I can’t count how many times you’ve hurt me since I came into your home with my father. But the day I left your home, the day you told him I was pregnant, your reign over me ended. Don’t force me to hurt you to defend myself. I have no respect for you as my father’s wife. And even if you don’t deserve respect as a person because of your bad behavior, I will still give it to you this time,” I said, breathing heavily. “Next time, I will show you no mercy.”

A guard approached us, just coming back from a quick break, and spoke to Madam to move away from me. I also saw the manager come over and told us not to create a scene. I hadn’t realized Reysa was already there. She saw and heard everything, so she quickly called the manager and the guard.

“How dare you ask me to leave?! That woman should be thrown out of here!” she shouted furiously at us. The manager was clearly angry, and the guard continued to plead with Madam to leave.

“Ma’am, you started the commotion in our store. She’s pregnant,” he pointed at me, “and I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but it seems that she is your stepdaughter. You can settle family matters outside of our store. You’re turning away our customers with your attitude. I also saw how many times this young lady tried to avoid you, but you kept taunting her. I’m sorry, ma’am, but you have to leave immediately,” the manager said to Madam.

Madam adjusted her outfit and walked away from us with her head held high. The guard was about to assist her, but she shot him a look that silenced him. I let out a sigh and rubbed my forehead. My heart was racing so fast. Reysa patted my back while Matet leaned on my shoulder.

“I’m sorry that you have to go through that, ma’am. Are you okay?” the manager asked me.

I nodded and forced a smile at him. That was the first time my stepmother made a scene in public, and I was truly shocked. I even asked myself if it was all my fault. Maybe.

I paid for the dress, and then we headed to a restaurant. Reysa suggested we cool down somewhere. The earlier incident had been too heated, so even though I wasn’t hungry, I agreed with them. Now we were sitting in a booth while waiting for our appetizer. Three glasses of cold water were served for us.

Reysa cleared her throat. “Are you okay? Doesn’t your stomach hurt?” I shook my head. “It’s good that our godchild is holding on strong. Your stepmother has no manners. You’re no longer under their power, but she acts like she’s the one feeding you.”

Matet sighed. “Let’s just talk about something else. Riri will only feel worse if we keep discussing this. I was surprised by what happened earlier.” She turned to me. “For your own safety, don’t go out alone. With how angry she is, you never know what she might do.”

We spent the rest of the day walking around the mall. I saw a few cute items here and there, but I didn’t buy everything. To end the day, the three of us went to a nail salon. We all got manicures and pedicures before heading home.

When I arrived at the penthouse, Justin wasn’t there yet. I thought he’d be done with work by now. It was already 5:30 in the afternoon. Well, he did say to come home before six. I still had thirty minutes to take a nap. I was tired from being out. We could probably have dinner around seven.