Ethan proceeded, "I likewise have my explanations behind needing to help your family. It's not just about the fight. There are things I can't talk about at the moment, yet I promise that I will do everything possible to make this marriage work."I gestured, my brain actually dashing with vulnerability. "I trust you're coming clean, Ethan. My family's future, and my sibling's life, rely on this."He connected and grasped my hand, his hold firm and consoling. "Elah, I realize this is a tough decision for you, however I guarantee that I will constantly be there for you."I was unable to deny the sincerity in his eyes, and a little good omen mixed inside me. Perhaps, quite possibly, this marriage could end up being more than I had thought.As we remained there in the twilight garden, I understood that my life had veered off in a strange direction, and the way forward was as yet unsure. Yet, not entirely set in stone to make the best of the circumstance, for my family and the future that
He took a step closer, his fingers gently following the curve of my face. "This evening, I want to make you to feel loved Elah. Allow me have a good time with you."As he inclined in to kiss me, I really wanted to feel a feeling of weakness. It was my most memorable time being here, with basically a more odd man, and the fear gripped me.However, as his lips met mine, the room entryway opened up with an abruptness that shocked us both. We pulled off immediately, and my cheeks flushed with shame as a lady walked into the room.She was strikingly beautiful, with long, streaming hair and a quality of certainty that left me feeling inferior in her presence. She took a closer look at us with a knowing grin, her look moving from Ethan to me."Am I intruding on something?" she asked, her tone trickling with mockery.Ethan got it together rapidly, his demeanor turning somewhat stressed. "No, Isabella. This is Elah, my wife. What is it you want?"Isabella's eyebrows shot up in shock, as she di
Disappointed, I got back to the dinning room, my cravings gone. As I stayed there, I contemplated whether I had committed a horrendous error marrying Ethan.Marrying Ethan had been a frantic move to get my family out of poverty and debts, yet the expense was turning out to be horrendously clear. My freedom and independence had been forfeited, and I was currently a prisoner in Ethan's hands.I realize that I would need to figure out how to explore this new life, to stand up for myself and make the best of the circumstances for the good of my loved ones. Yet, as I checked out the huge mansion, I was unable to get away from the inclination that I was in a tight spot, and that the journey ahead would be full of difficulties I would never have envisioned."Nima, could you please clear the table. I'm down for the day." I said to Nima who Ethan had positioned to take care of all my needs."But, ma'am, you haven't had anything.""I can't eat any longer, meet me in my room when you're done."
His body scent, and how he mounted on me made me look forward to spending a romantic night with him. Just then, he turned his gaze to me, and murmured. "Are you okay? Are you enjoying it?"At first I didn't want to respond, I never wanted him to know I was beginning to appreciate intercourse with him. But I couldn't stop it anymore, I was out of this world already. Then I murmured,"Y…yeah, I am." I was unable to believe I was beginning to like sex with Ethan.We relished our time without restriction and to be truthful, Ethan is as magnificent as everything you can think.What occurred last night stunned me. I kept thinking back to the incredible evening with Ethan as I slept off in my bed. He was undeniably attractive and capable of making me forget my troubles. However, as I sat alone in his chamber, I found myself wishing that the situation had never arisen. I was so overcome with emotion that the only way to endure was to slip out of the room after he had slept off.Upon enteri
"Elah, I am sorry about what happened earlier." He said. "My father can be a little grueling. But please do not take it to heart." I wanted to trust him, but the way his father had goggled at me still tortured me."Ethan, there must be a cause for his reaction. You can talk to me. We are in this together, right?" Ethan broke, and sighed."I'll explain everything, I promise. But for now, I need to make sure he is comfortable. He may be unanticipated, and I do not want any misconstructions."I jounced, feeling a combination of interest and anxiety."Alright, Ethan. I trust you. Just promise me that you will speak to me about it when you can." Ethan seized my hand and gripped it gently. "I promise, Elah. For now, let's enjoy the time we have till he leaves. hereafter, he will be gone, and we can enjoy some quiet time." "But you never mentioned you have a father, not even before we got married. He was not even at our wedding?" "Elah, this isn't the best time to talk about this. Th
The corridor outside Ethan's room sounded chilly and unwelcoming. My solicitude continued to mount, and I kept forging on the door, hoping he'd answer it and tell me everything was okay. But the stillness from outside was blaring. Suddenly, the door to Ethan's room cracked. My heart soared with relief, and I anticipated seeing Ethan's face. But rather, it was Nima, my butler, who came. "Ma'am, are you okay?" Nima asked with solicitude. I sniffled, trying to recover my countenance."I don't know, Nima. I heard them fighting, and also Ethan ran after his father. I have been knocking, but he will not open the door." Nima's eyes betrayed her fear as she peered towards the locked door. "Let me try," she said. She tapped smoothly and called out to Ethan,"Mr. Ethan, it's Nima. Can you kindly open the door?" There was still no response. My uneasiness boosted, and I could see the same concern reflected in Nima's face. Nima turned back to me and said,"Ma'am, I believe we should give
"Dad, I didn't come because I wanted you to apologize to me. I have forgiven you." Tears dropped down my cheek. The hug was full of love and comfort. At that moment, I pondered not returning to Ethan's home, but I knew I couldn't break the agreement we'd made, and my father understood that too."How have you been holding up?""Dad, it hasn't been easy, especially now that Ethan's father just returned." I looked up at my Dad and immediately noticed the change in his expression. "Is anything the problem?"He sighed, trying to hide his expression. "How's Ethan?""Dad, what's the problem? I actually came here because of Ethan's father."He leaned forward in his seat and asked, "Did he do or say anything to you?""Not really, but I think he isn't accepting me as Ethan's wife yet." "Is there something you think he knows about us?" "Uhmm. No, I mean, we aren't that famous or wealthy like them, so what could we possibly do to get his attention." He said."I really don't get why he'd beha
"I would like to be alone please. And make sure you take care of yourself?""Yes ma'am." The night that followed was a sleepless one. I couldn't fathom the sudden shift in Ethan's conduct, and my anxiety for Nima weighed hard on my thoughts. I was so eager to know what his Father had against me. There were too many questions, and I badly wanted answers.I picked up my phone and called Thomas, we had exchanged numbers on the night of the business summit without Ethan's knowledge. "Hey Elah!" "Thomas, please I need to ask you something very important?" "Wo…wo. Are you okay?""I don't have much time but do you in any way know who Ethan's father is?""Yeah, I mean we're best friends so I…""I know, I mean what do you think about him? Is he a bad person or…?"Nah, but, I mean it depends on your relationship with him of course. But wait, why all these questions?""Alright, thanks." I said and hung up the call. In the middle of the uncertainty and dread, my drive to seek the truth beca
He held out Thomas' diary, his eyes contending.“Elah, I read this. I discovered the truth, the whole truth. Thomas manipulated everything. I believed the lies he said about you, and I am so sorry.” I took the diary, flipping through its pages. The lies goggled back at me, the crooked web of dishonesty, the treason, and the woeful words of distrust. “How could you believe these, I never once made you doubt my loyalty to you even as your contracted wife, Ethan.” “I know Elah, I allowed my jealousy to get the better side of me.” “Ethan, how do I know this is not just another of your games?” I asked, skeptical. He shook his head, despair in his eyes.“I lost everything, Elah. I lost you. I lost myself. I can not change the past, but I want to make amends.” “If I was joking, I wouldn't be here kneeling in public and telling you how much I want you Elah. You have shown me what true love really is. I had not experienced the kind of love you showed me during those times we were to
I took a deep breath, turning down from the window and walking into his ward. The discomfort in my stomach grew with each step I took towards David's bedside. His eyes met mine, and he shouted causing him to burst into tears. I wished I could shield him from the pain that awaited.But the truth had a cruel way of revealing itself anyways. “Why did you leave me Elah, I thought you and Dad abandoned me?” David wept bitterly as he spoke.“I would never leave you David. I am so sorry, please forgive me?”“Where's Daddy, why isn't he here? Is he tired of my illness?”. I wept profusely.I knew I needed to let him know and so I gathered all the strength I needed to talk and said, “David,” I began, my voice catching in my throat.“We need to talk.” He mustered a weak smile, his pale face contorted in a blend of expectation and fear.“What is it, Elah? Talk to me, where is Daddy?” I took a seat beside him, holding his hand in mine. The weight of the words I was about to utter felt like
Immediately Prisca and Anna burst into tears, causing me to weep also.Mr. Joe with a teary-eyed reply, “Elah, we will not abandon you. We will find a way, I promise.” With a forced smile I said, “You've done enough, Mr. Joe. Please, take care of David and let him know I love him.” As they left the station, their steps faded, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I could not bear the thought of dragging them into my web despair. The tears that welled up in my eyes betrayed the strength I had tried so hard to maintain. The battle for justice had taken an unanticipated turn, leaving me to grapple with the consequences of my acts. The air in the courtroom was thick with pressure as we waited for the Judge to deliver the verdict on my case.Mr. Joe, the twins, Gabriel, and I stood there, a dimmed tableau of anxiety. Lima, my colleague from Ethan's company, was also present, but her countenance was different from the rest of us. She seems to carry a heavy burden, her eyes swolle
“Your Honor, these documents detail the elaborate scheme orchestrated by Mr. Jakes. From the falsification of Ethan’s death to that of my parents. This evidence is genuine.” The court registrar asserted a strong resoluteness in his look. The Judge, in his authority, gazed at Mr. Jakes.“Mr. Jakes, do you have anything to say in your defense?” Mr. Jakes stammered, putatively caught off guard by the weight of the evidence presented against him.“This is absurd! I have done nothing of this kind. Those documents are fabricated, Your Honor.” Ethan was ready for this. With a calm address, he turned to the judge.“Your Honor, I expected this response. That is why I've brought more evidence and also used myself as one to support my claims.” Ethan unbuttoned his shirt and showed the Judge exactly where Mr. Jakes shot at him the night he killed my father. A series of witnesses were called to the stage, each attesting to the shady dealings and manipulative tactics employed by Mr. Jake
I ran like I never did before, fueled by a blend of fear, determination, and the burning desire to reunite with Ethan. I immediately made my way to Mr. Joe's sister's house to change my clothes, gather my things, and restrategize before facing the challenges that lay ahead. The familiar scent of the house offered a evanescent respite, and with a quick change and a heist of my bag, I was ready to leave for Mr. Joe's place before the search for me began.As soon as I arrived at the hospital where Ethan was, relief washed over me like a gentle drift. To my surprise, Ethan was awake. The joy that swelled within me was overwhelming, and I could not stay to embrace him, to hold him in my arms after what felt like an eternity. With the documents in hand, I eagerly handed them over to Mr. Joe, our silent passing understanding to each other. The fact that Ethan was conscious and on the path to recovery overshadowed every fear and consequences of my act.After all, I wouldn't stay in
"This is a blow, Elah. But we can not give up. We will find a way. We always do, “he assured, though the weight of the situation lingered in his tone. Seven months had passed since Ethan fell into a coma, and the lack of progress in his condition counted heavily on my spirit. The little income from my cleaning job slightly covered his bills. Mr. Jakes's hatred for me remained unvarying, and Thomas's incuriosity persisted. The following day, as I diligently went about my cleaning duties, the unanticipated sight of Thomas standing before me jolted me out of place.James called me to his desk and said, “Elah, I need you to take over the cleaning of Mr. Jake's office for this week.” My eyes widened as I looked at him.“I understand you don't want to face what happened the last time but you are the only person that can do this.”“What about Lima, she has been the one handling his office even before I came here to work.”“Lima is sick. And she has been admitted to the hospital
Without a second thought, she locked herself inside, seeking consolation from whatever had happened within the confines of Thomas's office. The sound of her muffled heartbreaks echoed through the whole room, creating an atmosphere of pressure. I dithered for a moment, torn between esteeming her buried body and offering a comforting presence. The weight of the knowledge that I carried, the scene that occurred behind the doors of Mr. Jakes and Thomas’ office, prompted me to take action. Swallowing my apprehension, I gently knocked on the door. “Lima, it's me, Elah. Can I come in? I just want to make sure you are okay,” I said calmly. For a brief moment, there was silence on the other side. With a loud shriek, Lima spoke, her voice cracking with the weight of her feelings.“Leave me alone, Elah. I do not need your pity or help.” I ignored her words and stepped forward, leaning against the bathroom door. The seconds ticked by as Lima wept in solitariness. I could not shake
Prisca, always the open one, raised their collaborative sentiment, “A cleanser? Why not a better job, Elah? Did you not finish your education?” I sighed, realizing that explaining the complications of my life was no simple task.“It's a long story, girls. But trust me, there is a reason for everything. You will understand soon.” Despite their original reservations, the twins mustered a semblance of enthusiasm for my job. Gabriel, always the probative family son, decided to lighten the mood by promising me a makeover. His plan was to disguise my identity, icing that no one recognized me while I navigated my plan. The night passed, a mixture of happiness and expectation. Gabriel worked his magic, transforming my appearance to ensure that I blended seamlessly into a different person entirely.The morning sun brought with it a new morning, and I felt a swell of determination as I prepared for my first day on the job. Arriving at the office beforehand, I met James, who wasted
“I will.” As James walked down, I felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. The first step into Ethan's company had proven more grueling than I expected, but I was determined to navigate the complications ahead. The hassle with Stella served as a stark memorial that the path to justice was full with challenges, and Elah, fueled by determination.I decided to take a walk around the company, feeding my eyes and taking memories of each part of the company. As soon as I got tired I decided to go to the hospital where David was. I knew it was not going to be possible to see him but I just wanted to see how he was faring. So I left the company and boarded a taxi.Firstly I sat in a coffee shop not far from the hospital thinking of how I was going to break the news of father's death to David.I didn't know I had stayed at the coffee shop for hours thinking.I shook myself off and left for the hospital.The evening sky cast a soft gleam as I arrived, my heart heavy with the weight of the