“Keep believing that, but to me, she used you to avoid her marriage.”
“Marriage? What marriage?”
“You didn’t know?”
“Know what?”
“Oh boy,” Klaus laughed, “he lives at the back of the town.”
“Whatever. What marriage are you talking about?”
“She was supposed to marry Christian Charles, but because Clarisse was divorced, Alice ended up marrying him instead.”
“So you’re insinuating that Alice used me to avoid marriage?”
“Yes.”
Victor started to chuckle, not believing the nonsense Klaus was spouting. “Nice theory, Klaus.”
“I’m serious.”
“Indeed,” Klaus nodded, still laughing. When he saw Victor didn’t believe him, he shrugged. “Your choice.”
Sharon hung up after a conversation with Christian and walked toward her seat when she saw Ashley approaching, all dressed up and looking gorgeous.
“Are you heading out?”
“Yes, Mum. How do I look?” Ashley smiled and spun around in a 360-degree turn.
“Looking gorgeous, but where are you going? And when will you be back?”
“I’m heading to my friend’s birthday party.”
“Which of your friends? Haven’t your friends already had their birthdays?”
“Yes, but the one having the birthday is my friend’s friend.”
Sharon eyed her suspiciously. “When will you be back?”
“Tomorrow, at the latest.”
“That won’t be possible.”
“Why?” Ashley’s shoulders slumped, and her face became gloomy.
“Because your brother and his wife are heading back, and we’ll be having a family dinner tomorrow night.”
“Aren’t they supposed to be on their honeymoon?”
“Yeah, but I guess it is what it is. He just called to let me know they’re coming back.”
“I guess your son isn’t that romantic then.”
Sharon raised an eyebrow at Ashley, who was busy laughing.
“I trust my son, and you,” she pointed at Ashley, who immediately stopped laughing and pouted.
“That pout won’t work. Be back by tonight so you can help me prepare for tomorrow.”
“Prepare? The maids are there, of course.”
“What the maids will do is one thing, but we also have some work to do. So, be back by tonight, or go back to your room and text your friend’s friend ‘Happy birthday, long life, and prosperity, sorry, but I won’t be able to make it,’ along with some funds,” Sharon said, maintaining her serious expression.
Ashley pouted, “Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“I’ll be back by tonight.”
“Promise?”
“Pro… promise.”
“Break the promise and your account will be frozen.”
“What?! You can’t do that, Mum!”
“Break the promise and see.”
Ashley grumbled and left, fully aware that her mother was a woman of her word.
Christian and Clarisse stepped out of the car after the chauffeur parked it.
“Is this… where I’ll be living now?” Clarisse wondered to herself as she stood before the magnificent building. “I guess we’ll be living together with his family,” she thought, referring to Christian’s parents and siblings.
The building was massive, more than just a penthouse – it was a mansion. She walked into the house cautiously, afraid she might stain the walls. Even the walls screamed wealth, making her feel inferior.
The luxury cars, the beautiful garden, and the suffocatingly perfect environment were nothing compared to what lay inside. She gasped before she could stop herself.
“How can someone have an entire paradise in their home?” she thought, her eyes wandering. “These people are no doubt powerful and wealthy. If a family can have all this inside their living room, there’s no doubt they’re billionaires, if not trillionaires,” she nodded to herself.
“More reason to be the house rat, out of their sight,” she thought, looking up at Christian’s back. She remembered the way he kissed her. “I can’t trust this man. I have no idea what his intentions are. They’ve all done things without my consent. I know I’m his wife, but…,” she sighed sadly. “Did he even see me as his wife? Who would accept me? He probably did all this for something. A man like him would want Alice. He’s been acting crazy and manipulative. He’ll probably use me, then toss me aside after getting what he wants. So, Clarisse, let’s not trust him. He might be the most dangerous of them all.”
“We’re here,” Christian’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“This is where we’ll be staying, and this is the living room. I hope it’s to your liking.”
Clarisse felt a pang of anger in her chest. How could he be so sweetly manipulative? What exactly was he trying to achieve? What did he want from her? Not like she had anything to offer.
“Thank you,” was all she could manage to say, bowing her head and refusing to look anyone in the eye.
“She’s not looking at me again,” Christian thought to himself, realizing her reluctance.
“Want to check out the rooms?” he asked.
“Huh? Uh, no thanks. I’m fine.”
“You’re sure? Any room is fine by you?”
“Yes… yes,” she answered, and in the next moments, she felt his grip on her wrist, pulling her away. Her heart raced, unsure of what he was going to do to her. Was he going to hit her? Yell at her? Lock her away? She regretted disobeying him. She should have just done what he asked.
He led her into a room, spacious and beautiful. The interior design was stunning. The walls were painted white, and the huge bed was perfectly laid out with a white bedspread and three pillows. Every single thing that caught her eye was beautiful. The room was so beautiful that she almost didn’t mind being locked inside it.
Christian smiled when he saw her expression. “Do you like it?”
“Huh?”
“Do you like it?”
She looked at him, as if the question was strange.
“Why?”
“If you like it, then this will be your room.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.