CHAPTER 13

Audrey's Pov

By the time I got back to the living room my stepmother and Amelia were there with my father, Amelia frowned when she saw me coming out of the kitchen.

I didn't want to cause any drama in front of my father so I bowed slightly and walked towards the exit, “You should visit us soon, come with your husband” Eric said then he started coughing again, our lawyer must have left because I didn't meet him here.

“I will do just that” I replied walking out the door, however, my stupid sister followed me just like I presumed she would.

“He is tired of you so soon? I wonder why you are always here when you are supposed to be with your dear husband, perhaps he doesn't love you and poor Audrey thought she got a second chance to love, unfortunately, she went to seek it where there is none” She mocked and I halted in my tracks.

She is right, I took that bargain without thinking and I might be in for a loveless marriage of convenience for the rest of my life, was it really worth it?

But who cares about love when I can get all the things I have always desired, I'm in charge of everything my father has and I can do whatever I want. It's not as if I didn't fall in love before, but I fell for the wrong person.

Speaking of my mistakes, I veered to face her smug face, she knew what she said got to me but I didn't care.

“I guess we are alike in that aspect, you think Zachary loves you? What a joke, you should try to chain your dog so it doesn't come back begging to eat his vomit because its owner is more disgusting than his vomit” I smirked as her face changed into a confused expression.

She doesn't know, that's good I intend to gloat about it to piss her off, I fetched my phone from my purse and shoved the picture I took from the surveillance camera, “Oh wait there is even a video” I chuckled sliding to the next photo then I found the video and pressed play.

Her face contorted into a scowl as she watched him go down on his knees, “My, my, don't go crying over a man. I'm glad I let you have him and if you think I'm unhappy with my marriage you are wrong, Xander is way better than this jerk and I'm glad he dumped you” I smirked as she turned red, I figured from the way he was always dismissive whenever I mention her, she didn't dump him.

He must have ended things when he saw how persistent she was about getting married, then he jumped at the opportunity to marry me to spite her or he just didn't like her enough to marry her.

My sister thinks she is all that but Xander proved her wrong, “You know I look forward to your wedding, who know I might attend if I'm less busy as you know I have a lot on my hands now, while you and your mother laze around daily I have to be the one to get all the job done” I dusted some imaginary dirt on her shirt and sighed.

“I have to go now, see you soon Sissy, and oh, extend my greetings to Mom and please chain your dog properly, next time I might throw him in jail or worse let Xander handle him for disturbing his wife, you should know how much he can be possessive and overprotective at times it's so cute” I smiled and left her speechless.

This is the first time for Amelia not to bite back, I guess what Zachary did affected her but it's none of my business.

I won't deny feeling a little bit of pity for her cause I really loved her, I don't understand why she decided to sabotage my life though, I know her mother must have made a huge impact on her because Amelia I know doesn't do anything without her mother's guidance.

Well, it's all in the past now, I shouldn't care about how she feels they can all go to hell for all I care, but deep down I know I'm lying to myself.

If what I suspect is true then I won't hold back on Amelia and her mother, I would throw away my sympathy if it comes to that.

I hopped into my car and drove off immediately heading for my new home, I wasn't expecting to see Xander in the foyer waiting for me.

Jeez, what is his problem?

I dismissed the urge to roll my eyes and just walked up to him, “I'm glad you are back” He said with relief laced in his voice, I sighed when I noticed he was still in his work clothes.

“You didn't even bother to go inside?” I raised an eyebrow at him but he chuckled, “You are so cute with that look” He smirked and my cheeks heat.

The last thing I want to be doing is blushing over a simple compliment, but Xander always has a way of making me blush like a seventeen-year-old girl with a crush.

“You are being weird for no reason, we should go in” I cleared my throat and snapped out of whatever that was, he took out his hand from his pocket and I frowned at him.

Why is he giving me his hand?

“What are you doing?” I asked perturbed and confused by this sudden move, I hate changes this isn't good.

I have been avoiding contact with him as much as possible since the day he kissed me like he needed it for survival, hell I might even run away if he tries to make me stay close to him for a long time.

“Is this one of your jokes?” I sighed as he stretched the hand further, then he must as sensed my reluctance so he took a step towards me and grabbed my hand by himself.

I shuddered as his palm met with mine and he intertwined our fingers, “You act as if I'm going to bite you” He grumbled and pulled me to come along with him, I followed because I was too shocked to protest or even try to yank my hand away from his firm grip.

That is the lie I keep telling myself because his grip was firm but loose, it was as if he was testing to see if I would allow it.

And I do... I let him hold me because it felt natural and I don't think he is going to do anything to hurt me.

“I have a surprise for you” He announced and my jaw dropped, why would he want to surprise me? And what for?

Oh my goodness is he going to say we consummate our marriage, I suddenly wished I could shrink or teleport myself into another dimension.

“Uhh can't this surprise wait?” I asked warily, but he didn't say anything.

I guess not. What was I doing getting married without thinking about what would happen after?

I'm so dumb and impulsive, “I need you to close your eyes” He voiced out jolting me out of my thoughts, oh my God that's it.

He could have just told me instead of trying to make it a surprise, what is he planning on stripping before I open my eyes?

The thought of him stripping made me feel weird and a bit curious, I only get to see him in suits so I don't know what's going on underneath all those layers of clothes.

Gosh, I should get a grip on myself, I obliged his request and he led me into a place with bright lights.

Wait what is he doing?

“You can open your eyes now” He ordered and I smiled, the moment I opened my eyes I gasped at the neon light with the inscription 'Happy Birthday'.

“Oh my goodness! What-- how did you... You shouldn't have” I stuttered pouting at the decorations, “Happy birthday love, I didn't know if it was play but I just wanted to do something,” He said and I didn't know when I threw my arms around his shoulders.

“Thank you so much” I sniffed sincerely grateful, I didn't even know it was my birthday, frankly speaking, I stopped celebrating because I'm always so busy.

“It's nothing, I ordered a cake at the last minute I hope you like it” He chuckled as I pulled his closer and he kissed my hair, I felt happy for the first time since I was betrayed by Zachary.

Come to think of it that jerk never celebrated my birthday but I always throw a party for him, “You don't have to thank me, love, you deserve better” He said softly.

And I believe him.

I deserve better, I deserve him.