Chapter 4: The Unwanted Wife

Day 1,

Maya POV

The noise was too much.

I woke up with a banging headache, groaning as I forced my eyes open.

“Arrggh… what is that?” I muttered.

My gaze slowly moved to the clock standing opposite the bed.

9:17 AM.

What?

I slept till the next day?

I guess I was really that tired.

I tried getting out of bed—

And froze instantly.

There stood Ethan.

Shirtless.

Smoking heavily.

He sat at the far end of the room, typing aggressively on his computer while loud heavy music blasted through the speakers — the very thing that had jolted me awake.

He turned slowly when he noticed I was awake.

“Arrrrrrgggg!” I screamed, grabbing the duvet and covering my body.

He scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, still clutching the duvet tightly around myself.

He said nothing. Just kept on typing.

“Dammit! I asked you a question. Get out!” I barked.

“Out?” he raised a dark brow, finally looking at me. “In my own house?”

“Well—I’m here now, so get out!”

“You can’t be serious.” He let out a dry, mocking laugh and continued working.

The smoke was becoming unbearable, stinging my lungs.

I started coughing badly, stumbling out of bed while holding the duvet and rushing into the bathroom. I slammed the door shut and inhaled deeply.

“Jeez… what kind of sicko smokes like that?” I hissed.

When my breathing finally settled, I leaned against the sink.

What am I supposed to do here?

How do I live with a madman?

My eyes roamed over my body.

First things first — I need my clothes. And I need to check on Andre.

I quickly showered and grabbed a towel from the rack. When I stepped out slowly, peeping through the door, I noticed he was gone.

Good.

I walked to the wardrobe, hoping to find something wearable.

Nothing.

No female clothes.

Just a single blue shirt.

I grabbed it and wore it. It stopped right at my thighs.

I stared at myself.

I can’t wear this outside.

My eyes drifted to the wedding gown lying on the floor.

Nope.

Definitely not.

I’d rather go out in a shirt than that costume of a lie.

I grabbed my phone and walked downstairs.

Halfway down the stairs, I stopped.

Ethan wasn’t alone.

A girl sat beside him, half-naked, her fingers sliding across his bare chest while he smoked like he didn’t have a care in the world.

I froze.

I know this marriage isn’t real.

But… does he not even respect me at all?

The girl noticed me first.

“Oh,” she smirked darkly, “I didn’t know you had company.”

Ethan didn't say anything.

He just kept smoking.

I rolled my eyes and continued walking toward the door.

“Stop right there.”

His voice echoed sharply.

I wanted to ignore him, but my legs wouldn't move. 

I turned slowly.

He stood up, walking toward me with a slow, dangerous grace.

“My shirt?” he raised a brow.

“I didn’t have any clothes here. Please, just let me wear this and go bring my things,” I said.

His face turned irritated instantly.

“You want to bring your junk into my house?” his voice thundered.

The girl chuckled, crossing her legs confidently on the sofa.

“Then what do you expect me to do? There’s no female outfit here!” I snapped back.

And then—

He did something horrifying.

He grabbed the shirt and ripped it straight down the middle.

The fabric tore in half.

My left breast was suddenly exposed.

My eyes widened in shock.

“Ooooh, that’s more than what I was expecting!” the girl laughed loudly.

I covered myself immediately, my heart pounding violently.

He smirked.

“Still wanna go out in my shirt?” he asked, satisfaction written all over his face.

Tears burned the back my eyes.

I couldn’t speak.

I just turned and ran upstairs, slamming the door shut behind me.

My back hit the door as I slid down to the floor.

The tears came freely.

My hands trembled.

I can’t believe he would do something like that.

My breathing became shaky.

It’s just my first day.

And I’m already breaking.

I knew I would see worse than this…

But I didn’t expect it to start this fast.

My phone rang.

Mr. Wellington.

I hissed softly, not wanting to answer, but I had no choice.

“Yes, sir,” I said, wiping my tears quickly.

“I believe you’ve confirmed the ten percent from what we agreed on?”

My mind snapped back.

That’s right.

The money.

The only reason I'm here.

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” I replied, sniffing.

There was a pause.

“I know this is hard for you,” he said. “But I’m just as desperate as you are. If you can make him change his ways, you’ll leave before the hundred days.”

“What?” I barked. “Change his ways? You never told me that was what I’m supposed to do!”

He sighed.

“I’m telling you now. I noticed you left without any clothes. I’ll have some delivered.”

And he hung up.

I stared at the phone in disbelief.

Change his ways?

Do I look like some fucking doctor who cures mad patients?

I looked down at the torn shirt.

I pulled it off completely and wrapped the duvet around my naked body again.

I fell onto the bed and dialed Doctor Harry.

It rang.

No answer.

I tried again.

Still nothing.

I sighed heavily and dropped the phone.

I need to visit Andre.

That general ward won’t help him. It’ll only make things worse.

My stomach growled loudly.

I didn’t eat anything yesterday.

There was too much pressure. 

Too much for me to handle.

“I’m so hungry,” I groaned.

I stared at the door.

I can’t just stay here and starve.

Sleep won’t help either.

I wrapped the duvet tightly around my body, like I had a fever, and quietly opened the door.

“Where’s the kitchen?” I whispered to myself.

After walking around for a moment, I spotted it.

The door was slightly open.

And fruits sat in a bowl at the center table.

There were too many of them.

My stomach twisted in joy.

I sneaked in and quickly grabbed as many fruits as I could, hiding them inside the duvet.

But as I turned to leave, I heard it. 

A low, inhuman moan.

I froze.

Slowly, I glanced toward the living room.

And the remaining surviving blood I had dried up.

The girl was on top of him, as they were fully naked. 

His hands were on her breast as he fondle them.

My eyes widened in horror.

She turned her head up, and a dark, satisfied smirk appeared on her face as she saw me standing there.

I immediately turned my face away, heat rushing through my body.

What did I just see?

My legs dragged me back upstairs as fast as they could. I shut the door behind me, panting heavily.

Did I just witness a live pornography?

What kind of life is this?

My phone rang again.

I dropped the fruits on the bed and grabbed the phone. It was a strange number.

I hesitated before answering.

“Ms. Rivers.”

The voice sounded familiar.

“Who is this?”

“It’s a shame you forgot my voice so quickly.”

Then it clicked.

The kind man from the wedding.

“Oh—I’m sorry. How did you get my number?”

He laughed softly. “That wasn’t difficult. So… how are you settling into your new home?”

I paused.

He works for the Wellingtons.

But he seems nice.

“Maya?” he called gently.

“I just got here. I haven’t fully settled,” I replied softly.

“And your husband? Considering it was a sham marriage done without his consent… I hope he isn’t too upset.”

Sham marriage.

I swallowed painfully.

“He’s… fine. Just surprised,” I lied.

There was silence.

“You don’t have to hide anything from me,” he said. “I may be a stranger now, but what if I’m the only person who could help you?”

I bit my lip.

Can I trust him?

“You know what,” he continued, “I won’t force you. Let’s just start properly. I’m James.”

“Oh… Mr. James. It’s nice meeting you.”

“When you feel choked or need someone to talk to, I’m available. I’ll be your friend in this harsh Wellington world.” He laughed a little.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

The call ended.

Can I really trust him?

A loud knock hit the door, snapping me away from my thoughts.

My heart jumped.

I walked toward it slowly.

“Open this door, bitch!” an angry female voice roared.

The slut lady.

I rolled my eyes and opened the door – and a resounding slap landed across my face.

The pain vibrated through my entire body.

I stood there, my hand slowly rising to my cheek.

What have I gotten myself into?