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 painful hell for Jane.
Austin's blatant affair, shamelessly carried out by her husband, made Jane's heart ache. If Jane could voice her pain, Austin would be considered outrageous. She was brought to the main house where Jane still resided. They acted affectionately as if Jane were just an ornament in that luxurious house.
"You brought her back?" Jane asks once. She just finished preparing a dish. Still steaming, its delicious aroma fills the spacious and fully equipped kitchen. Jane's cooking used to be praised, both by Charles and Austin. Although only in front of Charles, her husband acted tender and warm, but the food was never rejected. It was always finished, and sometimes, they even asked for seconds.
Jane's heart was very pleased to be treated like that.
"It's none of your business," Austin says coldly. His eyes barely glance at the plate Jane brought. "Maria," the man calls for his head servant.
"Yes, Sir," Maria hurries over. She doesn't dare make eye contact with the master as Austin's voice sounds filled with emotion.
"From now on, I don't want to smell the aroma of the food this woman makes," Austin points out without considering Jane's feelings.
"You... what are you saying, Austin?" Jane is stunned. "Is my cooking not good? What's missing? Or is there a dish you'd like to have?"
"Shut up!"
Jane grits her teeth, tightening her grip on the plate of honey-glazed roasted chicken.
"Since when did I agree to eat your cooking, Jane?" Austin stares at Jane with a piercing gaze. "You're enjoying your role as the favorite daughter-in-law, huh?" He scoffs disapprovingly. "Bury your dreams just like those who buried Papa's casket."
"Austin!" Jane can't believe what Austin just said. "We're all grieving Papa's death. But you shouldn't say that to me."
Austin strides forward, approaching Jane, who's now stepping back. Fear takes hold in Jane's beautiful emerald green eyes as she faces Austin's dominating demeanor. "Aren't you the one benefitting here?" There's a mocking laughter in Austin's voice. "Do you know what Papa wrote in his will?"
Jane's back hits the kitchen wall. Her hands start to tremble, but she tries to stay strong. If she drops the plate she's holding, it could create a scene here. She doesn't want to disturb the peace of this house, especially knowing that Mami Kate is resting.
Losing Charles Don William has plunged Kate into deep sorrow.
"Answer me!"
Jane blinks in fear. "I... I don't know, Austin."
The man grins thinly. His face, which no longer displays smiles or cheerfulness whenever he's with Jane, now shows an increased hatred towards the woman who still holds the status of his wife. "Most of the Unique Enterprise shares fell into your hands. I don't know if it's misfortune or luck for you, Jane." Austin steps closer.
Even his breath harshly grazes Jane's face. It makes her more scared, but apparently, Austin doesn't care about what his wife feels.
"You're getting a substantial dividend from Unique Enterprise's profits without contributing anything." Austin chuckles. "I can't fathom how Papa did this to me."
The plate with the roasted chicken is rudely pushed aside by Austin. The plate clattering on the marble floor creates a ruckus. Jane tightly shuts her eyes, trying to stand firm in front of Austin.
"You're just an outsider who suddenly came into this family, Jane. Taking away my freedom, and now, getting wealth without working for it." Austin laughs loudly. "Maybe it's luck for you, but rest assured..." Austin touches Jane's cheek gently. But the woman's eyes are filled with growing fear.
"I'll make sure to take back what you've got."
"I never intended to have anything to do with the will. If my name's in there, I'm genuinely not interested."
Austin's laughter grows louder. "Do you think I'm that easily fooled, Jane?"
Jane uses whatever courage she has left. "There was never a hint of intention to gain wealth from this family, Austin. If that's what you want to know from me. You can investigate the past two years of my life here. Have I ever enjoyed all the facilities you've given so freely?"
Austin still looks at Jane skeptically.
"I'm just asking one thing: did you bring her back?"
The man grins. "It's none of your business." Then he starts stepping back, giving Jane some space to breathe. But before his feet entirely leave the kitchen area, Austin adds, "I'll take it you're a woman of modesty since you don't want Papa's inheritance. Tomorrow, a lawyer will come to handle the transition of the shares you own."
Unconsciously, Jane clenches her fists.
"You shouldn't have a problem with that, right?"
That memory makes Jane take a deep breath. Her arrival at this house wasn't a happy thing from the start. Oh, it was happy, but just a facade. Only lasting a few hours after their wedding. Yet Jane isn't someone who dwells too long in regret. As long as Austin doesn't hit her, use violence on her body other than gripping her face, allows her to be near Kate, and helps take care of Charles as a form of gratitude, Jane doesn't make a fuss.
But today, everything has to end. Austin no longer gives her a place here.
"Ma'am," someone calls, making Jane turn to the source of the voice. Her smile emerges when she sees who's approaching.
"Mrs. Kate has fallen asleep. The dinner Mrs. Jane made; she finished it all. She said your cooking is on par with a luxury hotel."
Warmth fills Jane's chest. "Thank goodness."
"Ma'am... will you comply with Mr. Austin's words this time?" Maria asks carefully.
Not wanting to insist, not having any more ground to stand on, and feeling like Austin never wanted her from the start, she's Austin's nightmare.
"Yes, Maria. I've prepared everything. But please, promise me one thing."
Maria can't hold back her tears. To Maria, Jane is like an angel who enlivens this grand house. Her presence brings such a vibrant aura. Her mannerisms, her words, and the attention Jane gives to all the occupants of this house are akin to the original owner; Katherine Don William.
Gentle and genuinely affectionate.
Unfortunately, Austin can't feel that.
"Every encounter has an end, Maria." Jane gently wipes the tears from the middle-aged woman's cheeks. "My status might be the heart of this house, but I'm not close to the heart of the true owner." Jane smiles sadly. "So, what else is holding me back?"
Those green eyes gaze back at the door.
"Take good care of Mami Kate. Tell her I'm going on vacation with Austin to some faraway place. Never say anything about the truth. Austin, Mami Kate's pride. Always perfect and will continue to be. I'm the blemish that ruined Austin's life."
"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
Jane stared disbelievingly at the three sheets of paper Fabian handed her. Since she arrived at this futuristic and iconic building, she never expected to be handed something that made her heart skip a beat. She felt like her eyes were glued to the numbers written on those pages."This... can't be possible." Jane finally managed to speak. "Are you trying to extort me?" she asks, glaring at the man in front of her with frustration. "The repair costs can't possibly amount to this much."Fabian chuckled. "You forget, Miss, my car is the latest model Lamborghini. Limited edition. You can check the luxury car market and calculate its value. The damage you caused might seem trivial, but that pole damaged the engine and the dashboard pretty badly."Jane gaped wide-eyed."Do I need to ask for the electricity pole's accountability there?" Fabian leaned back comfortably, lighting a cigarette from his jacket pocket, ignoring the fact that the room might soon fill wi
Irena doesn’t blink at all. As soon as the woman comes out of the changing room, looking embarrassed and a bit uncomfortable in the clothes she’s wearing, it seems like she still hasn’t agreed with what just happened. Irena herself heard complaints and grumbling as she accompanied the woman around."I can't believe my eyes, Miss," Irena moves closer. Her eyes keep observing every detail of the dress that hugs Jane's slender figure. "You look so beautiful in this dress, Miss Olive," she genuinely compliments. "Ah...right, I forgot something. Just a moment."Jane blinks in confusion. She hasn't even said a word, including her protest against Fabian's ridiculous request. Unfortunately, she can’t just leave. Fabian really is playing with her emotions."What am I even doing here?" Jane mutters. In this dressing room, surrounded by large mirrors, there are many standing displays with dresses in various colors. Not to mention several accessories