Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

“Thank you,” Jane said shyly, and sullenly as they got to the door of her room.

“It's nothing,” he said firmly. “You've said more thank you's than you've actually had a normal conversation with me,” he pointed out.

A smile tugged at her lips. But it was a dry, sad and lonely one. 

“Go on ahead, get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow,” Caleb said. “Goodnight.”

She opened her mouth to speak but closed it the moment she saw him walking down but his aura lingered. She slowly turned away and swiped her card. 

The moment she was in her room, she kicked off her shoes and threw herself on the bed, wondering how people who cut you deeply when you weren't watching were the same ones who treated your wounds. Because they knew just how to break you and fix you.

As she took off her clothes, a part of her wished she could be in her fathers arms now and sob in his chest and tell him he was right. She wished she had listened to him back then but the damage had been done. And there is nothing she could do about it. For she is nothing but a fugitive to her father. 

***

The courthouse buzzed with the hushed murmurs of busy clerks and the shuffling footsteps of anxious visitors. Jane stood at the entrance, her heart a mix of conflicting emotions. She wore a simple yet elegant navy dress that hugged her form, paired with sensible heels. Her hair was neatly styled, and she had applied minimal makeup, just enough to enhance her natural beauty. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. This was just a planned marriage, a means to an end. She had to remind herself of that.

Beside her, Caleb looked reassuringly calm, his presence was like a steady anchor in the storm of her mind. "You ready?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Jane nodded, though her hands trembled slightly. They walked together to the clerk's office, where the marriage certificate awaited. Jane hesitated before signing, the weight of the divorce papers she had signed earlier still fresh in her mind. She had once loved Marcus deeply, and believed in their future together. But the betrayal—the sting of finding him with her cousin Abby—was a wound that had yet to fully heal.

As she signed the papers, she thought of Marcus's lies and infidelity. The memory fueled her resolve, and she felt a flood of relief as she finished her signature. She was free from him, legally and emotionally. She was ready to take the next step in her plan.

With the marriage certificate in hand, Caleb led Jane to his car. "Ready to meet my family?" he asked, fully composed as he watched her.

Jane looked at him through her lashes, taken aback by his statement. “Your parents?”

“Yes, my mother and my sister. You'd have to meet them of course. It'll be real to them but it's only between us that this is planned.”

Jane's heart pounded but she tried to maintain composure. “Yeah, that's alright. I'd like to meet them.”

"My mom is not always so welcoming... So, don't mind her whatever she does" Caleb muttered, hoping that came out less awkward. 

Jane smiled awkwardly and nodded. "Of course, I can handle myself' 

He nodded as they walked out of the court, straight to his car while Jane was thinking of what he had said. But she was determined to get her revenge, a cranky mother-in-law wouldn't be bad to handle as long as she gets her revenge. 

*.*

"Mother..." Caleb stretched out his hands immediately he stepped into the living room.

"Oh my dear boy" she walked and hugged him, then kissed his cheeks.

While mother and son greeted each other, Jane stood at a corner, looking around the big mansion while she tried to sink in the surrounding and it's elegance. 

"Where's Lilian?" He mumbled when he didn't see his kid sister around. 

"Oh, she's out to visit friends. However__" his mom grinned and turned to look at the lady she was with. 

"I and Stella were just talking about you." His mom motioned to Stella who walked up to them.

Caleb's countenance immediately changed at the sight of Stella who was smiling at him. 

"Hi, Caleb" Stella said, looking deep into his eyes.

His lips slightly parted while he clenched his fists. He opened his mouth to say something but was overwhelmed while Stella continued to stare at him. She was quite perplexed that she still had so much influence on him after everything that happened. 

"I've missed you, really" she moved to him and touched his face while drops of sweats fell down his face. Jane was busy watching in surprise, not knowing what was going on or who the strange girl is. 

Slowly, she grabbed her hand, while she was looking straight into his eyes, enjoying the effect she had on him. Then slowly, he dropped her hands from his cheek and breathed out in anger. He gulped hard and finally found his breath to speak. 

"I'm surprised you still have the guts to show your face here again, Stella" he stated in irritation. Meanwhile, Jane was just standing at a corner, almost completely forgotten. 

"Honey__" she began to speak but he stepped away from her, feeling restless then he turned to face his mother. 

"Come on son, don't say that! Stella is a good person and just one mistake shouldn't make you cancel her" His mom blurted out. 

His mind suddenly drifted to Jane and he felt it was the perfect time to show her off. At least, to let Stella know he's over her and had moved on. 

"That reminds me, I wanted to introduce you to my wife. We got married today!" Then be turned to motion at Jane who gave a weak smile. 

That was when his mom and Stella took notice of Jane who had been standing like a log of wood at her corner. Stella eyes widened in shock as she took in Jane's presence and appearance. Then she clenched her fists and twitched her lips, forcing saliva down her throat and with jealousy and anger written over her face. Caleb was loving the mood he was seeing Stella and he felt triumphant. 

"Please come" he added. Jane felt the piercing gazes of Stella and Caleb's mom scrutinising her. She finally walked and stood next to Caleb who held a big smile and was caressing her shoulder while he pulled her close to him.

Jane was surprised at Caleb's acting skill and hope that her over sweating wasn't giving her away. 

"Hello, mom" Jane didn't know if she what to address her as. But she knew if they were going to make it look real, then she had to address her as mom.

Caleb's mom took her time, staring at Jane as a frown of disapproval and at that point, Jane could tell the mother hated her. However, she had been warned before hand, so she wasn't feeling too bad. 

"And where did you get her from?"

"Mother, does that matter? You've always wanted me to get married. And I've brought home a wife, so what else do you want?"

"Yes, I know I've always wanted that. But it's Stella I want! Not some girl that's after your money" her mom blurted out. 

"Oh, mom please. This is not a thing of debate. I've brought home a wife as you wanted and that's all that matters. And the company would be mine too as you have also wanted" he paused and looked at Stella with disgust then turned to his mom again. 

"And Jane is not after my money." He paused and turned to look at Stella. 

"We are in love with each other" he added before turning to gaze at his mom's sullen face "And there's nothing you can do about it, Jane is my wife."

His mom held a sullen smile on her lips, then she stepped toward Jane. He looked from her head to toe and squeezed her face with disapproval. 

"Jane, it is?"

"Yes, mother" she replied gently.

"It's Rose. Call me Rose. I'm not your mother" his mom replied. 

"Understood, Rose" she replied, bluntly. 

"Let's have dinner together. So you'd be meeting the entire family" she still had that stern look on her face. 

"Of course" Jane nodded. 

Caleb held her arm and nodded at his mom. "We'll take our leave now. Send my love to Lilian " they started walking away while his mom and Stella watched them leave. 

Jane had a lot of questions running through her head about Rose's reception and Stella's presence, but she kept mute. It wasn't her business, after all, this was a marriage of convenience. But that irk was still biting her to ask questions. But she felt now wasn't the time. 

"What are we going to do now? He's married! Does that mean I've lost him?" Stella said in panic, pacing up and down the room restlessly. 

"Of course not. You just leave everything to me. Jane or whatever she calls herself would leave! I'll make sure of that. I can sense she's a gold digger and I wouldn't want some cheap girl to enjoy everything my son has built!" She sneered while Stella stopped pacing for a while and heaved a sigh of relief.