My Blind Wife Wants Divorced

Agatha read through the reports that Chris presented in front of her. Her condition had improved significantly compared to her frequent illnesses. The only thing that made her feel down like this was the presence of Ester and the obedient-like behavior of Leonel, who was easily influenced. Whatever Ester did, everything got Leonel’s approval. Agatha was sure that Ester was up to something, but what?

Until a few weeks ago, she didn’t know what motivated Ester to act recklessly. Moreover, the media had been spreading rumors about a grand wedding that would take place, with Ester as the star. Many people speculated about who would be the lucky man to marry a famous and beautiful model like her.

Swear on anything, Agatha was not one of the lucky ones if Ester entered her home.

“That woman,” Agatha muttered while squeezing one of the papers that were part of the report given by Chris. “Does Leonel know about this?”

“Not yet, Ma’am,” Chris approached. He also felt worried that Agatha Theodore might relapse. As a lawyer and a supportive partner of the Grisham family, Chris was puzzled as to why Leonel was so weak.

It had been three months since Leonel and Chloe’s divorce, and many problems had been swirling around Mountain. But why did Leonel suddenly announce his relationship with Ester, even though it wasn’t public knowledge? Chris felt that something in which Ester was involved contributed to Leonel’s current state.

“He has to know, Chris!”

“Of course, Ma’am.”

“Don’t let Leonel find out about everything after the wedding. It will be too late then.”

Chris nodded again. He quickly organized the surprising findings for himself. He was ready to return to his office to continue his current priorities. “I’ll take my leave, Ma’am.”

Agatha nodded.

However, Chris’s steps halted as the door to Agatha’s room suddenly opened, revealing Leonel and Ester wearing sweet smiles. Meanwhile, Leonel seemed to be suppressing his annoyance and had a flushed face. For their matter, Chris didn’t want to get too involved. Despite being advised to be more cautious, Leonel seemed easily influenced by this woman whom Chris admitted was beautiful. But beauty alone wasn’t enough. What was the use of beauty if it was used cunningly to achieve one’s goals?

Chris understood that Ester was obsessed with becoming part of the Grisham family.

“It seems we have a guest,” Ester said, sitting casually on the sofa.

Agatha clicked her tongue in annoyance. Her face was no longer calm, and she gave a disapproving look to the woman.

“How is Mama doing?”

“Don’t call me that!” Agatha quickly retorted.

The atmosphere turned tense, and Ester stood abruptly, crossing her arms. “Oh, fine, if you don’t want to. I won’t force it. Besides, it doesn’t feel right to address you that way.”

Agatha growled in frustration.

“Ester,” Leonel warned quickly. “Respect my mother, who is still receiving treatment!”

“What should I respect? I respect what I receive. Your mother’s reception has never been friendly from the beginning, belittling me, and even now?” Ester chuckled. “Although it’s clear that I helped you escape your difficulties. If it weren’t for me, who made many efforts for Mountain’s meetings with various parties and achieved new agreements, what could Agatha do?”

Leonel clenched his jaw. He wanted to say many things, but they all remained swallowed.

“No, right?” Ester sat back comfortably on her sofa. “It doesn’t matter. You always consider me the worst part of your life. Well, it doesn’t matter. This nightmare will continue to exist and stick firmly. Haunting every step, you take, especially you, Darling.” Ester closed her eyes slowly. “Remember, your indebtedness cannot be measured in monetary terms.”

The well-dressed man fell silent. Meanwhile, Agatha stared at her son with disbelief. She never expected her pride and joy to be so timid as not to attempt to challenge Ester’s claims. It was clear that Ester’s intentions extended beyond just Leonel. There must be something bigger at play. Agatha felt a strong sense of intuition as a woman and a mother.

“How long will you stay silent, Leonel?” Agatha asked, her tone incredulous. Her eyes were still fixed on Leonel, who was sitting beside her. She even pushed away Leonel’s hand when he reached out to hold hers. “How long?”

“Mrs. Agatha,” Chris interjected, observing the interactions between everyone. Agatha’s health would undoubtedly be significantly affected if things continued this way. The pressure exerted by Ester had already caused Agatha to feel overwhelmed, and now it was evident that Leonel seemed to be siding with Ester. Moreover, Ester appeared extremely relaxed in response to everything, as if victory was already within her grasp.

“Remember your blood pressure,” Chris finally said.

“Yes, Ma.” Leonel was puzzled about how he could have lost everything that had once been his strength. He felt like a lost man, easily swayed in any direction. He couldn’t accept how his mother was being treated, but he couldn’t do much to the woman he once loved.

Blinded by his love. Melted by her sweet and timid voice. Entranced by her gentle demeanor. Deceived by all the tenderness Ester had shown him.

How many years had he forgotten and made Ester his queen? It may have been seven years, with the last five ending in disappointment for the woman with a good heart. But the more time passed, Leonel understood the true meaning of love between them, himself and Ester.

A deceptive love.

Agatha expressed her disapproval once again. She turned her face away from Leonel, making her son appear saddened by the fact that his mother had never treated him with such coldness before. But simultaneously, he had to comply with what Ester wanted.

He was utterly powerless. In the past, it was because of love. This time, it was Ester’s ambition that rendered Leonel helpless.

He could still vividly recall their meeting at a cafe that was made as private as possible. Leonel knew that the hot gossip about him and Ester was still circulating, with many wanting to dig deeper into their relationship.

It was around two and a half months after his divorce if Leonel remembered correctly.

Ester came to visit him with a broad smile on her face. She didn’t appear to be someone facing multiple problems. But then again, was there anything troubling Ester? No. All the media coverage only blamed Leonel. They started to disturb his marriage with Chloe, even though the media only knew that Chloe was still recovering from an accident.

He also tried to ensure that Chloe would be okay with the presence of news-hunting journalists. He didn’t care if his name appeared more frequently in online news articles or was associated with Ester, who was now sitting in front of him.

“How are you, Darling?” Ester asked.

Leonel cleared his throat briefly. “How do you see me now?”

Ester laughed. It was a laugh that sounded quite disdainful to Leonel’s ears. He glared at Ester, his expression displeased.

“Oh! Don’t be like that, Leonel,” Ester said while rubbing her palms together. “I met you to agree on one thing.”

“I didn’t come here to negotiate, Ester.” Leonel began to lean back slightly. “Stop everything you’re doing. I don’t know what’s driving you to do all this, Ester. You look different.”

“Is that so?” Ester smiled again. “Different how, Mas Leonel? More beautiful? Fresh? Attracting sympathy from the public due to the news surrounding you? The ruthless tycoon misbehaving?”

Leonel grumbled in frustration. His hands clenched tightly. His gaze also sharpened as he stared at Ester. “Don’t try to provoke me.”

Ester chuckled. “You’re so… naive, Leonel.” Then she abruptly erased her laughter. “I met you to make a new agreement.”

“A new agreement? I’ve never made any agreements with you, Ester.”

“True. But didn’t what I said to the media leave you floundering? I’ve been observing your every move, Leonel.”

“What do you want?” Leonel quickly interjected. There was a hint of weariness he couldn’t hide when his eyes locked with Ester’s gaze. Watches that had once made him lose himself in them. Closing his eyes to the things surrounding this woman.

“All I’ve ever wanted is the same, Leonel,” Ester spoke in the softest tone possible, but her gaze was sharp. “To be a part of Grisham. To be your wife. That’s all. Nothing has changed.”

“That’s no longer possible, Ester. You know that, right?”

“What’s not possible?” Ester remained as composed as possible. “Because of the rumors circulating? Which could potentially point to our affair?”

Leonel fell silent.

“I know what you’re thinking, Leonel. That’s why I came to meet you. You’re staying silent because of one thing, right?”

Still staring at Ester intently, Leonel chose to keep his voice silenced, contemplating what Ester wanted to say.

“It’s easy for you to ruin my name with just one news article. You must prove many things about our affair, and Ester Gisella’s name will trend as the ultimate cheater.” Ester chuckled. “Yet, I was waiting for the moment when you would release that news in response to the press conference I held.”

“Are you deliberately provoking me, Ester?”

Without hesitation, Ester nodded. “You’re right. I am deliberately doing it. I want to see how long Leonel Grisham will risk his prestigious name.”

Leonel’s hands clenched tightly.

“Unfortunately, that didn’t happen,” Ester pretended to put on a sad face. “I thought it was because of me not wanting to tarnish your name. But it turns out I was wrong. I had too high expectations for you.” Ester smiled charmingly. “You’re doing all this for Chloe, so your ex-wife doesn’t get hurt. Right?”

“It’s none of your business!” Leonel muttered in disapproval. He stood up from his seat and prepared to leave the dining room, where he hadn’t touched any dishes ordered and served in front of him. He had lost his appetite for food, barely filling his stomach since morning.

Talking to Ester was suddenly causing his emotions to rise.

“Not my business, right?” Ester asked with a mocking laugh. She allowed Leonel to walk away, but before he disappeared through this private dining room door, she said, “What if… the CCTV footage from the Cattle Village hotel gets leaked, and I provide evidence of a pregnancy test kit? Is it still not your business?”

Leonel halted his steps. He was taken aback by Ester’s words just now. What did she say? CCTV footage from the hotel? His memory flew back to a series of events that took place in that hotel. “Are you… setting me up?”

“Not at all,” Ester stood up from her seat. She approached Leonel, who was now staring at her. “Why would I set you up now? I could have done it years ago. Why would I have to wait for this moment? It would be a waste of time. The opportunity for me to replace Chloe by your side is significant, Leonel. Very significant. I must humble myself in the media and create a little sensation. Then you would be dragged along; maybe we have been married for a long time. Maybe we already have a child.”

“You!” Leonel accused her sharply. “You’re truly a scheming woman-”

“A smart woman? Yes, that’s me,” Ester interrupted swiftly. “I just have to tell the media that the video is evidence of you forcing me to serve you. Just because of the contract between Mountain and Ester Gisella. And now, it’s the right time to show the result of your coercion, right?”

“Ester!”

“Yes, Leonel. I’m here.” Ester laughed. She gently brushed away Leonel’s hand that almost touched her face. She held it, just like they used to, with intimacy. Leonel’s hand had nearly made contact with her. But Ester wasn’t afraid. If Leonel were to act harshly towards her, she could do anything to make him submit to her.

Anything! That was her pledge in her heart.

“And now you turn away, Mas Leonel? Are you letting yourself be humiliated in front of the public just to protect one person? So she can be calm, comfortable, and return to her life? Is that your silent goal?” Ester asked softly.

“When this video spreads, I can also add news that I can exclusively obtain about your damn ex-wife’s activities. Self-therapy, doing everything alone, even withdrawing because she couldn’t bear our affair. Then the journalists will disturb her life. Questioning everything, what I feel accused of, maybe a comparison or attacking me through competing news. It will only hurt Chloe even more.”

Leonel clenched his fists.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“Right?”