"What happened to your hand? Who did this?" asked Orabela with a worried glance.
Earlier, when she got the news of her boyfriend being hurt, she rushed out to see him without having her breakfast.
"My uncle did that," Roderick said as he looked at his plastered left hand. "Mom, why didn't Grandpa say anything to him?" He shrieked, even the nurse present there got terrified of him but she chose to keep quiet and finished her work soon before leaving.
"Grandpa will definitely punish your uncle. Don't be angry. It can affect your health. Remember what the doctor said earlier," Fiona told her soon while patting his hand.
Roderick got down from the bed and told his mother that he would come home later.
"But where are you going? You need rest, son," Fiona suggested.
"It's my left hand that's broken. I want to be with Orabela for some time," said Roderick. "You should go home. Don't worry about me," he stated.
Orabela said the same to Fiona. "I'll be with him to take care of him. So, don't worry about that," she reassured Roderick's mother.
"Alright." Fiona agreed to them and left for home.
After her, both of them also left for a hotel, which was their occasional place for a meet up and spending time together.
Orabela picked up the envelope with medicines. "You didn't tell me Layla was getting married," he said as he sat on the mattress, his head resting on the headboard.
"I didn't want to bother you with such a petty news," Orabela said and rested her handbag on the table. "Why did your uncle do this to you?" she queried.
"Because of Layla," Roderick answered. "She had come to the home in the morning to greet my grandpa. I can't believe she's my aunt now!" He muttered as he cursed something under his breath.
"That bitch! I am going to kill her for hurting you like this," Orabela said as her nostrils flared in flare.
"Kill her?" Roderick chuckled. "You must be joking to me. You can't even touch Layla. She's married to my uncle, Lucius De Salvo. Do you even understand the meaning of that?" He almost barked at her as if the anger he had inside him, he wanted to unleash it on Orabela.
"But isn't your uncle kind of insane? You told me that he loves to give pain to the others. Everyone hates the very sight of Layla. You also despise her," said Orabela, not having any idea that Lucius was now Layla's protector.
"You and your family is stupid!" Roderick remarked sharply.
"Rick, are you calling me stupid?" Orabela pointed the hand at herself. She was hurt by that remark.
"Then, why did you hide from me about Layla's marriage? Layla hates me. You even told me that I proposed to you without even asking me!" Roderick was losing control on his sanity.
"Why does that even matter? Don't you love me, Rick?" She glared at him while waiting for his answer.
"Just leave me alone. I want to rest," Roderick said and gestured to her to leave.
"I'm not going anywhere. You are hurt and I should be with you," Orabela refused to leave him.
"Leave when I'm saying it nicely, else you know what I do when I lose my temper," Roderick said sternly.
Orabela had never seen her boyfriend reacting like this before. She clenched her fists, determined to confront Layla for the mess she had made. She left the bed, picked up her handbag in anger and left the room in fury.
Meanwhile, Roderick ordered the alcohol and checked his phone. "Layla, how could you ditch me and marry my uncle? You were always mine. You were supposed to look after me," he muttered and found her number.
However, he couldn't get the strength to call on that number. If he was scared the most from someone, then it was Lucius. He didn't even flinch to break his wrist. Next time, he could even go worse.
"Fuck!" He tossed the phone on the bed and ran his fingers through his hair. Those burning eyes of Layla were bothering him. She used to carry such sweetness in them. He didn't know Orabela would speak about their relationship like that.
"I was a fool to even propose to her. Layla won't come to me even if I try to explain myself. I know she doesn't love my uncle. But his gaze on her and their interactions made it feel like Layla liked him. Did she really cheat on me behind my back?" Roderick murmured while his jaw tightened.
****
Orabela gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white with tension as she dialed Layla's number. She was ready to confront her, to teach her a lesson she'd never forget. The phone rang, but with each passing second, Orabela's patience wore thinner.
"How dare she not answer my call? Does she not know who I am?!" she hissed, her eyes narrowing as the call ended without a response.
Frustration boiled over. Her mind raced back to Roderick— he never treated her this way. Why did it feel like he still harbored feelings for Layla? No, that couldn't be right. "He proposed to me," Orabela reminded herself, trying to soothe the sharp edge of jealousy gnawing at her.
"We've shared a bed more times than I can count," she murmured, gripping the wheel even tighter. "Layla could never give him what I could! He chose me, not her." She repeated these thoughts over and over, convincing herself not to dwell on the insecurities creeping in. Layla was nothing compared to her because she was the real heiress while Layla was an illegitimate daughter.
A sinister smirk formed on her lips and she decided to do something, which would make Layla lose her dignity even in Lucius' eyes.
She called someone and instructed him with a task. "Yes, I will send you the details. Make sure it creates havoc in the media. Don't forget to mention, the woman who's married to Lucius De Salvo."
The call disconnected and Orabela said, "Layla, you look good while you cry. I want to see Lucius throwing you out of his house and his life. Then, you'll be alone."