《A Trillionaire鈥檚 Revenge》 CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 1 "Bloody hell!" I yell as I barge into my room, fuming with rage, and angry tears welling up in the corners of my eyes. How dare Uncle Mark and father make a mockery of my choice of friends? I honestly wanted to give them a huge piece of my mind, but I''d been brought up in a decent way? it would be udylike and extremely rude for me to speak rudely with the elders. "Sweetheart!" My ever loyal and over pampering godmother, Ruth enters the room, obviously hoping to pacify me. "Aunt Ruth, can I please get some privacy? If you don''t mind." I ask, in aposed tone. I really wanted to smash everything in the room. What right did my father and Uncle Mark have to insult Jos¨¦, just because he was ck? They could have waited for him to leave the damned party before they passed on their disgustingments about another human being! Jos¨¦ was my guest and he had never wanted toe to my party, a party thrown by a group of racist aristocrats! I was beyond mad. How would I face Jos¨¦ now? How would I apologize? How would I face the rest of the school? "It must be on LDN Rich & Famous already." I say as I cover my face with my pillows. Today was definitely not a pleasant day. Waking up from my sleep, I still feel enraged. I had stayed in my room sleeping all day, ever since the incident with Jos¨¦ urred. I had intentionally refused to see Judith, my mother, nor would even dare see my father. I''d stayed in my room two days straight without food, merely surviving on the Oreos, apples and gummy bears I had left. I wanted to return to school, but I just couldn''t find the strength to do so. My university, Dubois C, wasn''t a ce where things were hidden for long, news didn''t travel within twenty four hours, it travelled even before the incident urred. Note the sarcasm. Dinner that night was unusually quiet and calm, my father had not uttered a single word since I''d joined them at the table, and I was very d. I couldn''t bear the hunger anymore, so I''d decided to just give up and feast my mouth on something appetizing. My mother seemed unbothered as usual, but I couldn''t care less? I was used to Judith''s indifferent behavior. I am tempted to take a sip from the bottle of Mo?t champagne thaty before me, but fof reasons best known to my father, I wasn''t allowed to take alcohol until my entry into womanhood, which was considered 20, in my family. I was a conservative girl at least, so many other girls I knew, about ny nine percent of them who weren''t even eighteen or above eighteen had been having sex and even having abortions too. In my own case, I''d promised herself that on the eve of my birthday I would have sex with Rocket, my long time boyfriend. Suddenly, I decide to retreat back to my room? the silence was annoying. My father didn''t even have the decency to at least say something or even a damn ''I''m sorry'' speech? Goodness! I would move out of the house the moment I clocked twenty one. The next day, Judith, my money obsessed mother had failed in her miserable attempt to speak to me, well, not that I''d had given her the chance to speak anyway. Judith was obsessed with power and status. She wanted to stay on top the social tower forever and she would do anything to satisfy her vain desires. Although, she was not a racist like her husband, who had a baseless and biased judgment towards people of color. Judith and I weren''t close. She''d thrown me into a boarding house at the tender age of five despite my pleas and requests. I''d lived most of my life away from home, at school. ** I had decided to take a walk during the early hours of dawn, but sleep had coerced me into doing its bidding. Now, at about fifteen minutes to ten, I find myself in the pantry, doing the thing I loved most; writing reviews. I had been busy all through the semester and I had no time to even think of writing my reviews. I pick a can of cranberry sauce? one I''d never seen or had. I would of it and whatever else I could get my hands on. After piling dozens of cans up, I begin with myptop, writing reviews of the new spices Maggie, our chef had bought. With help from Maggie, I''m able to add a few dishes that could be made with the spices and sauces. No doubt, like every other time, I would be getting tons of ''Thank you'' messages. ** Days had passed and I was still not interested in speaking to my parents, I wanted my father to apologize for his racistments and as for my mother, well, I wanted her to apologize for neglecting me all my life. I hadn''t for once, felt the love and warmth of a mother. "Natalie, your father needs you in the study." Lea, the help says as she enters my bedroom. * Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. "Good morning, Daddy." I say, feeling awkward. My father and I were close, and deep down, I knew he was genuinely a good person. It was just too bad that Uncle Mark has influenced him in such a negative way. "What I said, I know it hurt you. I''m sorry, princess." Judith enters the room. "Harry, the Senator''s here to see you. Go, get dressed. You look a mess." Judith says. I could hear a hint of anxiousness in her voice but I ignore it. "Daddy?" I call. "Yes, my dear?" He responds. I move closer to him. "Are you okay? Your eyes are a bit jaundiced." He smiles at me. "I just need some rest, Princess. Go, go have a walk in the garden. We''ll have dinner soon." ** Dad had gone to attend to the Senator, leaving me behind in his massive study. I begin to go through the books in the library. I could find something interesting to read. A few minutester, dad returns. "You''re back." I say, observing his demeanor. This time, he looked pale and extremely tired. "Your birthday, it''s in two weeks isn''t it?" "Yes, on a Sunday."I say, a smile ying across my lips. The moment I''d been waiting for would finally come to pass in a matter of days, my night with Rocky. "Alright. Get your I.V list ready, and let me know, okay?" "Including Jos¨¦?" I ask, slowly observing his reaction.. "By all means, Natalie.It''s your party, do as you please." A week and four dayster. . . CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 2 Preparations for my birthday had begun. Judith had bragged to her friends about her only child turning twenty and as for my father, I wondered why he always looked tensed. Rocky had payed me a visit for a short while. After Rocky''s exit, thankfully, Aunt Ruth hade and she''d gifted me a lovely custom made Versace nude evening dress thatplemented my skin and showed off my essential curves. I had decided that I would leave the next morning after a proper thank you speech to my parents. I was half scared that my parents would somehow find out I''d had sex with Rocky if I stayed behind. ** Going downstairs , as I inspect the decor, I realize that they''re dull and boring, but extremely expensive. I would have preferred gold or burgundy decorations or a livelier color, but my parents had instead, gone with a pale and annoying shade of grey. "Thanks, I really love it, Maggie." I say to the cook, who''d just given me a pair of sandals. "Yes, Natalie. You''re such an amazing person. I''ll head back to the kitchen now before your mother sees me." She says and we both chuckle. Maggie and I spent a lot of time together in the kitchen. She''d been more of a mother than my own mother. ** A few hourster.. It was my birthday, the birthday had begun, and it was time for me to make my grand entry. "Natalie, darling, are you ready?" Aunt Ruth says, escorting next into the party. "Happy birthday Natalie!" The room echoes, giving me a warm feeling. I echo a thank you, and immediately, my eyes fall on Rocky. He was dressed in a ck tux, his hair styled backwards. I smile at him, looking forward to our adventurous night. "My darling. Happy birthday to you, my love. You make me proud." Judith says, a ss of champagne in her hand. I could feel the pretense fill the atmosphere. I roll my eyes internally and graciously smile back at her. I walk away, towards my friends, but I bump into dad. "Natalie, congrattions. You''re a woman now," He says, smiling at me. "Yes, daddy, thank you." I respond, hugging him. "I''ll go see my friends now." I say to him. I walk off again. "You''ll be a great friend to our son, David when hees from France" Senator Jackson, her dad''s close friend and business associate says to Natalie. I roll my eyes internally. Did this man think that I would just randomly wait for his son and then begin to fall in love with him? Well, he was dead wrong if he thought so. "I shall take my leave now, I wouldn''t want to keep the other guests waiting." I say, not wanting to get irritated any further. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. I still hadn''t seen Rocky. Where was Rocky? Was he still in my room? "Nat!" I turn around to find who called out her name. "Nat! Over here!" I turn to the bouquet table and see Annie, Tracy & Veronica. "Girls!" I scream, hurriedly walking towards my friends. Annie, Tracy and I had been friends ever since we were children. We somehow ended up going to the same school and there, we met Veronica and ultimately, became a band of four. Annie hugs me. "Happy birthday, Nat!" "I thought you guys weren''t going toe because of Jose." "Jose?" Tracy asks as Natalie hugs her and Veronica. "You haven''t heard?" "Heard what?" Veronica asks "I thought everyone at school would''ve heard, I didn''t know you guys didn''t know." "Well, tell us already. . ." Tracys suggests. "Well. . .Jose came over and¡ª "Mrs. Richardson" Tracy interrupts, as my mother arrives. "Darling," She turns to me,pletelyignoring the girls. "Mother." I respond sternly. "You muste with me, there''s someone you must meet." "Who?" "You''ll find out when youe. Now,e with me." I sigh, defeated. "I''m sorry, I''ll be right back." I say to the girls. Judith takes me to father''s study. She holds my hands, "I know I have offended you a lot and I haven''t been the best mother at all, but I love you, Natalie. You should know that." My eyes widen. "Yeah, you''ve never really been a mom." I was surprised by the words she''d just uttered. Sure, I was her child, but I knew Judith all too well. She was greedy for wealth, money, power and status. She cared about nothing else. In her universe, money was everything, money made the world go round. "Truly, I have done everything because I felt it was best for your well-being." I was confused. Judith''s words were moving me. My father walks into the room. "Dad," I say. He smiles at me. I felt a bit closer to my dad than anyone else even if we didn''t speak all the time or show affection every time. I believed that sometimes, silence was the greatest form of affection. "I need to tell you something," My father states. I sit. He continues, "Legally, you are of age now to take responsibility of yourself and make decisions on your own." He says, and I can''t help but agree. I rejoice internally and think about my decision to sleep with Rocky. Francis continues again, "I''m dying." He says, getting my full attention. My eyes widen in shock. "What?" I ask again, not sure I understood what I heard. "He''s dying, just as you heard." My mother adds. I get up, tears welling up in the corner of my eyes. "Are you sure? What happened, daddy?" I couldn''t believe what I was hearing. It felt like a horrible dream that I wanted no parts in. Francis smiles, "I thought I''d never hear you call me that again," He continues, "It''s a brain tumor and I''ve had it for sometime. I just didn''t know." "But there has to be a cure, right? You can get surgery." I convince myself. "There''s none." Judith says I frown at her, "You''re rather rxed mother aren''t you? How can you talk so casually?! At least show some sympathy, he''s your husband for God''s sake!" "Talk to me with respect, will you? What good will my tears do, huh?" Judith says I ignore her, rushing to my Father''s side, "Dad, I''m sure we can fix this. There are people who have beaten tumors like yours and they''re alive an¡ª He hugs me, "We have no money, sweetheart." Another blow for me. I look up, shocked, yet again. Just what in the hell happened while I was away? "When did all of this happen?" I sob. "How long have you been sick?" "I found out a few weeks ago." He responds. "It''s February. . ." I sob. "Why didn''t anyone tell me?" Aunt Ruth enters. She looks tensed, "Francis, Judith, I''m afraid there''s something, or someone you''d want to see." Judith responds, "And that someone is?" , "Ruth, we''re in the middle¡ª "Luke, Luke Carrington." Aunt Ruth says. Suddenly, my father copses. "Daddy!" I scream, scared. "He''s having his seizures, Ruth, get the doctor, I''ll handle Carrington." "Mom!" I yell, annoyed by the fact that she was leaving my father T such a crucial moment. "Daddy, daddy, please," I cry. "I love you so much, I''m sorry if I never told you how much I do but please, please don''t leave me!" I beg. CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 3 The doctor had seen my father, and he was okay, resting in his room. Aunt Ruth had announced to the guests that the party was over. I was beyond sad and deeply hurt. "Natalie?" Rocky calls. I feel relieved, just the person I needed. "Hey." "What happened? Why was the party cancelled?" My eyes be watery, causing Rocky to worry. "Are you okay?" He asks. "Daddy is dying, he has a brain tumor." "Oh, my God. Natty, I''m so sorry. How did that happen?" "I don''t know, he said he found out a few weeks ago." Rocky hugs me, "Everything''s going to be fine, Natty." He assures me. I remember my ns for the night. Would having sex despite my father''s current condition make me selfish? I didn''t know. The only thing I wanted was to forget about my problems. I didn''t want to think about anything. Waking up, I''m shocked as soon as I realize that I''d been too wasted in love that I''d forgotten to go back home. "Crap!" I panic as I get up, rmed. I look at my naked body and gasp. I really did it! I turn around. Rocky''s still fast asleep. "Rocky!" I shake him. "I have to go, why didn''t you wake me?" Rocky smiles, revealing a set of sparkly white teeth. "I didn''t want to disturb you, my love. You looked so happy and content." I blush. I could tell I was as red as a tomato. "Yesterday night was perfect, Rocky. You don''t know how much I love you." I say, as I kneel down, cing a kiss on his lips. I continue, "I''d give up anything to live like this everyday, with you." He smiles, cupping my face in his hands. "I have to go now. I''ll call you." I say. We hug. *** I head back to the mansion as fast as I can, silently praying that no one would see me. What if they had noticed my absence already? What could I possibly say? "I should text Lydia for backup." I whisper to myself, but before I can, I''m greeted with Judith''s face. "You startled me." "Well, are you a thief? Why be startled in your own home? Where the hell have you been?" I frown, "Away from you that''s where." I murmur. Judith scoffs, "Did you say something?" "Mother, please. Don''t act too concerned. I''m going to my bedroom." I respond,pletely ignoring her. She scoffs, yet again. "Listen, Natalie. You should be grateful for all the privileges you enjoy under my roof. A lot of people would die for it, Princess. The least you could do is be respectful, you brat!" "Your roof? Mother, this is Dad''s house, not yours. I''m going." She stops me. "You''re so proud of your father''s achievements." "I know that already." "Then do the needful." How are we even broke, to begin with? I thought dad had a whole lot of money?" "Our money was seized, Natalie. Stolen, I''d say." "Seized? By whom?" I ask, worried. I couldn''t believe it. From what I''d known growing up, my father had enough wealth to sustain generations toe. What could''ve gone wrong? "A very powerful man, my dear. He''s stabbed us where it hurts most, but there''s still hope, Natalie." My mother says as she moves closer to me, holding my hands. I look down, at our hands. She hadn''t held me like that in years. It felt foreign. "I don''t even understand what you''re saying. Who is this man, and why would he seize our money, I mean, is that even possible? Is that even legal?" I ask, scrunching my brows in confusion. "What we did doesn''t matter, Natalie!" My mother yells, grabbing my shoulders. I gasp. She continues, "You''re a woman now, you graduate in a few weeks. You''re our only child and only hope. This is the time to help your family, Natalie. Sacrifices must be made." "What exactly are you going on about, mom?" "Marry him. Marry the man responsible for all of this. He''s agreed to return all our money and properties of only you marry him for at least a year. Just one year!" My mouth drops. I fling her hands off my body as I step back. "Come again?" I ask, hoping and praying that I heard wrong. "You have to do this." She states sternly. "Is this a joke? It''s a really sick and frightening one if it is." I respond, annoyed. I begin to walk away, not in the least interested in what she had to say. "Of course not!" Judith yells. "Your father is sick. Sick! We''re too broke to even send him to the hospital. Your birthday, was paid for by your aunt Ruth. Need I say more?" Judithes closer to me. She holds me again. "Get your hands off me!" "Natalie." "I will not be getting engaged to anyone!" I yell. *** The sound of screeching tires wakes me. I rush to my window to find out what all the noise was about. I see a fleet of cars and immediately, suddenly my heartbeat increases and my stomach ties into knots. I rush to my closet to have a quick change of clothes. I needed to find out what was going on. I get dressed, wearing a redce peplum skirt and a white corset top. From the stairs, I could hear a familiar voice, but I just couldn''t make out who it belonged to. The only voices I could recognize were Judith''s and my father''s. I can hear a few words as soon as I reach the stairs. "We can fight him together, if only your daughter agrees. If she decides to marry my son, we will help you with Carrington. He''s a terrorist." I could tell it was Senator Jackson. I sigh. "He still hasn''t given up?" I whisper to myself. I listen some more, but I get impatient and I rush down the stairs. "Senator, how pleasant it is to see you again, but I must tell you something; I will not be getting engaged to your son." The senator is about to respond, but Lea enters the room. "Sir, a man is here to see you," She continues, "He said he''s from Carrington." N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. "Can someone tell me why exactly this Carrington person is after this family?" I ask, as soon as Judith and I enter the study. "You keep asking pointless questions when you know the solution already. I don''t get you at all." My mom says, pouring herself a ss of water. "I''ve told you that I''d out o¡ª The door is flung wide open and our attention is diverted to the door. A man who seemed to be in his early thirties, stood by the door, dressed in an expensive grey suit. "Mrs. Richardson?" The man asks, scanning the room. "This is she. You are?" Judith inquires, clearly disdained. "I believe, the answer to your problem." He says, this time locking eyes with me. I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion, "Problem? Who are you, and how can you just barge into our home?" Hepletely ignores me, as though I''m not present in the room. "May we speak in privacy?" He asks, specifically looking at Judith. *** CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 4 Judith''s POV "Did Carrington send you?" I ask, as soon as Natalie leaves the room. "Yes. I''ll get straight to the point. Mr. Carrington has decided that if your daughter doesn''t agree to marry him within the next 24 hours, he''ll go public with something that will hurt not only your family, but will make yound in prison." "The docks, 2003." The man states, and I lose my bnce for a second. It was a secret no one could ever know. It was a secret my husband and I had to die with. "She''ll do it." I respond as fast as I can. "Here," He brings out some documents and hands them over to me. I take them. He continues, "This states that she will not withdraw after giving her consent, neither will she ask for a divorce. Mr. Carrington will be the only one capable of asking for a divorce." "She''ll sign it." I respond, still trembling in fear. "I''ll be back." ** As I step out of the room, I exhale, a million things going through my mind. "Should I tell Francis?" I ponder, trying to think of what to do. If I told him, his condition could worsen. There was no money yet. "No, no." I rush down the hallway, and enter the guest bedroom there. Thankfully, no one saw me. I search through the room until I find a pen. I waste no time signing the document. I''d just forged my daughter''s signature. Natalie could never find out the truth about what happened that night. I clean my eyes as I hear a soft knock on the door. "Come in." I begin to sob uncontrobly, as I see Aunt Ruth. "Aunt." "My love," Aunt Ruth hugs me in a bid to console me. "My mother says I have to marry that man, but I love Rocky, aunt." "I know, darling. It''s just, your mother already signed the document." Natalie frowns, "She forged my signatu¡ª My mother enters. She speaks, "And that document was legal binding, meaning that if you do not act ordingly to what is written in that document, not only you, but myself and your sick father will be sued for breach of contract. Also, may I remind you that we are broke already and cannot avoid getting hit with awsuit." "I don''t know if hatred would be understatement of how I feel about you right now, mother. " Ruth adds, "Judith when did you be so vicious? I don''t understand. This is your daughter who''s barely a woman and you''re trying to force her into something so barbaric?" "There''s nothing barbaric about her getting married. She can make babies already I''m sure you know that because you two are fine keeping secrets." She looks at Natalie, "I know you slept with that boy from your school. I saw you." I get up and look at her, surprised and embarrassed, "You watched me have sex with Rocky?" I can''t help but chuckle in disgust, "You''re the sick one!" Judith says, "I''m not here to exchange words with you, youngdy and you better learn to respect me. You have until midnight to pack your bags." *** I enter y father''s study, and just as I''m about to sit, Lea rushes into the study, "Madam, well. . ." I begin to panic, as the first thing that I can think of is my father copsing again. "Lea, are you okay? What happened? Tell me." Lea replies, "Well, the hospital just called and Mrs. Judith has left for the hospital. I think something happened to your father. . ." She responds in her thick Russian ent. "No," I whisper as I break down. I get up, and think of what to do. I rush out to find my way to the hospital. ****** "I''m looking for my father, Francis Richardson." I ask the hospital receptionist. "Straight down to your left, miss." A nurse replies. I rush there as fast as I can. My mother is seated there. "Mother, what happened?" Judith gets up, "You''re concerned now?" "Don''t you make me feel guilty. This is not my doing. Where is my father?" I inquire, mid tears. "How dare you even step in here when you have done nothing to save his life? Your father as you so fondly call him just had a cardiac arrest and I had to beg these people like my life depended on it before they would even consider helping him." "Your life does depend on it. He is your husband and I don''t see what you''re doing to prevent any of this." I retort. "That is why you have to do as Carrington says!" I sigh, "Where''s my father? Please." Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. "Your father isn''t stable yet and he will die the moment something wrong happens again. Natalie, you have no other option." She warns me. Her words hurt me, and I stand there, defeated. "I''ll do whatever it takes to save him, but does it have to be this?" "It has to be done, Princess." My mother says, holding me. I have no strength to push her away. "Don''t touch me, please," I jerk my hands off. "You''re not a mother. You scare me." I clean my tears, "I can never forgive you for this. I will never." "Go, get ready. Forget about Rocky, and think ahead, Princess. It''s a win-win situation, Natalie. You''re saving us all." I clean my tears. "I''m not going through with it." "You''re a smart girl, Natalie. I''ll let you decide. Assist your family or watch your father die. The choice is yours." I continue sobbing as I fall to the floor, defeated. How could I possibly tell Rocky such devastating news? CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 5 My eyes are red and puffy from crying. I''m dressed in a grey dress, ready to be sold off like a piece of furniture. My life had take a wicked turn in a split second. I walk to the balcony as soon as I hear a car arrive. I look down from the balcony. It had to be him, Carrington. As though he can feel my eyes on him, he looks up. Our eyes meet. I look away and retreat. ** "I''m d you made the right decision." Judith says, barging into my room. I look at her, anger and pure disgust in my eyes. "Shall we? We mustn''t keep him waiting." "Where is my father? Does he know what you''ve done?" "Your husband to be is waiting, Princess." * As I arrive downstairs, the first person I see is a tall, well built man. He looked like he was in histe twenties. He had blue eyes, and was blonde, just like me. He has a nk expression on his face. He must be Carrington. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. "Shall we?" The man apanying Carrington asks. "We shall." Judith responds, leading everyone into the study. I feel betrayed. I want to cry, but I control myself. "Going straight to the matter of the day, I''m of the opinion that both parties are aware and approve of this union?" Carrington nods. I can''t bring myself to respond. I''m shaking, and I can feel the tears spilling out of my eyes. Judith rushes to my side. "Say yes, what are you doing?" She chuckles, "She''s just nervous." "Yes." I finally respond. "Mr. Carrington, do you ept Ms. Richardson here, to be yourwfully wedded wife?" The man asks. "I do." He responds, and I look at him, annoyed. I look away. It was so easy for him, getting married to someone he barely knew. "Ms. Richardson, do you ept Mr. Carrington to be yourwfully wedded husband?" I don''t respond. I run my hand through my hair, frustrated. "Ms. Richardson?" Thewyer calls. I look at him. I turn to look at Judith, who''s ring angrily at me. I close my eyes, remembering Rocky''s touch, his lips on mine¡ª how could I possibly betray him in such a huge manner? I think back to seeing my father, his pale eyes and facial expressions. He was really sick, and this was the only way out. "I thought you said she was ready, Mrs. Richardson?" I hear Carrington ask. "I do." I respond. "She is!" Judith answers. "Please, if both parties can sign this." Carrington signs. I sign. "With the power vested in me, by the state, I pronounce you husband and wife." **** "I have a meeting in two hours. It would be best if you take whatever you want to so that we may leave." I turn around, disgusted. "I refuse to go anywhere with a wicked man like you. You may leave if you wish." I say, as I walk off. He grabs my arm. He chuckles softly. "I beg your pardon? We are married, and I don''t intend on living apart from my wife. You are mine." "Let me go." I demand. "I am not yours. Do you think I''m a piece of furniture that you own? Have you no decency?" "You''re mine. I bought you, incase you were wondering." "I know. You left me no choice, you bastard!" I say, as I p him. He lets go of my arm. He touches his cheek as he looks at me. "Don''t let me punish your family for your misdeeds." He says, and his words send shivers down my spine. He continues, "Get your things, and let us leave." I pace around my room aimlessly. I couldn''t stop myself from crying. I was having a terrible headache already. I had been trying Rocky''s number but it wasn''t going through. I quickly send him a text, but he doesn''t reply either. "Why aren''t you with your phone?" I breakdown, my cries intensifying. "Mrs. Judith, where is your daughter? I live far from Croydon and it would take about two hours to get to my destination, so I must leave." I say to Mrs. Richardson, my mother-inw. Her boldness and shamelessness amazed me. She wasfortablly seared, on her third ss of wine. As I watched her, anger ran through my veins. "We still haven''t gotten full control of our money and businesses. Do you think you can outsmart me?" "One year. I have to be sure you and your daughter don''t try anything funny. After one year, you may get full control. Now, please, call your daughter." ** Mrs. Richardson had gone to get her daughter, my wife and it''s been over an hour. I was already getting impatient. Could packing a few boxes take so long? As I''m about to get up, I see my wife and her mother descend from the stairs. Natalie was indeed, beautiful. The pictures I had of her did her beauty no justice. She had full lips, the perfect cheekbones and golden brown eyes. She wasn''t too tall, but not short. Our eyes meet. She looks away. I can see the disgust in her eyes and anger in them. Her eyes were sharp and if they were daggers, I''d probably be long dead. CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 6 "I''d like to escort my father to the hospital before I leave." She demands as she walks up to me. "No, you can''t. I''ll have some of my men escort him if you wish." She gives me a dirty look, "Don''t you have a father? How can you be so cruel?" She asks, and I almost laugh. Father? I want to grab her neck and yell. Tell her that her father was the reason why I didn''t have a father, a family for that matter. I chuckle. "I did, at some point." I answer, trying to calm myself. I continue, "But now, I don''t and I certainly don''t care about you or your father." The only reason why I was "You can''t stop me from seeing my father, I will see him with or without your consent!" "I''m your husband, Natalie," I say as I pull her closer to me, squeezing her arm, I continue, "and, you will do as I wish." There''s so much anger and hatred in her eyes as she squirms, "In name alone. You will never be more than that to me." I let her go, irked. Just a few hours with her, and she''d been able to provoke me numerous times. Natalie''s POV Carringtones down from the car and rushes over to my side and opens the door, a gesture that surprises and irritates me at the same time. "You don''t need to pretend with me. I can get the door myself. I''m not an invalid." I say as I ignore his hand. He frowns, "Wee to your new home. Carrington Manor." It''s a huge mansion, way bigger than mine. The ce seemed quiet and lifeless. The fountain was turned off. Luke begins to walk ahead of me, but I still stand there looking at my new home. "Please, Mrs. Carrington, you muste in."Luke says to me, mocking me as he smiles. I look away, trying to stop the tears from falling out. I wouldn''t give him the pleasure of seeing me cry. "Don''t call me that." I say to him as I walk into the house. The house is quiet, grey walls and the ceiling''s painted white. The chairs are all leather and brown in color. There''s a huge dining by the corner and the house smells like tangerine and vani. "Impressed?" He says in a mocking tone. He leads me to a room, one which I suppose we are both to share. I''m about to get a proper look at the room when someone suddenly rushes into the room. "Luke!" The girl screams, as she jumps on Luke, wrapping her legs around him. I adjust my hat, to get a good look at what was going on. "I missed you!" She says, still hugging Luke. "Laurel," Carrington says, trying to get her off his body. I stand there, looking like the moron I am. So he also had someone whom he loved? Then why go as far as marrying me? "I missed you too, Laurel." Carrington says, his tone softer as he looks at the girl. The girl finally notices me, and gives me an odd look. "You brought a new maid? She doesn''t look like one though, is she your employee?" She asks and chuckles quietly. "No, no," Luke says as hees to stand beside me. "Natalie, this is Laurel, my childhood friend." He says to me, "Laurel, this is Natalie, my wife." He says. Immediately, her facial expression hardens. It''s as though she''d just seen a ghost. "That''s too much of a joke, Luke." She says. "I''m not joking. Natalie and I got married today." He says as Laurel looks on, perplexed. It was clear that these two had something going on, and I couldn''t be happier. Hopefully, it could end up being my lucky card in getting out of this disgusting agreement. "You got married, Luke?" She says, her eyes red. I couldn''t tell if she wanted to cry of it was anger on her face, or maybe it was a mixture of both. "Yes, I did." "You didn''t think to tell me?" She says, and in a split second rushes out of the room ready eyed. "Excuse me." Luke says as he leaves, obviously to pacify her. As soon as he leaves, I quickly look for my phone and begin to call Rocky. I had to get out of here as soon as I could. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. "Please pick up, Rocky!" I plead, nearly in tears. He picks up, "Rocky, Rocky, my love, please, there''s a big problem. I''m in a-a terrible situation, it''s a nightmare, I need you toe get me." I say, breaking down. "You mean away from your husband''s house?" Rocky asks on the other end, leaving me stunned. He had found out already. Bloody hell! I wanted to be the one to break the news to him. I was toote. "You have to believe that I didn''t n for any of this to happen¡ª my mother forced me, I wasn''t given a choice, but I don''t like it here, please!" I sob, confused and distraught. My life had turned ugly in a matter of days. I wished I never came home. "Where are you?" He asks and I close my eyes in relief for a few seconds. "Somewhere in¡ª someone drags the phone from my hand, and I turn around to see none other than Carrington. He looks really pissed. He smashes the phone on the wall. "Ah!" I scream, closing my ears, crying. "Who the hell was that?! Your lover?" Hees close to me and I run to the bed. "I told you before. You will never be more than my husband in name. I''m even disgusted falling you that. You don''t know how much I abhor you." "I asked you a question! Was that your lover?!" "If you know it so well, why do you keep asking? Yes, that was him!" "You will not step foot out of this house. You will have no phone, no freedom." He says, moving closer to the bed. "Get away from me!" "I will make you suffer and you will beg for your freedom, but you will never be free." He says. He leaves, and I fall in the bed, crying. This had to be a nightmare. It was evening, and time for dinner. Aftering back from his meeting, Luke had made it abundantly clear to me that I had toe for dinner even if I didn''t want to. I could eithere for dinner, or he would bring dinner to me. There''s a knock on the door and although the door is locked, I hurriedly rush to the door and press my body against it, as though I was using my whole might to stop the door from opening. "Go away!" I yell, not wanting to see his face. "Nody, it''s me, Emmanuele, the cook¡ª The boss has sent me to bring you a few clothes. Please, open up." I sigh in relief and open the door. Maybe she could help me. "Good evening, Mrs. Carrington." She says, a smile on her face. I scratch my head, "Tell your boss I said I don''t want these. I''d rather die than ept them." She nods, "I''ll tell him you epted the clothes." She says, and turns to leave. "Wait!" I yell. I hold her hand. "Please, I broke my phone. Can you please lend me yours, I just want to make a quick call. Please." "We''ve gotten strict orders to not give you or let you use any mobile phone, ma''am. I''m sorry, but I can''t help you." CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 7 I nce at the clothes and look at the clock, it was almost nine in the evening. I was ready to go for dinner even though I was terrified. After dressing up and applying a thick coat of red lipstick, I head downstairs when I notice Carrington already on the dining, alongside the strange girl, Laurel. Carrington gets up and takes out my chair for me. I don''t say anything but I give him the could shoulder and re at him. I was petrified. He frowns slightly. "Laurel, please, could you excuse us? Just a minute." "Yes, sure." She says, and I could swear she gave me a dirty look. "Thank you, for wearing the dress I sent. I must say, it suites you." I chuckle softly, annoyed by his guts. "I told you to stop acting friendly with me. Stop pretending to be a good person, because we both know you''re not." He sighs, "Look, Natalie, I really don''t hate you nor do I have anything against you. Yes, I''m enraged by the fact that you tried to cheat me and disgusted by the fact that you agreed to marry me because you didn''t want your reputation soiled and people finding out about your family''s condition but the real truth here is that my grudge is against your parents, not you." "Do you have amnesia of some sort? You forced me into marrying you! You gave me no choice, and cheat you? You must be delusional." I respond. "Believe me, if you had declined once, I wouldn''t have pushed further. I acted on your will. You didn''t say no. You agreed, at once." He says and I gasp, shocked. Was he telling the truth? "If you didn''t have any grudge against me, you wouldn''t have given the condition that I marry you. You ruined my life and I will hate you for it till the day I die." I say, but his words confuse me so I have to ask, "Grudge? What did my parents ever do to you? We don''t even know you and I did not agree to be married to you, I was forced to do so, so don''t you ever say that I agreed. My mother signed that document. I didn''t." I say, as I get up to leave. I couldn''t bear eating on the same table as he. "Sit down." Carrington says, but I walk off. "Natalie!" He shouts, but I''m already on the staircase. "Natalie!" He calls again and as I hear his voice, I remember the incident that happened earlier, so I quickly run up, into my room. I lock the door immediately I get in. He arrives and begins to hit the door violently. I had gotten married to a mad man. "Natalie, let me in!" He shouts, "Open the door!" "Go away! I hate you and I will always, always love Rocky!" Then suddenly, he breaks the lock from the outside and pushes his way in. I look at him with terror in my eyes. He rushes and grabs my arm. "What did you say?" I sob, "Let go! Leave me alone, I''m warning you." "No." He says, dragging me close to his body. We are dangerously close, his face touching mine. He continues, "You''re my wife and you will be until the you die, there''s no freedom from me or this marriage, get that?" "You wish. I told you, only in name. You will never be half the man Rocky is!" I yell, trying to push him off. His eyes be red, "Then I''ll prove it to you." He says as he grabs my waist. My eyes widen, "What are you doing?" I ask, rmed. He turns to lock the door and pushes me on the bed, "No, no, no, no, no! Please." I beg, but he ignores me and pushes me on the bed. He takes off his shirt, and then he rapes me. The sunlight wakes me, and as my eyes flutter open, I see Luke standing by the door, dressed in ck sweat pants and a ck hoodie. "You want to rape me again?" I ask him. He looks sick, "Natalie¡ª I get up from the bed, ensuring I use the sheets to hide my body even though the bastard had seen it all already. "Don''t you dare call my name. You are a monster. At least, now you know that I was telling the truth. You got your confirmation and now you know, Rocky is my first and my only love." I say, looking at him straight in the eyes. He frowns then leaves a secondter, and I sink to the ground crying as I recallst nights events. *** Dressed in my floral print wrap dress, I finally head out of the room. If I stayed in that room for one more minute, I would lose it. "Natalie," I hear someone calling, and it is none other than Luke. I ignore and continue walking. "Natalie!" He calls again. He takes my hands, "I''d like to introduce you to the workers here at the manor." He takes me into the room across, the piano room, I''m guessing, and a group of people immediately turn to look at me. I drag my hand out of Luke''s grasp and we both share an eye lock. "This is Natalie, my wife." He tells them and most of them look pleased, the rest surprised and Laurel, well, annoyed. "Good morning, Mrs. Carrington." They all chorus. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. "Good morning." I say, not interested the slightest. "You will attend to her whenever she needs, you will listen to her, as you would me because, she is now thedy of the house as from today." Luke says. I scoff, "No." I say to them and turn to Luke, "I''m not interested in being the woman of the house because I''m not your woman. I''m nothing but a guest here." I say to Luke. I could tell he was mad already because his eyes had gotten red. "Please, give us a moment." He requests, and they leave. "What did you just do, Natalie?" He asks, his left hand on his head. "Why don''t you just let me go if you''re fed up of me, Luke?" "Never. I will never, let you out of this house. The earlier you get used to this fact, the better." "We''ll see." I say, as I take my leave. *** I pace around the room, thinking of ways, possible solutions on how I could escape, get in touch with Rocky and move far away from here, from Luke. I didn''t have any phone to call Rocky and I had heard Luke giving strict orders to the staff to not let me out of the mansion for any reason. With every passing second, my hatred for him was growing stronger and stronger. There''s a knock on the door, and before I can answer, the door opens. I''m already frightened that it''s Luke, but surprisingly it''s not. "Lauren, right?" I ask. She scoffs, giving me her usual dirty look. "Laurel." She says, raising her brow, "You don''t love him, right?" "Lucas?" I ask. "Yes, you would know that Luke''s name was actually Lucas. Luke for short. The fact that you don''t know this makes it clearer that there''s nothing between the both of you." "Look, I''m in no mood to exchange words with you or anyone, especially when the topic of discussion is Luke, so please, I''d love to be alone." "I can help you leave. You want to, don''t you?" I look at her, unsure. What if it was a n? What if Luke had sent her to try to see if I would try to run away? As if she''d read my mind, she responds, "Luke didn''t send me." I move closer to her, "How?" "Luke always goes for a run outside the manor everyday by 8pm. Pack whatever you need and make sure you''re in the hallway by 8:05pm exactly, you can take the door there and leave. No one would see you, not even Luke. They probably won''t notice you''re gone till morning." I''m amazed and filled with happiness at the same time, but I can''t help but wonder, "What''s in it for you?" I ask. "That''s none of your business." She says as she turns around to leave. I think I knew that already, I had a feeling from the beginning. The help was in love with my so-called husband. If only she knew what a sick person he was, would she still love him? I could care less. All I wanted was to get out of here as soon as I could. It was time, exactly 8:05pm. I had a bag packed with my most expensive shoes and clothes. I could sell them for cash and get a ce to stay for the night. I was dressed in a purple floral print dress, my hair flowing and my signature red lips. If I was going to escape like a criminal, I would at-least look good doing it. I walk down the stairs and I''m grateful because the lights are turned off. It would make my escape easier. I hurriedly walk on the stairs, trying my best to be as silent as I can. I reach the hallway and my palms are sweaty, my hands shaking. I open the door and rush out as fast as I can. I breath a sigh of relief and begin to run as fast as my legs can take me, until I see a familiar figure in front of me. I take steps back, my heart beating fast and my lips parted in shock. "What are you doing?" Luke asks. I begin to cry, "Please, I''m begging you, let me go." I move closer to him, "If only you know how much I hate you. No, I despise you so much! Please, just let me leave, allow me to go away from here, please." I hold his hands, "Please, I will die if I keep staying here, please, I need peace, please, let me go!" His eyes are red, but I could care less about that. He squeezes both my wrists, "No." He responds and I scream. "You''re a beast." I say in between sobs as I run back into the house. Lucas was a monster, and at that moment, I knew there was no escaping this scam of a marriage for me. I was trapped. Somehow, I end up in Luke''s study, crying my eyes out. "Oh God, Rocky must be looking for me." Luke enters, "Stop crying." I hear. He sits on the grey couch opposite me. "Natalie, please forgive me, I don''t know how to look at myself in the mirror after doing what I did to you yesterday. I''m not a rapist, and I would never force a woman to bed intentionally especially when that woman is my wife." He gets on his knees, a gesture that shocks me. My crying pauses as I concentrate on him. "I agree that our marriage is just an agreement but still, there''s no excuse for what I did yesterday. I don''t know, you always get me so annoyed and you bring out this wild side in me that I don''t know how to control." He says, trying to hold my hands. I feel disgusted, "Don''t you dare! Don''t touch me, don''t! I''ve told you, I hate you, I despise you and the fact that we breathe the same air makes me sick. Get out!" His eyes aren''t red this time around, instead, they are blue. His actual eye color. He looks sad and dejected, something that made me happy knowing he was just as sad as I was. CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 8 I didn''t know what time it was because I hadn''t left the room since what transpired between Luke and I earlier on. I was curled up in my bed, with no tears left to cry. My mind drifted into thoughts about my father. I hoped he was doing well and recovering well. I missed him so much during these hard times. I wonder if he knew what my mother had done. If he knew that I had been sold off like a piece of furniture just to save our name and money. My mind drifts off to Rocky. Why hadn''t hee for me? Did he hate me? It wouldn''te as a surprise after all, I did betray him. I had decided to take a tour round the house¡ª if I was going to escape again, I needed to know every possible escape route. Luke''s house was indeed very huge. There was a total of nine rooms and every room had a bathroom in it. There was a mini theatre on the second floor and beside it was a chapel with the statue of Mary in it. I had prayed there for a while, asking and begging the holy virgin to send my love to me. Now, I was quite hungry because I hadn''t really had anything good to eat since I''de to the manor. I''m downstairs, heading for the kitchen when I hear voices from the study. As I''m about to go closer, the door opens and Laureles out alongside Luke. She looks annoyed. Luke looks at me, and I stare at both of them. "Natalie, please." He says, stretching his hand towards me. I take his hand, looking at Laurel and enjoying the sour look she''s giving me. "There''s always a party here, at the manor, every July 29th, it''s a family tradition. The party is in two days and Laurel has always nned it alongside the nner, but I was just telling her that since you''re here, as my wife and thedy of the house, you get to n the party and make all the decisions." He says. Although I didn''t like it here, I was d I had something to do to distract me from everything that had happened in the past few days. "I''ll see. Although, I''ve never nned a party in such short notice before." I say, looking at Luke. He has a small smile on his face. The smile disappears as soon as he sees me looking at him. "Thank you." He says, turning to leave. Laurel storms off. "Wait, Luke." I say. He turns, "I''m hungry." I say, embarrassed. "Follow me." He leads me to the kitchen and takes out a sit for me. The cook isn''t around so he decides to make me something. I sit watching him quietly. It''s ufortable. The food is ready, and it''s a te of pasta sitting right in front of me. "You know how to cook. I hope it tastes as good as it looks, and not as horrible as you are." I say, eyeing him slowly. "Wait," He says, and I wonder if he had gotten upset with myment, but instead he surprises me by taking a taste of the food. I look at him, confused. "Just incase you think I might''ve done something to the food or poisoned it." He says, his face void of emotions. "Thanks." I say. **** It was midnight and I''m in my room, unable to sleep. I need some fresh air, so I decide to go to the balcony downstairs. I arrive, and Laurel is there. It''s awkward. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. "Why are you here?" She asks. I scrunch my brows in confusion. "Excuse me?" "You heard me, Natalie. Why are you here? This is my spot. I always stay here every night, so you should leave. You aren''t wee here." She says and I''m beyond amazed. She didn''t like me, that was obvious, but the feeling was mutual. "You know what? Maybe things are going to change, or no¡ª maybe, things have, indeed changed. Incase you might''ve forgotten, I''m Lucas''s wife, which makes me your boss, so you better have some respect for me." I respond, unsure where my response came from. Laurelughs heartily, "Wife? Seriously, did you just say wife? You don''t act like it, do you? You don''t love Luke, so don''t im to be what you''re not and, I''m not a maid, boss." She continues, "I''m sure Luke doesn''t love you either, you''re probably just some business deal he had to get. He doesn''t joke with thepany." She says and I chuckle. I had the perfect reply to make her mad. "If he didn''t love me, then why did he have sex with me yesterday?" Her face goes pale, almost immediately. "He ha-had sex with you?" She asks, shocked. I tilt my head to the side and smile, before turning to leave. "Enjoy the fresh air." The 29th hade in the blink of an eye and I had tried my best to organize the party to suite Luke''s taste. "Natalie," I turn to see Laurel''s hard face. There was still tension between us and honestly, I loved how threatened she felt by me. It excited me. "Luke asked me to call you. He''s in the study." She says, walking off immediately she passes across the message. I reach the study and knock before entering. "Laurel said you wanted to see me?" I ask. He gets up from his chair, and at that point I realized something. Luke was always wearing the color grey. Whatever shirt he wore, the color always had to be grey. "Yes, thank you foring. I just got off the phone with your mother and¡ª I cut him off before he can even finish the sentence. "My mother? Is something wrong with my dad? Is he okay?" I ask, panicked. He looks confused, "Yes, he is. Your mother called because she wanted you toe over." I scan his demeanor, hoping that he would let me go. This was my opportunity. "I told her no." He says inly and I gulp, annoyed. "You didn''t have to tell me, especially if your answer was going to be no." Luke had offered to get me a m team for my hair and makeup but I had refused, because I would feel more ufortable than I already was if he kept throwing favors my way. I am getting ready when the door opens. I look through the mirror to see who it is. It''s Luke. There''s total silence for a few seconds until I speak. "What do you want?" I ask, still looking at him through the mirror. "May Ie in?" He asks. "You already opened the door, didn''t you? Might as well enter." He enters, a box in his hand. "What is it?" I ask. He opens the box and it''s a ring. A very expensive, shiny, beautiful blue ring. I look at him, my face emotionless and his, hopeful. "I realized that I didn''t get to give you this because of the way things happened so fa¡ª "You mean how you coerced me into marrying you?" He''s quiet. He continues, "It would appear odd if my wife attended a soir¨¦e in our own home without a ring on her finger, so I got this for you." I sigh, "I don''t want it, Carrington. I don''t want anything from you, but I''ll wear it, just for today. You and I share no rtionship. Don''t forget that." I say. I continue, "After the party, I''m taking this off. A ring is a symbol of marriage and marriage, is a symbol of love. Something I don''t and will never have for you." I say, making sure I look directly into his eyes so he knows just how serious I am. His eyes be red almost immediately and I stretch my hand out for him to put it on. The ring is a perfect fit. ********* All eyes are on me the moment I arrive downstairs. Lukees, extending his hand to me. I take his hand and we both walk to meet a few people. "Mr. Durant, Mrs. Durant, my wife, Natalie." He gestures to me. They smile at me, "Hello, nice to meet you." I say, trying my best to make my smile look as genuine as possible. "So, how did you and Luke meet?" Mrs. Durant asks. There was something about the woman. She looked reserved and it was almost as though, she was trying to force the conversation. I could tell something wasn''t right with her. I smile, "Well, I think that is something Luke would like to tell you himself. Excuse me." I say, irritated. I walk to the corner of the room looking at all the guests socialize, give fake smiles and brag about their assets. Luckily, a waiter passes and offers me a ss of ros¨¦. I take it and head to the table. I pick a strawberry and throw it in and begin to drink it. Alcohol never tasted better. "Strawberry in ros¨¦, very ssic." A female voice says to me. I turn my head to get a good look at her, she was dressed in ace halter dress. Her hair was dark and she had fair skin, just like me. "It''s a habit I picked up from my mother." I say. She giggles, "Hi. I''m Kelly, Kelly Andrews." She says, extending her hand for a shake. I smile, "Natalie R- Carrington. Natalie Carrington." I say. It was going to take a long while for me to finally adjust to that name. As much as I hated the name, I was now a Carrington. I had excused myself from the conversation with Kelly, hoping to find someone who would lend me a phone. I wanted to ask Kelly, but I just couldn''t because I had a feeling that if anyone found out, I wouldn''t be the only one getting in trouble, Kelly would be too, so I couldn''t risk putting her in any hard situation. I scan the crowd and look for less suspecting faces, someone I could ask for a phone and wouldn''t immediately wonder why or tell my husband I had asked for a phone. There''s a young girl speaking to Mrs. Durant and I head towards them. "Mrs. Durant, hello." I say, smiling radiantly. "Oh, my, hello again." "Enjoying the party?" I ask. "Of course. I most definitely am. This is my daughter, Emily. Emily, Natalie, Luke''s wife." She gives a small smile, but before I''m able to respond, there''s a hand wrapped around my waist. By his scent, I can tell it''s Luke. My heart begins to beat fast. Did he know what I wanted to do? Was he going to rape me again? I was scared. "It''s time for the toast." He says to me and we move to get our champagne. "A toast, but not for the usual party of the 29th, but for the newlyweds. A toast to the newly weds!" A man who was oddly familiar says. "Cheers!" The crowd choruses. I drink my wine, still anxious about Luke. "There''s just one thing left," Mrs. Durant''s daughter , Emily echoes. "The couple must share a kiss!" She says chuckling. I sigh, simultaneously giving a smile. Locking lips with Luke? That was thest thing I wanted. If I could, I would give Emily a hot p, but I was raised to have manners, so, I wasn''t going to be pping anyone¡ª at least, anyone except Luke. "Come on!" Someone shouts. Luke looks at me as though he''s asking for permission and I give him a little nod. Holding me by the waist and his right hand interlocking with mine, he ces a soft kiss on my lips. He''s about to end the kiss when I notice Laurel sending daggers my way. If looks could kill, then the look Laurel was giving me would surely kill me. My subconscious whines at me,manding me to show her that I was way up above her. I agree, I did refuse and still refuse to take any responsibility in the manor but I was still Luke''s wife and that made me thedy of the house. Either way, Laurel had to respect me. I drag Luke''s shirt and begin to kiss him. It sickened me to cheat on Rocky, especially with someone who vited me. It was something I had to do¡ª something to teach Laurel a lesson. There''d been deafening silence in the balcony since Luke joined me there. I was enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee before he came in. I was still processing my thoughts about the kiss and I didn''t have anything to say if his reason for being here was to talk about it. I turn to leave, but remember something. "This isn''t mine." I say, taking off the ring. "Here." I say, stretching my hand with the ring in it. He looks at me, his face, void of emotion. He massages the corner of his head with his two fingers¡ª something I''d noticed he was fond of doing whenever he was tensed. "No, it''s yours. You''re my wife and that ring belongs to you. I don''t know if you don''t know, but returning a gift is considered rude, Natalie. Don''t you have any manners?" He asks, in a silent tone. I scoff. "Don''t you dare try to teach me about manners. Have you forgotten what you did to me?" I scoff again, irritated. "Or you''ve forgotten because of your party or that stupid kiss? You know what? I''m not even going to argue with you. I''ll give your ring to Laurel. She''d appreciate it." I say, turning round to leave. He drags my robe and it falls down. I was naked. I make no attempt to move or hide my body. I am embarrassed and filled with rage. I turn to his direction, "Is this how you want to take me again without my consent?" I ask, scared. He looks stunned, his eyes red. He nods, "No, no, no, Natalie. I didn''t mean to." He looks away. He bends to pick my robe and wears it on me without looking at my body. CHAPTER 9 CHAPTER 9 Luke had offered to get me a m team for my hair and makeup but I had refused, because I would feel more ufortable than I already was if he kept throwing favors my way. I am getting ready when the door opens. I look through the mirror to see who it is. It''s Luke. There''s total silence for a few seconds until I speak. "What do you want?" I ask, still looking at him through the mirror. "May Ie in?" He asks. "You already opened the door, didn''t you? Might as well enter." He enters, a box in his hand. "What is it?" I ask. He opens the box and it''s a ring. A very expensive, shiny, beautiful blue ring. I look at him, my face emotionless and his, hopeful. "I realized that I didn''t get to give you this because of the way things happened so fa¡ª "You mean how you coerced me into marrying you?" He''s quiet. He continues, "It would appear odd if my wife attended a soir¨¦e in our own home without a ring on her finger, so I got this for you." I sigh, "I don''t want it, Carrington. I don''t want anything from you, but I''ll wear it, just for today. You and I share no rtionship. Don''t forget that." I say. I continue, "After the party, I''m taking this off. A ring is a symbol of marriage and marriage, is a symbol of love. Something I don''t and will never have for you." I say, making sure I look directly into his eyes so he knows just how serious I am. His eyes be red almost immediately and I stretch my hand out for him to put it on. The ring is a perfect fit. ********* All eyes are on me the moment I arrive downstairs. Lukees, extending his hand to me. I take his hand and we both walk to meet a few people. "Mr. Durant, Mrs. Durant, my wife, Natalie." He gestures to me. They smile at me, "Hello, nice to meet you." I say, trying my best to make my smile look as genuine as possible. "So, how did you and Luke meet?" Mrs. Durant asks. There was something about the woman. She looked reserved and it was almost as though, she was trying to force the conversation. I could tell something wasn''t right with her. I smile, "Well, I think that is something Luke would like to tell you himself. Excuse me." I say, irritated. I walk to the corner of the room looking at all the guests socialize, give fake smiles and brag about their assets. Luckily, a waiter passes and offers me a ss of ros¨¦. I take it and head to the table. I pick a strawberry and throw it in and begin to drink it. Alcohol never tasted better. "Strawberry in ros¨¦, very ssic." A female voice says to me. I turn my head to get a good look at her, she was dressed in ace halter dress. Her hair was dark and she had fair skin, just like me. "It''s a habit I picked up from my mother." I say. She giggles, "Hi. I''m Kelly, Kelly Andrews." She says, extending her hand for a shake. I smile, "Natalie R- Carrington. Natalie Carrington." I say. It was going to take a long while for me to finally adjust to that name. As much as I hated the name, I was now a Carrington. I had excused myself from the conversation with Kelly, hoping to find someone who would lend me a phone. I wanted to ask Kelly, but I just couldn''t because I had a feeling that if anyone found out, I wouldn''t be the only one getting in trouble, Kelly would be too, so I couldn''t risk putting her in any hard situation. I scan the crowd and look for less suspecting faces, someone I could ask for a phone and wouldn''t immediately wonder why or tell my husband I had asked for a phone. There''s a young girl speaking to Mrs. Durant and I head towards them. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. "Mrs. Durant, hello." I say, smiling radiantly. "Oh, my, hello again." "Enjoying the party?" I ask. "Of course. I most definitely am. This is my daughter, Emily. Emily, Natalie, Luke''s wife." She gives a small smile, but before I''m able to respond, there''s a hand wrapped around my waist. By his scent, I can tell it''s Luke. My heart begins to beat fast. Did he know what I wanted to do? Was he going to rape me again? I was scared. "It''s time for the toast." He says to me and we move to get our champagne. "A toast, but not for the usual party of the 29th, but for the newlyweds. A toast to the newly weds!" A man who was oddly familiar says. "Cheers!" The crowd choruses. I drink my wine, still anxious about Luke. "There''s just one thing left," Mrs. Durant''s daughter , Emily echoes. "The couple must share a kiss!" She says chuckling. I sigh, simultaneously giving a smile. Locking lips with Luke? That was thest thing I wanted. If I could, I would give Emily a hot p, but I was raised to have manners, so, I wasn''t going to be pping anyone¡ª at least, anyone except Luke. "Come on!" Someone shouts. Luke looks at me as though he''s asking for permission and I give him a little nod. Holding me by the waist and his right hand interlocking with mine, he ces a soft kiss on my lips. He''s about to end the kiss when I notice Laurel sending daggers my way. If looks could kill, then the look Laurel was giving me would surely kill me. My subconscious whines at me,manding me to show her that I was way up above her. I agree, I did refuse and still refuse to take any responsibility in the manor but I was still Luke''s wife and that made me thedy of the house. Either way, Laurel had to respect me. I drag Luke''s shirt and begin to kiss him. It sickened me to cheat on Rocky, especially with someone who vited me. It was something I had to do¡ª something to teach Laurel a lesson. There''d been deafening silence in the balcony since Luke joined me there. I was enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee before he came in. I was still processing my thoughts about the kiss and I didn''t have anything to say if his reason for being here was to talk about it. I turn to leave, but remember something. "This isn''t mine." I say, taking off the ring. "Here." I say, stretching my hand with the ring in it. He looks at me, his face, void of emotion. He massages the corner of his head with his two fingers¡ª something I''d noticed he was fond of doing whenever he was tensed. "No, it''s yours. You''re my wife and that ring belongs to you. I don''t know if you don''t know, but returning a gift is considered rude, Natalie. Don''t you have any manners?" He asks, in a silent tone. I scoff. "Don''t you dare try to teach me about manners. Have you forgotten what you did to me?" I scoff again, irritated. "Or you''ve forgotten because of your party or that stupid kiss? You know what? I''m not even going to argue with you. I''ll give your ring to Laurel. She''d appreciate it." I say, turning round to leave. He drags my robe and it falls down. I was naked. I make no attempt to move or hide my body. I am embarrassed and filled with rage. I turn to his direction, "Is this how you want to take me again without my consent?" I ask, scared. He looks stunned, his eyes red. He nods, "No, no, no, Natalie. I didn''t mean to." He looks away. He bends to pick my robe and wears it on me without looking at my body. CHAPTER 10 CHAPTER 10 LUKE''S POV "I asked you a question, Bart," I say, wondering what it could be. Was he taking drugs? He gives a wide smile, "Nothing serious, sir." He replies, but I don''t believe him. Naturally, Bart gave off an awkward vibe and his personality was negative. He always tried to y the good guy but any wise person could see through it. I don''t believe him. "I don''t want you doing drugs or anything illegal in my home for that matter so get rid of whatever the hell it is you''re on." I continue, "I need you to arrange a bouquet, a very huge bouquet of all the freshest flowers avable and send them to my wife before noon, okay?" He nods. He looks agitated and sweaty but I ignore it and leave. I had a long and interesting day ahead. ** "Good morning, Mr. Carrington" A female staff says to me as I walk the grounds of Carrington Enterprises. I do not acknowledge her greeting, instead I keep on walking with my entourage behind me. "Good morning, Mr. Carrington" a few other voices echo as I walk around past. I ignore and continue to walk sharply to my personal elevator. "Sir!" A voice shouts and I know who it is almost immediately. "Your coffee" the voice says and I turn to look. "Extra milk and no sugar added," She says, adjusting her sses. "As always. Thank you" I say as I step into the elevator. My entourage stays behind. I take a sip of my coffee as I enter the elevator. Alex, my ever faithful and always efficient secretary and personal assistant. She was an orphan, just like me, so we had a mutual understanding and a bond. "Good morning, Mr. Carrington" Jordan, the receptionist says. I acknowledge her with a nod. Apart from Alex, Jordan was the only female staff I acknowledged. She had no interest in me and I admired her for that. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. I ce my briefcase on the ss table and I hang my jacket over the coat rack. Taking my seat, I ess the files on my desk. Associates with Can Limited, Merger with Devan Textiles, Copper Industries Board Shares and most importantly, the one that makes me grind my teeth in anger Richardson Global; Transfer Documents and avable shares. I had acquired the Richardson''s wealth andpany through a poker game- something they had no idea of. Judith and her husband had attended the annual Bidding G hosted by the Graysons. Judith had been donating millions to different causes to keep her name high up in the ranks of the elite. All I had to do was rece a supposed bidding agreement with transfer documents and in the blink of an eye, she had unknowingly signed off their fortune to me. It was illegal, but there was no way to prove that I acquired the properties with fraudulent means. It was my word against theirs. "Yes sir, I''m on it." Alex says as I exin what I needed her to do. I look at my wristwatch; it was a minute after twelve. I call home. Emmanuelle picks, "Hello, Luke."She responds. I can hear panic in her voice. "Emmanuelle, how''s everyone? Did my wife eat something already?" I ask. She doesn''t reply and I be alert. I get up, ready to move. "Emmanuelle, I''m asking you a question." She breathes heavily, "Well, thedy isn''t in the manor. We searched everywhere." I end the call. Just a few hours away, and she''d escaped again. This girl wasn''t going to give up so easily. I had to put her in her ce. I had gotten to the manor and my first instinct was to check Natalie''s room- see if there was any clue. My blood boiled knowing that the only ce she would''ve gone to was wherever her lover was. I fling the door open and scan the room. Her bed was scattered, meaning that she had stayed on it before leaving. I walk to her dressing table and I see her ring. She didn''t take the ring. Simultaneously, a wave of calmness and anger hit me. I was angered because she had tantly refused my ring, and again, calm, because if she didn''t take the ring it meant she was atleast not a greedy person like her entire family was. The ring was about ¡ê47 million. It was an Oppenheimer blue ring. Jacket in hand, I leave for my room. Something wasn''t right- I had the hunch. I pick my cell from my jacket and ce a call. "Hello, yes. That favor you owe me? I need it now. I need to find my wife and I know your team can do that in a matter of minutes. Yes.. Whatever you must. I''d say thank you after I get what I want" I say, disconnecting the call. I massage my head slightly- my migraine had been much worse recently. I walk to the shelf and shift the painting on the wall. The door moves and another door is revealed. My sanctuary. I go in and look at my work so far- the picture board was full. This was the one ce I feltfort, peace and serenity all at once. No one had ess to this ce, no one even knew it existed. I''m about to pick a photo, when I hear a muffled sound. I try to not to move so I could listen carefully. I look around, scanning the room. No one could enter the room because it was properly hidden- I hear the sound again, this time it was a bit faint. The vent, the noise wasing from the vent. I bring out the blue print from the table in my secret room and check. The vent lead to a room in the workers quarters. I pick a gun from my collection of guns just incase. Something wasn''t right and I didn''t know what it was. The noise was too unsettling so I decide to check what it is. Something dangerous was happening in my home- I knew, and I was not the one orchestrating it. I reach the workers quarters and it''s unusually empty and quiet. I could smell heavy pesticide in the air and that made me more rmed. Something just wasn''t right. I check my cell for the picture of the blueprint I had taken and it leads me to Laurels room. I go inside and scan the room and no one is there. Suddenly, it clicks that Bart''s room is on the other side of the wall. I walk out of Laurel''s room, heading straight for Bart''s. He was so dead if I found him doing anything that would cost me money or attract the police. I open the door as fast as I can and I see himying on the couch. "Keep those hands where I can see them, Bartholomew" I say, pointing the gun at him. I get my cell, "I need about four of you down here, the workers quarters" I say and end the call. "Hands up" I say, walking to the extreme end of the room. I use my hand to feel what seems like a wall, covered with curtains only, I knew better. There was a door. I find the door and shift the curtain and the door is visible. "What the hell are you doing huh? What is in here?" I ask, as the guardse in. "Hold him" I order. Slowly, I open the door aiming my gun at it as it opens. I freeze at what I see. "Natalie?" I say as I see my wifeying on the floor, motionless. CHAPTER 11 CHAPTER 11 Beep Beep Beep, I hear as I struggle to open my heavy eyes. The light was too bright, so I use my hands to cover my eyes. "Where am I?" I ask immediately my eyesnd on Luke. "You''re in the hospital, Natalie" he says and in a split second, memories start flooding my head. I touch my lips rmed. I wasn''t gagged anymore. I sit up and look at my legs. They were bandaged. "I was kidnapped" I say, my hand on my mouth. I look at Luke, "I was kidnapped, it wasn''t a dream.¡± "I know. Do you remember exactly what happened? Where were youst night?" He asks and I freeze. Thankfully, Laurel enters at that exact moment and the attention is directed at her- something she must''ve been ecstatic about. I use the back of my left hand to wipe the nonexistent sweat on my face. What would Luke do if he found out I tried to escape again? Bloody hell, I wasn''t interested in finding out. "Emmanuele sent this food for the both of you.¡± She gets closer to my bed, "Luke hasn''t showered nor eaten properly for the past seventy six hours you''ve been here. Don''t you think he should get some rest?" I was shocked and a bit moved too. He stayed to look after me for over three days without showering? I was touched. "Thank you," I say looking at him, but for some unknown reasons I''m unable to look him in the eyes so I look away as fast as I can. I clear my throat, "I was out for three days?" I ask. With folded arms, Luke sits on the couch. "Yes, you were. You lost blood and in addition to that, you haven''t been eating and the doctors said you were stressed out" "Doctors?" I ask. He looks at me then picks a magazine to read. "I''m Lucas Carrington. I always get the best" I roll my eyes at his statement. "I can only wonder why I would be stressed out" I say as Iy down, facing the other side of the room. I was discharged from the hospital the next day even though I didn''t want to leave. I felt more at peace here than in that cage I''d been forced to live in. I tuck my hair behind my ear and adjust my sweater. Lukees in. "Ready?" He asks and I nod. Suddenly, he carries me in his arms bridal style and I gasp. We share an eye lock. "Why are you carrying me?" I ask in a low voice, wondering why my heart was racing. "Honestly, I don''t know either" He says. The rest of the ride home was awfully quiet. Luke and I had sat in the backseat of his Rolls Royce as the driver drove. I could feel the tension in the air. "Thank you for everything you''ve done so far, Luke. From helping my family to taking me to the hospital. I''m truly grateful" I say as I y with my fingers. He looks at me, a bit confused, "Honestly, I don''t get you at times. You have so many characters it''s hard to tell who you really are. Anyway, it''s my duty as your husband to care for you so you don''t need to thank me for the things I do for you. Well, if you want to really thank me, you can do that by not trying to run away again" He says and I freeze. He knew. Bloody hell! I scream internally. Laurel had betrayed me. *** Luke carries me all the way to my room and drops me on the bed. "Thank you" I say again. He nods, "I''ll ask them to send you something to eat and to make you a hot bath. If you need anything just dial the kitchen, the number 2 on the phone. If you need me, dial 1" He says as he leaves. Iy down on the bed, stretching as much as I can as a smile ys across my lips. I remember how Luke carried me, how I held tight onto his neck and his scent. At that moment, I knew for certain, that I wanted to open my heart to Luke. *** I''m in the shower, washing my hair and simultaneously having my bath. I was d that I found the exact lemon verbena soap I used at home. The smell was heavenly. I turn the shower on to rinse of the soap when I see a shadow outside the bathroom. "Who''s there?" I say, my heart racing as I remember I''d just been kidnapped a few days ago. "Who''s there?!" I ask again but there''s no answer. Ie out into the room and see a tray filled with fruits and food. I know immediately, that it was Luke who had been in my room. **** The knock on my door wakes me up. "Come in" I say, looking at the mirror above the couch opposite my bed. It was quarter after six in the evening. I''d been asleep for a long time. It was Emmanuele. "Madam, the Priest has arrived and would like to meet you" She says "The priest? What priest?" "Well, the priest of the small diocese here is like a father to everyone here so he frequently visits the manor. He was away for sometime but he''s back now" "Okay, I''ll be there soon" I say. Immediately, I get on my feet wearing whatever I could get my hands on. It was a short sleeve turtleneck dress and I leave my hair flowing and add some pink gloss. Even though my legs were hurting, I manage to wear my heels as I never wear ts. I''d been brought up to always wear heels no matter the asion. Even at school, I wore heels, but there were different types of heels; low and high. I reach downstairs, limping and I see the priest sitting drinking a ss of lemonade. He gets up immediately he sees me. He smiles at me brightly and I notice Luke get up. "Hello," I say as I take the priests hands and ce a soft kiss on them. "I''m Natalie.¡± I respond. "She''s such a beauty, Lucas my son. You picked the right one." He says, holding my hands. "My dear, how are you? Do you like your new home?" He asks. I smile, "Yes. Yes, I do priest. I''m fine too" I move to sit with Luke. "How are your legs?" "They hurt, but I''ll be fine. Thank you." I say and we share another eye lock. He looks away first but I keep looking. After being kidnapped, I''d realized one thing; I could only live as the day went by and I had to get used to the fact that my life had changed drastically and there was no turning back. It was time to face my future and forget about my past,pletely. It had been two weeks since I''d gotten back home from the hospital. Thankfully, nobody had brought up the issue of my kidnap and I was d because I''d have to admit that I did try to escape again and I didn''t want that because things were finally getting okay with Luke. We are on the same dining table, sat on the same couch to watch the news and we even shared the same jug of coffee and juice. It was Friday afternoon and Luke would be on his way back home from work any minute. I was dressed in a ck blouse and printed skirt. My hair was curled to fit the attire and I had my signature red lipstick on. I had worn my Loubotins to finish the attire. I pace back and forth waiting for Luke to arrive. A few minutester, I hear the horns and position myself behind the door. The door opens and I adjust my blouse, simultaneously looking at him. He raises an eyebrow, "Hi.¡± I whisper nervously. "Hey. Natalie how are you?" He asks I give a small smile, "Good," I say. "How was work?" I ask. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. "Productive as it should" He gestures to the living room, "May Ie in?" He says and I realize that I''d been keeping him standing. I gasp, "Please, of course. It''s your house." He gives me this kind of stern-friendly face. "Our house," He continues,"Excuse me.¡± **** It was time for dinner and I was looking forward to it. I had asked for Luke''s favorite meal- Thai rice and old fashioned carrot stew be made for him. Although I wasn''t a fan of carrot stew, I was willing and eager to try it out. I had selected a bottle of white wine too, something to keep us busy and the mood neutral. Since silk was my favorite thing to wear, I decide on wearing my silk dress in gold, an attire that brought all my features out. I style my hair side part style, my side bangs a little curly. I look in the mirror and although I look stunning, I''m not impressed with it. I go into the closet and try searching for another dress, but I realize that I really didn''t have a lot of clothes. I had brought just a few clothes after marrying Luke. CHAPTER 12 CHAPTER 12 Myself and Luke are seated on the dining as Laurel sets the table with our food. "What''s for dinner?" He asks and as I''m about to answer, Laurel begins to speak. "Well, Luke, we were supposed to follow your meal n today and we had already prepared that, but your wife insisted we make another dish even if I told her not to." she says, eyeing me ckly. "Excuse me, Laurel?" I turn towards Luke, "Please, I didn''t know you had a meal n or anything- she didn''t tell me anything." I say Luke looks at both of us back and forth, "Natalie, you should have asked. We have certain rules here.¡± I gasp in shock and utter disbelief. "I should have asked? I just told you, I did ask" I look at Laurel, "Why are you lying?!" I yell. "Luke, she didn''t tell me anything, believe me.¡± Laurel is about to speak but Luke stops her, "Please, all I''m asking is that you should always ask until you get used to how things work here. We don''t waste resources like you do back in your house.¡± I get up, dropping the napkin from myps on the table. I couldn''t believe Luke didn''t trust me. He doubted me and it hurt like hell. "Have a lovely dinner." I say before I leave for my room. I didn''t know why, but Luke''s words to me really hurt me. I could understand why he wouldn''t trust me but I wasn''t a liar and bringing up my family wasn''t something I appreciated. Uncontroble tears rolled down my eyes. Now, I knew for sure that Laurel really had a crazy obsession with Luke and she''d do anything to get me out of the way. Entering my room, I''m about to lock the door, but Luke forced his way in. I rush to sit on my chair, still crying. "Natalie, please, I''m sorry. I didn''t mean anything I said at the table. Please, forgive me." I ignore himpletely, but he still continues talking, "Honestly, I wish the circumstances of our marriage was much better. I would do anything for us to get along even for a moment." I''m tempted to tell him to let me go if he wanted that, but something stops me. Instead, I ignore him again. He gets up to leave, but stops at the door. "It''s a Saturday tomorrow. I''ll be home all day. If you forgive me by tomorrow maybe you can show up at the stables by 9 and I''ll teach you how to ride a horse. If you don''t show up, I''ll know you haven''t forgiven me.¡± He leaves. ** Iy on my bed, looking up at the ceiling as I think of everything that had happened in thest two months. I hadn''t heard from Jos¨¦ or any of my friends from Dubois C, I hadn''t heard from Aunt Ruth and I certainly hadn''t heard anything about my father. I knew he wasn''t dead or worse off because if he was, I''d have been contacted already, so I was half d I hadn''t gotten any calls from home. I hadn''t heard from my mother, but I had heard Luke talking to her multiple times. I was certain she must''ve been calling to demand for more money. My mind drifts off to Rocky, and I think off all the moments we had. The first time I set my eyes on him, I had known that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. I wasn''t so sure about that now. After sessfully wearing my brown boots, I concentrate on my hair as I style it into front bangs. My blond straight hair fell back, almost reaching my waist. I had a head full of hair. I apply a thin but noticeable coat of pink gloss and some powder. It was a few minutes to nine and I wanted to get there exactly by nine. Although, I wanted to seem a little difficult and go a littleter, I knew if I went toote, I''d miss him. Entering the kitchen, the workers chorus good morning at once and my face lightens up. "Good morning everyone, what''s happening? What''s for breakfast?" Emmanuele dusts her apron, "Well it''s Saturday so we thought you''d have some traditional shepherds pie and some wine.¡± I panic as I realize it''s already a minute to nine, "Alright, Emmanuele, how do I get to the stables though?" I ask, a bit anxious. "Well you just walk straight down, take your left by the fountain and keep straight. You will find it there" She says, a smile on her face. ***** After much effort, I finally find the stables. I look around, but my mood drops as I don''t see Luke around. I didn''t have a watch on me or a phone, but I knew for certain that it had past nine. I''m still standing there when I feel breathing on my head and a body pressed to mine. Luke, my mind races. We were dangerously close. My rump was against his manhood, my back on his chest and his breathing on my body. I turn around and I look at him. He was really tall and I realized I was nothing compared to tall beside him. "Good morning," I say, consciously parting my lips. "Good morning, Natalie. You came" He says "Yes, yes, I did." I chuckle nervously. He smiles. "Shall we?" He asks and I nod. After preparing the horse, Luke was helping me get on it. "Slowly.¡± He says as I try to set my foot on the paddle. "Shall we?" He guards the horse as it moves. "Her name is Milo, she''s very dear to me." I smile, ready to indulge in conversation with him. "I like her too. She feels soft.¡± Heughs, "Milo''s definitely not a softie.¡± My face reddens at his reply, but I shrug it off. I wanted to talk about other things. "I hope you wouldn''t mind my asking but how did you be so rich?" I scan his face, "What do you do?" "I''m not a drug lord if you''re thinking I am," He says and Iugh. "When you''re fueled by anger, resentment, rage or whether it''s your thirst for vengeance, it''s impossible to not achieve your goal.¡± I process his words, "So you were fueled by something?" He stops the horse and turns to look at me. "Not something, everything.¡± "Is that why you''re always angry?" "I''m not always angry, Natalie. My face might look it, but I''m usually happy most of the times. You just don''t let me share that happiness with you because you hate me.¡± "Wait" I say, stopping the horse. "Help me down?" This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. I get down and stand directly in front of him. "I agree that we got married on very disturbing conditions and you don''t like my family, but honestly Luke, I don''t hate you anymore." I say, giving him a light smile. He looks at me in shock, lips parted, "You don''t hate me anymore?" He asks, "When?" "It just happened, I don''t think I''m that heartless to hate someone who constantly saves and helps me." "As much as I want to believe you, I''m having doubts. I can''t help it." I tuck my hair behind my ear and scrunch my face in confusion, "Doubts?" "Yes, doubts. You''ve tried to run away so many times, you''ve even made it clear that you''ll do anything to go back to your old life- his voice breaks, "Your boyfriend." He says and I notice his eyes bing red again. I shake my head, "I understand that, but I don''t want to do that anymore. My life now begins and ends here, with you." I say as I hold his hand. "How can I trust you?" "You''ll learn to. Eventually." I say, as I wrap my hands around his neck and tiptoe for a kiss. We kiss. It was soft, gentle and slow. Itsted for a while. It felt like the world stopped and we were the only ones there. The taste of his lips made me wonder what I had seen in Rocky. After the kiss, there was peaceful silence as we walked to the river ahead of us. The silence was truly calming. "Let''s sit by the tree." Luke says and we walk to sit by the tree. "You go first." I say but he declines. "No, you go first," He smiles. He continues. "Say what''s on your mind first, then I will." He declines again, "Ladies first. Always." and I agree. "You know, I really didn''t get to know you before we got married. I still don''t know anything about you." I chuckle. "And we''re married." He looks at me and I look away. "I wanted to say the same thing" He pauses and touches my hair. My body freezes at his touch. He continues, "Well, ask me whatever you want to know and I''ll answer them for you." "And as honest as you possibly can." I add. I continue, "I know your name is Lucas Carrington, Luke for short, do you have a middle name?" He freezes at my question butposes himself quickly. "Yes" he responds, "It''s just Lucas Carrington." "You''re how old?" "Twenty five this year. You?" "Twenty," say as we look at each other. I give a fake cough. "Your parents? Do you have siblings?" "No, I don''t. Well, I used to but something tragic happened to them. We were separated and I escaped, but they were murdered, including my little sister" He says and I gasp. "Jesus, I''m so sorry- I didn''t mean to, I didn''t know." "It''s fine."He smiles. "Whoever killed them deserves to die a horrible death. Did the police find the killers?" I ask "You think so?" He asks me. "Of course, you don''t just go around killing people, they deserve it too." "If you say so," He responds, a weird look on his face. It must''ve been a very sensitive topic for him so I ask another question. One which had been bothering me for a while now. "Who''s Laurel to you?" I ask, "She''s very close to you and she doesn''t like me much." "Laurel''s father used to work for me a few years ago, until he died. He left her in my care and asked me to always look after his daughter. There''s no special rtionship. If you think there''s one,I assure you¡ª there isn''t. My love for her is purely tonic." He says and I feel a sense of relief. "However, there is someone I''m interested in." My heart drops hearing those words, but that feeling disappears in a split second as soon as I hear his next words. "It''s you." CHAPTER 13 CHAPTER 13 Some weekster. . I feel ecstatic as the water pours all over my body. I squeeze my hair and rinse my face. The past few days have been the best days of my life. I truly never knew that I''d be so content and happy with how everything started with Luke. Luke had made it more than obvious with not just his words but his actions showed that he truly loved me. I had also fallen in love with this man, but I knew he wouldn''t believe me if I told him. He would doubt my motives and although it would hurt for him to doubt me, I would totally understand if he did because I had broken his trust severally. It was solely up to me, to prove to him that I wasn''t going to run away again and that my feelings were sincere. *** Wearing a pencil skirt and a long sleeve blouse, I hurriedly brush my hair, side bangs. It was Monday morning and Luke would leave for the office any moment from now, so I hurriedly go downstairs. He''s at the table talking to someone on his phone. "Hey," He says as takes my hand and ces a kiss on them. I smile in return, "How was your night?" I ask as my eyes fall on Laurel who has a huge frown stered on her face. "It was longer than usual, I guess" "Who was that on the phone? More work?" I ask him, taking a bite of the pancake thaty before me. "Yes, actually. My assistant just called in sick and requested for a leave of absence for five days" "The whole week?" "Yes," He replies, as he pours some orange juice in my ss. "Thank you" Laureles over and sits on the chair opposite me. "Luke, I have an idea!" She holds his hands in hers as she talks. I frown as I look at their intertwined hands. "I could be your temporary assistant until she recovers. It''s a good idea don''t you think?" She says smiling and I get an idea. "Well I don''t see- I hold his arm and his attention gets diverted to me. "What about me? I really don''t do anything here, Luke. I want to be your assistant. Also, there''s an added benefit. We get to be together all day" I slowly rub my feet on his legs underneath the table and give him a smile. He gives me a knowing look and turns to face Laurel who''s giving me dirty looks. "Laurel there''s so much to be done at home and I''m sure Emmanuele would need your help and yourpany. My wife will work with me" He says and I smirk. He will always choose me before you. I say internally. "It''s settled then. When do I start?" "Tomorrow. I have to go now.¡± *** I had wandered off the pond, again. It had be my safe haven. I had checked my calendar and it dawned on me that my friends at Dubious C had already graduated and were probably nning on going to college next. I had missed my graduation, the event I looked forward to even more than wanting to have sex with Rocky. I realized that my life had reallye to a halt. Without graduating, I was practically a drop out. Would I ever get a job? My husband is a trillionaire already so I really didn''t need a job, but still, I felt iplete and useless. It had already gotten dark so I leave the pond and head for my room. Entering the living room, I realize that there''s no power and the workers had probably gone to their quarters already. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. I think of my father, my mother and every other thing I left behind, aunt Ruth. I break down in tears as I enter my room. "Daddy, are you okay? I miss you so much, papa." I cry uncontrobly. I had kept in my feelings for so long that I just needed to pour everything out. "I wonder what you must think of me now. Not hearing from me in months, you must think I''m the worst." The door opens and I turn to see Luke standing by the door. "Natalie are you okay? What happened?" "It''s all because of you" I sob, "You won''t let me out of this bloody house, you won''t let me have a phone, how can you say you love me and be so heartless?" "Natalie. . .¡± "Don''te close to me. I haven''t seen or spoken to my father in months all because you won''t let me.¡± "He''s fine, you have nothing to worry about, he''s already been discharged.¡± I gasp, "I need to see my father, Luke, please.¡± He nods, "Yes, fine. We''ll leave for Croydon tomorrow" He kneels beside me, "Please don''t cry." He says as he pulls me in a hug. "Thank you, I just really miss home and everything else" I say and I realize he might''ve taken my words wrongly so I say, "My friends from school, I mean" He nods. "I''ll go and find out what happened to the power" He gets up and heads for the door. As if realizing what I wanted, I rush to stop him, hugging him from behind. "Please, don''t go" I say as I continue to hug him from behind. He caresses my hands and moves to turn, so I release my hands. We look at each other for a moment, and he leans in for a kiss. We kiss passionately. It was a wet kiss and every part of my body screamed at his every touch. He takes of his suit jacket and flings it. Still lost in the kiss, I begin to unbutton his shirt. He carries me and I wrap my legs around his waist. He''s bare chested. I caress his chest as we kiss. I unzip my blouse and he begins to rub my breasts, he rubs them so well that my core tightens. "Are you sure?" He whispers. I breath out, "Yes, never been more certain" and he carries me bridal style to the bed. He pulls my skirt off. He has no time, so he rips off my panties. I gasp. "I''ll buy you more" He says and we continue kissing. I remove my bra and his concentration shifts to my breasts. He licks my nipples continuously and I can feel myself get wet. His touch sent shivers down my body and I was amazed at how my body responded to him- like it was ustomed to him. He knew what I''d liked. He wasn''t being reckless and he wasn''t being gentle either. He knew exactly what he was doing and it made me wonder if he had pleased other women like this. He was so sure of his moves. He caresses my hips and takes my legs around his waists. I close my eyes, holding the sheets and tilt my head to the side. My back was arched. I open my eyes and the first thing my eyesnd on is his shaft. I gasp. It is big, long and just beautiful. He was well shaved. It turned me on. My core was clenching tighter and it was on fire. Enter, now, I demand internally. He kisses my belly button and finds his way down to my area. He licks it, kisses it and inhales before going down to my core. "Bloody hell!" I scream as I feel his tongue in my womanhood. I arch my waist in pleasure, my pupils dting. I grab the pillow and hold tight. "Ah.." I moan. "Natalie, I need you to know that I truly love you and I''m sorry if I''ve hurt you in the past. Please, my love" A tear drops from my eye. "I forgive you, Lucas. I love you" I say, and he enters me. He begins to make love to me. We make love. This time, it wasn''t forced and there was no hatred. Just pure love. At this moment, I knew for sure that Luke was my soulmate and I was d, for the first time, that I was sold to him. After all, blessings doe in disguise. CHAPTER 14 CHAPTER 14 I had been staring at Luke''s face while he was sleeping for a few minutes. Last night was undoubtedly the best night of my life. Luke and I hadn''t just made love, we had broken all the barriers between us and our actionsst night made it clear that we really did need each other. He looked so calm and peaceful as he slept. Iy my head on his shoulders and inhale his scent; a mixture of coconut and probably an expensive perfume. I hear him breath and stretch. "Have you been up?" He asks "Yes, my love" I say as I hug him. He returns the action and holds me. "How was Ist night, did I hurt you?" "No, no" I say looking at him in the eyes, I cup his jaws, "You didn''t, I know you would never hurt me intentionally" He smiles and checks his wristwatch. "You had your watch on this whole time?"I chuckle. "I''m a businessman. Time is money¡ª but that doesn''t count where you''re concerned, Mrs. Wifey." "Mrs. Wifey? I like the sound of that, Mr. Carrington." I smile and inhale his scent. I didn''t want to leave the bed, but today was the day when I''d see my father after months. "I''ll go take a nice shower, so we can head for Croydon. The earlier the better." He says. "Use my bathroom?" I ask and he nods in agreement. I was sure my face was as red as a tomato when he walks and I see his butt, his shaft dangling in between his legs. After he enters the bathroom, I get up and see all our clothes on the floor. This time, I smile and feel butterflies in my stomach. The shower is running and I see Luke''s shadow from the tinted ss shower. I enter and I hug him from behind. I was so small behind him, but not too small. We made the perfect couple. He moans as I ce wet kisses on his back. He uses his left hand to move me so I''m in front of him. The water pours on my body and wets my hair. He looks at me as though he was looking into my soul, his piercing blue eyes making me squirm, "You don''t know how long I''ve waited for this." He says his hands on my hips. I smile, "You have me now, I''mpletely yours." I say and we begin to kiss. He caresses my rump as my left hand rests on his hips and my right hand does wonders in his manhood. He was slippery and it turned me on that my husband was wet for me- that I made him so. "The bathtub," I say as he begins to finger me. Bloody hell, I moan internally. The bathtub is empty so he puts me inside and hovers over me. I arch my back in anticipation of his member, but something even better happens. His tongue. I couldn''t tell if it was cold or warm, all I could feel was my head spinning and pupils dting. "Ah. . ." I moan, clenching my teeth afterwards. His tongue does wonders as he licks from top to bottom, bottom to top. I can feel warm liquid slip out of me. I turn two taps on, and water begins to flow. Luke begins to kiss me and I wrap my legs around him, tight, so that I can feel his shaft at the entrance of my core. The bath tub is getting full. After the kiss, we look at each other, quiet for a few seconds and I wrap my hands around his neck. He moves his body, a gesture telling me to unwrap my legs. I unwrap my legs and spread them. He looks at me, my body, and I realize for the first time that he was actually seeing me naked. I be shy, so I use my hands to cover my breasts and shut my legs. I look away, embarrassed. I could feel my face be red. Luke chuckles, "Why are you hiding yourself?" "Why are you staring at me?" I ask. "Because you''re perfect, my love. Don''t hide yourself." He says and he begins to spread kisses on my laps. I open them and he looks up at me, a wide smile on his face. He positions himself directly in front of my entrance and he enters me. He ravishes me like a hungry child eats a slice of pizza. My husband and I hadn''t just made love¡ªwe had fucked, and damn, it was a good one. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. *** I wear my hat as I wait for Luke to meet me with the car. He had gone to get a car for the trip to Croydon since we were going there without the chauffeur. I take out a mirror from my purse and check my red lipstick. I was happy, and it was all thanks to Luke. The car arrives and he gets down. I smile as he stands in front of me. He takes my hand and leads me to the car. He opens the door for me, "I like." I state, as I get in. ** We are halfway close to Croydon and Luke and I had talked about my time in Dubois C, and he understood that because of him, I wasn''t able to graduate. Although he felt bad about it, he had made it clear that he was ready to move mountains for me, if it was something that would make me happy. I didn''t specifically understand what he meant, but I knew whatever he was talking about would bring a smile to my face. After all, he really was a trillionaire and could do anything he wanted, anything money could buy. Ding Dong The bell rings and in no time, I''m greeted by mother''s conniving face. "Princess." She says. I roll my eyes at her statement and I enter. "Mrs. Richardson, hello." Luke says to her and I look away. "Hello mother." I say without looking at her. Even though I was in a happy ce in my marriage with Lucas, it still didn''t excuse her for what she did to me. The wicked deal she made with Luke just to save her status could have ruined my life forever. "Where''s my father?" I ask her. "Please, Natalie, is this how you greet your mother? You won''t even look at me?" "If you won''t tell me where my dad is, I''ll go find him myself. Excuse me." I say as I leave. CHAPTER 15 CHAPTER 15 As I walk down the hall of my home, I feel nostalgic as I remember all the moments I''d spent in the house, mostly with my father and Aunt Ruth. A few drops of tears fall from my eyes but Ipose myself as soon as I get to the front of my father''s room. I take a few deep breaths and adjust my hair. I enter the room without knocking. "Daddy?" I see himying on the bed, newspaper in hand. He looks up from his paper. Unconsciously, my left hand goes over my mouth as I prevent myself from sobbing. I hug him for a long while. No words are said as he hugs me back. N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. "I know there''s a lot of exining to do, but first, I just need to know you''re fine, dad. Are you?" "Yes, Natalie, I''m better. Now, you need to tell me where the bloody hell you''ve been." He states and we bothugh. Bloody hell. I sigh and rub my temple. I had thought my mother would be decent enough to tell my father all the horrible things she''d done while he was ina or even give him an eptable exnation as to why I had gone missing in action. "I need you to be totally understanding and supportive of what I''m about to tell you." I say as I get up from the bed. I rub my temple again. "I got married." He takes off his sses. I put my hands forward to prevent him from saying anything, "I did that because I thought it was right, and although I did have regrets, I do not, not anymore. It happened so fast that I couldn''t see iting and there was no way for me to stop it." "You''re just twenty, Natalie!" He exim. "We''re you pregnant? Your mother consented to this?" He gets up, "Did your mother force you to do it?" He asks, a frown forming on his face. I nod, "No, no, no. Mom had nothing to do with this, it was solely my decision and I''m an adult, dad. I believe I can make my own decisions, and I wasn''t pregnant." "You are, honey, but to me, you''ll always be a child¡ªmy child. I will always worry about you, your decisions because that''s what parents do. I don''t approve of this." "You should teach your wife some of these things, you know, and daddy, it''s toote for that now. You were in aa, and I had to do it." I say as I go in for a hug. A tear drops from my eyes. "I can''t believe this. Is that why you couldn''t visit? Your mother said you visited severally while I was unconscious." He says, and I''m amazed that she could do something decent for once. "I''m here now, Dad, and I''m happy. That''s all that matters. I say. **** We are gathered at the dining table, ready to have lunch. Luke is understandably quiet and my mother, as usual, has a fake smile stered on her face. Dad joins us and I stand. "Dad," I say and I notice Luke getting up too. "This is Luke." I say, gesturing to my husband. "Luke, my dad." I say smiling, but I notice his face- expressionless. He smiles- a gesture I wonder if is genuine. I shrug it off and face my father as he approaches Luke. He stretches his hand out for a shake and Luke takes it, respectfully. "Mr. Richardson, my pleasure." He says and I feel butterflies. This man was really mine. "What a fine young man. Respectful too." Dad says to everyone and I let out a giggle. "Oh, daddy, please sit." I say as I hold his arm, leading him to sit. We are halfway into dinner and my mother speaks, "So, Natalie, tell us about your home. Do you like it there? Do you attend parties?" Dad coughs, "Natalie doesn''t like parties, Judith and her husband doesn''t look like he would either." She sips her wine, "Oh, Francis, but your son-inw is a socialite, a very rich one at that." She says, her signature smile on her face. "I have a very lovely home, mother, thanks for asking" I drink my wine too, "My home is much more exquisite - unlike your house. No offense, daddy" I say. Dad smiles knowingly, "None taken." Mother smiles to me, raising her flute in the air. "So, Luke, hows everything?" I have a very lovely home, mother, thanks for asking" I drink my wine too, "My home is much more exquisite - unlike your house. No offense, daddy" I say. Dad smiles knowingly, "None taken." I roll my eyes internally as I hear her question. This woman really irked me. "Very fine, thank you. Your daughter has been a source of support to me." Luke says. He takes my hands in his, and ces a kiss on my fingers. I give a small smile. He made my heart flutter and his voice, sent heat up my legs. "So, what do you do?" Luke is about to speak but mom''s wine flute falls on the floor and in the process, spills on her. "Sweet Jesus," She continues, "Luke, dear would youe along with me while I wash this off in the kitchen?" "No," I get up, "Why don''t I escort you, mother?" CHAPTER 16 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¡ªshe 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¡ªI 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¡ª 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. . . CHAPTER 17 CHAPTER 17 We had gotten to Shoreditch before nightfall and Iy here, in my bed, thoughtless. Luke had gone to his study to sort out some business rted issues and had promised to bring our dinner to my room as soon as he was done. I get down from my bed and tip toe to my bedside mirror and I unconventionally stare at myself when my eye falls on my neck. I touch it and tilt my head to properly get a good view of it. It was a love bite. There''s a knock on the door. "Come in." I say, turning to look at the door. It''s Emmanuele. "Madam?" She says. I get down from the stool and walk to her, my arms crossed. "Yes, Emmanuele, what is it?" "Well, Mr. Carrington is on the phone and he doesn''t seem all that happy- he broke a vase." She says and I gasp. Immediately, I rush past her and head downstairs. Reaching down, it''s quiet and I see Luke standing by the bar, his back facing me. He has a ss of vodka in his right hand, his grey shirt folded up his arms. I walk up behind him and just as I''m about to touch him, he smashes the ss on the wall. I gasp, hurriedly moving back. My heart begins to beat faster than usual and my eyes widen. I hadn''t wanted to admit it, but now, I couldn''t deny the fact that Luke was extremely violent and it scared the hell out of me. He turns around and his eyes are watery and red, something that happened whenever he was pissed off. He nods his head as if he was begging me not to be frightened, his left hand reaching for me. "Natalie." He says, moving closer. I keep moving, shakily and he stops. "I would never hurt you, you know that." He says and as though I snapped out of a trance, I stop. I walk as fast as I can and give him a hug. He kisses my hair and caresses my back. "You don''t have to talk about it, just know I have your back my love." I say as I look into his eyes, "Always, forever." I say, and we share a small kiss. Luke and I were in bed, the room illuminated by a fluorescentmp. I was wrapped around him and he held me tight, like he never wanted me out of his sight. "My love?" I call "My love" He responds. "Why don''t you ever talk about your family? Where are they?" All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. He bes still and I wonder if that was a tender topic for him. "Did I say something wrong? I''m so¡ª "No, no." He says, "Actually, my parents are dead. My mom and dad died about ten years ago. I had a sister too but I''ve been looking for her." "Have you found her?" I ask, genuinely concerned. "Honestly, I''m beginning to lose all hope. I''ve been searching for years now but it''s like she disappeared off the face of the earth. She''s probably dead." "I don''t know what to say, Luke, I''m sorry." I say, cing a kiss on his stomach. "Why are you looking for them though? I mean, what happened? Were you separated?" "Yes." He gets up and walks to the window. "We were," He continues, "My father was a good man and his goodness ultimately led to his downfall and the destruction of our family." I debate on whether to get up from the bed or not, but as I decide on getting up, Luke begins to talk again. "My father was supposed to be a witness for someone but things ended pretty badly. My sister was the first one to get kidnapped." "Jesus." I whisper. He continues, this time, his gaze upon me. "Then they took me. Afterwards, I remember my mother telling me we were moving far away to start a new life- we waited for Diane and she finally arrived." He sits on the couch opposite the bed and crosses his legs. "We were already going when some men hijacked our car and then they made me watch as my parents were shot, their bodies, thrown into the water." He says smiling. "I didn''t shed a tear. Before I could turn, Diane was gone. Last thing I remember was being blindfolded and hit on the head. Then I woke up and realized I''d been sent to an orphanage." I nod, as tears roll down my face. "Where?" This man really went through a lot. "Senegal, Africa." He gets up and walks over to me, "You don''t know how happy I feel knowing you share my pain. Don''t cry, Natalie."He says as he sits and hugs me. I hug him back too, as tight as I can. "You need to get justice for your parents, Luke. They would want that." I say as I hold his cheek. "Do you think I should punish those who murdered my parents in cold blood?" "Yes, definitely but ording to thew. They have to pay." I say. There was a need for him to get justice for his dead parents. Bad people needed to be punished for their deeds. CHAPTER 18 CHAPTER 18 It''s morning already and it was my first day working at the office with Luke, as his assistant. I''d made sure to wear my best lingerie, and some perfume oil¡ª just incase we wanted to spice things up. I am dressed in a white matching two piece suit that went well with my pale skin, alongside my hair styled into a ponytail. As I walk down the stairs on the right side, Luke takes the left side and we meet downstairs. "Mr. Carrington?" "Good morning, Mrs. Carrington." He says, stylishly checking me out. I knew he was checking me out. "Good morning" I say, a huge smile stered on my face. "I must say, you do look amazing." He extends his hand. I take it, "And so do you." I say as we head for the car. We enter the car and leave for the office. We arrive in about 15 minutes. We both get down from the car. I look around and I am beyond impressed. As if he read my mind, "Impressed?" He asks. "Very much." I reply. We enter and immediately, an entourage apanies us. I adjust my skirt as I begin to feel nervous and anxious. Luke holds my hand and I smile. My bag drops and I bend to pick it when I hear a familiar voice. "Luke Carrington?" I freeze. Luke is quiet and I get up with shaky legs. My heart beat increases. "Yes." Luke says in a harsh tone and as I look up I gasp as I recognize the person in front of me. I''m about to call out his name, but I fall into nothingness. The smell of Alcohol wakes me. I cough. I''m alert, my eyes, scanning the room. "Natalie, my love. Are you okay?" Luke asks, as he cups my face. I gulp, "Yes, but I saw someone downstairs bef¡ª I''m interrupted again, by the same voice. "We should probably reschedule our meeting, so you may attend to your wife." The voice says and I turn my head to get a proper look. It was him, it was him. It was Rocky. My entire body bes numb and I''m rendered speechless. We share an eye lock. I could feel the sweat dripping from my head. "Please. I appreciate that and I apologize. I''d love to apany you out but I must stay with my wife." Luke turns to me, kneeling with one leg. "What if you fainted because you''re pregnant?" He says, a small smirk on his face. I open my lips in horror as I stare at him, then I turn to look at Rocky who has a very cold expression on. I finally gain the courage to speak, "I need to rest." is all I can say. "I''ll leave." He turns to leave but pauses. "Mrs. Carrington?" He calls. I am still as I answer, "Yes?" "I hope you recover soon." He says and leaves. Luke caresses my face and hair. "Are you okay?" He asks and I do not know what to say. Do I tell him the truth or do I keep silent? Luke scared me and I feared what he would do if he found out Rocky was around him, around me. He would immediately begin to distrust me and think I had betrayed him yet again. "Natalie?" He calls out again and I ce my left hand on his shoulder. "Yes, I''m perfectly fine, Luke." I lie as I avoid eye contact. Luke could never find out who Rocky was or what if he already knew and was ying the fool? Trying to catch me red handed? Luke moves to sit beside me. "Who''s that man?" I ask, my heart still pounding. "Caleb Dunes." He''s a hotelier who seems to have a vision for us both. I don''t know what it''s all about yet, but he has potential. I rack my brain, "Caleb Dunes?" I ask, confused. "That''s his name?" Rocky has intentionally used a fake name I was sure of the fact. "Yes, now, I think we need to go to the doctor," He picks up his phone and quickly sends a message. "I''ve texted Dr. Ava." I cough, "What if I''m pregnant? We never used protection." I say, wondering how I would feel if I was truly pregnant. Seeing Rocky again had messed up my head. **** "I''m afraid, you''re not pregnant, Mrs. Carrington." Dr. Ava says as she has her seat. I sigh internally, closing my eyes as I thank God for the oue. I was ready to have a child with Luke, but the current circumstances with Rocky appearing out of thin air and pretending to be someone else seriously had me in deep thoughts. Luke holds my hand, "But we''ve engaged in raw intercourse, severally." Luke says to Dr. Ava.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. She takes off he sses, "Yes. It doesn''t necessarily mean something is wrong with you, or her¡ª if you''re really eager to get pregnant, I''d advice to engage during your," she gestures to me, "Ovtion period." She continues. "There''s a higher chance of you getting pregnant then." Tired of the conversation, I jump in. "Thank you, Doctor Ava." I say. Dr. Ava speaks, "Wee, Mrs. Carrington. I''d give you a prescription to get at the pharmacy just a few doors after my office. You fainted due to stress and possibly if you are over thinking anything, I''d advice you to stop because that could affect your conception process." She says and Luke and I share an eye lock. The ride back home was quiet, but not awkward. Iy my head on Luke''s shoulders and his arms are wrapped around me. We reach the manor in no time and as I get down, Luke rushes to my side and carries me unexpectedly. I giggle. "I''m perfectly fine." He smiles, showing off his perfect dentition. "Allow me, Mrs. Carrington." Luke drops me on the bed gently. "I''ll ask Emmanuele toe run you a bath while I make some calls." He says and ces a kiss on my head. He turns to leave but I stop him. I hold his hand. "Why don''t you join me?" I ask, giving him my best cute face. "Anything, for you, my love. I love how you want me, Natalie. It drives me insane." He says almost in a whisper like tone. "Don''t take too long." I say. After Luke leaves, I jump from the bed as though I''d been waiting to be alone. I climb the couch opposite the bed and peep through the window. "What am I even doing?" I whisper as I get down. I begin to pace around the room. I had a feeling that Rocky had something nned because I knew for sure he wouldn''t just show up for no reason. "Please, Rocky don''t do whatever it is you want to do." I whisper. Things were even moreplicated since I was now working alongside Luke. It meant I''d probably be seeing more of him since he wanted to work with Luke. I feared for him because although I had not seen his worse sidepletely, I''d experienced a part of it first hand, and I knew just how dangerous my husband could be. I had to look for a way to ensure that Rocky stayed away from Luke and whatever business deal they had together doesn''t work out. There''s a knock on the door. "Come in."I say and the door opens. It''s Laurel. "What do you want?" I ask as I roll my eyes. I sit down on the couch. She gives me a nasty face, "I''m not pleased to see you either." CHAPTER 19 CHAPTER 19 "I really do not have the strength, nor do I have the time to exchange words with you and remember," I get up, walking to her. I continue, "You will give me the respect I deserve as Luke''s wife and as thedy of the house. Do you get that?" I spit, a sudden surge of anger filling me. She ps andughs. "I''ve been with Lucas for years. I know everything about him, what he likes and what''s good for him." She points at me, "And you''re definitely not it, Natalie!" She yells, anger and jealousy evident on her face. Luke enters the room before I''m able to speak. "Laurel!" He yells and she turns to look at him. She tries to hug him. He doesn''t let her. "Don''t you ever speak to Natalie that way, ever again. You will give her the same respect you give me and you will speak to her with respect. Understand?" He says harshly. I want to smile, but I don''t. In a split second, she begins to cry. I roll my eyes and massage my temple. "Bu¡ªshe tries to speak but Luke doesn''t let her. "Get out, Laurel." He says and she rushes out crying. Lukees to hug me. "I''m sorry I didn''t listen to you earlier when Laurel has clearly been the cause of everything from the beginning." C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. I take in his scent, "It''s okay. I''m d you believe me now and can trust me." I pause. "You can trust me, right?" I ask "Of course. We''re building that, aren''t we?" And my heart drops at his response. Everything would really be over if Luke found out Caleb Dunes was actually Rocky. "We will be hosting a dinner here tomorrow evening, Natalie. I need you to take care of everything. The Graysons, the Cole''s, a few people from the office and Caleb Dunes." He says as he begins to take off his clothes. My heartbeat increases once again and I begin to panic quietly. "Caleb Dunes?" I ask. "Yes. Uh, the guy from the office earlier today." "Oh. Are you sure he''ll be a good business partner?" "Well, I''ll decide if he is tomorrow. That''s the reason for the dinner. I do think he has the drive though. I could see in his eyes that something or someone is making him push to get what he wants. With that kind of motivation, anyone could get whatever they wanted." He says and I look at him. If only he knew what was pushing Rocky. If only he knew I was Rocky''s motivation and that Rocky, was the ex he despised so much. * Luke''s warm kisses all over my face wakes me. "Stop," I moan, a huge smile stered on my face as my eyes stay shut. "Breakfast in bed, Mrs. Carrington." I turn my head, "Stop kissing me so much, my mouth probably stinks." He chuckles, "True, but I''d kiss you even though you had blood in your mouth. Nothing could ever stop me." He says as he spreads kisses all over my bare back. * After brushing, I get on the bed, covering myself up with the duvet and ready to devour my pancakes and scrambled eggs. "Fresh orange juice, specially squeezed by me, for you." Luke says and I smile in return, showing all my teeth. "You know I''ve been thinking and I really haven''t seen your bedroom." I take a sip of the juice. "I really haven''t seen your bedroom. I want us to sleep there tonight and," I pause to look at his face. "And?" He raises his brow up. "And, I want us to share a bedroom. Together." as soon as those wordse out, I avoid eye contact with him. He holds my chin, turning my head. Our faces, dangerously close as we look at each other. "Your wish, will always be mymand." He says as he leans in for a kiss. We kiss and I can''t help but think about the impending danger. I knew all too well that Rocky''s involvement in our lives would end with either one of them seriously hurt and that fact made my heart hurt and my head ache. The dinner was scheduled for seven pm and it was just 6 PM. I stand in front of my bedside mirror and I look at my reflection. I was all sweaty from the supervision of the food making and dining decor. I pack my hair into a messy bun and begin to undress. I head for the bathroom and quickly take a shower. Ie out and go back to the mirror. I was scared and anxious. What if Rocky told Luke everything during dinner? What if someone who actually knew Rocky showed up? My stomach was tied in knots. After dressing up in a ck knee length evening dress, I try to look for an essory toplete my outfit when my eyesnd on a small box. The ring Luke had given me months back. I open it, curious to see if the ring was still there. It was. I take it out and honestly, the ring was really exquisite. It fit my finger perfectly well. I wear it on my finger, looking at myself in the mirror. Luke enters. He pauses for a few seconds as he notices the ring on my finger. I smile as he watches me. "It''s beautiful. Thank you." I say, still caressing the ring. "You don''t have any idea of how much you drive me crazy." He says as hees to stand behind me. He nuzzles my neck with his nose. He brings out a ne and holds it up as I look through the mirror. He ces it around my neck. It''s a very thin gold ne with two pearls hanging on it. I touch the ne "It''s beautiful." I say. It''s exactly what I needed. I turn around and hug him. "Thank you, Luke." "I hope we stay like this forever and I hope that you forgive me if I do anything foolish." He says and I be still. What did he mean? Was he referring to Rocky? What could I possibly respond with? "Yes." Is the only thing I can say. * The Graysons and everyone else had arrived. A car had just entered and was driving down to the house entrance. Luke holds my hand as we go to the door to wee the next guest. Luke takes my hand into his arms and I couldn''t be more grateful for the gesture. "Caleb, wee."Luke shakes his hand and Rocky smiles. "Thanks for having me." He turns to me and smiles, "Mrs Carrington, thanks for having me." He extends his hand for a handshake and I reluctantly take it. I smile, "Wee." * We are gathered round the table, Luke and his associates talking about how some of the Art galleries in the country are currently dealing with stolen paintings and stolen artifacts that didn''t belong to them. I''d realized that Mrs Grayson who was sitting beside had been trying to engage in conversation with me, but I was too busy with my Ros¨¦ and my thoughts about Rocky. "Mrs. Grayson?" I turn to face the middle aged woman. She smiles at me, a smile that reminded me of how fake my mother was. She tries to take my hand, but she spills her champagne on me. "Oh dear." She says, "I''m so sorry. I can''t believe I''m so clumsy." "No, it''s fine, I''ll go clean up. Please." I make my way to my room, and head for the bathroom grateful to have gotten a chance to leave. I had never felt more ufortable before. I refused to even take a nce at Rocky. The tap runs and take some toilet paper and wet it. I use it to wipe my dress. No doubt I loved my husband but Rocky''s presence in my life could seriously throw me off¡ª he was the first man in my life and deep down, I knew all too well I still had feelings for him. I leave the bathroom and enter my room when I gasp in shock. CHAPTER 20 CHAPTER 20 "What the hell are you doing here?" I ask, panicking. I rush to the door, my hand over my mouth as I lock the door. He is sitting on the couch, his legs crossed. "Aren''t you happy to see me, Natty?" He asks, while I stand there, horrified, trembling at the thought of Luke walking in on us. He gets up and gets dangerously close to me. I stand still, my hands behind me, on the wall. He holds my waist and my body is resting on his. I close my eyes, "Please, I beg you. Leave me alone." I push him and move to my bed. Hees close again and cups my face in his hands, "You can''t tell me you didn''t miss me, didn''t think of me. . ." He continues, "I apologize for coming sote my love, but I''m here now. Let''s leave now." He raises my chin up and we share an eye lock. My eyes are watery. He leans in for a kiss and I do not resist¡ª instead, I kiss back. Somehow, Rocky and I find ourselves kneeling on the floor. I was crying, my hands cupping his face and his hands on my waist. "I waited so long for you, Rocky. I cried, bitterly. I tried to reach you so many times but to no avail." "Natty, I admit that I was angry at first when I heard, but that was only because of my jealousy and ego, but once I realized how foolish I was being, I knew I had toe find you." "But It''s toote now, Rocky. Everything is over." My heart broke into a thousand pieces telling him that, because I knew I was hurting him. "Why? You can always get a divorce from him¡ªwe''ll go and tell him right now." He says, taking my hand. I jerk my hand off. "No." I respond firmly. I continue, "For God''s sake, please, Luke can harm you Rocky. My husband is capable of anything." I warn him. "Do you love him?" I look at him in the eyes as he asks and in a split second, I look away as I''m unable to tell him the truth. "Luke is my husband and I''vee to terms with it." He grabs my hand. "We''ve slept together!" Immediately, he gets up at my statement and the room goes quiet. He has his right hand over his face as he paces the room. "Did he force you?" He asks and I get up too. "No. He didn''t do that." "So you consented to another man having you?" He asks, his voice slightly high. "Another man? Lucas is my husband incase you''ve forgotten." I state, raising my ring finger up. "Forgive me, forgive me, my Natty." He says as he grabs my waist again. My hands are resting on his chest. "My question is, why are you using a fake name? Does anyone else know you''re here?" "Because I needed to get close to you and I found out your husband knows about me, so I had to use an alias." "Rocky, I fear for your safety¡ªyour business, if Lucas finds out who you really are. You and I won''t be spared. He hates betrayal." "We have to look for a way to get out of here. Elope with me." I''m stunned, "What?" I ask. "If I ask you to run away with me, will you? We can go somewhere far away, to the end of the world where no one can find us." He says and my heart beat intensifies. "Natty, will you leave with me?" He asks again. I sob, "I''m sorry¡ª I want to, but no." I say as I rush to the door. "Please, don''t do this to me, I beg you. Dont ruin what I have, what I''m building. Just go away and I''ll be fine." I clean my face with my hands, "Don''te close to me again," I say as I open the door and leave. *** The night had ended faster than I expected. I was at the balcony, still wearing my evening dress. "What''s keeping you up?" Luke says as I turn to look at him. He''s with a shawl and a cup. He drapes the shawl around me and hands me the cup of hot coffee. "How''d you know I was here?" I ask, slowly taking a sip of the hot drink. I sit on the couch. "I saw you." All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. "Honey, may I request for something?" I ask. Sitting down, he replies, "Of course, Natalie, anything." "Can I call my father?" He''s quiet for a few seconds but he responds on time, "Forgive me for depriving you of having a phone but you can understand I did that because you were nning on running away with that man. But since that phase is over, I''d arrange for your personal phone tomorrow, trusting and believing that you''d never do anything to break my trust." My palms be sweaty, "I would never betray you, Luke." I say, remembering the kiss Rocky and I shared. "I also want aunt Ruth toe visit or stay here for a while. Since I have nothing doing home all day and I have no friends either." Luke nods, "Of course. This is your home. As soon as your aunt agrees, I''d send her a car." I smile, "Thank you, my love." I rest on his shoulders as we look at the stars inforting silence. "Natalie?" "Yes?" "Why did you fall in love with me? When did you realize you were in love with me?" "Well, I think it''s hard to look at you and not be attracted. I don''t even know when it happened. I honestly wanted to hate you forever." I respond. However, something inside cringes at my words. Now that Rocky was back for me, was I truly sure I loved Luke like I imed? "I realized I did after the incident¡ªmy kidnapping. When I was home, couldn''t move, you were like my nurse." I giggle. His breathing bes slower, "Isn''t it possible you think you love me because you''re trapped with me?" I get off his shoulder and look at him, worried. "No, my love, no. I''m not trapped." As much as I intended to be a faithful wife and remain loyal to Luke, my inner self argued violently that if I had the opportunity, I would still run away with Rocky. I didn''t want to believe. "I love you." "Only me? Or you love both of us?" He asks. I drop the cup, already nervous. I couldn''t lie to Luke about this, I decide. "Rocky was the first man in my life, Luke. He was my first love and as much as I''d like to deny the fact that I am not still in love with him, I''d only be fooling myself because deep down, a part of me still loves him." I say. He smiles, and takes my hand. "Now, I trust youpletely for not lying. God knows how much I prayed that this be your answer and you didn''t disappoint." "Why?" I ask confused "I understand that Rocky is your first love and it''s hard to forget about one''s first love. Forgive me, for asking such a tricky question but I just needed onest reassurance." I cup his chin, "I understand, Luke. I would''ve done the same." I move closer for a kiss as I talk, "What matters is that you''re thest man in my life, my love. No one can take that away." I kiss him, but all I can picture is Rocky''s face. I was already in a mess and the only person that could save me from it, was me. CHAPTER 21 CHAPTER 21 Two dayster.. I pace around the living room anxious, as I await aunt Ruth''s call. My legs are hurting in my Louboutin heels but I ignore. Luke had gotten me an iPhone, a gesture he believed meant that he now trusted me completely. Luke had gone to work, and the house was as quiet as usual. I hadn''t seen or heard from Laurel for a few days and I couldn''t deny the fact that I was worried if she was alright. The Laurel I knew would have been pissing me off everyday, continuously. Aunt Ruth''s textes in and I read. I had asked her to reach out to Rocky and Jos¨¦ respectively. I had to know exactly what he intended to do so I could stop him on time. Aunt Ruth; Child, for the love of God tell your husband who Rocky is! I have just spoken to Rocky and he wasn''t even keen on telling me anything and was even extremely rude to me. I text back; No, Aunt! No, please, I can never ever tell Luke the truth because I fear for Rocky''s life! What did Jos¨¦ say? All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Aunt Ruth; He only said he knows you''ve been brainwashed and that he''s with Rocky no matter what decision he makes. I don''t reply herst text because I didn''t know exactly what to say. "Emmanuele!" I call as I sit on the couch. I am rubbing my temple as she arrives. "Madam, are you having a headache? Do you need a massage or some medicine?" "No, no, Emmanuele, may I have a ss of water, please?" "Yes, madam." Emmanuele says as she rushes to get a ss of water. Emmanuele returns with a ss of water and I''m grateful. "Thank you." I say, handing her the empty ss. She nods, a smile on her face. "Where is Laurel?" I ask, genuinely wondering where she was. "I haven''t seen her in two days." She says "She left?" "Well, I don''t know, I''d find out for you though." I give an approving nod, "What''s for dinner?" "ording to Mr. Carrington''s meal n, steak, guacamole, cmari corn soup and cinnamon rolls for dessert. "I love cmari, but may I have spaghetti bolognese for dinner?" "Yes, madam. You may. I''ll get to it." "Please, no cinnamon for me. I''m allergic." I tell her and she leaves. There''s nothing interesting to watch on television and the WiFi is acting up so I''m unable to watch anything on Netflix so I decide to take a tour and familiarize myself with everywhere in the manor. I start from the kitchen, to the pantry and to the veranda. The pantry was over stocked that I feared that things would expire if not used soon. I had taken two packs of Hershey''s dark chocte from the pantry and I was d I went there. I stand in front of Luke''s study and wonder for a good minute if I''d be doing the right thing by entering without his permission. I was his wife, after all. I go in, properly scanning the ce for the first time. The room is warm, as the fire ce is lit. The mahogany chairs were shiny, properly cleaned. My eyes fall on the full jug of water. Luke''s pictures were hung in different directions of the room and I smile to myself as I appreciate my husbands facial features. Indeed, a Greek god, my subconscious remarks. There are a lot of files on the table, but what catches my attention is the shelf of awards besides the fire ce. I move closer and take a count. Twenty one awards in total. I was impressed. Luke was beyond sessful and it made me sad he had no one to share all his happiness with for so long. I move, caressing each award, a smile on my face. After scanning each award, I sit on his chair and look round the room. There''s a picture of Jesus on the table and I pick it to have a closer look but my hand hits the jug and the water pours all over the table. "Bloody hell," I mutter, worried of what Luke would think. I quickly ce the jug properly and try to pack the documents affected by the water. I drop them on the dry side of the table but the contents of a particr document falls on the floor. I take tissue from the tissue box in front of me and clean the water. I bend to pick the documents but my phone rings. It is Luke. Luke: My love, how is your day going? I giggle, "Very well, Luke. How''s work? Have you had lunch?" Luke: Well, I will, Caleb is taking me out for a business proposal meeting and for lunch too. I''m on my way to the car. I begin to feel hot and sweaty as I sit on the chair, my hand on my forehead. "I see. My love, do you really trust this man, Caleb Dunes?" Luke: Women and intuition. I think it''s weird. Do you not like him? I think Caleb is really likable and trust me, I don''t like a lot of people. He says,ughing. I gulp, ufortable. What if Rocky said something? "Do you want me toe join you? I''m a bit bored at home." Luke: You miss me that much? "So much, my love. I need you." I say, in an effort to persuade him toe home. "Please, my love, come home. I want to make love to you nonstop, all night long!" I say. It was probably the only way I could get him home. Luke: Very tempting, Mrs. Carrington, very tempting. Believe me, I''d fly there right away if I could. I''d spend just a few minutes with Caleb and I''ll head home. All yours." He says "No!" I yell, but I take control over myself. "I mean, can''t youe right now?" I ask, praying he doesn''t see Rocky. I didn''t trust Rocky at all. Luke: Honey, it would be rude to leave him hanging like that. It''s polite to at least meet him and cancel there. I''d be home soon. Love you. He says and hangs up. I close my eyes in defeat, about to cry. I hadn''t been at peace since Rocky showed up. I hadn''t even had a good nights sleep since he entered my life again. I had to see Rocky one on one and ask him to leave me alone for good. If I didn''t take matters into my own hands, things would be messier and would eventually lead to Luke finding out and I couldn''t risk Rocky''s life. I still loved him. CHAPTER 22 CHAPTER 22 With shaky hands, I dial Rocky''s number. I tiptoe to the door, trying to ensure that no one is eavesdropping. I lock the door and rush back to Luke''s chair. I call the number and wait for him to pick up. It takes forever, but he eventually picks up and as I hear his voice, my eyes close automatically and it''s as though I''ve be mute. "Hello?" He says on the other end. "Hello?" "I don''t know what your n is¡ª "Natty, it''s you, my lo¡ª I interject, "Stop it." I demand. I get up, "Don''t refer to me as that!" I bark. "I''m calling to warn you, Rocket." I call his full name, "Leave Lucas and I alone, please. Let me be at peace for once, I beg you." "No! No! No!" He yells back immediately. "You''re not saying that because you want it, you''re saying so because of your mother and that arse you call your husband. Come on, Natalie! You should be smarter than this. You are!" Sitting down again, "It''s nothing like that, I chose Lucas. I choose to be here." "You have been brainwashed, Natty, I know you love me. You''re just scared." "I beg you, Rocky, please, stop seeing Lucas and stoping to my home before things escte- before Lucas finds out you''ve been an inch close to me. Why are you being so stubborn?" "You love me, don''t you?" He asks. I go weak in my legs. I don''t respond. "Natalie, tell me you love me." He demands. "Unfortunately, you''re the only man I''ve ever loved this much and even now." I say, before hanging up. *** I run my right hand through my hair severally as I ponder on what to do next. I leave the study and head for the living room. I go to the bar and find a bottle of red wine, already open. I open the flute cab and take out a big flute. I fill it up and drink in one gulp. My eyes fall on the clock and it''s a few minutes after one. I wonder when Luke''sing home, so I decide to wait for him in the bedroom. I enter my bedroom to find it sparkling clean. I take off my shoes and clothes andy on the bed, naked. I hoped Rocky and Luke didn''t meet under any circumstance and most importantly, I hoped Rocky didn''t say anything stupid to Luke. I am tossed into the world of nothingness in a matter of seconds. *** My eyes flutter open as I feel pressure on my cheeks. My eyes meet with Luke''s. "When did you get back?" I ask. "About an hour. Watching you sleep really fascinated me but I couldn''t hold myself any longer." He says, cing wet kisses from my neck to the middle of my breasts. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. "So you watched me sleep?" I ask. At least, he was in a good mood so that meant my secret was still a secret. "Yes, my love, you drive me insane." "Did you meet with Caleb?" I ask, wrapping my hands around his neck and avoiding any form of eye contact. I was scared he would see the lies through my eyes. "Actually, he called and canceled but that''s not my concern." He ces a soft kiss on my navel, "You are." I help take off his jacket and spread my legs, ready to ept my husband''s pration. "Did you sleep naked waiting for me?" I nod as I avoid eye contact again. He kisses me, but I''m still and do not kiss back, but Luke doesn''t notice. He breaks the kiss to take off his pants and boxers. I close my eyes, a feeling of pleasure washing all over my body as soon as he enters me. I bite my lips in ecstasy. "I love how you look doing that." He says and I finally open my eyes, looking him straight in the eyes. My hands are wrapped around his back as he thrusts deeper and deeper. I arch my waist as the sensation begins to build up. "Wait," I say, and immediately, he stops. I get up off under him and push him to the bed. I hover over him and I pack my hair into a messy bun. "I want to try this. Slowly." I say as I take his manhood and ce it inside of me. I moan as it enters me. He was so long, thick, and wide that I felt full already. I ce both my hands in his as I begin to ride him. His eyes were shiny, shocked. I was shocked too. I begin to wine slowly as I lean in for a kiss. We kiss and as though something takes over me, I begin to ride him faster, violently even. "Maybe it''s the red wine." I say in a whisper, as I rpose myself. Luke sits down and my legs are spread across his as I hug him. He begins to suck my breasts, giving each breast proper attention before moving onto the next. "Ahhh," I moan. "Your scent, your body, your lips, everything drives me crazy." Luke drops me on the bed gently and swiftly. He ces wet kisses all over my neck. Suddenly, I feel him inside me again. He was prating me from behind. My body weed him, excited by his touch. My husband knew my body too well and he knew the exact spots to touch. I moan continuously as his thrusts be sweeter, faster, deeper and intense. I feel his sweat dripping on me, but I don''t care. "Please, don''t stop, my love. Faster. . ." I whisper. He takes his left hand and begins to caress my stomach and above my entrance. "Ah!" I moan as I grab the sheets. I lick my lips as I take his hand and ce it over my left breast. My nipple bes extremely hard as he works his wonders on and in me. He removes his shaft and lies down beside me. I feel his manhood behind me. He ys with my hair and ces kisses behind my hair and my neck. We stay inforting silence for a long time. "Natalie?" Luke calls. "Yes?" "I love you." He reminds me. "How much?" I ask, trying my best to not turn to look at him. "So much. I never thought it was possible, in fact, I wouldn''t know how to act if anything happened to you, or us. I would be a mad man." His words sends shivers down my spine as I look at the wedding ring on my finger. He continues, "Promise you''ll never leave me, because I won''t." "Luke. . ." I turn to caress his face. "No, I need you to promise me. No matter what I do or say, you''ll forgive me and you won''t ever hate me." "Why are you saying all this?" I say as I drop my hair down. "That''s how much I love you. I can''t ever lose you. I love you too much." "I love you too, Rocky." I say, carried away, until I realize what I had just said. I quickly jump off the bed and turn to look at Luke. I nod my head continuously as I cover my mouth in horror. "No," is all I can whisper. "What did you just say?" Luke asks, a deadly look on his face. CHAPTER 23 CHAPTER 23 I wake up, my head dripping with sweat. It was a dream. A bloody nightmare. I look beside me to find Luke fast asleep, still naked. I heave a sigh of relief. I tuck my hair behind my ear as I reach for a ss of water beside my bed. The jug is empty. "Bloody hell." I whisper. I get up, trying to move around as quietly as I can so I do not wake Luke. I''m by the bathroom door, near the coat rack. I pick a white robe from the coat rack and put it on. I walk back to the bed and cover Luke properly with the duvet. I drop the jug on the kitchen dining as I enter. I tie my hair in a messy bun. I open the fridge and scan for anything edible to eat. I grab the jug of milk inside and a bar of snickers. As I close the fridge, I shriek in shock as I see a figure in the dark. The figure walks slowly towards me as she ys with her red hair. It is Laurel. I''m relieved, "You know, you really do have a problem." I say as I walk to the dining to drop the jug of milk. "No doubt, I do have a problem. You are my problem." She says as I go to the cab to get a ss. N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. "I''m your problem?" I ask fully concentrating on pouring my milk out. "Now, tell me exactly why that is." I take a sip of the milk and open the snickers. She ces both her hands on the dining violently, causing a loud noise. "Luke. You don''t love him, so why do you keep pretending?! You''re not even his type." "And, you''re his type?" I ask. I chuckle, "I wish Luke could see this crazy side of you, but somehow he refuses to believe and see how demented you really are." She has a huge frown on. I smirk internally, knowing I made her so angry. Where my words came from, I had no idea but I was d I could stand up for myself. "I''ve been with Luke for 8 years, when he had nothing, when he was just a mere worker. I saw his sweat, and I deserve to have Luke because I had his back when no one else did. I made him breakfast, lunch and dinner, I treated his wounds after he got sick or wounded! You must be out of your damn mind if you think I''d let someone like you get Luke." Somehow, her words make me annoyed and sad that she had so much history with Luke and that she and Luke had so much memories. Heck, I hadn''t even known Luke for even a year. "Thank you." I say and she looks at me confused, a smirk building on her face. "Thank you, for grooming my husband for me. I wasn''t there to take care of him, but you did all that for me. Imagine if you weren''t there to take care of his wounds, he would probably limp now or something even worse. If that was the case and he didn''t recover from his wounds," I sit, closing my eyes as I bite my lips, "He wouldn''t make love to me so passionately, he wouldn''t know where to touch to make me moan and scream his name out loud, just like I did a few hours ago." I open my eyes, a smile on my face as I see her face, now tomato red. "Luke would never touch you. He hates you." She says, tears obvious in her ck eyes. "He hates when I''m not close to him, that''s what he hates." I move closer to her, extremely close, "You better start giving me the same respect you give Luke. I''m thedy of the house and I demand that you respect me or else, I will throw you out! Best believe it when I tell you. I can''t wait for Luke to see you for who you really are." I say. She shoves me aside and walks off angrily as I smile victoriously. CHAPTER 24 CHAPTER 24 "Mrs. Carrington?" I hear, apanied by kisses, wake me. I giggle, turning to the other side of the bed. "Wake up." Luke says. "Noooooo!" I reply as I use the pillow to cover my face. He removes it and drags the duvet off my body. I gasp, getting up immediately, "I''m naked!" I try grabbing the duvet from him but he''s not having it. "Fine." I say as I get up, heading for the bathroom. He drags me back and gives me a back hug. I hold his hands in front, as I ce kisses on each of them. "I''m so tiny,pared to you." I say "Exactly. The perfect fit." We move to the window opposite the right side of the bed and the sunlight falls on us. "The weather''s so nice today, I feel like going for a run and having a pic by theke." I say, caressing my ring. "I want to do anything you want to do, my love." I break the hug, turning to face him, "Right after we shower. I smell like you." He raises his brow, ying a smallugh, "So you don''t like that? Really, wow? My feelings are hurt." N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Iugh too, "No, silly. What I meant to say is, I smell like sex." I lean in for a kiss and he grabs my bare rump as he begins to kiss back. *** Luke is already in the shower and the water is already running as I join him. I touch his back and he bes aware of my presence. I walk into the water, pressing my hair down. "I promise to always love you, no matter what." He says, as he cups my jaw. "Me too, my love. Nothing can make me unlove you. You are myst love and my one and only." My mind drifts off to the first time Luke raped me, when I had mocked him about him not being the first man in my life and my heart sinks. Why did we start off so negatively? "Stop." I say in mid tears as I step out of the shower. I begin to sob uncontrobly as I make my way into the room. Luke rushes out after me, but I really can''t make out what he''s saying. "Get out." I yell, as I turn to face him. "Get out!" Before going downstairs, I check myself out in the mirror. My hair is still neat, my golden re skirt, still well ironed and my blouse, still intact. The only thing missing is my signature pink lip stain. I apply a thin coat and head downstairs. I ball my hands into fists as I approach Luke. He is facing the opposite direction, his back turned to me. He is talking to Aunt Ruth. Aunt Ruth turns, "My darling." She says and Luke turns. He looks at me, scanning my face as I take my eyes elsewhere. I couldn''t look at him. "Well? Go say hello to your husband!" Aunt Ruth says, giggling. I look at Luke and although I''m not sure if I''m being paranoid, it kills me to see the cold expression he''s giving me. I move closer to him, "Wee home." is all I can say. Suddenly, he swoops in to kiss me, but I take my face away and move over to aunt Ruth. She has an awkward expression on her face. I probably made her ufortable by refusing to kiss Luke. "Hope I''m not intruding?" I hear a familiar voice say and immediately I know who it is. Laurel walks in and gives me her usual dirty face. I had to y it cool. I turn around to look at him, he has a gigantic smile stered on his face. Aunt Ruth squeezes my hand. I look at her, and as though my facial expression states that I''d give her an exnationter, she lets go of my hand. I move over to Luke, hold his cor as I tiptoe to kiss him. Thankfully, he lets me. My body sparks with different emotions and I keep kissing Luke. I needed to make that move so Rocky could see that there was no chance of him and I getting together ever again. I turn my head to face Rocky, "Honestly, you are. I''d like to have today with my husband. Alone." I look at Luke, "Look, I''m sorry for how I acted, there''s no justification for it. I-I can''t even exin what happened but the most important thing is that I love you."I look at Rocky, "Nothing changes that. No one changes that." I hug him and he hugs me back, "I love you too, Natalie, but¡ªI break the hug as I wonder what he has to say. There should be no buts. "But what?" I ask, tucking my hair behind my ear. I look at Rocky and his facial expression sends chills down my spine. "Well, Caleb here will be staying with us for a few da¡ª "What?" I ask, perplexed at his suggestion. I try topose myself as much as possible, "Why? You didn''t discuss this with me earlier." I say, in a whisper like tone. Luke takes me to the corner as he tries to exin but my mind is on Rocky, living under the same roof as Rocky. Luke keeps exining, but all I can hear is muffled sounds. I felt so frustrated, defeated and lost. "Natalie, Natalie, Natalie?" Luke calls, shaking me gently. "What''s wrong? Are you okay?" If I kept on acting weird whenever Rocky was around, Luke would notice and I couldn''t risk letting him find out about Rocky. Especially about the kiss I had shared with Rocky. "Did you hear me? He has nowhere¡ª "Yes." I cut in, giving the best smile I can. "Hormones. My hormones have me acting out foolishly. Yes, of course, he can stay. It''s not even my house." Luke''s shoulders drop as he gives a disappointing look. "What do you mean by that, Natalie? You know that''s not true. Everything I own is yours just as much as they''re mine, you should know that." "I''m sorry, but you don''t show it." I respond as I storm off. I was cold, scared, lonely and angry. Somewhere in my mind, I knew the real reason behind wanting Rocky far away from me wasn''t solely to prevent Luke from finding out, but because I was afraid of what I would do if he was constantly around me. Laurel, Emmanuelle and Ryn, one of the helps are together in the kitchen. They all turn to look at me as I enter. I smile at them, "Well, let''s start preparing dinner, shall we? I''m thinking steak, peppered chicken,sagna and Thai rice with Worcester and shrimp sauce." Emmanuelle smiles, "Anything you want Mrs Natalie." I give her the okay hand sign as she calls me by my name. "Where are the bell peppers?" I ask, as I pick a knife from the knife rack. "Did Luke day you can pick the meals? I''ve been deciding the meals we eat way before you came, so I think it''s only fair that I continue doing so, since you''ve taken everything else from me." "Exactly. Way before I came. Now, I''m here and this is my house, so I get to decide what I eat and what my husband eats. Not you." I say to her and Emmanuele and Ryn giggle. Laurel looks at them, shooting daggers at them with her eyes. She looks back at me, "I hate you so much!" She says as she storms off. I didn''t hate Laurel, but I didn''t like her either. "You need help with that?" Emmanuele asks. "No, no." I say as I slice the green pepper. "Why?" I ask, Emmanuele. "You think because I''m from a rich family, I don''t know how to cook or do chores?" I ask jokingly. "No. Well. . . honestly, you don''t look like you would know your way around the kitchen. You''re too refined and sophisticated." "What? No. Just because I enjoyed the nice things in life, doesn''t mean I wouldn''t know to do basic things. My mother never taught me how to cook but I did learn from Aunt Ruth. I consider her my mother, actually, because she''s taught me some pretty useful life lessons." "I bet you look just like your mother." "Sadly, I do, but not character wise. I''m more of my dad character wis." I say, casually thinking about my father. I would give him a call afterwards. "Well, thank God for that. You are a very lovable person. At first, when you came to the manor, everyone disliked you because we all thought you would be stuck up, but we started seeing and hearing you talk nicely to everyone and we were all surprised." "Really? But Laurel doesn''t like me much." I say, pouring the sliced peppers into the transparent ss bowl. "Well, Laurel and Luke practically grew up together since they were teenagers from what I know, and she''s loved him ever since." "Well, how does Luke feel about that? Does he know? Did they ever. . .?" I query, mentally preparing myself for her answers. She chuckles, "No, Mrs. Natalie, they never did¡ªwell, as far as I know and, yes, Lucas knows but he loves her like a sister, but you know Laurel. She''s strong headed, she won''t ever give up." I sigh in relief, "Well, she better. I''m Luke''s better half now and she has to respect our boundaries." I say as I drop the knife on the counter and turn to leave. I turn around, genuinely smiling "It was nice having this conversation, Emmanuele." CHAPTER 25 CHAPTER 25 Dinner had begun, and the table is awkwardly quiet but I knew all too well that even if Luke knew how much tension there was in the air, he couldn''t have guessed the reason behind it. Luke drops his flute, "So, Caleb. I''d like you to share what you do with my family. Let them get to know you since you''ll be staying a few days." I can''t help but wonder how long ''a few days'' was. Rocky smiles, adjusting the napkin on his shirt. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. "I''m a hotelier. Nothing serious. I n to acquire assets in popr areas and turn them into hotels. My goal is to have a chain of hotels, all under the same name, just in different locations as my father would''ve wanted. Luke is on the deciding board of the next building I wish to buy and actually he''s the only young person there so I knew that he would be the only I could talk to, to help me get that building, because I really want that building." He pauses and looks at me, "I''m not a fraud, Mrs. Carrington." I drink my champagne, "Yes. I know now." I respond. I see Laurel approaching the table with a sd bowl in her hand. I had forgotten I''d made some strawberry-orange-kiwi sd in the morning while Luke was gone because I had a craving. She gets to the table and ces it on the table. "Obviously, I''m no longer allowed to sit or eat at this table. Right, Luke?" "It''s a business dinner, Laurel." He says. I pick a slice of meat from my te and chew. Sheughs, "So Natalie is a part of that? Natalie''s aunt is part of your business too and not me?" "Yes, Natalie is part of my business, Laurel, because she''s my wife." Luke says and I can''t help but grin internally. "Please, go." Luke says and I see tears gather in the corners of her eyes, but she leaves immediately he asks her to. Luke takes the bowl of sd and opens it. "I thought this was another dish. I don''t eat fruit sd, my love." He says and my face falls. "I didn''t know, I''m sorry." I say. "I''ll have some. I love fruits." Rocky says and I pause, nervously looking at him. He continues, "I have an obsession with fruits if I''m being honest." He says and I squirm, knowing fully well what he meant. He takes the bowl and pours a whole lot into the empty te beside him. "This will do." He says. I turn to look at Aunt Ruth who has been silent for a while and I can see she has on a disgusted look. She gives me a side eye and her signature disapproving nod. "How was your day?" Luke asks, "And Aunt Ruth, I hope you''re asfortable as you would be in your own home?" Aunt Ruth responds before me, "Absolutely! My bed reminds me of the bed I have in my country house. So soft and calming." I drink some water, "My day wasn''t all that, but I did think of you. I missed you." I say, as I caress his left hand on the table. I look at Rocky and I see him, knowing fully well how envious he would be. It pierced my heart a thousand times being like that with Luke in front of him, but it was the best thing to do. To save him, and to save Luke too. "Excuse me, I need to get to the bathroom." Aunt Ruth says as she stands to take her leave. I take some shrimps from the dish bowl and begin to eat. "I feel like having snails and pizza too." I say to Luke as I begin to devour the shrimps. "Snails? Honey, your tastebuds are quite on the high side." Luke says. "I''ve always liked trying food¡ª I even have a blog for reviewing ingredients." "Well, after dad got sick, and with the marriage and everything, I guess I just forgot." I say as I drink some more water. "You could always start again, I mean, if you want to." "Really? I think I might reconsider it." I say as I give him a smile, but as usual, Rocky ruins our moment as he clears his throat. I could swear I saw him drop his fork aggressively, but Luke doesn''t seem to notice. "Did you hear her?" He asks, a weird smile-frown look on his face. Luke is confused, "Pardon?" "She said she wanted pizza." He turns to look at me, "I can order you some pizza, Mrs. Carrington. May I?" He asks and I feel Luke''s gaze on me. I try to y it cool byughing mildly, "You were listening in on our t¨ºte-¨¤-t¨ºte? That''s a bit rude, don''t you think, Mr. Dunes?" Luke looks at him, unable to say anything. I knew for a fact that Luke was definitely processing what just happened, especially with the tone Rocky used. "Forgive me, but it''s because I read online that Luke Carrington has Turophobia." I turn to Luke, "You''re afraid of cheese?" I ask, stunned, that for the second time, I had no idea what my husband didn''t like. "Ah," Luke says, finally understanding what Rocky meant. "That was a funny interview." "I was wondering why you didn''t tell her, because it was obvious she didn''t know." "Well, things happened rather fast." He turns to me, "I''ll go order your pizza for you," He says as he stands to leave. "How do you know what I want?" "I don''t. I''m ordering everything they have." He says as he walks off. I chuckle. Oh, this man. Immediately Luke is out of sight, I get up from my chair. "You really must be sick. How dare you still come here after I''ve told you to stoping close to me and my family?" He stretches and picks up my ss of water and drinks. "Family?" "Don''t answer my question with a question, Rocky. I mean it. I''ve told you countlessly, there''s no hope for us," I raise my fingers in the air for him to see, "I am happily married! Why won''t you get that?" He gets up and walks to where I''m standing. He holds my right hand tightly. I frown, "Leave my hand, Rocket." "Family?" He chuckles, "I was your family, no, fuck that. I am your family! You''re just blinded by all the wealth that fool has. I''m rich too, Natalie, what more do you want? When did you be so greedy?" I''m struggling to get my hand out of his grasp, "It''s really sad that you think I''m with Luke for his money, but if that''s what your demented self believes, I won''t argue, and don''t forget, Luke is way richer than you are. He''s richer than the both of usbined." He grinds his teeth together, "Have you forgotten? Have you forgotten how we made love beside the river? I''m the first man who loved you, physically, emotionally¡ª we shared a mental connection. You still love me, right Natalie? You can''t deny it, I know you do." "Yes, I do love you. I love you and there''s no denying that, but I love my husband too. I love Luke, more and more everyday. I love him more than I love you, Rocky and he''s going to be thest man in my life." I say, looking at him straight in the eyes so he knows how serious I am. "No, you love me more. I know you''re scared. I''ll show you, I''ll remind you of how much you love me." He says and suddenly, he drags me closer to him and rubs his lips on mine as I feel his hands entering my skirt. I moan, "Ah," my eyes closed. His other handnds on my rump as he begins to caress it. "Do you feel it?" He asks, and as I see a mental image of Luke''s face, I regainposure and I shove him away as fast as I can. "I feel nothing!" I yell as I leave. As I''m leaving I bump into someone. "What was that about?" I hear as I look up to see Laurel''s face. Bloody hell. "I heard you yelling at him. Why were you yelling at him?" Laurel asks, looking back and forth. Maybe I was being paranoid but I swear, I could see suspicion stered all over her face. "I have a headache." I say as I move past her and make my way to the stairs. My palms are sweaty, my heart racing, and my vision was getting blurred by the water threatening to fall out. I hurriedly rush into my room and lock the door. I rush to my bed and I sit, cing my hands over my face as I bend. I begin to cry uncontrobly. I was stressed physically, emotionally and mentally. Rocky''s behavior was truly scaring me because I''d realized that he''d be so obsessed with the idea of us getting back together. There''s a knock on the door and for a moment, I''m afraid as I panic thinking who it could be. As I hesitate to answer, I hear the knock again. "Natalie, open up! It''s your aunt Ruth!" Aunt Ruth whispers. I sigh in relief as I get up to open the door. "Oh, my darling." She whispers and hugs me immediately she enters. I lock the door. We sit on the couch. "Honey, pardon me, but I think you should just be honest. Tell Luke the truth, please, for the love of God." "You think so? It''s easier said than done, aunt." "The truth sets you free, my love. It''s your best bet, trust me." I hold her hands, "No, aunt. I have seen just a glimpse of what Luke can be like when he''s upset, especially when it concerns me. He goes mad with rage when he''s upset or when he feels betrayed." I say, as I have shbacks of how Luke forced himself on me and how he threw the ss cup in a fit of rage. I remember him breaking the door just to get to me. "Luke has a temper, a very very bad one. Dangerous, even, and that was just a glimpse, aunt. Telling him the truth is not an option." I say. I don''t tell Aunt Ruth about all the awful things that happened between Luke and I all because I tried to escape and his jealousy towards Rocky when I tried to run away. "But it''s better he finds out about Rocky from you than him finding out from¡ªshe gestures to me, meaning my current state. She continues, "Or, from Rocky himself." "Or from Laurel." I add, as I wipe my tears with the back of my palms. "Who''s that?" "The girl who set the table." "That obnoxious witch? I can tell she has evil intentions against you. So much bad energy." I chuckle, "You noticed." Aunt Ruth always made me smile even in the most saddest situation. She smiles, "So, why did you mention her? Does she know?" "No, Aunt, I don''t think she does, although she might''ve heard my conversation with Rocket after lunch." Aunt Ruth gasps, "All of it? Jesus. That''s bad, Natalie." I nod, "I doubt it. She''d have said so if she heard the sensitive part of the conversation. If she did, she''d have brought it to Luke''s notice immediately because she wants me out of this house. The house is still calm, so I''m guessing she didn''t hear anything important." "Why does she want you out of the house?" "Well, she''s in love with Luke. She''s been in love with him for the longest." "And? What are you going to do about it?" Iy on herps, tired. "Nothing, aunt. Nothing." CHAPTER 26 CHAPTER 26 LAUREL''s POV "God damned boots!" I yell as I use all the strength I have to zip up my boots. They were beginning to piss me off. I had no money to get a new pair because I''d used all the money I had to sort out something really important. I open the door to the main house and walk in between the twin stairs. I''m about to go to the kitchen, but I hear voicesing from the dining so I head there and I bump into her. I roll my eyes in pure resentment. "I heard you yelling at him. Why were you yelling at him?" I ask and she does nothing but stare stupidly. "I have a headache." She responds nervously as she moves past me and makes her way to the stairs. I turn to look at her, wondering why she looked so scared. I walk further into the dining hall and there''s no one. The room is empty. I could swear I heard two voices echoing from here. My eyes fall on the table and I''m about to pick up some grapes when I stop. "No way in hell am I having her leftovers." I say as I turn to leave. As I''m leaving, I step on something and I pause to scan the floor. I bend to pick up what I''d stepped on. "Who''s is this?" I say as I scan the silver object. It''s a diamond encrusted cufflink with ''R'' engraved on it. "R?" I say, wondering where it came from. It couldn''t be for Luke and obviously no one else in the manor wore suits or could afford something so expensive. Maybe it was stolen. I chuckle. It was now in my possession now and I knew for sure I could get some money for it, if I sold it. I keep it in my back pocket as I head out of the house. At least, something positive happened to me since that uptight bitch entered the house. My house. "Come in." I say in response to the knock on the door. My back is facing the door so I don''t see who''s come in immediately, until I hear his voice. "Good morning, wife." I turn around, "Good morning, husband." I say as I smile at him. He wasn''t dressed like he was going to work. "No office ns today?" I ask as I shamelessly scan his abs. They were sexy, too damn sexy. "No, I wanted to spend the day with you." I gasp, yfully acting shocked. "Who are you and what have you done with Lucas Carrington?" He smiles, showing his white set of teeth. They turned me on. "It can''t be that surprising that I''d take a day off just for you." "Well, sometimes you make me feel like you''re married to the business first before me." He caresses my lips as we share an eye lock. "Never, Natalie. Never." He continues, "I''d like to show you something." I raise my eyebrow, "Something? Should I be worried?" "You''ll find out." *** "Close your eyes, wait, careful." Luke says to me as he guides me to whatever it is he''d prepared. "Keep walking," He continues, "Okay, open your eyes in five." "Okay. . ." I say, anxious to see what he''d done. I open my eyes and I giggle as I see him kneeling in front of me. "What are you doing? We''re married already, remember?" He gives me that Carrington smile and I blush. "Well, will you have Lunch or should I say brunch? Well, will you eat with me, Mrs. Carrington?" He says gesturing to the decorated table behind him. He brings his hands forward and he gives me a bouquet of roses. "They''re so beautiful, Luke. Thank you." I say as I take his hand. We hug. "Do you like it?" He asks. "Very much, my love." I respond. We move to the table that has been set up for brunch. There''s a wide variety of food, snacks and fruits ¡ª everything, basically. "I need to have the pineapples first, and some chocte bread!" "As you wish," Luke says as I sit, and he arranges a te for me. He quickly pours a ss of white wine as he knows it''s my favorite. I''m about to take a sip when I perceive the smell. "This smells awful." I say as I ce far away from me. "Is it spoilt?" I ask Luke. "Champagne doesn''t spoil, love. At least not until about five, ten yearster." "Well, I''d just have some orange juice then." I say. "Thank you," I say as Luke hands me a te of mixed fruits. "I can already feel the juices!" I exim. "So, are you enjoying your aunt''s presence? Did you guys catch up on anything?" Luke says as he sits, still shirtless. I sip some orange juice, anxious at his question. Oh, Luke. How do I tell you we''ve been talking about the very man you despise? "Well nothing serious, we''ve just talked about home and how I like it here. That''s about it." "Well?" He asks. I raise my eyebrows as I sip some more juice, "Well what?" "Do you like it here?" I tilt my head to the side as I hold his hand. "I do. Very much. Luke, I''ll need you to trust me and believe me when I say I''m happy to be here." "I do, I do trust you. I don''t know how I''d take it if you were to break my trust. I''d go nuts and I would never forgive you." He says and my heart drops. Right there and then, I was considering following aunt Ruth''s advice and just telling Luke everything. That was the best option. I''m still lost in thoughts when I realize that he was on the phone. "Alright. Thank you. Make it short and simple, nothing too long." Is all I''m able to hear as he ends the call. I don''t bother asking who he was talking to because I''d decided toe clean about Rocky. "Luke, I have something to tell you. . ." I say, sweating profusely. My stomach was tied in knots. He could probably see the seriousness on my face, "You look a bit pale, are you alright?" "Yes, I will be but I need you to listen to what I have to say." I say, my palms folded together. He nods, "About what, my love?" He says as he stretches to hold my hands. "Well, you see, I didn''t know h- "Natalie, my God! Come inside!"I hear aunt Ruth scream. I turn around and get up immediately as the panic in her voice makes me worried. She arrives, panting. "Everything is over, Natalie. Everything!" She says as she sobs. "Everything?" I asked, confused. "What do you mean everything?" I ask as my mind wonders what could''ve happened to make her this shocked. She tries to speak, but all she can do is shake her hands. "Please, aunt, what happened?" I turn to Luke and I''m surprised to see him still sitting on the chair. I look at him, "Luke!" I yell. "Can''t you see what''s happening to my aunt?" It''s like he snaps out of something andes rushing. "Watch the television." She says, and I rush into the house. I get to the sitting room and see the workers gathered there, including Laurel. She gives me a sad puppy look. A look of pity. "What''s going on?" I say as I look at the television. My jaw drops, as my eyes betray me. The words of the news anchor echoing in my head; "The Richardson dynasty might havee to a sad an abrupt end as the Richardson''s are thrown into the streets by the new owners of the Richardson Manor. The Richardson''s are now left with their only business, Richardson Winery which has just filed for bankruptcy. Is this the end of the Richardson dynasty?"N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. CHAPTER 27 CHAPTER 27 "Luke, please, you have to help them. You have to help my family." I plead, as I hold onto his shirt, desperately begging. I never wanted to be in such a position again, but I had to, for my family. He holds my hands, "I''ll go there and I''ll try to sort it out. You know I''ll go far and beyond for you." Unable to control my tears, I hug my husband as tight as I possibly can. I hoped the small gesture would show how grateful I was even though I couldn''t bring myself to say a word. Luke hold me, caressing my head as he runs his hand through my hair. From a distance, I can hear Aunt Ruth crying as she simultaneously speaks to someone on the phone. I had two things on my mind, first off, I wondered how my father was doing. Lastly, I found everything that had urred in the past few months very strange and unsettling. I knew Luke had something to do with our money, but our businesses? Mother never mentioned those. "Luke, my dear?" Aunt Ruth joins us and I break the hug with Luke. "Yes, Mrs. Ruth?" "My husband is with your father-inw and Judith. They''ve gotten a suite at the Matrix and they''ll live there for now, at least." "Temporarily?" "Oh, I don''t know, my love. It all depends on the situation and how soon it gets fixed. It''s the penthouse of the Matrix so your mother shouldn''t have a problem." I roll my eyes as I massage my temples. "She doesn''t have a choice here." "That''s good news. That should calm Natalie for now. Right, my love?" "I need to call my father, see how he''s doing." I get up, as I hurriedly leave the room. ** "Caleb." I say, startled, as I bump into him. I look behind me to ensure no one is around or approaching us. He has on a hard demeanor, not angry not happy. He drags me to the corner and I allow myself to be dragged, momentarily confused. "Why didn''t you ask for my help?" C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. "Because it does not concern you, Rocky." I say, trying to look around. "The more you say that, the more I be motivated to take you away from that bastard!" He yells in a whisper like tone, pointing his hand to the corridor. "Please, Rocky, leave me alone." I beg. "I have so much on my te right now, okay? My family is falling apart and I don''t know what to do. I''ve never had a peaceful day ever since you came here! I''m always agitated and anxious and scared. Scared, for your life, not even mine!" I shove him away and turn to leave. I pause, "There will never be an ''us'', ever again." **** I''d spoken to my father and I was currently relieved. He didn''t sound as sick as I''d expected, but I knew he was worried. He knew nothing about the recent developments as he''d been waking up and slipping back into aa. Thankfully, Aunt Ruth & Uncle Mark we''re sorting things out. Suddenly, I realize that I truly had no source of ie and I knew all too well that my mother, somehow, must''ve squandered my trust fund. "Bloody hell." Is all I can say as I realize that there was a 99% chance my mother had used my trust for her own selfish benefits. My subconscious reminds me that my husband is indeed, a trillionaire. A trillionaire, I remind myself. Lucas had more than enough money to ensure well being of millions of people. "Should I ask Luke?" I ask myself, having an internal battle with my subconscious. I already felt dirty for being sold like a piece of jewelry to the highest bidder and for even agreeing to be sold in the first ce. I didn''t want to collect a dime from Luke, but I needed some money for keepsake, in case I had an emergency or in case something serious happened to my father. My phone rings and I roll my eyes at the caller ID. "Yes, this is Natalie." Sheughs, "Is this how you say hello to your mother now?" "Please, get to the point, mother. If you''re calling to ask for money, I have none to give you. I saw the news. Lucas is taking care of everything. He''ll do it for me." " For God''s sake, Natalie. I''m your mother, you can''t be this rude to me every single time. You don''t call or check in on me, and when I decide to do so, you give me such nasty replies?" "Mother, I''ll hang up now." "Wait!" She says. She continues, "We''re a little short on cash and I- I interject. "I just knew it had to be money. That''s all you care about. Money. Like I said earlier on, I don''t have any. Even if I did have, I wouldn''t think of giving it to you. I''ll tell my husband whatever money he promised to give you as part of your dirty n to sell me off shouldn''t get you. Live honestly, mom. Maybe you''ll learn a few things about genuine love." I say before hanging up. I sit on my bed as I massage my temples. *** "There''s what?" I ask Emmanuele and a few other staff. "The paparazzi. They''re outside, looking for you." Emmanuele responds. I sigh, "Does Luke know?" I ask, rubbing my palms together. Emmanuele nods a no. "I''ll take care of them, Mrs. Carrington." I hear Rocky say and I turn to look at him. "Always lurking around in the shadows, aren''t you?" "I could help you send them away, if you''d let me." "Excuse us, Mrs. Natalie." Emmanuele states. I nod at her, "No, Emmanuelle. Please, stay. If anyone''s leaving, it''s Mr. Dunes here." "I''d appreciate it if you don''t bother yourself with my family issues." I say as I fold my arms together. "My husband takes care of everything around here." "Very well. My apologies for intruding." As he leaves, I notice Emmanuele has confusion written all over her face and it makes me panic. I needed to be calmer whenever Rocky was around. My sternness would make everyone suspicious. "Can I have something to eat, Emmanuele? Pancakes?" She nods at me, an unsure smile on her face as she leaves. I go into Luke''s study. The curtains are drawn down already. I try to open them, but a wave of nausea takes over me and I lose my bnce. Luckily, I don''t fall, but I feel something below my legs. I step on it multiple times, to be sure I really heard something. I kneel to check out the spot on the floor when the door opens. "What are you doing, Natalie?" "I didn''t hear youe in." I respond nervously, as I get up to meet Luke. He looked tired, his hair, a complete mess. "You look a bit pale, Natalie. Are you sure everything''s okay?" I nod at him, but unconsciously notice him looking at the spot behind me. "How''s my father? Did you see him?" "Yes, I did, but he was sleeping. I saw your mother, though." I roll my eyes, irked. A part of me hated the fact that Lucas and my mother were still in contact. I hated the fact that I was bothered by the fact that they could make another deal without my knowledge. "Don''t give my mother money again. Please." I say. Confusion is written all over his face. "You know it''s hard to understand exactly what you want. This morning, you told me to go help them and when I do, you¡ª I interject, "I know and thank you for that. I just don''t want my mother taking advantage of you, Luke." I say, being extra careful to leave out the real reason behind my request. CHAPTER 28 CHAPTER 28 I''d juste out of the shower, and as I wear my robe, I hear a knock on the door. Luke hadn''t fully moved into the bedroom as per my request, so I wondered if he could be the one knocking. Squeezing the water off my wet hair, I walk to the door. I open it, a smile on my face but it drops immediately as soon as I see who it is. I try to close the door, but he forces himself in on time and shuts the door. "You need to stop sneaking up on me every time, for God''s sake!" I lock the door with the keys. "What if Luke was here? What would you tell him?" "I know he''s not here, that''s why I took the opportunity toe and see you, my love." He says. "Natty," and I close my eyes. He gave me that nickname. He caresses my cheeks and although I try to remove his hand, I end up caressing his hand on my cheek. "You miss this, don''t you? I know you do." He says, as he snakes his left hand around my waist. "Why did you kiss him? Did I upset you? Did you do that to make me jealous?" He asks, as my lips part. There was no doubt that I still had feelings for Rocky, but my love for Luke was greater and it grew stronger everyday. "He''s my husband." I say as I open my eyes. I jerk his hand off my body and move a few steps back. "It would be best if you left, Luke." I say, looking at him straight in the eyes. "Your presence here¡ª he interjects, "My presence here does what? Makes you quiver? Makes you so uneasy and ufortable? Makes your lips part when I''m close to you? Does my presence make you desire me, Natty?" "The only man I desire is Luke, and the sooner you understand that, the safer you and your hotels will be." "Is that a threat, Natalie?" "It''s not a threat, it''s a warning. Luke will do anything to keep me by his side, I don''t know what that''ll be, but I do know he won''t stop until he knows you''re far away from me¡ªif he ever finds out." "I''m not leaving here without you, Natalie. Remember that." "I''m not leaving here with you, Rocky. Remember that." *** "Your mother is insistent on throwing the annual Richardson soir¨¦e, honey, I can''t talk her out of it." Aunt Ruth says as we take a stroll by theke. "Honestly, aunt, I''m not surprised by what my mother does anymore. You should get used to it." I adjust my shades and try to stop my hair from flying in the wind. "She''s renting out the Lux¨¦ Grandeur- it costs ¡ê750,000." I gasp, "Where did she get that kind of money?" Aunt Ruth, "Your husband, Natalie. Luke gave her so much money she''s lost her self control!" "I''m sure she asked him for so much money, but why did he oblige? And, aunt, I''m sure that''s not even all of it, since she''s spending so much on the soir¨¦e. He must''ve given her so much more because mom might like livingvishly, I know she won''t spend all the money on the party alone. Right?" *** "A million? Two? Four? Or was it a hundred?" I ask, as I barge into Luke''s study. "I don''t understand, what are you talking about?" "How much did you give her? Are you still paying for me? Am I still an object you pay for?" I ask, truly enraged. That dirty deal he and my mother made, still irked me. "No, no my love, it was your mother, she said¡ª"She said what?" I ask. I continue, "That you need to pay or you need to renew the deal every now and then?" "She said, she wanted to have a party for you." N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. "For me? For me? And you believed her?" He doesn''t reply and that gets me even more angrier. "Why didn''t you tell me earlier? Why did I have to find out from someone else, Lucas?" He leaves behind the table andes to me, holding my waist. "You need to understand that things aren''t the same as before. We''re in this, together. Your family, is my family and responsibility. Fulfilling their needs and wants is my duty, my love." I look at him, tears welling up in the corners of my eyes. "It just makes me feel so insecure, like another deal is bei¡ª He interjects, "No. don''t say it. I admit, that was my biggest mistake but please, let''s put that behind us. I won''t give your mother any more money if that''s what you want." I nod, "I want to decide if you give her or not, I want to know when she asks you for anything, okay?" He nods a yes, and we hug. He unzips my dress and ys with my hair. I kiss his chest. "Did you change your perfume?" "No, why?" He asks as he continues to take off my clothes. "It kind of smells really weird." I say as I giggle. "Are we really having sex in the study?" "On the couch or on the table?" He asks, a smirk ying across his face. "Everywhere," I suggest, biting my lip. I continue, "Including the floor." "Your wish, is mymand, Mrs. Carrington." He says as he carries me bridal style and ces me on the table. I''mpletely naked. I take off his shirt. He goes down on his knees and spreads my legs. "Oh!" I scream, as I giggle. "Mmm. . ." I moan in excitement again as my husband works wonders with his tongue. I bend my head, my lips apart as I watch him please me. His eyes are fixated on my womanhood and I can''t help but feel butterflies as I watch him. He is gentle, but his gentleness was reckless. He treated my hot, wet and now pink core as though he was a hungry child eating his first meal. As though, he was just served hisst meal. He releases saliva from his mouth and spits it into me, and my whole body throbs. "Ah. . ." I whisper, my hands clenching both sides of the table as my pupils dte. I feel his entire mouth covering my womanhood, as he uses his tongue to caress everywhere. I leave the table and ce both hands on his neck. "Right there, yes! There. . . oh!" I moan. In a split second, I watch hot liquid fly into his face and the air as soon as he removes his mouth. He opens his mouth and takes in my juice. I''m shocked and unable to say a word as I process what just happened. He carries me again, my legs wrapped around his waist. As we get to the couch, he takes off his pants and he''s not wearing any underwear. Heys me on the couch gently and intertwines his left hand with mine. I wrap my right leg around his waist as he begins to kiss me. He enters me sharply and although I feel some type of difort, I ignore it. He goes faster and faster and I enjoy it. I lick my lips. "You don''t know when you do that, I go crazy. It drives me insane." He says. "Oh, yeah? Mm?" I say as I bite my lips again. "Go harder, I want to feel you, deeper." I say. "No." His thrusts be slower, "That''s your punishment for biting your lips, again." He says and he kisses and licks my neck. "What if someone walks in?" I say, giggling. "They won''t." He says as he carries me to the floor. "I''ll take the lead here." I say. I hover over him. I ce my womanhood over his bare chest and I slide backwards and forward multiple times. I feel my core on fire. I move, then I ce myself over his mouth and he follows my order as he begins to lick, yet again. I hold his hair with my right hand and caress my breasts with my left. "Oh, Luke." I moan. "Ah. . . Mm." I moan. I move back and my lips are separated as I sit on his hard, long, member. I ce my hands on both his shoulders as I move. I grind my hips severally, feeling his warmth explode inside me. I close my eyes as I feel more liquid. Luke stretches his hands and begins to squeeze my nipples. He sits up as I''m still on him, his shaft, still inside me. We share an eye lock as he begins to suck my breasts. I feel liquiding out of my left breast, but I pay no attention to it. The pleasure was much more important to me. I grind my waist some more as I wrap my legs around him. It was undoubtedly the best sex we''d ever had. CHAPTER 30 CHAPTER 30 ¡°Look, my friend''s forgotten all about me. You''re married now, and don''t mingle with us singles?" I grab her and give her the tightest hug I can afford. She was still wearing her Love Spell cologne, as always. "Thank you foring," "I must give it to you, you look amazing, glowing, if I may add. Is marriage the secret?" She says as she hugs back. We break the hug. "You can say that." I smile. "Well, I guess, that''s a good thing. I should be expecting that." She says as she waves her hand, an engagement ring visible on it. I gasp in excitement, "Bloody hell! When? Who? Congrattions!" I say as I pull her in for another hug. She shrugs but dismisses it immediately. "David." She says as she looks at me, directly in the eyes. That was exactly what she did when she felt bad over something¡ªlooking you in the eyes to avoid any form of guilt or burden. "David? You mean, David Jackson?" I ask inplete shock an amazement, not just because he was to be my fianc¨¦, but because of the terrible decision she had just made. "You know what he''s like, you know what their family''s like¡ªhow could you make such a reckless decision?" "It''s purely business. Political. It''s just a year, or two. There''s no dowry, no prenup and my freedom after a year or two is finalized. My family needs him and his family needs us. It''s a win win, right?" She says. I hold her hand, "Don''t walk the same path I walked, Lydia. Don''t let them use you in such a horrible way." I plead, my heart, genuinely breaking for her. It dawned on me that our parents were all just the same. Cut from the same cloth. Suddenly, but not the first time, I wished I was born poor. I would''ve been hungry but happy. "Just as much as I''m being used, I''m using them too. My family is using the Jackson''s and I''m using my family. Although, they have no idea, but they''ll find out soon enough." I raise my eyebrows in confusion, "How so?" I ask her. She tells me her n and I look at her in awe. Lydia had a quiet personality and a shy personality too, but what she had just said made me see that even the most gullible person could be as cunning as a fox or even worse. A voice inside my head begged me to take notes on scheming from Lydia so at least, I''d beat my mother in her own game for once. The party had begun, and people are socializing. I asionally steal nces of Luke as I speak with Lydia. Things had really changed since school and I''d realized I''d missed out on a lot. My friend Anna had moved out of London to Germany to start a new life. Tracy had moved to Scond for school, and would asionally return and Ver¨®nica was still here, in Shoreditch. That''s your husband? You can''t take your eyes off him." Lydia states. I blush, "I never thought I could love someone as much as I love him. It''s just so surreal." "What really happened? I mean with Rocket? We all thought you guys would end up together." I sigh, "At some point, I did too, but I am d that it didn''t happen. I would never have been truly happy with Rocky, you know? Lucas is the one, my soulmate." "But it was an arranged marriage?" I nod, "It was forced on me. I wouldn''t say I was deceived but it was all deception. My mother manipted me into marrying him, but it all turned out for the better." "I''m d it did, Natty. You truly deserve happiness." I smile at her, "So do you, and marrying that arse, is not where you will find it." "If marrying him will be how I can get what I want, then so be it. I''d marry him a hundred times if I had to." "Speak of Devil, and he shows." I say, as my focus is fixated at the entrance. "Correction; they show." Lydia says as we both look at Senator Jackson and his son, David enter. I watch my mother hurriedly rush over to wee them in. Lydia and I are irritated. I see David look at Lydia and she responds with a fake smile. He blows a rich-yboy kiss to her with his index and middle finger. She catches it in the air and throws her hand down almost immediately. I chuckle. David and I stare at each other. He gives a smirk and I turn sideways. "I''ve got a really bad feeling about tonight." I say to Lydia. "So do I, the only difference is whatever''s happening, won''t be happening to any of us." Lydia assures me as she smiles. Where''s Jos¨¦ by the way?" Lydia asks. I scan the room in a bid to find him. My eyes fall on him, champagne in hand and a woman by his side. "Well, he''s doing his thing, I guess." I chuckle, pointing towards his direction. "He''s always had his way with thedies. I wonder how we could even resist him." Lydia says. Iugh. "What''s the joke?" A third party chimes in and I turn to see David. The smile vanishes from my face. "I don''t know." I say in response. Lydia is quiet. I begin to wonder if her whole quite, calm behavior is a charade because with me, Lydia was a very different person. "How''s my fianc¨¦ doing?" He asks, as he wraps his hands around her waist. She wraps her hands around his neck. "I''m fine, thank you." She responds. Disgusted by the entire thing, I take my leave. I begin to look for Luke but it doesn''t take a while and I find him. He''s talking to Senator Jackson. I approach them. "My love," I say as I hug my husband. "What''s happening? I missed being close to you." I say. Senator Jackson interrupts, "New marriages are always like this." I ignore him. "I saw you with your friend so I thought you were having fun without me. I thought you needed the time to socialize without me being there." I caress his cheeks, "Always so thoughtful." "Won''t you say hello to the senator? I thought you were familiar?" Luke asks. I turn to face the senator. "Oh, we are and not in any way positive." I say, a fake smile on my face. "My dear, I''m afraid you''ll have to put your old grudges aside. Your husband and I just got acquainted and he''s interested in bing a co-owner of my new club." I look at Luke, waiting for him to tell me what a big lie it was. Luke nods his head, but when he looks at me, he can see the shock and disappointment on my face. "Yes- I''ve shown interest, but interest doesn''t mean I''ll be your partner, Mr. Jackson." I look at the senator, wondering his motives for approaching Luke. If only Luke knew that the man standing right in front of him tried to manipte my family into marrying me off to his son, he wouldn''t be as entertaining as he was being to him. "Maybe you coulde over for Lunch at the manor in Shoreditch. We could talk real business there and then." Luke says and my heart begins to beat. That wasn''t an option, that could never happen. Rocky was still in the manor and the senator and his son knew Rocky. Everything would fall apart if Luke found out. "Why don''t we go over to the senators house?" I say to Luke, desperately hoping he would agree. "I''m bringing the proposal so I''ll do the visiting. It''s not a problem." The senator says and I almost loose my bnce. "Hey," I hear Lydia speaking and taking my hand. "May I steal her for a moment?" She asks and next thing I know, we''re far away from the crowd. "I know that look. You''re panicking. Why?" I begin to cry, "I don''t know what to do." "About?" "Rocky! He came over to Shoreditch, changed his identity, changed his hair color, everything. He''s acting like a mad man!" I whisper, anxious. "And?" C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. I get up, "He''s staying with us. He''s living in my home, Lydia." Lydia looks confused, "And?" "The marriage between Luke and I was just a contract, it wasn''t for love, it was for money and that''s why I left Rocky. Now, I don''t know if he''s back for revenge or if he truly wants me back but he''s made friends with my husband, and now has an excuse to live in the same house as us. Lucas hates him because he caught me severally trying to run away with Rocket." "So Luke doesn''t know Rocky? He doesn''t know the person pretending to be his friend is actually your ex?" Lydia asks. I nod. "No." "That''s very dangerous, Natty. Have you guys. . .?" I gasp, "No! I would never cheat on my husband. . . but he did kiss me and he did touch me, but it was nothing more than that, I swear!" "You let him. I''m not judging you, but if your husband ever finds out¡ª "I know." I interject. "Luke is perfect, he''s good, kind, loving, but when he''s offended, he bes a beast, and I fear for Rocky if Luke ever finds out." "We just have to ensure that never happens." "How? Your father-inw ising over to the manor for a business lunch with Luke and he will definitely recognize Rocky!" "Then Rocky has to leave, what the hell is his problem?" She asks as I bury my face in my hands. CHAPTER 31 CHAPTER 31 The party had ended, Lydia had left too, but with a promise that she''d help me figure out something before the lunch with senator Jackson. I had been too engrossed in my problems that I''d lost track of time and didn''t realize when Jos¨¦ left. I felt I wascking as a friend. "Princess!" I hear my mom say. "Hello, mother." I answer, wanting to the conversation to end as quickly as possible. I had seen my father before the party begun, and left him to sleep. I would check on him right after she left. She touches my hair, "I was so busy I barely had enough time to see how beautiful you are. Who are you wearing? Is it Versace? You look stunning, as always, my love." She says. "You were too busy sipping wine and talking toplete strangers that you didn''t have time to check on your own child? Familiar, but I''m not surprised." She rolls her eyes, "For the love of God, you mustn''t always ruin the mood." She says, throwing her hands in the air. "You should understand my duties, when you be a mother you would understand me, I''m sure." "Never, mom. That will never happen, I will die first before I be anything like you. I wouldn''t put my child through that." I say. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. She pokes my head with her index finger. "Have some manners! Don''t you read the Bible? Don''t talk to your mother that way." She yells and walks off. I don''t knock as I enter my fathers room. He is fast asleep, and his favorite book, Ace of spades is seated by his bedside. He must''ve been reading before he slept off. "Oh, daddy." I whisper. "You don''t know how much I miss you everyday. I need you to get better soon so you can stop sleeping so much." I caress his head as he sleeps. I spend a few more minutes with him. ** "Are you ready to go?" Luke asks me as we stand beside our car. I nod, as he puts his jacket on me. I give a small smile and although he''s still taking, I ckout. My head is spinning and I feel a wave of dizziness hit me. I try topose myself, but in a second, I''m thrown into a world of nothingness. The first person my eyesnd on as I open them is Aunt Ruth. "Water. . ." I ask. "She''s awake!" Aunt Ruth screams as she sits beside me. Thest thing I remembered was talking with Luke outside, but I could feel myself on a bed. Lukees in, apanied by another woman. Aunt Ruth holds my hand. "How are you feeling, my love?" Luke asks, kneeling beside me. I was in my room, our bedroom. "When did we get home?" "An hour ago, you were knocked out all through the way here. Don''t you remember what happened?" I nod a no. Luke looks at Aunt Ruth as though he wasmunicating something with her. "You fainted, but the doctor¡ª he gestures at thedy standing. "Says you''re perfectly fine, you just have to rest and eat properly from now on." "But I''m not sick, right?" I massage my head. "I feel really weak." I add. "No, you''re not. You''re pregnant, my love!" He says, a wide smile on his face. Immediately, I sit up. I''m in shock, trying to decipher if I heard correctly. "I''m what?" "Expecting a mini version of yourself, my darling!" Aunt Ruth says, tears in her eyes. I gasp. "Oh my God. How?" Luke chuckles at that and so does the doctor. I feel embarrassed, "No, not how, I mean, when? How long has it been?" "Almost two months. Didn''t you get signs? Morning sickness?" I nod, trying to think. "Now that I think of it, I think I did." I say as I look at Luke. He agrees, "Yes, the wine, my cologne, your cravings. We had no idea!" "I lost my bnce severally, I didn''t get my periodst month¡ª I told you," I say to Luke. I ce my hand over my stomach. "I''m pregnant." I say, as I try to convince myself. My attention is diverted to Emmanuele as soon as she enters the room. "Natalie''s pregnant, Emmanuele!" Luke announces, as he rushes to hug her. I don''t know how, but I can''t control my tears as I caress my belly. I was shocked, worried, afraid and excited. To think I had a life growing inside of me made me anxious. I didn''t have a clue that I could possibly be pregnant. Luke and I had a lot of sex regrly so I could''ve conceived anytime. "I''ll send Mr. Carrington your gynecologist schedule first thing tomorrow morning. Make sure you have some rest, and eat something tonight before you go to bed. If you''ll excuse me." "Darling, you''re having a child! I remember the little girl you were and now, you''re having a baby?" Aunt Ruth says, her tears still falling. "Thank you, Jesus. Finally, something positive." She says. "I still can''t believe this, it feels like a dream. I can''t believe you''re carrying my child, my heir. Thank you, Natalie, you don''t know how happy this makes me" Luke says and kisses my hands. "You always wanted a family, now you have one, my love." I respond as I hold his chin. Emmanuele leaves and Aunt Ruth leaves along with her. "Can you believe it?" I ask Luke as I get up to go to the bedside mirror. "Yes, my love." Luke says still kneeling. "This just confirms that you''re the best thing that has happened to me. We are meant to be." I''m zoned out as I look at myself in the mirror. Slowly, I begin to notice all the changes. My stomach had a little bulge. My breasts were slightly bigger or swollen? Everything was right in front of me, but I''d been so engrossed in keeping Rocky away that I''d failed to see my body changing. Luke hugs me from behind and I''m back to reality. "Do you think we''ll be good parents?" I ask. "Of course, my love. You''re the best person anyone could wish for as a mother, and wife." Luke responds and my worries go to bed. I would never be anything like my mother. I would never let my child feel alone and have no one to talk to. Above all, I would never sell my child off for money. CHAPTER 32 CHAPTER 32 LUKE''S POV Natalie and I are outside, beside our car. She looks tired and pale, something I''d noticed for the past few days. "Are you ready to go?" I ask her and she nods. I ce my jacket over her shoulders. She gives a small smile and I begin to talk to her about the party. I want to know why she had on such a stern face and a cold tone with Senator Jackson but I realize that she''spletely zoned out. She''s a bit shaky, and when I realize she''s about to fall, I hold her as tight as I can. "Shit!" I yell and the chauffeures out. "To the manor, as fast as possible!" I say to the chauffeur, panicked. I try to wake her numerous times, but she doesn''t respond. However, she''s breathing. "You have to hang in there, my love." I say as I reach for my phone to call Doctor Ava. She says she''s on sick leave so she would be unable to make it. However, she''d send in another Doctor. We are at the manor and I carry her bridal style into the house. Her eyes flutter open for a second but she slips back into unconsciousness. Arriving in our bedroom, I drop her on the bed as we await the Doctor. The Doctor arrives about thirty minutester, and although I want to yell, I keep it calm. She attends to Natalie, checking her pulse and giving her some shots. She checks her eyes with a tiny shlight and uses her stethoscope to check Natalie''s heartbeat. "Congrattions, Mr. Carrington." I''m confused, "Is my wife alright, Doctor? Why did she faint? Why isn''t she waking up?" I ask. "Your wife is healthy and she must remain that way. Your wife is pregnant and approximately, I would say it''s been so for about two months." She replies. I''m in shock,plete awe. Mrs. Ruthes in and the Doctor repeats herself. "Your wife is expecting, Mr. Carrington." Mrs. Ruth gasps. I''m abination of different emotions as I look at Natalie. This was not the n. My mind echoes at me. My goal was topletely and utterly destroy the Richardson family from the inside using Natalie as my ess key. Falling in love with her was never part of the n. The truth is, I had never loved Natalie in the past¡ªnot until a few weeks ago. Not until, my feelings started getting attached to the constant sex we were having. I realized I Thad fallen for her, when she avoided me for a few days and didn''t speak to me. Those days were like hell for me. With her distancing herself from me and not even saying a word to me, I realized that I couldn''t live without her. I realized that although I was pretending to be in love with her, in reality, I was madly in love with her and it scared me. Now, she was having my child and the thought of her finding out my feelings in the beginning were false, was like a dagger stabbing me in the heart. I was distraught. It is breakfast time and everyone is seated beautifully around the table, but the silence is awkward. For the past few minutes, Laurel had kept on throwing nces at me and smiling at my husband. The way she was looking at me, for the first time since I''d moved into the manor, made me feel ufortable and suspicious. My sixth sense knew something was up with her. My eyes meet with Rocky''s, and I look away immediately. I would tell Luke after breakfast that I was fed up of Rocky living here. Thest thing I needed was to be troubled or anxious during my pregnancy. I needed peace, and Rocky was a threat to my peace of mind. I eat my pancakes and bacon and request for another te as I sip my pineapple juice. "Careful, Natalie. You don''t wanna end up fat and shapeless, do you?" Laurel mocks me, oblivious to why I really needed the extra te. I smile at her as Luke takes my hand. "Laurel. Apologize. I won''t tolerate you being so rude to my wife." Luke says, giving her a stern face. "How dare you?" He asks her. "I''m sorry." She quickly responds. "Luke and I have something to share with all of you." We smile at each other. "Luke and I, are expecting a baby. I''m pregnant." I say. Luke leans in for a kiss. I can feel the steam radiating off Laurel and Rocky. Laurel drops her fork violently. "You didn''t tell me, Luke." She says, her eyes watery but a frown intact on her face. She was always quick to tears for a sharp mouthed girl. I look at Luke, confused. Luke speaks. "I should have told you that I wanted to get my wife pregnant or I should have told you before doing so? What the hell, Laurel?" "No- no, I mean isn''t it too early for that? It''s not even up to a year!" She says as she bangs her hands on the table. "Oh, my God. You know, I always thought you were just being dramatic but now I see you''re delusional too, and obsessed with the idea that you have some sort of right over my husband." I continue, "It''s bing irritating, for Christ''s sake!" At this point, Laurel is really crying, shedding real tears. I open my mouth in awe. Luke is quiet. "This girl, I''ve always known she''s had an ulterior motive ever since I stepped into this house." Aunt Ruth says to Luke. She turns to Laurel who''s still seriously crying. "You''re ill mannered and you''re just a maid, amon worker at that. Please, why is the help even having breakfast with us?" Aunt Ruth comins. Rocky is still oddly quite. His left hand on top of the table is balled into a fist as he seems to be looking down at his te. "She''s family, Mrs. Ruth." Lucas says. "You''re defending her?" I ask, getting upset. My blood boiled whenever Luke took her side. He was fond of supporting her blindly and it angered me even more because he could see exactly what she was doing. "I''m not defending her, but Laurel is not a maid. She chose to work around the house. I''m not her employer." He says. "Laurel." Luke says as he gets up. He holds her shoulders rather sternly as he speaks, "I don''t know what you might think or be thinking, but I''m sure I have never misled you or given you the wrong impression, but if I ever have, please forgive me. I do love you, Laurel." Luke says and my heart begins to palpitate. It''s like my world stops for a moment, especially when I see her smile. I get up, shocked. He continues, "I love you as I would''ve loved my sister if she were still alive." He says, and I heave a sigh of relief. My relief is short lived as I hear Rocky''s next words. "I have something to share too, but. . ." He looks at me. He continues. "Only with you, Luke." I can feel sweat building up on my head, and my palms bing sweaty. I look at Aunt Ruth who has a terrified expression on her face. "Oh. Well, whatever it is you have to say, you can say in front of my wife and her aunt." Luke says and I be even more anxious. I close my eyes, trying to hold the tears from dropping. The news of my pregnancy had triggered Rocky so much that he was willing to destroy my marriage to get back at me. Why did I make such a foolish mistake of saying it in front of him? Rocky was going to reveal everything to Rocky, and I knew all too well I didn''t want to be there when that happened. I wouldn''t be able to bear the look on his face after finding out the truth. "No, my love. I need some sleep. Aunt Ruth will apany me." I say as I get up to leave. Lukees over to my side and he kisses me momentarily. "I''lle join you as soon as I finish up." He says. "Let''s go to my study." He says to Rocky. It broke my heart to know that would probably be ourst kiss before everything went aze. As we reach my room, Aunt Ruth looks the door and I begin to cry. "My darling, don''t lose hope just yet. Your husband can forgive you, especially now you''re carrying his child." I sob, "Aunt, deep down I know that Rocky staying here and not telling Luke about it was the worse thing a wife could do to her husband. My conscience isn''t even clean. I feel so dirty and guilty." "Dirty? Darling, I need you to tell me that this baby. . ."She points at my stomach, "Is for your husband. It is, right?" All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. The tears flow uncontrobly. I join my hands together, "I swear with my life, this baby is Luke''s. Never, aunt, never. I have never been intimate with Rocky or any other man since I married Luke. Rocky did kiss me multiple times, but I swear aunt, it meant nothing and it never went beyond that!" "He kissed you, and did you kiss back or did you push him away?" I massage my temples, "I did kiss back, but it meant nothing!" "Jesus, Natalie if your marriage copses today, you yed the greatest role in destroying it. What do we do now?" "Pack. I need to get out of here before Luke confronts me. We need to hurry!" I say as I get up, heading straight for my wardrobe. "I''ll just get my valuables. Aunt please, grab your things and let''s leave on time." "How exactly are we going to leave the manor without Luke finding out?" Aunt Ruth asks. "Laurel. Laurel will help us leave, she''s done it before. Hurry, aunt!" As Aunt Ruth opens the door, I notice her speechless as she stands there. "Please, aunt!" I say as Ie back to check on her. "Luke." I say as I see him standing by the door, a gun in hand. "I can exin," I say, as I try to hold my bnce. This was it. This was what I feared would happen. CHAPTER 33 CHAPTER 33 JUDITH''s POV "My goodness, Francis. All you ever do isin, please. I think you should concentrate on getting healthier, not nagging about things that shouldn''t bother you." Francis coughs, and I continue brushing my hair as I admire myself in the mirror. Francis was a talker and it irritated me, deep into my bones. I did marry him for his money, but I had love for him. I mean, he fathered my daughter, my only child. "How dare you ask our son-inw for money, do you not have any shame?" He asks, sitting up. I could tell he was getting stronger by the day. He still spent most of the day sleeping, but whenever he woke, he was always stronger than the day before. I wear my diamond earrings, "You gave me these on our 9th year anniversary, do you remember? You spoilt me silly that I didn''t even need to ask to be spoiled." I get up, "You gave me that life, Francis!" I say, my tone at its peak as I point at him. "It''s not my fault if I''m doing everything in my power to save us from poverty. You caused all this, so it would be unfair if you try to me me for anything." "But Judith, it doesn''t mean you should extort the man for money, it just isn''t right." "Don''t let your ego get in the way of things, like you said, Luke is our son-inw and whatever he does for us, he''s happy doing it." "My ego?" Francis asks and I roll my eyes. "Of course, yes. Your ego. You''ve always been a proud man, honey and I know your ego has been wounded finding out that our funds have beening from Natalie''s hus¡ª "I''ve never said this before, but you are one shameless woman, Judith." He says and I can see how displeased he is, but I could care less. "And you, my darling, are a pauper." I say as I take my leave. Nobody would make me feel lesser than what I should, not Natalie, not Ruth, and certainly not Francis. I knew I made the right decisions, preserving the family status and social standing. People still respected us even though we were almost penniless. They attended our soir¨¦e which indicates that our social circles and standing were still very much intact and I would give anything to keep it that way. **** LAUREL''s POV Hugging Luke''s picture as tight as I possibly can, I sob. My heart ached. I felt worse than how I felt when I found out Luke had married that high ss snob. "I love you so much, why can''t you see that? Why?" I sob harder, remembering the announcement Natalie made about her and Luke''s baby. "That baby should be mine! Not hers, Luke, she doesn''t love you." Suddenly, an idea pops into my mind. "I still have a chance, if I can prove to Luke that I''m more of a woman that that snob, then he''ll pick me over her. I can separate them, I can!" I clean my tears and sprint into the bathroom. As the water pours all over my body, I begin tough. I was stupid for not thinking of it earlier. If I had, I would have prevented her from getting pregnant. "Getting pregnant is one thing, but the baby arriving in this world safely, is another." I smile. I style my blonde wig into bangs, exactly how Natalie styles her bangs. I look at the mirror and it''s already 6pm. Luckily, Natalie and her stupid aunt always take a walk in the garden or by theke by this time. I wear a trench coat and head to the manor. I''m in the manor now, heading to Luke''s room. "You startled me, why are you dressed like that? Is it raining?" Emmanuele asks. "No, you startled me, and mind your business, woman! Get back to the kitchen." I warn her. N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. "Always so rude. If you''re looking for Luke, you should know that he moved in with his wife and they now share a bedroom." She says, smiling from ear to ear like a fool. I ignore her and walk off. I open the door and scan the room. It''s empty, so I enter. I can hear water pouring in the bathroom. I go there and exactly as I had wished, Luke is in the bathroom, having his bath. My body tingles from head to toe seeing him naked. I take off the trench coat and go into the shower. I hug him from behind and I feel sparks fly as soon as he holds my hands. I trace a straight line down his back with my tongue. His left hand goes behind me, reaching for my rump and I feel my womanhood on fire. He turns me and we are facing each other, I open my eyes and I realize that his eyes are closed. I take advantage of it and try to kiss him, but we are interrupted as soon as our lipse in contact. "Luke." CHAPTER 34 CHAPTER 34 NATALIE''s POV. "I can exin." I say, as I try to hold my bnce. This was it. This was what I feared would happen. He makes his way into the room, but I am unable to make out the expression on his face, heck I can''t even look at him. Aunt Ruth is by the corner, shivering with fear. "I wanted to tell¡ª "I''m sorry for bringing it here, but it belongs to me, I have a gunroom and there''s a bit of a situation, but I''ve got it handled." He says and I look in confusion. What was he talking about? "What situation?" "There''s no cause for panic, everything''s under control. I''ve doubled the security." "What''s going on, Luke?" "Bart''s on the run." He says. In a split second, I''m engulfed in fear as horrible memoriese flooding back. "His first instinct would probably be to return here." I gasp, shocked, losing my bnce. Luke grabs me on time and helps me sit on the bed. I had forced myself to not think or talk about the incident with Bart because if I did, Luke would find out about how I wanted to run away and that was thest thing I wanted. "He''sing for me, my baby?" I ask, grasping into Luke''s arm as though that was my only chance at living. "That man is insane! I''ve done nothing to him." I state, panicking. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. "That''s why I brought this." Luke says as he shows me the gun. I look at it, afraid, as bile rises up to my throat. I hold it in. "I''ve doubled the security, so there''s no chance of him getting to you, however, I don''t want to take chances so I have to. I''ll drop it in the first drawer." He says as he gestures to the side drawer. In a split second, I''m sprinting to the bathroom. I begin to throw up in the sink and I can sense Luke and Aunt Ruth rush in. I can tell Luke is panicking as he holds my waist and left hand. I was d that Rocky didn''t reveal our secret to Luke, but I was too lost in my thoughts, remembering how I suffered in Bart''s captivity. I still couldn''t ce my hands on why he abducted me. I suspected Luke knew and refused to give me details about it. I cough, using the tap water to rinse my mouth and face. "My love, are you okay?" "Yes, my dear, are you okay?" Aunt Ruth follows. "I''m fine, this is normal. Morning sickness." I say as I avoid eye contact with Luke. I turn and exit the bathroom and go back into the room. I sit on the bed, a thousand thoughts going through my mind. "Natalie!" I hear as I snap back to reality. I turn to Luke. He continues, "My love, I said I''ll be going to the study for a while and on my way, I''ll have Emmanuelle bring you water and some fruits." I nod at him and mouth a silent thank you. I needed Luke to leave so I could discuss with my aunt. "Aunt, I have a lot on my mind, there''s just so much I''m unable to understand." "Yes, my darling. I have to admit, I was scared to my bones for what would''ve happened to you and your marriage if that foul man had revealed your secret." "But why didn''t he?" "Who cares? You''re safe, and that''s what matters!" "No, aunt. Rocket had the opportunity to tell Luke about everything. He had the chance toe clean and knowing him, he''s be too selfish. Something''s not right, aunt Ruth." "How are you so sure?" "I can feel it. Call it a sixth sense. I don''t know. Something isn''t right, aunt. Luke might really not know but I''m very sure Rocky''s up to something." "For the love of God, Natalie, let''s just forget about all of this. As long as Luke doesn''t know anything, that''s your saving grace." "I guess you''re right, aunt." There''s a knock on the door. "Come in." I respond and Aunt Ruth shifts to open the door. "Luke asked me to bring you these, and I thought to add some milk too, you know, for the baby." She says, smiling heavily. For a second, my worries had made forget about the life growing inside me. I caress my stomach. "Thank you, Emmanuele. My baby would get used to you soon. You take care of us so well." I say. She smiles. "Well, I consider Luke my own. If my child were here, he would be just like Mr. Carrington." I could hear the hurt in her voice as she spoke. I wondered what she must''ve meant. "You''ll be fine, Emmanuele." She nods her head. "I''ll head to the kitchen now and have dinner prepared. Would you like anything specific?" She asks. "Lamb chops and spring rolls. Maybe colew?" I say. Emmanuele turns to Aunt Ruth. "Madam, you?" Aunt Ruth giggles, "Oh my, anything would suit me. I would have whatever is being made." Emmanuele nods and leaves. "Eat the fruits, have your milk and have a nap. We''ll go for a stroll when you wake up." Aunt Ruth commands. "Yes, aunt. I''m quite famished." I say, still shaken. ** After a long nap, I wake up, refusing to get up. My eyes are fixated on the empty ceiling as my mind is nk. I didn''t know if my mind was nk because I was intentionally blocking out my thoughts or if it was so because I''d just woken up. I sit up, stretching my hands into the bowl of fruits, which contained just a few green grapes. I eat them and I''m rxed by the taste. My eyesnd on the clock and it''s about 5:10 PM. I get up, heading straight for the bathroom. I wash my face with the lemon verbena scented soap. The powder, now off my face, didn''t make me look less beautiful- hell, it didn''t subtract anything from my features. I had smooth, clear skin. I lift my shirt up and observe my stomach. There was a slight change, barely unnoticeable. "I can''t wait to meet you, baby. You''re the best thing in my life. The best gift I''ve ever received." In front of my bedside mirror, I search for my Saint Laurent red lipstick. I find it and apply a very generous amount. Looking at myself in the mirror, I admire myself. I really did have good looks and it was safe to say that I turned myself on, or was it because I was thinking about Luke? I wanted to have sex with my husband, tonight. I felt like it. Having his arms around me, his body on mine, his warmth radiating on my bare skin really did things to my body. ** "The air''s so nice, isn''t it?" Aunt Ruth sighs, inhaling the fresh air. We are strolling beside theke. "Yes, aunt. I feel fresh and it does feel nice," I say, also inhaling the air. "There''s love in the air!" I say, excitedly as I giggle. "I can say, this is the first time I''m seeing youugh. Thank God, my girl! It seems like your married life is going tost for a very long time, Natalie." I pause, "I pray so too, aunt Ruth. I love my husband so much and it would kill me if I got separated from him! I just hope Rocky keeps being mute and leaves us alone for good." "Yes, I agree. For the love of God, Natty, we have to find a way to get rid of that man because he''s nothing but a thorn in your part." "A very dangerous one, aunt. A very dangerous one." CHAPTER 35 CHAPTER 35 It''s almost seven in the evening and aunt and I had gone into the manor. I am on my way to the room to check on Luke because he wasn''t in his study. I''m in the room and I scan the room but I don''t see him around until I hear the shower running. I bite my lips in excitement as I remember my ns for Luke and I earlier this evening. I take off my shoes and tiptoe into the bathroom smiling. My smile disappears in no time as soon as I notice something odd. There was someone else in the shower with Luke. A woman. I slide the door open. "Luke." I state, disgusted at the sight before me. He turns, alert. I can see the confusion on his face. I caress my temples in annoyance as I walk out. I quickly wear my shoes and I can hear Luke shouting at hispanion as he rushes behind me. "Natalie, I swear! I thought it was you, my love, you have to believe me!" He says, holding my arm. I jerk it off as I turn around. I scoff as I see Laurel walking out, wearing my robe. "She''s wearing my robe, Luke. Tell her to take off my robe!" I yell. "Tell this woman to take it off, immediately. That robe belongs to me!" He turns to her, "You heard her. I beg you, take off Natalie''s robe! Leave!" He turns to me, "I thought it was you, I didn''t see her, you have to believe me." Laurel chuckles. "Luke, we both knew she would find out sooner orter. We have to stop pretending now! You wanted this, you told me toe here, Luke!" Laurel yells. Luke looks at her in shock, "Laurel!" He yells. He holds my hands, "She''s lying. She''s lying!" I jerk my hands off, yet again. "Don''t touch me. Get this woman out of this house, right now." I warn him. "I want her out of this house. If she doesn''t leave, I will. After you''ve kicked her out, you and I will have a very long talk!" I say as I storm off. Laurel had done way too much and this was the height of it all. Luke had to choose now. It was either me or Laurel, and I knew he was smart enough to choose correctly. "Jesus, calm down, Natalie. What happened? What''s with all the shouting?" Aunt Ruth asks. "I found Luke and Laurel naked together in the bathroom, aunt!" I yell. "What?" Aunt Ruth and a third party say in unison and I realize that my friend, Lydia is present. "Lydia. I''m sorry, I didn''t see you." I say as I move to hug her. "That woman has gone mad, aunt. She''s gone mad! She wore my robe. I have never felt disgusted in my entire life." I say "So Luke cheated on you? While you were at home too?" Lydia asks "Of course not. He was in the shower and couldn''t see and I''m certain she took advantage of that. I trust my husband,pletely." I say, stating a fact and simultaneously making it clear to Lydia, that my husband was incapable of such. "That girl isn''t an ordinary girl, if I were you, I''d kick her out." Aunt says, just as Laureles running in. She kneels before me, "Please, Natalie, please, I have nowhere else to go!" She begs, trying to hold my hands but I take a step back. "Don''t you dare touch me." I say, just as Lukees in. "I told you to tell this woman to leave, Luke. I''m getting impatient and I''ll be forced to leave if she doesn''t." I say, my arms folded as I look into his eyes. I was definitely angry about the extremelypromising and suspicious position I found them in, but I did trust the fact that Luke didn''t get in there with her intentionally. "Vangos!" Luke calls out and in no less than 30 seconds, a tall, well built manes in. "Yes, sir." He says, more of a statement than a question. "Take Laurel away. Lodge her in a hotel or find her an apartment. You know what to do." Luke commands and I feel extremely relieved to hear those words. "Find one very far away from here. Very, far away." I demand, as I watch her get dragged away. "Shall we?" I say to Luke as Laurel leaves. I give aunt a nod and give a small smile to Lydia. I lead Luke to his study. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ** "I know what you saw was very convincing, but I swear, my love, you have no reason to doubt me." Luke says, attempting to hold me. I shove his hands off as I take a few steps back. "Did you ever believe me when I always warned you about that woman? That''s all I want to know¡ªyes, or no?" His hands drop down in defeat, "I did not touch her intentionally, I thought it was you¡ªI had soap in my eyes, I couldn''t see." "You touched her?" I say, being rightfully dramatic. "How far did you guys go and I find it extremely insulting that you do not recognize my touch, Luke." "We didn''t have sex, if that''s what you''re thinking! It was just a few kisses." He says, his hands in the air as though he wanted me to believe what he was saying. "I do believe you, Luke. I know nothing happened." I sigh. I move closer to him and hold his hands. "We''re a couple, Luke and couples need to trust one another in every situation they find themselves in. I trust you so much now and in return, I hope you give me the same trust if need arises in the future." I say as I hug him. He heavesa sigh of relief, "You don''t know how happy and relieved I feel. I never knew Laurel would turn out like this." He says. "I tried telling you severally but you thought I was lying. She''s no good." I say, as Luke and I share a hug. Finally, Laurel was out of the way. The only obstacle left was Rocky and hopefully, Luke would have a reason to kick him out and cut all ties with him. CHAPTER 36 CHAPTER 36 Nice meeting you again, Mr. Carrington. We met at the Richardson soiree? I''m the Senator''s daughter inw." Lydia says, and I''m beyond shocked. "Daughter inw?" I repeat. "It''s a pleasure. Please, do make yourselffortable here- I know you''re my wife''s close friend." She nods, "Yes, Natalie. It was documents alone. I just had to sign some papers there was no wedding." "But still, you should have told me, Lydia, I mean I would''vee over to you." "Excuse me, Ladies." Luke says before he leaves. I hurriedly drag Lydia to the sofa, so we can sit and discuss. "You have to make sure David doesn''t come here." Is the first thing I can say. I couldn''t risk having David or the senator around, especially when Rocky was still present in the house. Lydia nods, "I know- I came alone, and Ie in peace. I just needed a getaway, Natalie. That''s why I came." She says, giving me a very weird look. I ignore it. "Yes, yes, you''re most definitely wee here anytime but your husband," I say, cing emphasis on the word. I continue, "And, your father inw mustn''te here, at least not while Rocket still lives here. If that ever happens, my marriage is as good as over." I say, but I notice Lydia''s breaking a sweat and I can see she''s not toofortable. "What''s wrong?" I ask. "Look behind you." She says and I pause, a thousand thoughts going through my mind. Someone was behind me and had heard our conversation. "I didn''t see or hear anything." Emmanuelle says as she turns to leave. I am inplete shock, utterly confused as I watch her eyes look at me with disgust and mistrust. "Wait!" I scream as I rush to grab her. "Please, please, no, it''s not what you think. Emmanuele!" She''s breathing heavily, her eyes almost betraying her. She remains quiet. Oh, dear God. What have I done? "Emmanuele, please. . ." I whisper as I sob. "He loves you too much. How could you? In his house!" At this point, I look at Lydia for help because if this continued, Luke would be here in no time. Lydia rushes over and although she doesn''t say a word, her standing beside me was enough moral support. "How much did you hear? Please, just let me exin!" I sob, falling to my knees. "I don''t love that man and I never for once cheated on Luke- that man and I? There''s nothing between us, there will never be anything!" "Yes, you have to believe her. I know it''s the truth, and since you know her too, you should know Natalie would never do something so brazen." Lydia says. Emmanuele jerks her hands off, "Having that man here is enough brazenness already!" She yells. She continues, "I know I''m just a mere cook, a worker¡ªShe says, looking me straight in the eyes. She continues, "But I consider Luke to be my son. He''s my family, and whoever cheats him, I will never support." My sobbing intensifies as I caress my stomach. "You can''t mention a word of this to Luke, please."Lydia begs on my behalf. "No, I won''t." Emmanuelle says, nodding her head. "I won''t break his heart in such a cruel way." She says and my eyes light up as I hear those words. Those words meant the world to me. As I''m about to speak, I''m distracted by the sound of pping. "Wow." I hear, as the voice chuckles. I turn to look and I almost faint as soon as I see Laurel. She chuckles some more, "Wow, it almost felt like I was in a movie!" She says, a gigantic smile in her face. "I asked you to leave. Get out!" I yell. "You did. Luke did. However, I realized I left something valuable to me, I was going to sell it for some cash, but we were already on our way, and since I was thrown out, I remembered about it and rushed back here to pick it up and God really decided to bless me today. I think today''s my lucky day." She mocks, a grin on her face. Bloody hell. . . "What did you hear?" I get up, immediately. Restraining myself from the nasty thoughts coming into my mind. I wanted to strangle her so badly. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. "Oh, I heard it all. Every single bit, and you wanna know the best part?" "Don''t talk to her that way!" I hear Aunt Ruth say. "You heard something, so? As a servant, when you hear or see something, you pretend you didn''t! How dare you?" Aunt Ruth says. Lydia''s holding my hand and I''m still sobbing. "I''ve told you countlessly, old hag. I''m not a servant here. Get that into your thick skull, and your nieces too!" "Laurel!" Emmanuele yells. She rolls her eyes, "I''m going to meet Luke, I''m going to y this so he can hear all about your rendezvous and you know, your special little friend. Is he still here, by the way?" As she walks, I begin to sob again, and Aunt rushes to hold me. "Jesus!" Aunt Ruth gasps and I look up. It''s Rocky, and he''s strangling Laurel. I gasp in shock. "You''ll what?" He says to her & she''s grabbing his hands on her neck. "How dare you speak to Natalie that way, huh?" He asks. I knew he was going too far, but I was d he was keeping her shut. "You won''t say a word, get that?" Rocky continues as she pushes her. She falls on the floor. He turns around, "I want you, yes, but I won''t y dirty. When I get you, I''ll fight like the man I am. I''ll get you myself and I''ll be at peace knowing I wasn''t yourst option, your second choice." He says. "I don''t know if I should hug you or p you at this point, honestly!" Aunt Ruth says. "Just go, Rocky. Go, because you''re the cause of all this. You shouldn''t bother someone you love, that''s not love that''s an obsession you have." Lydia says. I''m still looking at Laurel and I realize she''s been thinking of how to run up the stairs without getting stopped. "Get the phone!" I yell, and immediately she runs up the stairs. Lydia rushes behind her. "It''s over, aunt. It''s over." I sob on her shoulders. "Oh, Natalie. This isn''t the time for passing me around, but I did tell you. It would''ve been much better if you had told your husband the truth earlier." I begin to shed hot tears realizing that aunt Ruth was right, and now, there was no hope. My marriage was over. "Stop crying, Natty." Rocky says. I turn to look at him, disgusted. "Are you satisfied? I told you countless times to leave me alone. Let me be! I told you I was, and am happy with Luke. I''m even carrying his child, but you fell deaf to my pleas, and now, you have the guts to call me ''Natty''? Don''t you dare. Don''t you dare!" He holds my shoulders, "Don''t you see, I''m the only one suitable for you! You still love me!" He says. "You still love me, you just don''t realize it because you''ve been locked up with that bastard for too long!" "Let me go!" I say as I push him away. I give him a p. "Never, ever, touch me again!" I say, and in a second, I begin to hear things getting smashed and Laurel screams. Luke knew. Luke knew, and he wasing for not only Rocky, but myself. I rush to the kitchen and pick a knife. I can hear aunt Ruth calling out my name, panicked. I return to the living room and aunt Ruth screams when she sees me. "Jesus, Natalie, have you gone mad?" I ce the knife on my neck, "Get out of here, Rocky. Go! If you don''t, I''ll slit my throat right here and right now!" "Easy, Natalie, you''re not holding a toy." Rocky says, shocked at my action. "I''ll count to five. I''ll slit my throat on five if you don''t leave!" At this point, aunt Ruth is crying seriously, saying a silent prayer all the while, holding her chest. I wasn''t actually going to kill myself, I just needed Rocky out of there before Luke got downstairs. I could still hear him smashing things. "Get out! What are you waiting for?" Aunt Ruth yells at Rocky and he rushes out. I follow him to the door, ensuring he really did leave the manor. I lock the door, "Aunt. I refuse to leave my home. I refuse to let my marriage shatter. I''ll be damned, before I let Laurel take my husband and my home." Slowly counting my steps, I approach the stairs. I can''t tell if Aunt Ruth''s behind me or not, but for some reason, I feel calm. That is, until I see Lukeing down the stairs. His hair, a mess, and his face, void of emotion. CHAPTER 37 CHAPTER 37 He finally steps down from the stairs and we are face to face. I look away, closing my eyes as soon as I see his red watery eyes. Next thing, I''m being dragged by him up the stairs. I don''t utter a word. He flings me into what I suppose is his room rather violently. I want to scream at him, and remind him that I''m carrying his child in my womb, but I ignore. "I can exin." is the first thing I''m able to say. He begins to shake, as he points his finger at me. "How many times did it happen?" I try moving closer to him, but he barks at me, almost making me tremble. "If you woul¡ªhe interposes, "Shut up!" He continues, "You are so loose, Natalie. You. . . are. . .no less than a prostitute." He says, leaving me stunned and heartbroken. "Lu. . . Lucas." I whisper, unable to control the tears rolling down my eyes. I gasp as he begins to throw things around. "I know it was wrong, I know I should''ve told you the very first time I saw him around us, but¡ª He begins to yell, "But what? You were too busy making a fool of me? Reuniting with your boyfriend behind my back?! Under my roof, Natalie?" I nod profusely, "No, no, nothing ever happened, Luke, I swear! I always told him to leave, believe me, I did, but- "Shut it!" He yells. I kneel on the floor, and I begin to sob. This was what I feared from the beginning. The worst was happening now, and although I knew things weren''t going to end well, a greater part of me still wanted to believe that Luke and I could still settle things. I look at him once more, and my heart shatters into pieces as I realize that he''s crying too. "Was it all a lie? I wondered why you were so quick to fall in love with me, I thought it was strange but I chose to believe you, Natalie!" He says as he punches the door. "Nothing was a lie, everything I said from after I got discharged from the hospital was nothing but the truth!" "Bastard. That''s what you are." He says, but I ignore and I continue, hoping he sees reason with me. "I need you to believe me, just onest time, Luke." I sob, my palms folded. "Please. . ." I beg. "Nothing you say, would ever make me believe you, Natalie. You''re just as terrible as your mother is. No, you''re worse than she is." "I''m nothing like her, I was never after your money!" I say, as I get up, still sobbing. "You let yourself be sold for money. You had a choice, and you agreed to it! Do you know how mad that makes me?" "If I''m a bad person for epting, then you''re just as bad as I am because you brought that dirty deal up in the first ce!" I say, as I wipe my tears away. "I agreed to that disgusting deal you made with my mother just so my father wouldn''t die!" I say, moving closer to him. "You are the evil one here, for taking advantage of a helpless girl for your own sick benefit." "That''s why you decided to bring your lover into my house?!" He roars. "For revenge? Is that it?!" "I didn''t bring him and I swear, I didn''t know anything. I stopped trying to contact him a long time ago. I was just as surprised seeing him in thepany and that''s why I fainted!" I say, holding both his arms. He jerks them off, and in the process, pushes me to the side. "I have your child growing inside of me, why wou¡ª "My child?" He asks and I''m confused. He continues, "You must really think I''m a fool, huh, Natalie? You expect me to believe that thing in your stomach is mine?" He asks, and hot uncontroble tears begin to roll down my face. I put my finger infront of my mouth, silently begging him to stay quiet or say anything further. I didn''t want our baby hearing his father reject him. I didn''t want him saying things he''d regret. "I should have never trusted you from the beginning. You are a terrible woman, Natalie and I regret ever knowing you." He says, tears still falling from his eyes. I cry, "Luke, Luke, this is your baby. This is our baby, how can you? How can you reject him for my mistake?" "You had better pray I don''t find that man, because if I do, I wouldn''t be able to predict what I''ll do to him." "Since I married you, no other man, has touched me, I swear, Luke. Nobody!" "No!" He barks at me again, and I flinch. He continues, "You''re a liar, so I could never believe a word thates out of that filthy mouth of yours!" "If I didn''t let anyone touch me, how did I get pregnant then?!" I yell. "You''re the only one that I''ve had sex with the past couple of months and we tend to do a lot of that, Luke. You can''t reject this baby, because it''s yours!" "You always wanted to run away. You always wanted to leave the manor. You''re free to do so, now." I caress my stomach as I stare in shock. "What do you mean? I don''t want to leave. My ce is here, with you." "One hour. I give you one hour to leave the manor. After an hour if you''re still here, I''ll have security throw you out. Save yourself the embarrassment." He says, and I stand there, numb and confused, trying to process all I''d just heard from Luke. He leaves the room and ms the door behind him. *** "Try to calm him down, aunt. Please, just go to him and try to talk to him." I beg aunt Ruth. I was desperate at this point. I''d never seen Luke cry. His tears made me feel awful and I knew that I''d totally messed things up. N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. "I still can''t believe he asked you to leave, Natalie. Oh, God. This is bad." "Not only did he ask me to leave, he rejected his child too." "What do we do now? We can''t even let your parents, especially your father, find out about this." I nod at her,pletely agreeing with her. I needed to let Luke calm down and try to talk to him again. I had to convince him of my innocence one way or the other. "Calm down, Natalie. Let''s think of a solution for this problem." Lydia says, trying to calm me down as I pace around my bedroom. Aunt had gone to try talking to Luke and it''d been over ten minutes since she left. Those ten minutes felt like eternity. "I wonder what''s going on, it''s too quiet." I say, as I massage my temples, still pacing around the room. "What should I do, Lydia?" Lydia gets up, "Look, I don''t know if you''ve forgotten but you''re responsible for one more life. There''s a child growing inside of you, and this," She gestures to me, "Isn''t going to do you any good. It could harm the baby, so calm down." I begin to sob again, "A baby? A baby that''s innocent and knows nothing of this world that has been rejected by his father while still in my womb?" I wipe my tears. "Luke took it too far by rejecting his child!" I yell as I sit by the edge of the bed, my face buried in my hands. The door opens and I jump to my feet as fast as I can. "What did he say?" I ask. I can see disappointment stered on her face, but I ignore it, wishing whatever she had to say wouldn''t be as disappointing as the look on her face. "Oh, aunt! Speak, please!" "I couldn''t talk to him, forgive me, darling. He didn''t even let me talk, hepletely refused to listen to what I had to say and he told me to leave his house." I close my eyes in defeat. What could I possibly do? "Try talking to him again, Natalie. Remind him of the love he promised you. Remind him of your touch, Natalie. You''re a woman. Use that to your advantage now." Lydia says. It''s a brilliant idea, and I can''t help but thank God for Lydia''s advice. CHAPTER 38 CHAPTER 38 The time Lucas gave me to leave the manor was almost up, but I had onest trick up my sleeve. Wearing my lingerie and night robe, I adjust my ring. I wanted to make Luke remember our bond¡ªwhat we shared, physically, emotionally and sexually. This was the only way I knew how to. I leave my bedroom, with aunt Ruth and Lydia rooting for me. I enter Luke''s room. It was my second time being in his bedroom. I''d never gone there before, because we mainly made use of my bedroom and the study. I was always curious about his room, but never thought to satiate my curiosity. The room is too dark. I can still see, but it is extremely dark. His room is huge, way bigger than mine. The room is almost empty, except for the bed, a few paintings I recognize as Van Gogh''s. There stood a tall library by the far corner of the room. I move there. I don''t have the time to carry out an inspection, I just needed to find Luke. I take out my phone and dial his number, and as I do so, it rings, but he doesn''t pick. I try again, and he doesn''t pick. Luke was a business man, always with his phone, so if he wasn''t taking my calls, it was definitely intentional. I needed to convince him that I had nothing to do with Rocky. I needed to save my marriage. I dial his number again, and he still ignores the call. I dial it again, but this time, it''s unavable. I sigh, as I slowly kneel in defeat. My hand hits something on the shelf and I turn back, as I hear a loud noise. The library had opened up in half, a secret passage. I gasp, as I''d never have imagined there would be a secret passage in the house. I enter inside, and it''s even darker. I can''t see, so I turn on the shlight on my phone. I find the light switch and I turn it on. Suddenly, my heartbeat increases as my heart begins to palpitate. "What the hell is this?" I ask, not expecting an answer from anyone. There are pictures pasted all over the wall, boards and on the desk. I walk closer to the desk and pick up some pictures. They were my pictures. Pictures of myself and my family, but mostly pictures of me. I keep scanning the room as I remember the events behind each pictures. A picture of me eating ice cream on the steps of Dubois C, pictures of me leaving the church,All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. pictures of my mother socializing, pictures of my father, pictures of me hanging out with my friends¡ª why where there so many pictures of me? I go over to a board that''s covered with a cloth. I remove the cloth and instinctively, my left hand goes over my mouth immediately. The board isbeled with ''Targets'', and it had pictures of my parents, pictures of myself and the pictures of a few others I could swear I''d seen sometime back in my home. Our faces were marked with red. I''m unable to control the tears rolling down my eyes as I stare at the board. This was the reason behind the marriage. He nned it all. It was for revenge. It had to be. "No, no!" I wail, another wave of sadness hitting me. I needed an exnation for everything. I had an exnation for everything I''d just seen in my head, but I so badly wanted to give Luke the benefit of doubt. He would give me a more logical exnation if I just asked him. I sprint out of the room and head downstairs. I see Laurel. "Where''s my husband?" I demand. She rolls her eyes at me. "I''ll ask you onest time, where the hell is my husband?!" "If you can''t find him, it means it''s because he doesn''t want to be found. You caused all this, you wicked thing!" CHAPTER 39 CHAPTER 39 Bloody hell! I wanted to give her a befitting reply, but I couldn''t. I needed to get an exnation from Luke first. I open the study, hoping to find him there, but he''s nowhere to be found. I walk back and forth, trying to dial his number again. This time, there''s no service on my phone, and out of frustration, I smash the phone on the floor. Realizing I must''ve scared my poor child, I caress my stomach as I move to pick the phone up. Suddenly, my mind goes back to the day I almost fainted here, in the study. I touch the spot where the phone fell, and I remember that I''d felt something there that day. There was something under the rug, under the floor. I move the rug out of the way, and like I assumed, there was indeed, something under the rug. A hiddenpartment. I open it up and there''s a box inside. I open the box and begin to go through it''s content. Pictures of a family. Pictures of a young girl, probably around age 5 or 6. There''s a few white papers inside and I open them to read. The contents of the paper renders me weak in the knees and makes bile rise to my throat. At this point, I knew I needed no exnation from Luke. Everything I''d seen in the box was enough exnation. I''m seated at the bar, waiting for Luke to return from wherever he was. It was almost midnight. Aunt and Lydia had been up in my room, anxiously waiting for me. Suddenly, I hear footsteps. They arezy footsteps, and I can guess who they belong to. I get up, waiting for him toe closer and say the first word. He does. "What are you still doing here?" He asks. I can smell the strong stench of alcohol oozing from him. I get up, approaching him. "You know, I always wondered why a total stranger would coerce my family into doing his bidding. I hated you for it. I thought you were just wicked and probably taking advantage because somehow, you got control of our estate. You lied through your nose from the very first day." Heughs sadistically, "Isn''t it ironical? A liar using another of lying. You''re pathetic." "No, No. You are pathetic, you''re the pathetic one for lying to my face all this time. If I was terrible for not telling you about Rocky then you''re much much worse, horrible, eve for making me a pawn for your dirty revenge." I chuckle "Are you even human?!" I yell. I wanted to cry, weep and wail, but I couldn''t let this monster see me break. My husband was indeed, a monster. The worst of the worst. "All I did was love you!" He responds "Shut your mouth." I state bitterly, and as though the universe is inline with my anger and pain, it begins to rain heavily just at that moment. "You nned it all. It was all nned, you had it all nned, I know. I know everything now. You targeted me, I was your target, right? I was the weak little prey, right? And I let myself be hunted by you!" I say, and immediately my eyes meet with his, my doubts are all cleared up. The shock on his face confirmed it all, even though I so badly wanted to believe his lies. "All you ever did was torture me, you rapist." I say, as I move closer to him. "I always knew you were a dangerous man, but I didn''t think that you''d be this evil an-and wicked. Even demons spare their own family, but you?" "N¡ªNat¡ªI stop him, pointing my finger at him. "Don''t you dare. Don''t you dare say my name." I warn him, as I begin to cry. I wail heavily, as I realize everything wasing to an end. I hold my stomach as I try to control the feeling of disgust trying to etch itself into my heart. I could never hate my baby, especially not for the mistakes of his father. I fall on the ground, defeated. "Why? Why? Why did it have to be me? I never did anything to you, so why have you ruined my life, Luke?" "How did you get into my room?" He asks. I''mpletely zoned out, crying profusely. My thoughts are scattered, simultaneously thinking of my child, myself and my father. "Natalie!" I hear aunt call for me, panic evident in her voice. She arrives, panting heavily. "Your. . . Father. . ." She says, her face filled with sadness. I get up immediately. "What happened to dad? He mustn''t find out about this." I state, wiping my tears. "Exactly, my girl. He¡ªhe knows already!" She turns to Luke, "Control that wild woman of yours, Luke. Please! She''s caused so much havoc!" I grab aunt''s hand. "Aunt, what happened?" I ask cautiously. "Laurel called home, your father picked the call and that girl blurted our everything to him! He''s unconscious. He had a heart attack, Natalie!" I gasp, shocked. "Oh, no. Oh, no, aunt. It''s all my fault." I weep. I turn to face Luke who''s quiet. I re at him, hoping he can see the usatory look I am giving him. "If anything happens to my father, I will never forgive you and Laurel." "Natalie, please!" He yells, grabbing my hand. "I can exin, it''s all a misunderstanding¡ªwhatever you saw, I didn''t go through with it." He says. I jerk my hand off. "Don''t say another word to me ever again. I have no interest in listening to whatever you have to say. I will never believe you, even if you speak the truth." I say. "Aunt, get your bags. We must go to my father now!" I say to aunt Ruth. As we rush, I pause for a moment. I turn back to face him, "I''ll leave with only the things I came with." I say, as I take off the wedding ring on my finger. I throw it at his feet. "Hopefully, it suits Laurel." *** "Emmanuelle, please have my box ready. I''m in a hurry." I say, as I look around for things I might''ve brought with me. Auntes in. "I''m done packing" she says. "Me too. Please we can''t wait for your car toe fetch us, would order a car?" I ask aunt. She nods, "I already have and he''s here already." "We have to make it home as fast as possible" "What will you say to your father when he wakes up?" "Nothing. Nothing, because there''s nothing to say. Thankfully, I''m not showing yet, so I could tell him I''d be going abroad for my honeymoon" "Of course, you aren''t going, are you?" "I am, alone. I need sometime to process all this and heal from everything, aunt. I''ll have the baby there too. I won''t be gone for long. I''ll let father know I''m pregnant once I leave." Aunt Ruth hugs me, and I couldn''t have asked for a better gesture. I hug her back, intensely. If only aunt Ruth was my mother. I didn''t have a caring mother and aunt Ruth who possessed all the qualities of a great mother was barren. At this point, I understood how unfair life was. "The box is ready, ma''am" Emmanuelle says. We break the hug. "Thank you. For everything" I say to her. She was avoiding eye contact with me. I pick up my box. "You said you could never forgive those who hurt Luke. I can only wonder if you can forgive him for harming others." *** It was about 2 am in the dead of the night and aunt Ruth and I were ready to leave. Reaching the door, I consider asking aunt for a moment, but I decide against. The rain had gotten heavier. "I''ll go first" Aunt says, patting my shoulder for reassurance. I didn''t ask, but she knew I needed a moment alone, a moment alone to bid everything goodbye. I didn''t want to spend one more second around Luke or anything rted to him. I hurriedly rush off, but I halt. I was cold and drenched. I turn around to look at the manor onest and I see him, by the window, watching me leave. I knew he wouldn''t hear what I had to say, but I still took the chance. "You didn''t kick me out, I left. Today will be thest time you''ll every your eyes on me again. You''ll never see your child, because you rejected him." I say, and I finally muster the courage to turn to leave. As of this moment, Luke was dead to me, nothing but fading memory.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. CHAPTER 40 CHAPTER 40 9 YEARS AGO. . . "Why are we running, mommy?"Lily asks, tired. Jack has a frown on his face as he waits for his mother to tell yet another lie. "We''re not running away, sweetie. We''re just moving to somewhere much safer" "Safer? Mom! We didn''t do anything! Why do you and dad keep making us run from ce to ce? Dad''s innocent so shouldn''t have to run or hide!" Jack yells, tired of moving endlessly. "We don''t have another option, son. Please, no arguments, we need to get going and meet up with your father!" Jack gives up, but he''s not satisfied. Anna was young, so she didn''t quite understand what was going on or why they had to run continuously. But as for him, he knew what was going on, at-least, to an extent. Almost a two hour trip, Ava Hugh-Gray and her two children reach their destination. As soon as they get down the bus, she reaches for her burner phone and dials her husband. "The alley? We''ve arrived,e to the door" She says. She directs her children to the dark alley not too far ahead and looks around cautiously, hoping no one had followed them or even worse, watching them. Following a very crooked path in the dark alley, they arrive at their destination. Their new haven. George, Ava''s husband and the children''s father quickly opens the door. They get in and he locks the door. Jack notices the door has several locks. He holds his sisters hand, as he watches his parents caress each other. "Lily" George says, as he picks up his daughter. "Hi, daddy. Ice- ice cream" He chuckles, "You want some ice cream? Dad''s got you some toys, you wanna see them?" He turns to Jack, "Hello, son" "I''m tired of hiding, dad. I told mom. I didn''t want toe here" "Son, you need to understand, your father and I are only doing what''s bes- Jack interjects, "Exactly! Running away isn''t what''s best mom, we didn''t do anything! You''re making us fugitives!" "Jack!" George yells, his voice echoing. "Why don''t we go out for a talk?" *** Both father and son, quiet, walking on the cold streets of London. "I know you didn''t do anything" Jack finally breaks the silence. Jack was very intelligent for his age. His IQ might''ve been between 150-162. "The world doesn''t work that way, son. The guilty don''t get punished and the innocent get punished. There''s no bnce" "Is it because we''re poor?" "Yes" "Well, I''ll make us rich, I promise! I just don''t think we should run away. We can report to the police and tell them to help us" Jack says as he and his father enter an ice cream shop. "The police system is corrupt too, that''s why we can''t trust anyone and we have to keep running until we are able to leave for good" George says, in a very low tone. The walls had ears and he didn''t want anyone hearing a word of what he was saying. "We''re leaving London?" Jack asks, confused. "Yes, son. We leave tomorrow morning, on a ship" "Where are we going to?" "Barbados. Now, easy with the questions. Enough of them. Don''t give your mother a hard time again. Get the ice cream and let''s go to the girls" *** "That''s Lily''s doll!" Jack notices and rushes to pick it. The dolly down on the floor, in the dark alley. Did it drop while they were on their way there? Jack wonders. On the other hand, George is standing, as still as a rock. He didn''t want to have any negative thoughts or believe what his mind was telling him to. He begins to run towards their house for the night. He hoped Lily and his wife, Ava were safe. "Run, Jack!" He yells, still running. "Dad!" Jack yells, running, but confused. George arrives and knocks on the door, Hugh-Gray style. There''s no answer. He knocks again. There''s still no answer. As he knocks the third time, Ava opens the door. He could see that she was worried and he knew something was amiss, but before he could ask, the whole building explodes. Jack stops dead in his tracks, witnessing what had just happened. Lily''s teddy drops from his hand as he watches from afar. The explosion was huge, there was fire everywhere. _________________ My mission was destroying the Richardson''s. Destroying everything they held dearly, taking all their wealth and stealing the happiness they deprived me of. The Richardson''s murdered my entire family. My father, mother, sister- they all died in that explosion. Like Natalie said, everything was nned, well nned. My only goal from that point onwards, was to see the mighty Richardson family fall at my feet and beg for mercy. At certain points, I even had the urge and felt the need to have every one of them killed. I''d have them assassinated and live the rest of my days paying for my sins. I grew up with a heart full of hatred. I felt no love, just hatred, especially during my time in the orphanage. I knew if I wanted revenge on the Richardson''s, I''d have to find a way to escape from the orphanage. 5 years ago.... The kitchen was empty. The Marquis and his subordinates weren''t around either. The other kids were in the home room, studying. This was the time, the perfect opportunity to n my escape. My eyes scan the kitchen looking for a way to distract the guards so they could leave the main gates unattended to. My eyes fall on a lighter. Did I want to do this? What if I put the other kids in danger? I shakily reach for the lighter. I had to think fast. I peep through the window and settle my resolve as I eye the armed guards. Without thinking twice, I set the curtains aze. The fire rm would start ringing shortly, and then I would make my move. ________________________ I escaped. As I had hoped, the gates were left unattended to and that was my chance. I ran as fast as my legs could take me. A few other children were able to escape. I didn''t want to think or believe that a life or lives were lost because of the fire outbreak. I had to do what I had to do. I lived from hand to mouth. Bing a petty thief, stealing from whoever and wherever I could. Everyday, I would wake up and weep over my family, not forgetting their murders. Truthfully, I''d have died long ago. The only thing that kept me alive and going, was my thirst for vengeance and a part of me, hates me for failing to do what I vowed to do. I failed my family. I betrayed them, by falling in love with the enemy. I truly despised Natalie. I did. I made her believe I loved her. I nned the kidnap with Bart- a nned act, so I woulde rescue her and she would ultimately fall for me. As predicted, she did. She always followed my ns, unknowingly. Honestly, I had no idea of when I started falling for her, but I knew I loved her even much more than she loved me, when I realized she was having my child. I had to put a hold on all my ns. It broke me seeing her she''d tears when her parents were evicted from their home. I was behind too. I had so much nned for the Richardson''s, but I just couldn''t push through with them. When she confronted me about the whole thing, I desperately wanted to beg her on bended knees, ask for her forgiveness. I didn''t want her to leave me, but the anger, bitterness and jealousy in me all came rushing back. I realized my love for her because I thought I was finally going to have a family again. I thought she was carrying my baby. I felt hatred, abundant hatred for not only her family, but Natalie too. Now, there was nothing stopping me from destroying that family, including Natalie. Two monthster... Dressed in an all ck ensemble and a ck head, I exit the airport, heading for the car Aunt Ruth had sent for me. I was 5 months pregnant, and my baby bump was already visible. My stomach was huge, and I wondered if I was having twins, even though I already knew I was having just a baby. The chauffeur opens the door for me, and as soon as I enter, hot tears begin to roll down my cheeks. I was back in London, and I wasn''t back for anything positive. I had left London for Australia after seeing and spending time with my father. I left for Australia a few days after he was discharged from the hospital. The doctors said he would recover from the shock, they said his heart would heal. I believed them, hoping to return to London after I''d had my baby, bringing him home to his grandfather. Sadly, that wasn''t possible anymore. My father had passed on, and it hurt like crazy. I thought I would lose my mind after Aunt Ruth gave the news to me over the phone. I wept. I cried. I didn''t eat. I cried, again and again and again. I tried to be strong for the baby, but I couldn''t. I had no willpower anymore- I just wanted to die too. I was too heartbroken. I''d lost my husband, my marriage and most importantly, my father. What I else did I have left? The cares to a halt and I try to hold my emotions together as I alight the vehicle. A flock of people dressed in ck filled the entrance of the church, but as I walk, they all make way for me, and I was thankful for that, because if I stopped at any point, I would break downpletely. I enter the church, and although I don''t pay attention to the crowd, I can feel all eyes on me. I ignore the stares, and make my way to the casket. I ce my rose on it. I caress his photo, "I wanted to tell you that I was pregnant, dad." I say, as I begin to sob. "I wanted my baby to call you grandpa, I wanted him to meet you. Why, daddy, why?" Iment, holding on to his casket. The casket was closed, so I couldn''t see his face. My sobbing intensifies and I''m trying my best to hold back, but I can''t. Suddenly, I feel a familiar touch. "My love," Aunt Ruth holds me and I bury my head in her shoulders. "Why did he have to go now? Why couldn''t he stay for me, for the baby? Is it because I didn''t tell him? Aunt is this my fault?" "No, no, Natalie, never ever say that. It was his time to go. Francis was happy, and I''m sure wherever he is, he''s happier and at peace." "This is all my fault, because Laurel made that call, all this happened because of me, aunty!" "You''re causing a scene, Natalie. Keep it down." I hear and it''s no surprise such words areing from my mother. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. "You might not feel pain or grief for dad, but I do. Do not tell me to be quiet, mother. I wonder if you ever loved my father. You don''t even look sad or bothered." I say, as I gesture to her appearance. She had so much jewelry on, excessive makeup and her eyes were bright. It was disappointing. Did this woman even shed a tear? "Now''s not the time to speak rudely to me, Natalie. There are cameras around, behave like thedy you are, for God''s sake!" I hold my stomach and take a deep breath. I was beginning to feel nauseous. "Aunt, I''d like to sit, please". CHAPTER 41 CHAPTER 41 The funeral service hade to an end and his body had been taken for cremation. I refused to go. I didn''t want to see my father that way. I didn''t want to have such awful memories. I wanted to remember him as the strong, courageous man he was even though he had his ws. He wasn''t perfect. He had his ws- many ws, but all in all, he was a good man and a wonderful father. I was lodged in a hotel, refusing to live with my mother or move in with Aunt Ruth. I needed my personal space and some time off. I needed to think ande up with a n for my unborn child. I tried so hard to block out thoughts about Luke, but I just couldn''t help it. A part of me still loved him and wanted to mend our rtionship, but a greater part of me hated him and wanted him to pay dearly for everything he''d done to my family. After I''d been informed about dad''s passing, not only did I realize that it was as a result of my choices alongside mom''s choices, but also, dad''s death was a result of everything orchestrated by Luke. Dad''s illness began as a result of excessive thinking, excessive thinking which came from theck of funds. There were too much expenses on him, and he had no money to cater to it all. The hospital bills became a problem too. Lucas kept stealing our wealth, setting us up and destroying our businesses and image. It was all him. I lost my father because of one single mistake I made; marrying Luke. I couldn''t just let my dad''s death slide. I was in too much pain knowing that Luke and Laurel caused the whole thing. His death wasn''t natural, it was a man made cmity. **** 3 monthster. "Judge Lahey will see you now, Mrs. Carrington." The secretary says, as she shows me the way to Judge Lahey''s office. Thankfully, I still held some amount of influence being a Richardson, and also the wife of the famous trillionaire, Lucas Carrington. "Good morning, Mrs. Carrington, please."The Judge says, gesturing to the chair. "Judge Lahey, good morning to you too." "Would you like a cup of coffee? Juice? Tetley tea?" "No, please." I say, as I take off my shades. "I''d like to get straight to the point, please." "Very well. How may I assist you?" The judge asks. "I want an annulment. I want a divorce from my husband and I would like to request for half of everything he owns. I want it filed today, not a dayter." I say, my heart throbbing at the words leaving my mouth. The judge''s mouth is agape. I wondered why he was so surprised, but I didn''t care enough to ask. "Are you sure you weren''t made to sign a pre-nuptial?" He asks. "Not that I remember. I wasn''t." I respond. If I could remember correctly, on the day of our wedding, I did sign some documents, but not a pre-nuptial document. "I didn''t sign one. Now, can you make this happen, Judge Lahey? I''ming to you directly and not an attorney because, I could make things much much better for you, you know? Mutual benefits? I know you can make this happen." He coughs, "Your husband is a very powerful man, Mrs. Carrington. I don''t think it''s a good idea, crossing paths with him." "Then request for 60% of what he owns. I''ll give you seven percent of his assets when I get them. I''m carrying his child, surely, you can make that much happen?" I say, as I m my fists on the table. I rejoice internally as soon as I see his eyes brighten up as soon as I mention the seven percent he''d be getting. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. "Is there a reason why you want to divorce your husband?" "Irreconcble differences. Need I say more? Enlighten me. I''ll say anything, as long as I get what I want." The judge looks at me for a minute, then gives a big grin. Just like that, he was in. Money really was powerful. I didn''t understand the value of money until this very moment. "Your wish, is mymand." He says, and I see myself out. As I walk out of the building, knowing that there was noing back from the decision I''d just made, I begin to cry. Tears of pain, agony, sadness and anger. This was the only way I could find peace. The only way I could bnce the scores between myself, Luke and Laurel. They needed to pay for my father''s life and although, I''ve always been a frequent to church, and I''d learned that we were supposed to leave all punishment to God. However, this case was different. A life was lost in this sick game of revenge Luke started and I would be the one to punish him and end his wicked game of vengeance. The tables had turned now. I wasn''t the prey anymore. I was the hunter and Lucas, alongside Laurel would be my prey. Honnnnnnnnk! Is thest thing I hear, before I''m thrown into the air. I can perceive the metallic smell of blood and also feel it dripping on different parts of my body. "Dad?" Is thest thing I call out, before I''m swallowed by darkness. THE END The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!