Chapter 6: Change your outfit

I was feeling restless and anxious as we made our way to the hallway that was lined with a red carpet. I wanted to think about when this night was going to be over, but how could I do that when the man's eyes behind me were drilling into my back?

I knew I could not put it off any longer, so I paused my steps and bravely looked him in the eyes. Drawing in a deep breath, I said, “I'm not here for your entertainment, Mister Carter, so kindly take your eyes off my back. There is nothing enjoyable here but my bare skin.”

"That's what I'm wondering about. You know it's not a good view, so why did you even thought wearing backless," he said and maintained his cold air.

Despite the hallway being too dark for the sun to penetrate, his eyes radiated a powerful energy, though they were dark and tranquil.

They typical Steven Carter. Elegant and majestic.

I was jolted out of my trance when I realized his words. I gritted my teeth because I was so irritated and astounded because he still had time to increase the anger that the two dogs with him had given me earlier.

“I apologize profusely if I have failed to live up to Your Majesty's expectations! Then, if you can, stop staring and acting like you want to undress me!”

"Who taught you those words, woman?" His eyebrows crossed, and he stepped closer to me. His eyes lost their energy and his jaw tightened.

I kept my distance by retreating a step for every step he advanced. Nonetheless, I remembered I had promised myself that I would no longer allow him to put me down, so I took a stand and refused to back away any further. I tilted my head back to look up at him, since even with my heels on, I was still a few inches shorter than him.

"You don't need to know where I learned it, Mister Carter. We're going to get a divorce, so it's not our business to interfere in each other's lives anymore."

I could tell he was about to go off like a ticking time bomb, and before I could even explain to him I had said that on purpose, he replied, “That's why you wore such a scandalous outfit today. Is that how a married woman should dress in front of others while her husband is around?”

Husband your face! Why using such a word when it is only convenient for you!

"Celine said my gown is the most stunning she had ever seen."

“Yes, it is. But look at your slender neck! Your exposed thighs! Is that how a married woman should look? You seem to deliberately attracting the men!”

"And so if I do?" My tone was dispassionate now.

I am confused by his actions. Why is he like this? He will provide me with a bit of assurance today, but tomorrow he will shatter my confidence. It's difficult to decipher which of his actions is real. I felt my fists clench and my face flush as I spoke with anger.

“Mister Carter, you may have a unique taste in women—the taste you want differs from my class of clothing. But you don't have the right to look down on me just because it's not what you want. Mistress Duo is there. Why don't you request to them and tell them your type?”

I turned my back on him and sped up my walk. I wanted to be away from him, and the thought of feeling his breath on the same air as me was too much for me to bear.

“Mister and Missus Carter, hurry! Senior Heart has been waiting for a while.” An old butler called and waited for us at the end of the hallway.

As I was nodding, ready to take a step towards the door, a hand unexpectedly grabbed my waist and yanked me in close, and in a blink of an eye, we were already inside. I just ignored it and thought it was part of our marriage before the divorce would happen.

An old man with gray hair was present in the room. His face looked aged, yet he seemed to be high-spirited. He was sitting on the chair enjoying his tea, and when he saw Steven, a smile adorned his face. "Steven, you're here."

But that disappeared as soon as his eyes fell on me. The anger in his eyes was obvious, just based on his facial movements. His eyes were more intense than Steven's, more icy. His eyes held the same expression I used to see, so I wasn't shocked. I had grown tired of the stares of those around me, all too familiar since leaving the hospital.

Steven first walked towards him and kissed his cheek then he wished him, "Happy Birthday, grandpa."

"Happy Birthday too, grandpa." I also stepped closer to him and was about to kiss his left cheek, but he avoided his face. In the end, I just handed my present to him, but he just looked at it and didn't even take it.

I shifted uncomfortably and didn't force the present to him, but I couldn't help but ask, "Are you really that mad at me?"

The old man showed no reaction but replied, “Why? Have you forgotten the evil you did before?”

Evil? Why do I always seem to be perceived as a foe by everyone around me? What did I really do with them? Did my role in their lives really make such a tremendous impact that they would treat me in this way? But I would stand up for myself if Steven couldn't do that for me.

“Is it really a big sin to marry Steven Carter?”

He didn't answer my question, instead he averted his eyes and said, “I'm tired. I want to rest. Both of you can leave now.”

Before we finally went out, I said more words to him, "Don't worry. Eventually, your grandson and I will get a divorce, so you have nothing to worry about anymore."

I didn't notice any reaction from him. This added to my thinking if marrying Steven was really the reason he hates me or maybe there is a deeper reason.

Although Steven left the room first, I couldn't move right away as my feet seemed to be rooted to the floor, because of the thought that I had in my mind. It took me five minutes before I got back to my reverie and started moving.

After I had opened the door, I was all set to look for Celine when, out of the blue, I heard someone's voice spoke.

"Change your outfit."

I frowned because of what he said and quickly realized and answered, "No."

“Change it!”

I rolled my eyes and ignored him. I continued walking, but before I could get far, he immediately grabbed my wrist and firmly said, "How many times do I have to tell you to change?!"

"Are you out of your mind? This is not my mansion! Where can I get another gown? And what do you care about what clothes I wear?"

“It's eyesore.”

"Ha!" I couldn't believe him, so I threw his hand away. "You're crazy!"

As I was walking away, his booming voice stopped me. “Summer Ramey Carter! This is the last time I will ask you to change your clothes!”

I grinned at him, then slightly raised the slit on my legs so he could see my underwear better. After that, I let go words that would surely piss him off.

"And if I don't?"