Chapter 5

AVA

I awoke with a start, my eyes fluttering open to a soft, early morning light filtering through the curtains. My heart pounded in my chest as I took in my surroundings.

My blurry eyes struggled to make sense of the room I found myself in.

The room was familiar, the bed sheets cool against my skin. That was when the memory struck me like lightening. I had been married yesterday, married to a man who was mentally incapable of loving me. The memories became more vivid in my thought especially Davies' harassments.

I really moved from frypan to fire. The thought of spending my entire life with this family brought me so much discomfort and made my stomach churn.

But still, something was off. I tried moving but a strong vice grip held me in place. Darting my eyes down, I noticed Liam's arm was draped possessively over my waist, his breath warm and steady against the back of my neck. When had we cuddled in our sleep?

This closeness—was new and unsettling.

Carefully, I tried to shift without waking him. His grip tightened momentarily before relaxing, and I exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.

Slowly, I turned my head to look at him. His face was peaceful in sleep, the sharp lines softened, making him appear almost boyish. I gently extricated myself from his embrace, moving inch by careful inch until I was free. Liam mumbled something incoherent but didn't wake.

I sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, grounding myself. I could still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin, an odd mixture of comfort and fear swirling within me. What had prompted him to hold me so tightly in his sleep?

After a few more moments, I pushed myself up and padded to the bathroom. The cool tiles under my feet helped clear my head. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was a tangled mess, eyes wide with lingering confusion. I splashed water on my face, willing myself to focus on the day ahead. Whatever this morning had started with, I couldn't let it control me.

Once I felt somewhat refreshed, I slipped into a simple dress and made my way out of the room. "Mrs Ava, Mr John Tyson demands your presence in his study room" a maid announced to me the moment I stepped out of the room.

I followed the maid as we sauntered towards Uncle John Tyson study room. The mansion was quiet, the type of calmness that precedes chaos.

"Mr Tyson, Mrs Ava is here," the maid announced my arrival as we both stepped in. John had his back turned against us, and with just a wave, he signalled to the maid to leave.

An unsettling silence filled the air as I waited for him to talk.

"Ava, how are you? I hope you enjoyed your first night here" the words slowly rolled out of his mouth as he turned to face me.

What could I say? I actually didn't. I slept off with the fear that Davies would try to harass me again.

"I did" I lied through my teeth. A sly smile curled on his lips as he slowly ambled to where I stood.

"Good. I just wanted to check how you were faring. How is Liam? Is he getting used to your company?" Uncle Joh queried.

"I really can't say but I guess so. But besides that Liam is doing very fine"

Uncle John exhaled, "You are aware of the entire chaos you created last night, I wouldn't want that to repeat itself again"

What?

I created chaos or his son did?

My brows furrowed in confusion as I stared at uncle John, "I created chaos? Or your son did? He tried to force himself on me" I snapped back.

"Maybe you were being provocative in your mannerism and words"

Is he being serious?

I was the victim and he is trying to turn it on me? "That's not true. How can you possibly say that?"

"Well I called you here for more important matters..." John said dismissively, changing the topic. "You marriage was an arranged marriage which you are definitely aware of" he began.

I tried to calm the raging displeasure in my heart and nodded curtly to his words.

"Liam is to be married to you for... "

"Just a year. Father told me the marriage was for just a year and then I could divorce him and get paid" I completed his words.

"Exactly. See it more as a business and not a real marriage" John smiled, his words carrying a hidden intent.

"Why do you want him to be married for just a year? He is human too. He deserves his own life and family" curiosity got the better of me and I asked.

Uncle John slightly raised his brow, " Oh, do you want to remain married to that sort of man your entire life?" He posed the question at me.

I was at lost for words at the way he addressed his own nephew. "N-no" I found my voice and shook my head.

A lopsided grin appeared on his lips, "I thought so too. Take care of him like a child and remain married to him for a year. It's that easy. And at the end of it all, you'd be paid handsomely. Understood?"

I nodded. Deep down, in as much as I didn't want to remain in this marriage, I hated the fact I was like a pawn in this family, chosen by family to marry Liam for money.

It didn't sit well with me and I had an inkling feeling that there was more to this arrangement than I knew.

"You can leave" Uncle John said and I quickly headed out.

Being in the such an enclosed space with him was actually so suffocating.

I breathed in deeply before exhaling.

Can I really survive being with Liam for a year? Can I cope with this marriage and this family?

Well time would tell.

I made my way down the stairs, ambling towards the kitchen.

The kitchen was breaming with activities as two maids cleaned and tidied everywhere.

"Goodmorning..." I greeted and they both nodded their heads to acknowledge my word.

"When you both are done please could you prepare a light breakfast for I and my husband?" I requested politely. I did not want to come off as rude and controlling to the staffs.

"I'm sorry but we can't. We are quite busy and we've been instructed not to prepare anything for you and your husband" the first maid responded leaving me in shock once more.

"On whose orders!?" I found myself exclaiming.

"Clara's" they simultaneously replied.

My fist clenched in anger and my chest heaved. Such a conniving bitch!

Why is she trying so hard to make my life a living hell?!

Clara was like a spider, spinning webs of influence and control, particularly over the house staff. She was just like her brother, Davies, two scoundrels.

I haven't even done shit to her yet she wastes no time to slander and insult I and my husband. And now this?

Oh hell no.

Angrily, I marched out of the kitchen, the intensity of my annoyance tightening my chest.

As I stepped out of the kitchen, I was met with the cold, appraising eyes of Clara.

"Oh look who is awake" I said, attempting a facade smile.

Clara didn't return it. "Ava," she acknowledged curtly. "I see you're up early."

"Yes, I thought I’d get a head start on breakfast. But you decided to pull one of your stupid stunts" I snapped, my facade exterior withering away.

Her eyes flickered with something I couldn’t quite read. "The staff have other tasks this morning. Now if you will let me pass..."

I blocked her path like a fiery comet, my eyes a fiery ball of indignation. "How dare you Clara? Who gave you the right to stop the staffs from preparing breakfast for I and my husband?!"

"You mean your child?" She mocked me. "You were just newly brought into this family yesterday and yet look at all the ruckus you are creating. Liam did something he had never done before, he violently attacked my brother and all because of your stupid influence over him"

"Your lecherous evil brother tried to harass me! Liam protected me like how every husband would. Instead of you to call your brother to order, you decide to command those rude staffs to not prepare our breakfast!" I scowled at her.

She tilted her head slightly, a predatory smile playing on her lips. "See this as a little punishment Ava. You are not a Tyson, and you will never be a Tyson. You are just an illegitimate daughter sent to babysit my cousin. On my orders, they won’t be making breakfast today for the both of you. Do your worst Ava but remember, I am Clara Tyson, do not dare me in this house else I'd crush you"

The challenge in her voice was clear. Clara loved these power plays, asserting her dominance whenever possible. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. "Very well," I said evenly. "I'll make it myself. But I am still the daughter inlaw of this family whether you accept it or not and I'll not be bullied by you"

Clara's smile widened, but she said nothing more. I could feel her gaze burning into my back as I moved back into the kitchen.

My troubles in this home are truly far from being over.