Chapter - [ 4 ]

( Rain Anderson Blackwood )

"Don't pretend to be a dotted wife Rain when we both know what a woman like you are called so don't make me use the term for you."

His words keep ringing in my ears.I can't lie of being fine and ineffected by his harsh words.It hurts,it hurts like someone stabs my heart with a hot iron dagger and twist it inside my chest to rip my heart in shreds.

He thinks me of a gold digger who can go to any extent just to maintain a high profile lifestyle.Fresh tears roll down my eyes involuntarily though I try my best to push them back.I hate the sympathetic stares I received from the houseworkers.I am not a charity case.I don't deserve such low humiliating treatment from my husband.I can fight for my dignity but do I really able to do this?

"Mrs. Blackwood please open the door."A  gentle female voice comes from the other side of my bedroom's door followed by a knock.

I quickly wipe my tears using a tissue paper and use my fingers to comb my disheveled hairs.I can't show my weakness in his house,to his employees. They'll mock me like their master.

"Come in."I try to sound normal yet it came out like a cracked whisper.

The door creaks open and a woman probably in her mid thirties walks in with a tray of breakfast. She placed the tray on the small table.

"Good morning Mrs. Blackwood,I am Elle,the main housekeeper.I heard from the cooks that you didn't eat your breakfast so I brought it for you."She says in a very soft and polite voice,she didn't give me the look I received from others rather she acts as formal as possible.

"Thank you Elle.I'll have it later."I pass her a weak smile and turn my face to the window.

I hear her sigh and her approaching footsteps where I am standing.

"Mrs. Blackwood may I say something if you allow me?"She asks in a warm tone that I couldn't refuse her.I silently nod my head as a gesture of my permission.

"I am glad he didn't marry your sister but you.The God saved him from his misfortune.I tried to warn him but he didn't listen.He loved her madly but she used him.I wish she receive the same pain she gave to Nicholas."She says causing me to snap my face in her direction.

The way she mentioned my sister Roselie,it offended me but I don't feel bad.She could have ruined his happiness more brutally if she married him and continue her affair with her boyfriend.

"I am sorry Mrs. Blackwood if I crossed my limits but I can't see Nicholas in pain.He has changed drastically.I miss his smiling face and jolly nature but now he married you instead of your sister,I have a hope that you will bring the real Nicholas back very soon."Her lips stretch in a bright smile.

"He doesn't want to even see my face let alone accepting me as his wife in real terms."I don't know why I share my feelings with her but I eventually did.

She placed her hand on my shoulder and turn me to face her.

"Like I said ,give him some time.His heart is very pure.He is just hurt.Time will heal all his wounds but don't just don't give up on your marriage."She says.Her words sediment deeply in my heart.

"But how?"I ask her.

"For the present situation,give him some space and do not try to act like a caring wife.He hates clingy people when he is mad at someone.Do everything a wife should do but from a safe distance.Make him realise your importance in his life.Make him yearn for you.He will fall for you sooner or later."

"It feels like crying for the moon Elle."I let out a dry chuckle.Nicholas falling in love with me,it seems next to impossible thing in the world.

"Never loose hope Mrs. Blackwood.That's all I want to say."She rubs my forearm in order to comfort me and turn to leave but I catch her wrist to stop her.

"Call me Rain just Rain.I am not too old to be addressed as Mrs. Blackwood and it sounds so alien and awkward.You know...its..its.."I scratch my nape.

"I can understand...Rain.You have a beautiful name just like you."She again gives me her warm smile,"I should be leaving for the market.Nicholas has invited his college friends for the dinner.Those men eat like starving cavemen.I have to prepare a lot of food for them."She says.

"His friends are coming for dinner?When did he tell you ?I mean he left very early in the morning."I frown.

"He called me a while ago.His friends are very nice if you're nervous about their judgements.They were the one to knock some sense in his head when he agreed on marrying your sister.They are going to like.Now I have to leave.Please eat your breakfast hmm.I know you haven't eaten anything since yesterday."She says and left me alone.

Her brief presence lighten my mood but as soon as she disappeared,the same void and unbearable silence begin to consume me.I glance over the loaded plate of the breakfast.My stomach growls in rebel.I slowly drag my aching body towards the chair and in no time finish the last trace of delicious breakfast in no time.

Once I was done with my meal.I decided to take a tour of my new house when my phone screen come to life.It shows my best friend Candace's number flashing on the screen.

I haven't talked to anyone since I stepped in this house.Not that it was possible.Its not even twenty four hours I left my parents' house. I don't have enough courage to talk to her who knows me in and out.She'd figure it all out no matter how hard I want to hide everything from her.It stopped ringing and I take a sigh of relief but before I can leave the confinements of my room,it again rings.

This girl won't stop calling me until I answer her.So,I swiped the green button and press the phone on my ear while I walk to the open balcony of my room from where I can see the beautiful scenery of the backside garden.

"Hey Candy."I greet her.

"Oh Gosh you finally answered my call.I thought you were dead six feet under the ground.Seriously Rain!You have been ignoring our calls since the morning.Your Mom,Dad and Rainard,in fact he is going ballistic.God save your husband from his wrath."Candance blurts in a single breath.

"You said Rainard?Wait!He is here.Raindard is back?"I gasp in surprise.

"Late in the night.He became total Hulk when he learnt about your marriage with Nicholas.It took your parents a very hard time to control him from rushing to your husband's place and turn your husband's handsome body into a seive."She sighs sadly.

"Where are you right now?"I ask her.

"I am running late for my work.So I'll catch you later at night if that's fine by your side?"She asks with a hint of hesitation in her voice.

I want to laugh on my ironic fate.Nicholas won't care even if I die behind the four walls of my room.

"Okay I'll call you after nine."I reply.

"Take care babes.I wish everything will be fine between you and him very soon

"She tries to cheer up my confidence.

I check my phone and found numberless calls and voice-mails from my parents,Candance and Rainard.I am dreading his reaction.He is very protective for me.

Rainard is my twin brother,who is a marine.He was stuck in an evacuation mission sent by the Government in a small country to rescue the terrorists attack victims.He promised to come on the wedding day but on last moment his flight got delayed. I wish he didn't come in the present scenario.

Nicholas will surely end up in the hospital if Rainard comes to learn how Nicholas treats me.I will call him in the afternoon when I am ready to speak with my brother.He can also read me like an open book though we rarely gets time to spend to together since he moved out of our house to join the marine.My parents were against his decision as they wanted their only son to take up the family but they eventually gave up.Rainard promised to join the business later in the future when he'll take retirement from the military service.

Right now I must choose a dress to wear for tonight.I can't give him a reason to humiliate me in front of his friends.

Please God help me to join the fallen pieces of my life but I never imagined that the night is going to be a total nightmare.

I have to pay the price of being the replaced wife of my sister's fiance.