Doris smiled triumphantly then called onto one 9f the maids, "Go to my room, there''s a brown file on the desk. Bring it."


    I raise my brows, did she have this nned all along? Perhaps, she had intended to give me the shares whether or not I stay with her grandson. That made more sense because Doris was not one to take


    decisions in the heat of the moment.


    The maid came back with the file. Grandma asked the maid to ce the file before her then she beckoned on me. "Here, you will have to sign here," she pointed to a spot and then another, "And here then the shares are yours.


    I scuttled closer and took the pen she stretched out to me. I nced through the terms then I signed on the share transfer documents. As I signed them, I could feel the drill of Rose''s gaze atop my head.


    you."


    When all was done, Doris put the documents beside her and smiled. "Thank


    I shook my head, "No, Doris. I should be the one thanking you." Then I took her frail hands with a surprisingly firm grip in mine, "Thank you so much."


    She nodded with a smile. I released her hand and got on my feet. I turned to Mark, "By 9:00 AM tomorrow, I''ll be at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, be there or be square." I made sure to sound firm. I didn''t want my time to be wasted again.


    He remained seated, his right ankle resting on his left knee. He nodded and replied with that aloof expression still stered on his face, "See you tomorrow."


    Grandma Doris walked me to the entrance of the living room. Then she pulled me into a hug. "Till we see


    again,"


    "I already promised you, I''d make time toe visit."


    "Please do."


    We hugged one more time and I walked out of their living room. I made my way to the garage to get my car. As my hand gripped the car''s doorknob and was about to pull the door open, I almost screamed in fright when Rose appeared out of nowhere from behind me.


    "And where did you get those keys?"


    I closed my eyes and took a deep calming breath. Then I swirled on my heels and turned to her. "Excuse


    me?"


    "You bitch!" She started, bitter as always, "You took my son''s shares, and now you want to steal his car?" She red at me viciously.


    I scoffed. Seriously?! Is this how easy it was to steal a car? I spared her a bored nce, my tine ast rxed as I could make it, "This is my car, not your son''s, you go ask your son."


    Just then, Mark appeared, his hands lodged in his pockets, from deep in the shadows of the garage-- same direction his mother hade from. I squinted my eyes behind him, was there some door there that was linked Inside the house or something?


    I nodded toward Mark''s for Rose to see that he was behind her. "There is he, ask him."


    Rose turned sharply, the words immediately tumbling down her mouth. "Why would you give her the key to such an expensive car? What for? Some kind of farewell gift?


    Mark regarded his mother for a while then his gaze traveled to the car and back to Rose''s face. "It''s hers, not mine." He answered simply.


    Rose turned and gaped at the car, open-mouthed. Then she erupted, "How''s that even possible? How can you afford such an expensive car?"


    "I am no longer your daughter inw, why should I tell you how I came to own the car? It''s my business."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Though we were yet to be officially divorced, since Grandma Doris has approved it and Mark has also agreed then it was done. In my head and to all of them, I was no longer a Torres. Damin, the sheer joy the thought brought me.


    "You bought it with my son''s money, didn''t you?" Rose used as she walked up to the car door and pressed her palm on the keyhole, refusing to give up.


    I rolled my eyes, she was so blinded by their family''s fortune that she thinks everyone hungers to beg or steal from them. "As I''ve said, it''s my business how I got to own the car. Now, please, mover


    I moved past her, slightly pushing her, got into the car and mmed the door shut on her. All the while, Mark just stood there, silently observing.


    I pressed hard on the horn button and the honk sounded loudly. From the rearview mirror, I could see Rose standing there, glowering as she watched me drive off.


    As I drove out of the Torrespound, the joy I felt was immeasurable. Finally!


    I wind down the window, letting the fresh air blow through my hair. Then I turned on music on my yer and increased the volume and happily sang along.