CHAPTER 16


    "I know you were calling Luke because you wanted to ask him for money. Don''t you dare ask my


    husband for money, mother." I say moving closer to her. "I know you too well." I say , handing her a


    napkin. "I''ll make sure you never get a dime from him."


    Her hand meets with my face in less than a second. I frown but rpose my self. I avoid eye contact


    with her.


    "For God''s sake Natalie, is this how you speak to your own mother? Please, fear the Lord! Jesus." She


    says as she flips her hair.


    "Did your fear the Lord when you sold your only child for money? Please, mom. Drop the act. You


    aren''t one to talk. Don''t be a hypocrite." I say and turn to leave. At this point I wanted to cry. I was at the


    verge of breaking down. It was evident that I meant absolutely nothing to my mother and she was


    willing to go far to get whatever she wanted, even if it meant making my life a living hell.


    Looking through the window, I stare at the garden. It broke my heart having such a fierce altercation


    with my mother but it was almost unavoidable.


    Luke hugs me from behind and I feel goosebumps all over me, just by his touch. I close my eyes,


    letting his touch calm me.


    "Your scent is so intoxicating, drives me insane, my love."


    "Lemon verbena and a hint of strawberry." I say as I feel his manhood on my rump.


    "If we weren''t at your home right now, nothing would stop me from taking you." He says as he caresses


    my chin.


    "My love," I say, suppressing my urge to moan out loud.


    A cough distracts me from my thoughts and my moment with my husband. Luke quickly releases me


    and I turn to see who had interrupted us.


    "Aunt Ruth!" I scream, "Bloody hell! I''ve missed you!" I scream as I find my way to her. We share a long


    hug.


    I frown, "Aunt, you never even called me, not once."


    She has on a sad face, "My love, I did try to reach you but your mother wouldn''t let me. It even made


    us quarrel and we haven''t spoken in months. Forgive me, my love." She caresses my cheek. I loved


    Aunt Ruth so dearly because she had the been the real definition of a mother in my life.


    I roll my eyes, "Of course aunt, I could never stay mad at yo," I hold her hand. I continue, "Aunt" I turn


    to face Luke."This is my husband, Luke. Luke, this is my aunt Ruth."


    He walks closer to her, "My pleasure, Mrs. Ruth." He says while shaking her hand. Aunt Ruth had a


    huge smile stered on her face. Her pearly white teeth in full disy.


    "Oh, my boy, how handsome you are!" She holds my hand, "Natty, your husband is a ten ten—she


    pauses, "the circumstances of your marriage is quite shady and unbelievably disgusting, but, please,"


    She pauses. She looks at me. She continues, "Are you treating Natalie well?" She asks Luke.


    "Yes, of course aunt." I walk over to Luke and hug him. I take in his scent, "Luke treats me with so


    much love and—I pause, unconsciously thinking because although Luke loved me, he hadn''t treated


    me respectfully in front of Laurel. He hadn''t given me my ce as thedy of the manor.


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    "I''m d to hear this honey, but why don''t I go see your father for a while?"


    I nod, "Please." I say


    Aunt Ruth leaves and myself and Luke are alone. I fold my arms and look at him, a frown on my face.


    "Natalie? Are you okay?"


    I touch my temple, "No, not at all Luke. I''m not fine. I''m not okay."


    Hees closer, holding me by the waist, my breasts on his chest. "My love, I hate seeing you sad or


    unhappy. What is it?"


    "Please, Luke. You hate seeing me sad, but yet you cause my sadness?"


    He looks confused, his eyes sad. "What did I do? Did I hurt you?" He says, releasing me instantly.


    "Yes. You have refused to give me my rightful ce as your wife and as thedy of the manor. Laurel is


    in charge of everything - hell, she even gets to decide what I eat, what I drink!"


    "But it''s always been that way- I cut him off. "I agree. The only difference is that now, I''m here and I can


    handle these things, as your wife. Yours." I say as I hold his cor.


    "I''m sorry if I made you feel less important or if I didn''t acknowledge you as thedy of the house—


    which you are. It is my fault and I''ll rectify it as soon as we''re home." He kisses my forehead. "I love


    you, you drive me crazy, Natalie." He says as he kisses my forehead. Oh, this man. . .