Meanwhile, when Nyla was talking to her father the next morning in the gardens...
Callum talked to his father separately about Nyla in the study.
"You were right. Their relationship must be cracked more than I initially thought. Otherwise, they would have made up yesterday. It seems they have a lot more to talk about."
"Dad, I didn't tell you much yesterday. But their falling out is not just a simple misunderstanding. She was forced into an arranged marriage and the husband divorced her exactly two years later. Her father told her in the beginning that if that happens, she will be disowned. She settled here because she has no family. The rest, I already told you yesterday. I'm her newfound strength and I plan to marry her. She deserves so much love after all that happened to her. I don't require your blessing but, I need it. It will calm me if I know you will treat her kindly too."
"Hahaha, I know you well enough son. Nothing will stop you. Divorced, convicted, virgin or not, blind, deaf, whatever... if that person loves you and has you as her priority, I will have nothing against whoever you choose. Besides, I have always liked her. She's a sweet and obedient girl. If anything, I am more concerned because you can bully such a nice girl."
James smirked at that comment. Nyla likes to be bullied in another sense...
"Hmmm anyway, if you are serious about marrying her, how about getting her an engagement ring? Strike while the iron is hot eh? I have a friend, she's a jeweler and designer living one town over. Well if she's not abroad that is. I can make you two meet, her name's Anyssa Klein. You just need to choose a ring or talk about the design yourself." Neil pulled out his cell phone and sent a text message to the person. Initially asking if she was in the country.
"That's a great idea dad. Let me know once she responds."
"Sure sure... Well, I'll be off golfing with my friends. Let's talk later. I'm happy for you son. Really happy." Neil grabbed his son by the shoulders and gave him a quick hug. Visibly happy even when he went out of the room.
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After her father went off to go back home, Nyla went to the guest room. She opened her luggage and opened one hidden compartment and took out a small box. It was due to this box that she was beaten when it slipped out when Jacques was drunk.
She opened the black velvet box. She remembered when she purchased their wedding rings four years ago. James had no interest so she took care of everything. Since there was no ceremony, she booked the restaurant after the document signing at the courthouse. The rings she purchased with her own money. From her savings. Thinking she cannot ask James who is very busy.
That night she gave the ring to James, in a small black box too. He looked at it and sneered.
"What's this? Some cheap ring you want me to wear?"
"I... I will buy you a better one on our anniversary. I promise." Nyla said, trying to appease her new husband. The ring is much thicker than hers. She focused on giving him a much more expensive one which has almost the same design as hers. She cannot afford a pair of the same quality.
"No need. You don't get it, do you?"
"Please just keep it, in case. You don't need to wear it. I'll just wear mine. Please let's get along huh? I will try to be a good wife to you. I promise."
James never wore it. He chucked it in the bedside drawer and probably forgot about it.
But Nyla's... she has worn it every day since then. She liked the feeling of being married. She feels like she can start a family of her own. An illusion that lasted a very short while. Her dreams were shattered when James asked her to religiously take her contraceptive pills and he wore a condom every time he had sex with her. So much for building a family.
She looked at the old ring devoid of shimmer and elegance. It's a simple wedding band, a few grams only, a bit thin, and has a chip and a small crack on one part. It's a bit deformed too. It was really cheap. She wore it every day and she doesn't have the time nor money to have it maintained in a jewelry shop. But she wore it faithfully. Proudly. Wearing it means she belongs to somebody. Even though it's shrouded with a lie.
She belongs to him but she isn't claimed.
She heard a knock. Callum asked to come in. She let him. She didn't move from her spot near the window where she was examining her old ring.
"Baby, what are you doing?" He put his head on her shoulder and saw the ring in her hand. "Your old wedding ring? Why do you still have it?" Jealousy brewing in his tone. He straightened up immediately and gently made her face him.
"You know, this slipped out that night, which made Jacques angry so he beat me to the point of unconsciousness. This was worn for 2 years exactly during the time I was married. This ring has never seen a happy life. I've been thinking of what to do about it. Shall I sell it? Get back my money? But the ring I bought for him is worth more... hmmm..."
Nyla is honestly stupidly thinking out loud. Making Callum irritated.
"You bought your rings?!" Callum exploded.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I took care of everything. James has no intention to cooperate and our fathers are pushy sooo I had to take care of everything." Nyla looked up and only then did she realize that she was making Callum mad with all these stories.
"Oh my, I'm so sorry Callum. I will put this away now." Nyla awakened from her airheadedness and turned to get the box.
Callum caught her hand and took the ring.
"How much do you want for the rings? I'll give it to you."
"The other ring is not with me—"
"I don't fucking care, I will pay you, how much is it worth! Give this to me and I will throw this away!" Anger and jealousy got the best of Callum.
Nyla, teary-eyed, slowly reached for Callum's waist and when she received no resistance, embraced him tightly. She buried her face in his chest and continuously murmured apologies. Callum is panting from anger.
He eventually embraced her back.
"You don't deserve that. Any of that which happened to you. Let me love you exclusively Nyla. Don't think of the past anymore." Callum's words were tinged with jealousy.
"I'm sorry Callum, I just thought of removing it from my possession. I'm not reliving my memories."
"Okay... okay... give me that box. I will take care of it."
Nyla gave it to him.
"How much?"
"Around $900."
"This?!" Callum is beginning to get angry again.
"Eh.. mine is around $100. His is $800. I chose a high-priced one for him because he's a doc—"
"Stop. Just... stop. The average for women is at least $1000 and $500 for men. I can honestly imagine what you're thinking at that time..." He embraced her once again while slightly shaking his head in disbelief.
"Please don't be mad anymore."
"I can't even choose which to get mad at. There are lots of things that went wrong at your wedding. In your married life. In your life. As I have said before, I want you to rely on me. You're my woman, my baby, my angel, my mistress... I just—"
"You're a jealous man."
"And possessive don't forget."
"Yes...Yes... I'm all yours"
"Good... Can I lock you up in my room? I will feed you, bathe you, service you, make you happy..."
"No"
"Why?"
"Because I need to be beside you always."
"Ah right..." He carried her to the bed.
"Hey!"
"Three rounds before lunch."
"No, one only!"
"Two then, no more objection, my beautiful Nyla. Now spread it for me..."