My Wife

The car is heading toward the Rodriguez family mansion. Edward has his own private villa on the outskirts of the city, but today, he needs to bring his wife to his parents' house to visit his father, who has returned after critical surgery.

Right now, Edward's eyes are on Charlotte. He finds the girl admirable. The beautiful white gown he designed for his company looks utterly dashing on her. He canceled all the orders from customers who had requested this wedding dress today. He even went the extra mile to make it more special and beautiful by redesigning its upper part.

However, he doesn’t know much about the girl in front of him who has accepted him as her husband. He only knows her name. Even though his secretary, Jay, told him that he could gather all the information about her, he wants to learn everything personally. He wants to discover the person who never complains about her suffering.

"Is there something you want to say?"

Edward looks a little surprised when Charlotte asks him. She is still resting her head on her shoulder, which is being supported by the tinted glass window. Her eyes reflect the light from outside. Her beautiful long, curled hair reaches her shoulders. The dress hugs her slim waist. Overall, Edward finds his wife exquisitely gorgeous. Her distinct, youthful, smooth, fair skin and long neck, adorned with the diamond necklace he gifted her to wear with the dress, give her an outstanding look.

"You are beautiful. That’s what I was trying to say!" he says straightforwardly, sounding sincere.

Charlotte feels a sudden shiver in her chest but chuckles softly, tucking her hair behind her ear. Even the driver and his assistant, Jay, find his straightforwardness awkward.

"Mr. Rodriguez is a really sweet talker. Thank you! You are also handsome."

She smiles, but Edward finds it amusing to see her earlobes turning red and the subtle blush on her beautiful face. However, one thing makes him a little uncomfortable—her calling him "Mr. Rodriguez." Suddenly, it builds an invisible wall between them. He realizes Charlotte needs time to accept him.

In the meantime, as she stares outside, Charlotte thinks about how her parents didn’t even come back to say goodbye. She got married, and instead of feeling sad, they only expect her to give them money or help their company.

But she feels awkward and a little shy when she notices Edward staring at her intently. He rests his head on his fist and keeps watching her. She is unable to look at him because of his admiring gaze. Anyone would feel embarrassed and shy under such eyes. That’s why she gathers the courage to ask him, and she successfully does.

But she never imagined he would answer something like this in front of everyone. She purses her lips in shyness now. She wants to know this man slowly since her heart is still not healed. She is afraid of falling in love again.

Both of them have their insecurities and fears, lost in thought. In the meantime, the car arrives in front of the entrance gate of the mansion.

"Boss! We have arrived!"

Edward nods, and Charlotte watches as Jay discreetly escorts him out of the car. Arranging her gorgeous dress, which has taken up half of the back seat, she turns to open the door. But to her surprise, Edward, in his wheelchair, opens the door for her and extends his arm.

"If my lady allows me the honor to escort her out!"

To be honest, Charlotte feels like she is experiencing a dream. Not because she has married into such a prestigious family, but because of the way her husband is treating her. If she imagines Brian in Edward’s position, she can’t picture him giving her the same attention and care that Edward does.

She doesn’t hesitate to place her soft and delicate hand in his. She feels honored to be treated this way.

"I am honored to be escorted out by His Highness!"

Edward looks a little surprised, his earlobes turning red. He gently squeezes her hand and helps her out. Then, he signals the servants who are waiting outside.

"Help your madam walk."

Giving her the sweetest smile, Edward grabs her hand and slowly approaches the door. Charlotte feels respected by the servants, something she never experienced in her own house.

"Welcome! I was waiting for you!"

A beautiful and appealing voice comes from the door. Charlotte carefully steps forward, ensuring she doesn’t trip over her gorgeous gown that touches the ground. Hearing that beautiful voice, she looks up. The voice is full of sweetness and warmth.

But to her astonishment, a gorgeous woman, around 50, stands at the main door of the house. She looks elegant, her eyes full of love and warmth. Her presence alone is enough to make someone feel at ease.

Most importantly, Charlotte’s eyes remain fixed on her, as if she is frozen in place. Edward frowns, trying to understand what has happened to his wife, but he can’t figure it out.

"Mom! Why are you here? It’s cold outside!"

Edward breaks the silence. But to his further shock, Charlotte suddenly hugs Mrs. Rodriguez, who is holding a beautiful bouquet of hydrangeas—Edward’s favorite flower.

Mrs. Rodriguez is taken aback. She didn’t expect her daughter-in-law to be so emotional that she would hug her upon their first meeting. Although she had attended the wedding, she hadn’t had time to meet Charlotte properly.

"How are you, sweetheart? Are you already missing your parents?" Mrs. Rodriguez assumes Charlotte might be feeling homesick. Marriage is an emotional experience, after all.

"I can’t believe I am standing here in front of my idol! Mrs. Amber, I am your biggest fan! I studied fashion design because I fell in love with your designs!"

Charlotte almost screams in excitement, locking Mrs. Rodriguez’s hands in hers. She looks so overwhelmed that her eyes glisten with tears.

"That was surprising!" Jay remarks while watching them. Edward chuckles softly, witnessing how joyfully Charlotte expresses her admiration for his mother’s famous designs.

"You are also a fashion designer? That’s great! Which of my works do you like the most? I have some in my closet. Shall we try them? I want to see how they look on you!"

Edward facepalms, seeing how his wife and mother are getting carried away with their shared passion for fashion. They seem to have completely forgotten they are still outside and need to meet his father first. Clearing his throat, he steps forward.

"Can’t we meet Dad first? He is waiting to see Charlotte!"

"Oh! Crap! I’m sorry, sweetheart. I wanted to act like a typical bad mother-in-law. You caught me!"

Mrs. Rodriguez pouts, handing Charlotte the flower bouquet. Charlotte giggles happily, wrapping her arm around Mrs. Rodriguez’s.

"Okay, my bad mother-in-law, let’s go meet my good father-in-law first. Later, I will enjoy your bad mother-in-law act!"

"Yes! Let’s go!"

Charlotte nods happily, walking beside her mother-in-law. Edward sighs, asking Jay to enter the house. The corner of his lips curves up slightly—he feels a little jealous that his wife has left him alone. It would have been nice if they had entered the house together, hand in hand.

"I was worried she would feel pressured after coming here since it's a new place for her. Seems like I was overthinking. She’s good at adapting."

"I think Auntie will help her feel comfortable here. People who share the same interests can make any place feel like home together."

As they enter the hall, Jay helps Edward sit on the couch. Edward smiles, thinking about their shared passion. If Charlotte is a fashion designer, and he has loved designing since childhood, they may create great chemistry together.

As Edward settles in, someone comes downstairs with a little girl. She notices Edward sitting alone on the couch and smiles at him.

"It’s been a while, Edward!"

Edward looks up at the familiar voice and responds with a professional smile.

"It’s been a while, Dr. Shayne. What brings you here today?"

"I came with your father. Where were you? I was looking for you!"

Shayne Will, 25, is the Rodriguez family's new doctor, Edward’s consultant, and a medical genius. She has been working for him for two years.

"Hey, Suzy! Did you meet Grandpa?"

Without answering Shayne’s question, Edward turns his attention to his little niece, his younger brother’s three-year-old daughter.

"Big Dadda! I met Grandpa! He told me that when he gets better, he will buy me chocolate every day!"

Edward chuckles, pinching the tip of her nose playfully. Shayne watches them happily but soon notices something shocking upstairs.

"Who is that?" she asks nervously.

"My wife!" Edward says proudly.