TRAVIATA
Sacha Feni was not only speechless, he was overjoyed. It wasn’t long before he was on the phone to Deanna, telling her that her audition had been a success and that he wanted to start working with her as soon as possible.
– I can’t believe it… – She was so surprised.
– I told you! I told you so! This is great, Deanna! – Leonard was thrilled.
– But…
– But nothing! You did it! You did it!… I’ll have to get in touch with the guy and see what happens next… Get ready, baby, because from now on you’re in for the world –
– I have to call mummy –
Cries of joy and laughter filled the small restaurant. Her little girl had taken a giant step forward and Philippa was overwhelmed. All their efforts to give Deanna the chance to do what she loved most had paid off. She had a bright future ahead of her.
For her, all the paths that had crossed before, that had brought her sorrow, heartbreak, heartache and pain, were now coming together to form a free and easy passage. If Harry had not lied to her, she would not have married Daniel, she would not have met Leonard or known that he was her father. And Leonard would not have found a purpose in life.
With that purpose in mind, Deanna was able to audition and earn her place in the world she loved so much. But if Harry hadn’t lied to her, she wouldn’t carry that mark on her heart; she wouldn’t carry Daniel inside her. Life had to take its course anyway.
Leonard and Camilla had only one thing in common at this point: divorce. There was nothing else to do.
– You know, you should agree to a divorce with your husband, Deanna… It’s about time –
– Divorce? But…
– Yes, I know… Think about it, you’re not tied to each other anymore. If you start travelling, it will be more complicated… Besides, you should let him go, since he has that bitch… –
It hurt Deanna, it hurt her a lot. Deep down she knew that Leonard was right, she knew that Beverly was the best person to take the place next to him, so why delay any longer? When he had told her that it was best to separate and she had refused, she had sought him out, she had let him know that she wanted to be with him. And he had accepted her… for fun.
– What should I do? –
– Nothing, just sign. I’ll talk to my lawyers so they can prepare everything.
– Okay…
For her part, Beverly continued to insist that Camilla convince Daniel to do the same. There was no point in staying married to Reed’s new mistress; it was a disgrace. But Daniel scornfully dismissed everything his mother said.
– You can’t stay married to this woman, Daniel. I’ll tell you again, and I’ll tell you a hundred times if I have to: sign the divorce papers.
– I will not –
– You’re going to stay married to Leonard’s mistress?! –
Daniel reacted violently every time she was called that, punching whatever was in front of him; in this case, the door.
– Don’t call her that! –
– You’re making a fool of yourself! Everyone has seen her with him in the street, they walk around in public. She doesn’t even respect the fact that she still has your surname! Stop this nonsense and sign the divorce papers! –
It was no use, he flatly refused every time. So Camila had decided to take matters into her own hands; she would force her to ask Daniel for a divorce.This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
She went to the hotel and asked for her, but Deanna had moved a few days ago to a small apartment near the Ambassador, where Feni had decided to start training her. She didn’t know where to find her, so she ventured beyond what she could control: Leonard’s office.
– Camilla, my dear, what a pleasure to see you! –
Leonard greeted her with a vehement and cynical attitude, although he did make her wait a little.
– What brings you here? –
– I want to talk to that woman, tell me where she is.
– What woman? –
– Your mistress! –
– Which one? –
– The one who was my son’s wife! –
– Ah! You mean Deanna… I won’t tell you where she is, she has nothing to do with you anymore, so why are you looking for her? –
– You’re a scoundrel… I want her to divorce Daniel immediately, as you rightly say, she has nothing to do with us anymore –
– We want the same thing, Camilla.
– Then tell me where she is.
– Of course not, forget it. You want to go looking for her to insult her and defend your stupid son, what are you going to accuse her of this time? Leave her alone –
– She’s making a bloody fool of Daniel in front of everyone! You! You’re the worst! –
– Your little darling son slept with his girlfriend Beverly, he didn’t care if he was married… We’re not so different, Camilla, don’t try to save him from the guilt… You came all the way here for nothing, my lawyers should be delivering the papers to Daniel right now –
– What?
– That’s right… If you hurry, you might find them in his office.
Camila almost ran off. Leonard sat back in his chair and smiled.
Daniel’s secretary secretly called Beverly to let her know that two lawyers had arrived on Deanna’s behalf to see him and she hurried to his office. When she entered she was greeted by another scene of rage. Daniel threw the papers in the faces of the two men who stood motionless in front of him.
– I’m not signing anything! Get out of here and tell that bastard to stop sending his lackeys to my office! –
– Excuse us, we’re leaving… –
They left and Beverly came in. There were papers on the floor and she started to pick them up.
– What had happened? Who were they? –
– Reed’s lawyers.
He stood at the window and ran his hand through his hair. He tried to control his anger, but more importantly, he tried to control his sadness. Deanna wanted to leave him completely.
Beverly settled into one of the chairs and began to read what Reed’s lawyers had brought. She knew they had a signed prenuptial agreement, but surely she would want to get something else out of him. She wasn’t going to let her take more than what had already been agreed.
– Why are you reading it? – Daniel asked.
– So you don’t get ripped off… –
– I won’t sign it –
– Daniel, please! Stop denying it. She sent Leonard’s lawyers, isn’t that more than enough proof? Stop insisting… –
Camila arrived in the middle of the discussion and Beverly quickly filled her in on what had happened.
– Sign right now, Daniel… What does she want? Give her all the money she asks for –
– No, Camila, this has to be done properly. She can’t take more than she’s entitled to.
– I’ll put in the extra money, that’s all this woman was looking for… Daniel, sign it –
Daniel didn’t answer, he kept looking out the window. He was fed up with Beverly and his mother; every conversation they had came back to the same subject. And he refused. He felt that the only thing that bound him to her was slowly peeling away, tearing at his skin. If he cut it off, it would be the end.
– She doesn’t want anything…” Beverly said in surprise as she finished reading.
– What do you mean she doesn’t want anything? – Camila asked.
– No, it says that she doesn’t want the prenuptial agreement, she doesn’t want a pension or compensation of any kind…
– Give it to her anyway – Daniel said.
– Will you sign it? – Camila was hopeful, her voice sounded happy.
– What for? She doesn’t want it… –
– I don’t care, Beverly, give it to her anyway – he said.
– Of course she doesn’t want it, now she’s taking it out on Leonard.
– Before you talk about her like that, you’d better remember what she did for your son and for Emma… Leave the papers on the desk, I’ll sign them later… Leave me alone – he said, fed up.
– But Daniel… – Camila insisted.
– Let’s go out, Camila, let him think… Come to my office and let’s have a coffee… – Beverly said.