Chapter 13 - I Crave For My Ex-Wife's Love

Alexander nodded, still lost in thought. "Very well, Lily. I'll be there."

Lily hesitated before continuing. "Also, sir, your family lunch at Bellavista is scheduled for 2 PM today. Your mother, Aunt Malicia, and Cousin Lylah will be joining you."

Alexander's expression darkened, his jaw clenched. "Remind me why I agreed to this again."

Lily's tone was cautious. "You mentioned it was important to maintain family ties, sir."

Alexander's irritation flared. "Maintain family ties? They're the ones who poisoned my mind against Roslyn. Aunt Malicia and Lylah were merciless, always finding fault in her."

Lily's expression remained neutral. "I understand, sir. But perhaps this lunch can be an opportunity to—"

Alexander cut her off, his voice rising. "To what? Pretend everything's fine? Forget how they treated Roslyn like dirt? My mother's bad enough, but Aunt Malicia and Lylah... they were relentless. Their cruelty still echoes in my mind."

Alexander's gaze turned inward, memories of Roslyn's pain and humiliation flooding his mind.

"Aunt Malicia's condescending smiles, Lylah's mocking laughter... the way they made Roslyn feel inferior... how can I face them again?"

Lily's voice remained gentle. "For your own peace, sir. Not for them."

Alexander's sigh was heavy, his shoulders sagging. "Fine. I'll attend the lunch. But I make no promises."

Lily nodded. "I'll inform your family of the confirmation, sir."

As Lily departed, Alexander's thoughts lingered on Roslyn, his regret and longing intensifying.

Why did he agree to this lunch? Was it truly to maintain family ties, or was it a desperate attempt to cling to the familiar, to distract himself from the ache of losing Roslyn?

Lily finished and departed; Alexander's gaze lingered on the folder, his mind still reeling with emotions.

The lunch loomed ahead, a daunting prospect.

Alexander's mind drifted back to that fateful evening, Roslyn's birthday dinner at Bellavista. Unbeknownst to everyone, she had meticulously planned the evening, hoping to create cherished memories with Alexander's family.

As they gathered around the table, Roslyn's radiant smile hinted at her excitement. Alexander recalled his own obliviousness, unaware of the significance of the night.

The dinner began, and Alexander's mother, Aunt Malicia, and cousin Lylah dominated the conversation, discussing trivial matters while ignoring Roslyn's attempts to engage.

Alexander's mother, her voice shrill, launched into a lengthy monologue about her gardening exploits. "I simply can't get the roses to bloom this season. I've tried everything."

Aunt Malicia chimed in, her tone condescending. "Dear sister, you're using the wrong fertilizer. I swear by organic compost."

Cousin Lylah snickered, inserting herself into the conversation. "I heard the Johnsons' daughter is getting married. Such a lovely couple."

Roslyn attempted to interject, her voice tentative. "I've been reading about sustainable gardening practices. Perhaps we could discuss—"

But Alexander's mother talked over her, unaware or uncaring. "Lylah, have you heard from Emily recently? How's her family?"

Aunt Malicia pounced on the topic, her eyes gleaming with gossip. "Yes, I heard Emily's husband is struggling in his business. Such a shame."

Cousin Lylah's laughter trilled. "I know, right? Some people just aren't cut out for entrepreneurship."

Roslyn's attempts to contribute were consistently dismissed, her words lost amidst the cacophony of conversation.

As the main course arrived, Roslyn's enthusiasm had waned, her eyes clouding with disappointment. Alexander's family continued their verbal jabs, targeting her background.

"Roslyn, dear, your grandfather was a kind man, but really, he didn't leave you much, did he?" Alexander's mother said, her tone dripping with disdain.

Aunt Malicia chimed in, her voice laced with malice. "Yes, and his financial struggles were quite...legendary."

Cousin Lylah snickered, her eyes flashing with cruelty. "I hear he was living on welfare before he passed away. How tragic."

Roslyn's face fell, her eyes welling up with tears. Alexander remembered feeling a surge of discomfort but remained silent, unaware of the evening's true significance.

Little did they know, Roslyn had organized this dinner to celebrate her birthday, hoping to find acceptance and belonging among Alexander's family. Instead, she found herself brutalized by their thoughtless words.