Chapter 2

CHARLOTTE FLAIR

Claire Elliot, Desmond's favorite aunt from his paternal side. She had always had a dislike for me, and her disdain for me had intensified again because of Avery's condition. 

Worst of all, Desmond had always listened to her word. In his eyes, whatever she says or do was right. He respect and listen to her words over his own mother. 

She met my gaze, her eyes still glaring. "Did I stutter when I said what I said? Or you just choose to be a fool, and ignore that part?"

I shook my head, trying to defend myself. "B-but, I haven't done anything wrong," I stuttered.

Lilian, her daughter immediately jumped in, her voice laced with venom. "What do you mean you haven't done anything wrong? You tried to kill someone, and you're still trying to deny it?"

I immediately protested, my voice rising. "I didn't do it! I didn't try to kill her!" 

But they didn't seem to believe me. 

As I looked at their faces, a sinking feeling hit me hard. This was Avery's plan all along— to frame me for her own self-inflicted pain, and make me look like the villian before everyone.

What hurt most was that they choose to believe an outsider over me, without even listening to my side of the story.

"Desmond?" I called out, turning to him, but my husband's expression remained unyielding, without sparing me a glance. 

"You should do exactly as my Aunt said, Charlotte. That's the only way out now," he ordered. 

I shook my head, tears pricking at the corner of my eyes. "But I didn't do it, you have to believe me, Desmond!" I insisted again.

For six years, I had been a submissive wife, never daring to go against him. I had taken all the insults and constant bullying from his aunt and her daughter, because I knew if I retaliated, my dad would be upset. 

And my mom, she would also blame me for not be able to keep my marriage, calling me a failure. 

Sometimes, I wondered if they were my true parents, because parents would never stand by and watch their daughter be mistreated. 

To them, I was nothing but a ladder tool to get closer to one of the dignitary families in America. 

I'd always been alone, with no one to support me, except Alice, Desmond's mom, who constantly defended me.

"Why can't you just try to believe me just this one time? At least, I've always tried to be a good daughter-in-law to you, despite all the bad things you've done to me!" I exclaimed, frustration and anger taking over me. 

However, Claire's eyes twisted in anger as she slapped me hard again. "How dare you speak to me in that tone?!"

"But, I-" I tried to protest, but she cut me off again. 

"Shut up!" she spat, glaring at me. "You've made the biggest mistake by trying to harm the Gilbert's only precious daughter! I don't care to know what you think, and you better do as I've said if you still want to keep this marriage."

Right now, I felt utterly worthless and hopeless. 

I wish Alice was here with me. This is when I needed her the most, but she was already out of the country.

Just then, Avery's faint voice whispered. "Claire?" she called, and they all rushed to her side. I, on the other hand, didn't fail to caught the evil smirk she flashed me. 

She knew exactly what she was doing, and she's enjoying it.

"Please, don't scold her too much. I must've upset her deeply for her to react that way. I mean, any woman would've done the same thing if they were in her position," she said, feigning a pitiful expression. 

"I'm engaged to her husband, and publicly introduced as his woman, it must've hurt her terribly." 

Claire's tone softened as she crouched down beside her on the bed, embracing her and placing a soothing pat on her back. "No, dear. Don't say that, okay? It's not your fault," she said, her voice filled with tenderness.

I watched in pain, my chest tightening with emotion. 

She had never spoken to me with such kindness before.

My lips parted, about to speak, when Desmond's voice cut in, his tone scolding. "Charlotte, do you realize what you've done?" He asked angrily.

I turned to him, meeting his gaze. "Desmond, I-I didn't... I am... You've mis-" I struggled to find the right words, shaking my head. 

I had always been like this with him, like a little girl afraid to raise her voice or disagree with him, fearful of upsetting him. 

"You have to believe me, Desmond. I didn't do that to her," I said again, looking into his eyes desperately, hoping he would see the truth. "At least, give me the chance to explain."

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something— was it belief?

But I was wrong, as he opened his mouth to speak again. "This isn't a small issue, Charlotte. Her parents were already involved, and if I don't handle this well, they will be upset," he said. 

"Just admit you're wrong, and I can forgive you. I will know how to talk to her parents to get them to forgive you too. The most important part is for Avery to forgive you first, so kneel and apologize to her."

I stared at him in disbelief, anger simmering within me as I clenched my fist. 

My gaze darted from his face to Avery, and didn't fail to see the satisfied smirk plastered curling up at the corner of her lip.

I looked back at Desmond, and mentally cursed whoever set me up that night, six years ago. If I hadn't ended up in his bed, and being forced to marry him, maybe... just maybe I wouldn't have ended up in a loveless and disrespectful marriage.

Just then, Avery's fake whimper suddenly caught everyone's attention. "Desmond!" She screamed, clutching her stomach. "My baby! My stomach, it's hurts!"

Wait, what?

"Her baby?" I muttered, stumbling back, almost falling if it weren't of the support of wall beside me.  

She's already carrying his child?- I thought, my chest tightening from pain.