CHAPTER 4

Audrey's Pov

“Nooo!”

It was clear to me who had just yelled, or so I thought. It was supposed to be Amelia, all red faced and angry, however, Zachary was the one who yelled, his eyes wide with anger and despair.

“You can't give it to her! Amelia is the real owner of the inheritance, we are getting engaged to be married! Audrey’s marriage is just a sham!” Zachary walked up to my father to declare. Eric furrowed his eyebrows and so did Xander who was quieter than I expected.

The way Zachary acted was confusing, he had no say in the sharing of the inheritance so why was he acting this way? I glanced at Amelia who was trying to pull Zachary away, and then at her mother who was white as a sheet. Her eyes showed everything she was thinking about, she was like an open book. And then I realized.

Zachary and Amelia just weren't sleeping together, they had planned from the start to do this so they could have the inheritance. And from the looks of it, Amelia's mother had suggested this.

I laughed. A very amused laughter, one that I laughed in spite of the situation.

“You know… This is very messy, Amelia. All of it.” My eyes narrowed as I glared at her. I wanted to say more, but the guests had seen enough. They had to leave.

“Alright,” I turned to them, a huge smile on my face, “You will all be escorted to the gates as the engagement has been called off. As a way to apologize for you all coming all the way here, gifts will be sent out to you in a few hours. Have a nice day.” I motioned for the security guards in the villa to escort them outside.

They wanted to see more drama, who wouldn't? Juicy things were happening, but family matters could be revealed to an extent, only to an extent. After they left, everything came down.

“Amelia!” Eric's booming voice yelled out Amelia's name, and she flinched.

“D… dad…”

“Do not call me your father when you do not treat me like one!” Eric boomed, his tone of voice sounded angry. Who wouldn't be? After everything that had just happened.

Eric turned to stare at me, then at Xander. Then he sighed and motioned for me to come closer.

“Audrey, you are my first child and my biological one then the most sensible. I'll trust your insight this time. The lawyer will bring the will to you and I'll announce you as the heir of the company in a few weeks time.”

“Thank you dad.” I smiled in thanks, if my mother could see now, she would be extremely happy.

“Audrey.” Xander said softly, and affectionately, “We should leave now, it's getting late. You'll catch a cold if you keep on staying outside.” Xander removed his outer jacket and put it over my shoulders, covering me with it. I looked up in a daze, shocked by how loving he sounded. He made it seem like we have been a loving couple for so many years.

I glanced again at Amelia whose eyes were glaring daggers at us. She had so many questions in her eyes that she couldn't wait to ask.

I lowered my head, “Okay. Dad, we'll be leaving now. I'll come to visit you in a few days.”

“Okay. Stay safe, Audrey.”

As Xander and I turned to leave, I could still feel Amelia's gaze burning into our backs. Zachary too, but he didn't move from where he stood. When Xander and I got outside, Amelia's shrill voice stopped us in our tracks.

“Do you think this is over?” Amelia spat out, her gaze fiery.

I turned around, leveling her with my own stare, “What isn't over, dear sister?”

“You said you didn't want to marry me,” Amelia looked at Xander who looked very calm, not at all thrown back by what she said or what she was about to say, “So how come you married her instead?” She spat out.

“Hm.” Xander hummed, his chest rumbling.

“Ha! I get it now. Audrey, you are a very pretentious woman. All along, you've been acting like a goody two shoes but deep down, you're a slut. You've been sleeping with Xander for a long time, haven't you? You've been leading Zachary on, you crazy whore!”

My eyes narrowed, “Do not call me names, Amelia. We both know that those names belong to you, you're the one who cheated, not me. Come to think of it, yesterday, you came at the exact moment. You must have been the one who sent those pictures to me, right? You wanted me to know that you had snatched Zachary away from me. You wanted to gloat about your win. Unfortunately for you, you have no sense to back up whatever plan you had. Amelia… Do not mess with me, you and your mother. Or else…” I let the threat hang, both of us staring at each other.

“Well then,” I straightened my back, smiled, and wrapped my arms around Xander's biceps. He in turn snaked his own hands around my waist, leaning down to place a kiss on my forehead, “I'll be leaving with my husband. See you later, Amelia.”

Without another word, we turned and walked away, leaving Amelia standing in front of the house alone. I stole a glance at Xander whose hands were gripping the steering wheel, his eyes were cold.

“So, what next?” I questioned, looking ahead.

“You're moving into my place.”

“And why is that?” I raised an eyebrow.

“You're my wife now, if I let you live outside, what do you think people will say? Your sister would use the chance to do whatever it is she wants or plans on doing. You don't want that.” He answered.

“Well, I'll have to take my stuff away from the house. You'll send someone to do that for me?”

“Mhm. We also have other things to talk about later.” Xander drove in silence, the him of the engine was the only sound between us. When we finally pulled up to his mansion, I was struck by how imposing it was. Tall iron gates opened automatically as we approached, the house was modern, sleek and almost cold. Just like Xander himself.

As soon as we stepped out of the car, a group of neatly dressed staff lined up at the entrance. They stood with their hands clasped in front of them, heads slightly bowed.

“Welcome home, Mistress Audrey.” They greeted me in unison, their voices polite and measured.

I blinked, taken back, “Mistress Audrey?” The title sent a jolt towards me, it was something I was already used to but the level of formality shocked me.

“Come with me.” Xander said to me and we went into the house and the inside was just as impressive, if not more than outside. Xander took me to what looked like his study, and sat down on the desk, motioning for me to sit on the chair.

I sat, crossing my legs and leaning forward, “Alright then, you said we were going to talk. Let's begin.”