3- Best Two Years

"Mom!" she quickly wiped her tears with the back of her hand and turned to her.

"Now drop the act, Marissa. Let's face the truth. I'm not your mom and you are not my daughter in law…"

"B…but…"

"No ifs and buts, Marissa. You were there when Valerie wasn't available. Accept it! He loves her. He'll never leave her. In his mind, she is the one who stayed beside him all this time."

"B… but you can tell him that…"

"Tell what? That you are his wife? No way!" there was a sarcastic smirk playing on her lips, "Just be practical, Marissa. Thank your stars that you got a chance to enjoy our family's wealth all this time. You got the chance to sleep beside him when all the girls were dying just to have a glimpse of him. You had a lavish life all this time. What more do you want, love?" 

Marissa closed her eyes in disappointment, "That means… that means you used me. Right?" a humorless chuckle slipped through her mouth.

"So did you!" Nina shrugged her shoulders, "If you want, I can pay you so that you can live a comfortable life."

"What if…" Marissa swallowed hard, "What if I had conceived during that time? What if we had a baby? What would you do then?"

Nina brought her face dangerously close to Marissa, "I would have killed him."

 Marissa gasped but the evil woman nodded at her, "That's right. Sinclair's heir will only born from a woman who is extremely beautiful and looks classy beside my handsome son. You are not fit to carry Sinclair's heir. We have got standards, girl."

With a sinking heart, Marissa took a step back and tried to smile, "Noted."

When she was leaving the hospital, she wanted to cry at the top of her lungs. They used her. All of them used her.

"What will I tell my babies?" she cried leaning back her head to the back seat of the cab. For the past two years, she had been traveling in luxury cars but today she was again back to square one.

When she reached the Sinclair residence there was silence in the living room. Two maids were cleaning the furniture and Marissa realized these weren't the same faces she was used to seeing every day.

Nina Sinclair had gone too far when she had replaced all the servants of the house.

It was dangerous to stay in this house. If by any chance, Nina came to know about her pregnancy she might kill her babies.

"No. I can't do that." She quickly went to her bedroom and opened the door only to find Valerie already inside.

"Here. Pack your bags and leave. Just try to make it quick." She placed two huge empty bags on the floor.

Marissa looked around the room where she had spent the most amazing time of her life with her husband. In the initial days, how he used to get depressed, and she vowed never to leave his side.

"I'm sorry, Rafael for not keeping my word. But our babies' lives are in danger, honey." She needed to be strong for her kids' sake.

She didn't have any proof of her wedding, nor she had any witnesses. Whenever Rafael used to call any of his office assistants, Nina would never let her come face to face with any of them.

The couple always stayed indoors because Rafael never wanted to go out. He did insist her to go out and enjoy parties or shopping, but she never left his side.

Once or twice when they wanted to have an outdoor dinner then Nina arranged everything in their private gardens.

They rarely had romantic candlelight dinners because it was useless for Rafael and she was not interested because all she craved, was his company.

It didn't take much time to pack when she had to fill only one bag. Valerie stayed there all the time keeping an eye on her. 

"Sorry. I can't take risks. Our valuables should stay safe." She explained to her younger sister with an evil smirk.

Once Marissa was done, she picked up her bag and started descending the stairs.

There was nothing except her clothes and documents. She couldn't continue her education just to give twenty-four-hour company to her husband.

She came down and went to the kitchen to pour herself some iced water when she heard some commotion in the living room.

"Rafael. You made it early," she saw Valerie striding towards him with a smile, "welcome home."

Rafael threw a careless glance in Marissa's direction and then smiled at Valerie.

"I wanted to have lunch with my wife." He pulled the chair and sat down, "So what is there for lunch?"

For the first time, Marissa felt Valerie getting nervous, "I ... I need to ask … the chef."

"Chef?" he frowned upon looking up, "You always cooked food for me. Why not now? Remember? You promised me to make my favorite beef Fajita when I get discharged," he then held her hand, "Never mind. Just give me your company."

Marissa knew what he was talking about. The way he used to sit in the kitchen while she cooked his favorite food. She kept looking at Rafael and wanted to slap hard across his face to tell him that it was all a mistake.

He was making a blunder.

"I'm leaving Rafael," she tried to shift his attention to her. 

"I wish you could have lunch with us, Marissa. But you have become so self-centered and so stubborn in your ways, you selfish woman! I would prefer that you don't stay at my place any longer."

He said without meeting her gaze, "Go and learn to stand on your two feet instead of eyeing my money, and stop dreaming of taking advantage of my blindness. I'm no more blind."

Marissa couldn't take it anymore, "I regret breaking it to you, Rafael Sinclaire but you are now a blind man who can't see anything around you. Three days back you weren't blind. You were able to see everything when you were blind."

"Marissa!" her ex-mother-in-law cooed, "have lunch with us. As Valerie's sister, I will love it if you join us."

Marissa knew why Nina was doing that. Just to show Rafael how she was not in a hurry to get rid of her.

For once Marissa had an evil glint in her eyes, "Sure, Nina. If you say so." Ignoring Nina's pale face she took a seat right next to Rafael.

Before Rafael could protest, Valerie gave him, her best smile, "It's OK, Rafael. After all, she is my sister and will leave soon."

Just to save their faces, both women weren't showing their evil sides to him.

"Fine," he muttered and waited when servants started placing the hot piping dishes on the table.

The first bite Rafael took from his plate, he stopped and closed his eyes.

"This isn't the same taste that I became habitual of," he told more to himself, examining the meatloaf on his plate.

"Maybe lack of eyesight made you more sensitive to your taste buds," Valerie offered him the explanation that seemed to convince him.

"There are so many things that will transform, Rafael." Marissa muttered toying with her food, "Too sad! You won't realize it today."

Rafael who had stopped eating his food tilted his head sideways to look at the woman who used to be so reserved and shy when he started dating Valerie.

Marissa could feel his green eyes on her face. They all might be curious about what she was talking about because only Rafael could hear her. They surely hit their foot with an axe when they not only offered her to stay for lunch but didn't mind her sitting next to him.

"Watch out your tongue, Marissa. Another word against my wife and you might regret it." This time Marissa met his green eyes wondering if she would ever be able to see them again.

"You be happy, Rafael." She smiled sincerely, "You might regret it too, once I'm gone." She felt Rafael going rigid. Finishing the food on her plate, she dragged back her chair to stand up.

"Bye, everyone."

She picked up her bag ignoring Rafael's curious glances. Her survival mode was on, and she didn't want to create further issues.

"Let's get you out of here, my babies. This place isn't for you." With that, she left the house where she spent the best two years of her life.