*RENEE*
The guards pushed me out the door and slammed the door on my face.
“Marcelo…Marcelo!”I called,knocking hard on the door.”Marcelo,I am your wife.You can’t treat me like this!Open the door!”I yelled.
Seeing that wasn’t working,I decided to beg.
“Marcelo,please.I know this seem pretty sudden to you but we can work things out.Just let me in,I’m begging...”I paused when I heard barking sounds.
I recalled that he had told the guards to release the dogs.
What dogs?
I looked towards the direction of the sound to see two dogs running towards me.
If I hadn’t previously heard that they were dogs,I would’ve called them wolves, big ferocious wolves.
I broke into a run,running as fast as my legs could take me.
No.
I wasn’t ready to die.
I was just twenty-two.
My life might’ve taken different twists and turns that I never wanted.
Still,I didn’t want to die.
I believe that there could still be brighter days ahead of me.
I ran to the courtyard of the house.I could still hear them barking and charging towards me.
It seemed as if they’d rip me to pieces if they caught sight of me.
I saw what looked like a small cottage not far away and I ran into it and slammed the door shut.
I quickly ran to the windows and closed it.
To my dismay,there was a push on the door as if the dogs were trying to break in.
Seriously?
Were they trained to murder people?
Panic filled me as I looked around and saw a table.
I hurried towards it and pushed it in front of the door.
The barking continued outside while I sat on the floor,trying to catch my breath.
I was trembling and I felt so scared.
I was in a dark room.This place was dirty as if it was abandoned.
The windows were old and I was scared that the dogs might break through it.
I moved against the wall and hugged my knees.As I sat there,I tried to murmur encouraging words to myself.
I would survive. I have to.
I have no idea how much time had passed but the barking stopped.I didn’t know if the dogs were still outside of if they had been sent to their cages.
But I didn’t want to find out so I continued sitting there.
I flinched when I heard a knock on the door.
Are dogs able to knock now?
I swallowed and said nothing.
“I know you’re in there,Mrs King.”
My eyes widened.
It was the butler’s voice.
Had he come to send me?
“Are the dogs gone?”I asked,anxiously.
“Mr King wants me to take you home now.”
I frowned.”Home?”
“To your parents’ house.”
He was sending me back?
Back to the Hudsons?
I imagined what that was going to be like.
Grace and Rocco were going to more than abuse me for failing to stay married to Marcelo.
And Nana.
Oh Nana.
I had been the one begging them and being super obedient to them so they could continue with her treatment.
But if I go back home now,they would instantly stop it.
Lord knows what they are going to do to me now.
I didn’t want to go back.
“What if I don’t want to go back?
“You have to.You can not possibly spend the night in there,ma’am.It gets really cold at night in this part of the estate.Also,Mr King said it’s either you go home right now and he’ll keep the dogs out all night.”
I swallowed.
I guess I was spending the night in here.
But was I really ready for this kind of life?
This man literally has no heart.
He released wild dogs on me while knowing that they could hurt me.
What if he does worse things to me if I stubbornly insist to stay married to him?
I sat back down.
What choice do I even have?
I guess I just have to try not to get killed by that mysterious and dangerous man.
“I am Mrs King,Chad.I’m going nowhere.”I replied,loudly.
And that was how I spend the night in that dark room,shivering all through.
***********
I have no idea when I finally managed to sleep through the unbearable cold of that night but I awoke to the door opening.
I quickly stood up to my feet,alarmed when I saw two men pushing the table aside.
Were they bringing the dogs in here?
I frowned when I saw a wheelchair roll in and sitting on it was Marcelo.
I felt like punching him.
He looked relaxed as he gazed at me.
“Were you expecting a corpse,Mr King,sorry to disappoint you.”I snapped.
He smirked.”Hmm,what am I going to do with you?”
I walked closer to him.”Well,I can give you an idea.Start treating me as your wife!You said you would if I survive the night.”I reminded.
I was acting tough but I was genuinely terrified of him and scared that he might stand up and kill me himself.
But I felt acting tough would reduce the chances of me being killed.
He rubbed his temper.”Are you that desperate to be my wife,Renee?It’s amusing.”
I looked away from him.
“Well then,I am a man of my words so I won’t take it back but I hope you are in tune with everything that has to do with being my wife.I especially would like to see how my wife performs in bird.”
I swallowed.
In bed?
That was part of the duties of a wife,wasn’t it?
I shouldn’t be so shocked but I was.
I was upset about having my first time with this man.
Damn it!
That guy at the club should have just taken me instead of insulting me!
“In bed,you’ll be in control,given my disability.”He continued.
My lips parted as I eyed him.
Disability indeed.
Why was he even pretending to be crippled?
And he seemed to be really good at him.
“You’re not answering?Does that mean you do not want to be my wife anymore?”There was mockery in his tone.
I swallowed.”I would do anything you want,Mr King.”
He scoffed.”Anything?You’re more despicable than I thought.”
It was at the tip of my tongue to insult him too but I held myself back.
I do not want to be put in that terrifying situation as last night.
“So…does this mean you would not send me back to my parents’ house?”I asked,tentatively.
I needed to be sure.
“We’ll see about that.”Anf then,he wheeled away.
I walked out of the room and suddenly felt dizzy.
I bent down a bit trying to get a hold of myself but I felt so weak.
Was it the scare of last night?
I felt really hungry too.
I lost my equilibrium and fell to the ground and then,darkness envelop me.
************
When my eyes opened again,I found myself lying on a bed.I closed my eyes for a moment feeling so confused.
When I opened them again,I looked around to see that I was in the room Chad had brought me to yesterday.
An IV drip was connected to my hand.I realized that I had fainted earlier.
Sighing,I flung the blankets aside because I was sweating profusing.
I took a deep calming breath trying to think of the way forward for me.I had no idea what the future held for me or what being married to Marcelo would do to me but I knew I had to be careful.
I couldn’t afford to offend him so I had to ignore his disability.I had to pretend he was really disabled and not ask any questions.Curiosity kills the cat and it might kill me if I do not thread with caution around him.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Are you awake,Mrs King?”
It was Chad.
“Yes.”I croaked out.
“Mr King wants to see you.”
Oh God.
What now?
*RENEE*“Do I really need to go see him?I’m on an IV drip.”I let out.“I think the drip bag should be empty now.”Chad replied as he walked into the room.I sighed as he confirmed that it was indeed empty.Chad disconnected it and repeated.“Mr King wants to see you urgently.”Taking a deep breath,I sat up.It’s not like I could avoid him anytime I wanted to.He was my husband.I got off the bed and followed Chad downstairs.I found Marcelo seated on his wheel chair.The luggage I had come with was in the center of the living room and my stuff were scattered all over the ground.I hadn’t had time to unpack but what was this?“Why did you go through my things?”I asked him.Chad moved closer to me and explained.“Mr King is not used to people around him,as you might’ve noticed,he is very skeptical about as you were previously engaged to his cousin so we had to search your things and…”Before Chad could complete that,Marcelo threw something at me.It was a small bag.“You really are even mo
*RENEE*I tried not to worry about explaining myself to Marcelo anymore.Since he didn’t berate me for that,I was going to pretend that maybe he didn’t hear what I said.Sighing,I got the drink I wanted and got back to my bedroom.I brought out my laptop and logged into my emails.My eyes dilated when I saw that seven collaborative projects I had nearly secured had withdrawn opting for a more suitable stylist.How could I lose seven business offers in one day?My phone beeped and I saw that Sarah had sent me a link.I clicked on the link and frowned,greatly at the headline.“Catherine Hudson shines in a 10 million dollars haute couture gown at the grandeur gala.She is truly a goddess.”I was stunned to recognize the dress.That was my dress!I made that dress!How dare Catherine talk my clients against working with me and then have the nerves to rock my dress?!She didn’t even give any credit to me!I was enraged.I quickly changed and rushed to the Hudson’s family house.It wasn’t as if
*RENEE*“A cripple is better than me?Seriously,Renee?Can he stand up for you?”Andrew asked and burst into laughter then he walked closer to me.“You’ll in regrets for the rest of your life,Renee.He can’t even make you feel like a woman.Come back to me and I’ll…”“Did I tell you that my husband doesn’t make me feel like a woman?Or would you like to hear stories about our consummation?”I saw Andrew’s eyes widened.“Stop joking.”“How will I joke about how good my husband is in bed?Having shared his bed,I should know best,don’t you think?”I held back my laughter seeing the pure disbelief in Andrew’s face.I will never give him or anyone the satisfaction of knowing how living with Marcelo is really like.“You…Marcelo?!”I saw Andrew looking pass me in just.Did he just say Marcelo?I turned away to see Marcelo just few feet away.He was seated on his wheelchair,an imposing figure despite appearing crippled.His bodyguard stood beside him.What was he doing here?!Seeing the glare on his
Catherine stared up at Andrew.She couldn’t lose him.Andrew had a position in King Group and she was sure that he would be the one who would inherit the entire King’s family empire someday and not that cripple.So Andrew was still a better match for her.She couldn’t lose him.“Drew.”Catherine called,lovingly as she stood in front of him and held his hands.“Drew,you really are over Renee,right?You won’t leave me for her,right?You two were together for almost a year,I’m scared that you might want her back.”Catherine pouted trying to make herself look cute and irresistible.Andrew stared down at her.Catherine was pretty but she couldn’t be compared to Renee.Renee had a kind of beauty that one could describe as angelic and it irked him so much that he didn’t get to bed her.He had so badly wanted to have a taste of her and he still wanted to.But he fight Catherine was more suitable for him since she was the Hudson’s real daughter and Renee was a nobody.He felt he needed a strong stance
*RENEE*Was-was Marcelo kissing me right now?My eyes were wide open unable to believe what was happening.As just as I was about to get sucked into his kiss,he pulled away from me and suddenly ordered Luke.“Stop the car!”Luke immediately stopped the car by the side of the road.“Get down,Renee.”Marcelo said to me.I frowned,confused.”Why?”“Get down!”He ordered again.“You…you just kissed me and you’re asking me to get down in the middle of nowhere?”This man was confusing the heck out of me.“Get down!Do not make me repeat myself again.”I felt like punching him.And I got so angry at his attitude that I didn’t want to spend another second sitting beside him.I got down from the car and lashed out at me.”You’re so annoying!”Then I slammed the door hard.The car drove off,immediately.Ugh!I stood there for a second trying to calm down.Why did he kiss me?I decided not to think too much about it so I wouldn’t go crazy.Well,considering what I had done to him in front of Andrew,I de
*RENEE*The following day,I was busy coming up with different ideas for the next set of dresses that I’d be making.As darkness enveloped the city,I got dress to meet up with Sarah.I had no idea that Sarah had chosen Venus bar.I only got to know when I met her at the location.I sighed staring at the casual outfit I was wearing.I could only hope that I do not look out of place.This bar was a renowned,exclusive club in the city which was frequented by the high societal folks.Membership at Venus Bar was a symbol of status and wealth.I made my way to a private room upstairs which Sarah had booked.***********MARCELO*“Stop!”I ordered Luke as soon as I caught sight of something.“Is something wrong,sir?”He asked as he stopped pushing my wheelchair.My eyes followed the woman who was clad in a simple shirt and jeans,a baseball cap concealed most of her face but I couldn’t fail to recognize her.My wife!What was she doing here?What could a woman be doing a such a bar?Was she secretl
*RENEE*Even if I was surprised at Marcelo’s presence at the bar,I tried to play it cool.I didn’t do anything wrong this time,did I?“Marcelo,this is Sarah,my best friend.Sarah,Marcelo, my husband.”I introduced.Being a private figure in social circles,Marcelo was clearly no stranger to Sarah,plus I had told her a lot about him.But I didn’t want him to know that I was the co-owner of this bar.Sarah and I exchanged knowing looks then she turned to face Marcelo.“Mr King,I’ve heard so much about you.I hope it’s still okay to spend time with my best friend.You certainly can’t be stingy with her.”Sarah teased.I don’t think Marcelo would believe that Sarah and I were simply hanging out in Venus Bar because this bar was known to be frequented by wealthy men who hooked up with different women.I stared at Marcelo who was still giving me a cold look.“Come here.”He ordered me.I glanced at Sarah.”You…you should head back first.”I suggested,aware of Marcelo’s unpredictable temperament and
*MARCELO*I stared up at Renee who was looking quite displeased at me.Yeah,that’s what you get for lying to me!It was actually laughable that she had said she came here with her best friend.Am I supposed to believe that?“Mr King,Can I leave now?”She leaned down a bit and asked me.Despite myself,I was momentarily captivated by her scent.She smelled sweet and milky and her warm breath tickle my ear,triggering a shiver through my entire body.I swallowed recalling how hot he feels to kiss her.“So now that Marcelo is here,can we get on to what we have planned for tonight!”Someone announced,breaking me out of my trance.I looked away from Renee and took a sip of my whiskey,then I said,casually to Renee.“What would you like Miss Hudson to join you in?”I asked,careful not to address her as Mrs King yet.“I said I was leaving.”Renee reminded me.“Sit down!”I ordered her loudly and she couldn’t dare refuse.She reluctantly sat adjacent to me.“Marcelo,I’m your wife,you can’t keep treat
As she placed a necklace on the model, Renee chuckled and reassured him, "Don't worry, these are my friend's collections. I am borrowing them for the time being."“I know Freddy well, and he's not that rich." Jonah's tone was still very cautious and wary.“It's not Freddy, it's another friend of mine."Jonah stared at her, feeling numb.Why couldn't he have such a wealthy friend?“Should we arrange for more security?" It suddenly occurred to Jonah that having such priceless jewels in one place could make them vulnerable to robbery."Security has already been arranged outside the venue,"Renee informed him.There were enough cameras inside the venue, and they covered every angle.Renee had spent a huge amount of money on these jewels, so it was only natural for her to want to protect them.Despite not being new, these jewels were timeless works of art from different time periods and private collections, with limited availability and more alluring than the newest designs from popular bra
Vivian froze in shock, her eyes widening.Paul caught the excitement and desire in her shocked expression.His smile turned triumphant. "It seems you do!Everyone knows Sebastian loved you dearly since childhood and before his death, but the one you've always been drawn to is Marcelo."Vivian’s expression changed slightly, her fists clenched by her side as she fought to maintain her composure.She had known for a long time that Sebastian was in love with her.And she had selfishly gotten into a relationship with him before his death so she could be close to Marcelo.She had did all she could to make Sebastian believe that she actually loved him while deep down,she was hoping to get noticed by Marcelo.When Vivian replied, her voice was very serious. "Mr King, Marcelo is already married. I have no intention of interfering in their relationship."“What if I tell you that I want you to become my grand-daughter-in-law?"“You...Why..."Vivian was too shocked to speak.Initially, she struggle
Pulling her luggage,Renee noticed Marcelo following her. "Are you driving me to the airport?" she asked.“It's on my way,"He replied, taking a seat in the back and instructing the driver to start the car.Renee pondered the route. The airport was near the suburbs. Where could he be going that was on the way?She turned to him. "Don't you have work today?" Her tone carried a hint of curiosity towards Marcelo, who seemed unusually idle that morning.With a relaxed demeanor,Marcelo replied, "Day off."Renee shot him a doubtful look.Was the KM Group really performing so poorly that its CEO could afford to take so many days off? She thought to herself.Catching her skeptical glance,Marcelo gently tapped Renee’s forehead. "What's that look for?" he asked.He suspected that he was crazy to skip work just because she was leaving the country.Renee, rubbing her forehead, shot him a slightly aggrieved glare. But she didn't call him out on his apparent mood. Reaching the airport, she suppressed
Marcelo, however, remained stoic, feigning sleep as he leaned back. Secretly, he was acutely aware of every single touch and he tried his best to act unaffected.Renee, in her mind, didn't think she was entirely wrong for leaving without consulting Marcelo. Firstly, her hasty exit was understandable given her mood. Secondly, she pondered that Marcelo might have preferred her to leave so he could stay longer at Vivian’s party.The real issue was her abrupt return, awkwardly asking if he was leaving as well.Had he chosen to stay, perhaps she would be the one upset now.But Marcelo’s immediate departure, souring Vivian’s mood,really pleased Renee. Happy with this outcome, she felt inclined to placate him.As the Phantom rolled to a stop at the main porch of the house, Marcelo exited the car first, with Renee following closely behind.The servants had already opened the door, awaiting the arrival of their master and his wife. "Marcelo, wait!" Renee called out.As Marcelo was about to ste
Vivian hurried over to Alma’s side, not ready to let Renee off easily.She hissed, "Miss Hudson! This whole thing involves Alma, Miss Curtis, and Quincy. Isn't it inappropriate for you to interfere? You were pretty tough on Alma just now. Don't you owe her an apology?"Renee couldn't suppress a chuckle at Vivian’s indignant tone.Even with her sarcastic edge, her beauty was undeniable.“You're wrong about one thing, Miss Lambert. Sarah and Quincy have nothing to do with each other right now." She paused, then added, "And as for apologizing? I've made my move. Do you really think I plan to say sorry?"“Renee, you are going too far!" Alma snapped back, her face turning red with anger.She felt braver now that the immediate threat was gone.“Miss Watts, I was talking to Miss Lambert. Isn't it inappropriate for you to interfere?" Renee threw Vivian’s own words back at Alma before turning to Vivian. "What do you think, Miss Lambert?"Alma was at a loss for words.Vivian nervously bit her l
With a detached smile,Renee resumed the game.The crowd's eyes turned to her, expecting to see anger or sadness, maybe even jealousy. But her expression showed none of these emotions, leaving them somewhat disappointed. Then something odd happened.Ever since Marcelo started advising Vivian, Renee, who had been on a winning streak, began to lose. And she was only losing to Vivian. It was almost as if she was deliberately playing into Vivian’s hands, sending her chips her way.“Miss Hudson seems to have run out of luck," someone commented.Vivian, clearly pleased, surveyed the chips she had won from Renee. "I win again," she declared.“Miss, you're running low on chips," the chip attendant reminded Renee.Everyone at the table watched Renee, almost gloating, waiting for her to show embarrassment at not having enough money.But Renee, under their watchful gaze, did something unexpected. She reached out her right hand towards Marcelo and tilted her chin up slightly. "Mr. King, I'm out of
“Hmm, it looks like you are no longer sleepy. Fine, I'll take you out to get milk tea and barbecue. Afterward, can we have another late night together?"By the time Renee realized what she had walked into, it was too late. A rosy blush appeared on her cheeks, and she blinked rapidly to cover up her embarrassment.“You wish," she muttered as she looked away from him.A bunch of young playboys had approached in hopes of currying favor with Marcelo, and they just happened to overhear the conversation between him and Renee.They stopped short in shock.Was this really the noble Mr. King discussing fried chicken and barbecue with Renee? And Renee, too, had she really just put on a sullen act to get her way? Wasn't she always so elegant and demure?What the hell?Worse yet, they seemed to be discussing something else, something intimate that was meant to occur behind closed doors. And Renee had basically refused Marcelo.What was really going on with these two?As far as everyone else was c
Vivian staggered back two steps before she was able to stop herself. Eyes wide, she stared at Marcelo in disbelief, her mind a confused mess."I... I..."After a long time, she finally managed a weak, unconvincing smile. "I know…The other day, I heard Luke call her Mrs. King."Uttering these words was exceptionally challenging for her.Vivian couldn't accept the fact that another woman had already become Marcelo’s wife, a position she had longed for and fantasized about for years!She clasped her hands in front of her. When she looked at him again, she was calm, the true picture of composure.However, one look at her white, tightly clenched fingers made it clear she was anything but."Marcelo, you...When did you get together with her? Why didn't I hear anything of it?Renee Hudson has been famous since she was a child. Why didn't you have feelings for her...""I don’t need to explain anything about my marriage to you.Renee and I are married and I intend to be with her for the rest of m
Renee was the only one who didn't wear a formal dress.She was dressed in a cashmere overcoat, jeans, and black boots with high heels. Her hair was tied back neatly for work. She had an air of casual elegance, like a wealthy woman going out for a leisurely stroll.Even if she dressed in such an inconspicuous manner, she would immediately attract everyone's attention.Renee had been blessed with the ability to attract attention since she was a child.Whatever the reason might have been, it was evident that Renee didn't care about Vivian’s party enough to wear a formal dress."It doesn't matter. What you're wearing is good enough, Miss Hudson." From Vivian’s tone, one could infer that she didn't understand what Renee meant. She turned to look at Marcelo and said, “Marcelo, I have something to tell you."After saying this,Vivian flicked a glance at Renee.Obviously, she wanted to talk to Marcelo alone.Marcelo did not think that her request was anything out of the ordinary. He told Renee