"Get out!"
Jane winces in pain, her hair forcefully tugged. She never expected that hand to grip her hair so roughly. "Austin... it hurts. Please, let go."
"How many times do I have to say it, Jane? Get out of this house."
Jane receives a shove, almost hitting the edge of the table. Luckily, her husband Austin didn’t push too hard. Yet her head throbs in pain. She feels like her hair is coming loose from the roots, maybe even left in Austin's tight, clenched fist, as if he's ready to strike her.
Jane shivers in fear but tries to maintain a smile. She doesn't care about the cake she just finished making to welcome her husband home. Jane thought there might be a little care this year in Don Austin William's heart, the man who still technically is her husband. In the past few months, Austin's emotions haven't been as evident as usual.
That's why Jane dared to hope that maybe, just maybe, Austin had changed.
"My tolerance limit has been reached, Jane!" Austin glares fiercely and mercilessly at his petite wife. He doesn’t care about the fear Jane displays in her eyes. He's sick of having this woman as his wife.
This ridiculous marriage has to end today. What reason does he have to keep Jane? None. The main instigator, Charles Don William, his father, breathed his last a month ago. The man Austin looked up to succumbed to cancer that had been gnawing at him for a long time. If it weren't for his father's request, Austin wouldn't have bothered to accept Jane as his wife.
"Maria!" Austin's voice thunders like lightning, causing the pillars of the opulent white and gold-themed house to tremble with his ferocity. Maria, a middle-aged woman who serves as the head maid in this house, hurries over, trembling in fear, her eyes glancing sadly at the woman cowering under the table. She wants desperately to help the gentle-hearted woman, but her fear of the man before her outweighs it all. He could be the most terrifying man she's ever encountered.
"Y-yes, Sir." Maria quickly bows, afraid of further provoking her enraged master. Though her eyes glance pleadingly at the woman curled up under the table, wanting desperately to assist her, her fear of the master surpasses her empathy.
"Get rid of this woman's clothes! I don't want to see her lingering around here."
"Austin," Jane immediately acts, attempting to reach for her husband's leg. "Please, don't kick me out. I... I apologize if I've wronged you. I'm willing to accept your punishment, Austin. Please... don't kick me out."
Austin doesn't care. He swiftly shakes off the hands that touched his legs. Then, with a forceful kick, he strikes the woman's arm. His eyes look down on her disdainfully as he says, "Your mistake has plagued my life, Jane. How foolish of you to accept my father's offer five years ago." He reaffirms his position with the woman who is still technically his wife.
Ah... not even twenty-four hours, and their status will certainly change. Money can expedite things, especially when it comes to divorce papers. He's been waiting a long time for the moment to divorce Jane. If it weren't for his father and mother's affection for the woman pleading before him, Austin wouldn't have allowed Jane a chance to step into this house.
Especially being a part of the Don William family.
"Never dream of being part of my life, Jane," Austin grips Jane's cheek with emphasis. Up close, Austin admits Jane has a pretty face. But Austin's the loyal type. There's only one person he loves in this world aside from his mother.
"There's only one person who will be Mrs. Don William, Jane. And it's not you. It's Calysta Abraham. You should've known that."
Jane's eyes well up. She's heard harsh, hurtful words from Austin so many times. Unfortunately, Jane always finds a way to rationalize it. She believes love will come into Austin's heart as time passes. Even when Austin openly cheats on her, Jane forgives. She's confident that someday Austin will come back to her embrace.
"Before my patience runs out, Jane, leave." Austin releases his grip on Jane's cheek. There's no mercy in his heart even as Jane sheds tears. He's seen Jane cry many times because of his words and actions.
Does he care? Not at all.
He won't forgive the girl who casually takes advantage of her parents' kindness just for status and a comfortable life filled with wealth. Pretending to be a noble and gentle figure just to catch her parents' attention. Also acting like a devoted child; caring for her father during chemotherapy until his passing.
Nope.
Austin isn't touched at all by any of Jane's actions in this house. His heart's cold and can only gaze at one woman; his lover and the apple of his eye. The one he'll make the lady of this house once Jane is gone.
"Give me three days to pack, Austin," Jane tries to stand up, wiping away the tears that won't stop flowing. "Please."
Austin firmly shuts his eyes, sighs deeply, a thunderous sound in his chest before speaking emphatically. His index finger is right at the tip of Jane's nose. Austin realizes Jane is immediately petrified by his behavior.
"One day, Jane. I don't want to see you here any longer."
Austin just stands there, watching every faltering step of the woman who is still technically his wife. There's no intention to apologize from him. In Austin's eyes, Jane is a jinxed woman. This bad luck has been going on for five long years. He's trapped in the marriage he's never wanted.If it weren't for respect and his father's wish, Austin wouldn't have stood at the altar and uttered their marriage vows."Damn it," Austin mutters with his fists clenched. "Why bring up the past at a time like this?" He takes a deep breath, trying to regain control. "Maria," he calls out afterward."Yes, Sir." Maria hasn't moved from where she was. If Austin's angry, almost all the servants in this three-story house freeze. She wants to run and help the Mistress, but her fear of facing Austin's wrath is too great."Has my mother had dinner and taken her medication?""She has, Sir."Austin nods slowly. "Never let your guard down when watching over my mother, Maria.""Yes, Sir."He strides away from
Jane stands right in front of the door with a golden handle. The polished wood is beautifully carved, signifying its luxury and deserving place alongside many pieces of furniture around it. Who doesn't know the renowned Don William family? The famous furniture entrepreneurs throughout SunCity. Their products penetrate the global market, often sold out within an hour after launching their samples online. The company thrives even more under the reign of Don Austin William. Their business tentacles expand from year to year, even after the passing of the main ruler, Charles Don William, a year ago, losing the battle against his illness.No one knows how many doctors were brought in to treat him, but Charles' suffering ended moments before the surgery he was scheduled to undergo. His condition deteriorated, becoming increasingly unstable, prompting doctors to schedule a second operation. Unfortunately, Charles lost. Don William mourns. That point also marked the beginning of a much more pa
"Are you asleep, babe?" Austin asks in such a gentle tone. His phone call is directed to someone he'll visit tonight. His plan is to bring the woman to the main house and make her the queen there. Shifting the cursed woman he's given another day's deadline, right… Just one more day he's given for her to stay. Enjoying the remaining comfortable life before returning to where she originally belonged.Austin seems cruel and heartless to drive Jane away without mercy. But he doesn't care. To him, Jane is like a parasite he needs to cut off and get rid of. From the start, he believed that Jane's presence was nothing but a burden, slowly gnawing away at their family."But, Dad," Austin squints in disbelief. When Jane's photo is handed to him by his father on his work desk. Austin has just returned from New York, filling in for his father's absence in running the business. Unique Enterprise's name must not lose its edge in facing the current trends."I only asked for this marriage to happen,
Calysta looked up, deliberately giving Austin full access to explore. Her actions made the man excited. Inevitably, the level neck that only wore a pearl necklace given by Austin last year, was explored using the tip of the tongue. While his big hands still continued to support Calysta's back so as not to fall.The woman was already sitting straddling Austin. Her smooth thighs were no longer covered by the soft cardigan that had fallen somewhere. Since Austin's arrival, the man didn't want to wait any longer just to taste the wine that had been provided.He said, "I can't stop thinking about how sexy you look in red lingerie.""I guess the nickname bull does suit you, Austin," Calysta said with a giggle. Although it was a little difficult to keep up with Austin who kept pushing her, Calysta always had a way to control the situation.Including slightly pulling the hair of Austin who was holding her. So that they could stare at each other before ending up on the bed in the main room. "Y
No need to wait for tomorrow, Jane's preparations were all done. She'd already said her goodbyes to some folks living in this luxurious house. Not wanting to bother anyone, Jane chose to book a taxi instead of accepting the usual chauffeur's offer to accompany her wherever."But, Ma'am," Hans, Don William's family driver, groans in frustration. None of his persuasions are getting through to the woman standing there, flashing her warm smile. "It's late already. You could get into trouble going out at this hour.""Don't make it harder for me, Mr. Hans," Jane lightly taps the shoulder of the middle-aged man looking downcast. "I hope you'll help me take care of Mrs. Kate. Don't let her be sad because I'm not here anymore.""Ma'am," Maria couldn't hold back any longer. Her eyes, brimming with tears since earlier, spill over. Her cheeks damp with tears. "What can I do to make you stay here?"Jane tries hard not to get carried away by the emotions, although her
Throughout her life, Jane had never dared to take such bold action. But what else could she do when she felt cornered? The only thing that came to mind was stepping into this place. Previously shocking someone she contacted.Her only hope: not to encounter Austin on the floor she was about to head to now.It hadn't even been twenty-four hours since it happened to her. All the conversations and the extra beating of her heart along with her brain digesting what she had experienced. That memory kept echoing, beyond her control."I don't know who else to ask for help," Jane says, half desperate. She massages her temples until they ache. She's lost count of how many times she's paced around the small living room of her old house.Coming from the Don William family, there was only one most comforting place to return to. This well-maintained broken white painted house. All her furniture covered in white dusty sheets, but luckily nothing was damaged. Occasionally
"What are you doing here?" Austin asks with an intimidating voice. His eyes scan Jane as if she's a deadly virus."I... " Jane closes her eyes briefly. "I want to meet Richard."Austin squints suspiciously. "What's the matter?""Mrs. Jane has business with me, Austin. Can you calm down? You're making the atmosphere suddenly uncomfortable here," Richard says with a wide smile. "Come in, ma'am. I've been waiting for you.""I need to know what this woman is doing, Richard. Why are you acting like you're on her side?"Talking to Austin indeed requires extra patience. "I'm on the side that pays my bills more," Richard jokes. "I've asked Paula to prepare some tea for you, ma'am. Please, have a seat here."Austin grumbles disapproval, averting his gaze elsewhere, unwilling to pay much attention to Jane for too long. Useless, he thinks. Although the corner of his eye refuses to cooperate, where Jane tries to make herself comfortable on the sofa. His
Fabian checked the collection Irena brought. One by one, he examined and envisioned how these pieces would shimmer on the runway. What accessories he needed to add and who would be suitable to wear them.Indeed, the woman was perfect for his latest collection. He hadn't forgotten what happened that night. His memory drifted back to a moment when Fabian felt like he could get that woman."Are you blind?" Fabian yelled. He himself couldn't believe his booming voice. He intended to scare, but unfortunately, he got carried away. Maybe because Fabian felt like he had found what he was looking for.The woman had beautiful eyes. Just their gaze could captivate many. Not to mention, at a glance, he assessed how her slim and well-balanced figure exuded perfection in every aspect. Everything felt right.Perfect."Excuse us, Sir," Jane attempted to get up. After making sure that the child she hugged earlier didn't suffer any injuries, she also checked herself