Chapter 7

Maya had no idea when Arthur, Isla, and Adam had left the graveyard. All she knew was that she remained there, sitting alone in the midst of dead people, until Barbara gave her a call. "Where the hell are you? Get back here right now! Arthur's lost his damned mind. He says he wants to marry Isla!" Barbara screeched. At this point, Maya no longer had the strength or will to respond. After all, the slap she had received might as well be a sign that their marriage was done for. She knew that nothing would change even if she returned. Still, she forced herself to get up under Barbara's vehement insistence. It was difficult to catch a cab near the cemetery. After all, it wasn't exactly a prime tourist spot. By the time she finally made it home, they had already come to verbal blows. In fact, Barbara's tear tracks were nearly dry, her anger from the phone call mostly spent. They had come to an agreement. Adam would keep the Selwyn name, and Arthur would still support the Selwyn family business whilst pursuing his career. However, Isla's unborn child would bear the Holland name. It was a compromise that they had all decided to swallow. Well, not all of them, as Paul and Barbara were reluctant, but Isla and Adam were delighted. Another round of argument started the second Maya walked through the door. "I don't want the baby growing up calling another woman 'Mom'. I want Ms. Selwyn to cooperate with me and file for divorce." Arthur's face was cold as he handed Maya the divorce papers. Maya stared at the thin sheet of paper, a low sob threatening to claw up her throat. Isla leaned forward, excitement evident in her eyes. Meanwhile, Paul and Barbara remained staunchly silent. It was clear that they were on the same page. Maya's lips could barely twitch, but a bitter smile still managed to drag itself up there. Her hands slowly tightened around the agreement in her hand. The glimmer of hope Arthur was harboring died right then and there. His temper flared as icy anger poured off him in droves. Then, he grabbed her wrist violently and snarled, "Since you've agreed to the divorce, I suppose you have no need for that heirloom either." He was referring to the emerald bracelet he had personally fastened on her the day he confessed his feelings for her. This emerald bracelet was a token of their love. She lowered her head, desperately trying to stop herself from bawling. Eventually, she pried the bracelet off her. Perhaps it had only taken a few seconds, but the pain behind the action was so great that she felt as though she wasn't removing a bracelet. Instead, she was skinning herself. Yet, who could she blame for her situation? She had placed her trust in the wrong person. The wrong people. Then, she had pushed her husband away of her own volition. She was the one who had broken his heart first. What was happening now was merely her cutting herself to the bone on her bed of roses. "Wonderful. Fantastic," Arthur growled, a twisted sneer marring his features before abruptly ripping the divorce papers to shreds. Then, he spat, "I won't let you have your way. That would be too easy. No, that wouldn't be any fun at all." Everyone stared at him, utterly dumbstruck. However, he ignored them all before storming out, leaving absolute chaos in his wake. Honestly, Maya was done. She was tired, physically and emotionally. Her brain was filled with fluff, and her thoughts seemed like bitter syrup. Hence, she could barely keep her own thoughts in line, much less everyone else's feelings and opinions. Still, she started packing her bags as soon as she returned to her room. She might have been the most brainless fool to ever exist, but she wasn't a blind one. She had seen how the Selwyns had reacted earlier. She had sacrificed her own marriage for the Selwyns… yet, they were more than ready to throw her under the bus. If that were the case, then perhaps it was time for her to discard this family too. She was still packing when the door suddenly swung open. Isla walked in, her baby bump barely showing as she brushed her hair back to flaunt the emerald bracelet on her wrist. Then, she said with a smirk, "Artie only tore up those papers because you upset him. But you and I both know that he's already chosen me. Look, doesn't the Hollands' heirloom suit me perfectly?" Maya couldn't be bothered to spare her a glance. "You can stop. I'll be leaving the Selwyns soon enough. In fact, let me spell it out for you. I'm leaving this place, and you'll never have to see me again. Is that enough—" Isla abruptly let out a cry, cutting her off before she could finish her sentence. To make matters worse, the woman even had the gall to fall to the ground, clutching her stomach. "My baby!" she wailed. Arthur rushed in almost instantaneously, crying out in alarm, "Isla!" Then, he swiftly carried her in his arms and bolted out of the door. He didn't even look at Maya. … Moments later, she heard the roar of the engine fading away into the night. Maya's eyes glazed over, staring at nothing as her lips quirked into a smile. Yet, tears soon began to roll down her cheeks. As dawn crept by, Barbara came to her, saying softly, "I know you're upset, and you're doing this for George. Still, we have no other options left. You have to think about Adam." Maya's head snapped up in shock, a question at her lips. Alas, Arthur barged in before she could say anything. "So… Isla was right. You only ever cared for George. If that's the case, then there's no reason for us to remain married," he said, handing her a new set of divorce papers. This time, his signature was already on it. Maya caught the flicker of guilt on Barbara's face, an epiphany dawning upon her like the sun painting the skies gold. They wanted her gone. Since that was the case, she would fulfil her role as the pariah and grant their final wish before she disappeared from their lives. With this, she had repaid the Selwyns for raising her in full. As for Arthur and Isla? Well, the only thing she could do was wish them a long, blissful life—a life filled with pitter-patters of little feet.