Henry's POV.
I was no hero, to save anyone in distress but I had no choice than to help Georgia.
It was just me taking advantage of the situation–she was in need of money, I was in need of a wife.
My need for a wife stemmed from the desire to ensure my inheritance remained mine, as somewhere in the family's custom, a married heir was more responsible.
I honestly wouldn't have cared so much about the inheritance if my greedy uncle hadn't tried to steal what was rightfully mine.
Marriage was the last thing on my mind but I had to make use of the benefits.
Love…well, that was something I removed from my life a long time ago so a marriage contract was the best.
I needed someone who wouldn't mess things up, and Georgia seemed desperate enough to protect the contract.
However, she also couldn't be trusted. Just like how my own family secretly tried to sabotage me, anyone else could plot the same.
I stayed on guard, alert at all times.
My phone vibrated on the table, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I stared at the caller's ID, unsure of what she had to say this time.
“Hello, what's the problem?” I asked the moment the call got connected.
“What's the problem?” Her loud voice reverberated through the phone. “There's a thousand and one problems son, and you successfully created them all!” My mom declared, her voice sounding somewhat dramatic.
“Where's this coming from mom? What do you think I've done this time?” I asked, hoping it was just some trivial issues about missing dinner or something.
“What did I say about getting married behind my back? Your photos are everywhere, who's the strange lady you're displaying to the world as your wife?” She asked both questions at once.
And at this point, I realized where this conversation was headed–the same ol’ emotional blackmail lane.
My mother has been trying to get me to marry her choice of girl, but I kept refusing her choices.
Not because I didn't want to get married–well, that was also a reason. But because I didn't want her picking for me, the last time she picked for me, things didn't end well.
And the scar of her absence still burns my heart, but I never told her. My mother assumed I was all healed up but I was far from that.
“I don't care how long you've had that up with that lady, but you have to divorce her!” My mother demanded.
My brows pulled together into a slight frown, my hands clicking the ball pen in my hand.
“I can't do that mother.”
In all honesty, I really couldn't.
Part of the clause in the contract was that neither of us could end the contract abruptly except both parties came to a mutual agreement.
And I was well aware that Georgia wouldn't agree, she couldn't. Her husband needed the money to survive.
And asides that, her blue eyes reminded me of the first woman I fell in love with. I didn't want to let her go.
“If you won't divorce her, then don't ever speak to me again!” My mother ordered and before I could say anything else, the line went dead.
A part of me saw it as the usual emotional bait but the other part wondered if she was truly severing ties with me because of a woman I barely knew.
***************
I had arrived home later in the evening to rest, unbeknownst to me that there was drama awaiting my return.
“To what do I owe this visit?” My brows twitched the moment I set eyes on Chelsea.
“Can't I visit my brother anymore?” She shrugged carelessly, as she gave her bag to one of the servants.
But I knew her very well, Chelsea ever visited me except she was asked to, or sent.
And in this case, I knew she was sent by my uncle.
He wanted to be sure this was real, he wanted to find a loophole so he could snatch my rights away from me.
But I was prepared for him.
I nodded curtly, “I never said you couldn't. But we both know that you never really visit me unless you're sent here.”
I noticed her brown eyes flickered with what seemed like guilt but they were quickly replaced by excitement.
“That's a lie, I always visit whenever I miss you. Besides, where's your new wife? I saw her on the news and I really want to meet her in person.” Chelsea threw her brown hair over her shoulders as she took a seat beside me.
“Well, she'd join us for dinner soon.” I said, my gaze focuses on my phone.
Seconds ticked into minutes and the mansion was soon filled with the aroma of different delicacies.
Chelsea and I walked to the dining table, and coincidentally Georgia was already seated.
I took a seat beside her, while Chelsea sat across.
“Oh my gosh, you're much more beautiful in person.” Chelsea complimented her and she beamed in response, turning to me like she needed my validation to speak.
I simply nodded and she understood immediately.
As the servants around served the dishes, Chelsea wouldn't stop staring at Georgia.
“So, what's your name?” She asked.
“Georgia.”
“What a sweet name. Can I ask something else?” Chelsea's eyes glistened with curiosity, one that came from the need to fill her information bank.
“Sure.”
“How'd you two meet?” Chelsea's question came, shocking both of us.
Georgia turned to me, her eyes searching mine for the answers.
“We're at the dining table, enough of the questions.” I shunned Chelsea and she rolled her eyes before resigning to her food.
As we ate, Georgia suddenly started coughing.
I was first curious as to why she was coughing but noticing Chelsea's burning gaze, I quickly started patting her back.
“Baby, are you fine?” I asked and Georgia nodded, although her eyes were reddened from the coughing.
I helped her drink some water, after which I wiped the tears that flowed down her cheeks.
“Are you fine now?” I asked again.
“Yes, I just choked on my food and it was quite spicy.” She said, her voice sounding raspy.
“Sorry, let me feed you some of mine. It doesn't have much spice,” I suggested, lifting my spoon towards her mouth.
She took it cautiously, her eyes conveying the words that she couldn't speak.
She was surprised.
“Awwwwn, how cute!” Chelsea cooed and I took that as the success of my charade.
I was only pretending to care about Georgia, but deep down I fe
ared something–I feared getting attached through this.
But then again, how could I get attached when my heart belonged to another?
Georgia's POV The first ping of my phone broke the stillness, but by the tenth, I already knew something bad had happened."Georgia! Did you notice this? Mia's voice came through the speaker, scared and nearly high-pitched.My hands trembled as I opened the note she gave me. A picture. Nolots.Pictures of me at the party last night, having fun, drinking, and getting far too close to Henry. And then, right when I thought my heart would stop, I saw Henry's fingers brush across my waist as we argued near the balcony.The headline hit me in the face:"Is the CEO's wife a friend or a mistress?" The Georgia Sparks homewrecker scandal.I stopped. My lungs stopped working.Mia: "Georgia, listen to me. Don't freak out. Anna is here. It must be. She is the one who did this."But... these pictures, Mia, they make it look like I wanted this." Like I wanted him.Mia: "It's messed up." It's not true. But Anna understands how to hurt people, and she picked the right weapon.I slapped the phone down
Henry's POV"Don't give me that look, Georgia... else I could forget why I should despise you.His voice was harsh, nearly cracking, and in that dimly lit room, his words hurt me more than any insult.The study was dark, and the only light came from the fireplace, which broke the tension. Henry's eyes focused on mine, and my heart raced against my ribs. He appeared angry, yet there was something deep down that he wasn't saying.I gulped hard and wouldn't let my eyes drop first. "You're the one staring, Henry," I murmured, my voice hard. "If you hate me so much, stop looking at me like you can't decide whether to kill me or""Or what?" he snarled, advancing closer and casting a shadow over me. "Don't finish that sentence."His voice was frigid, yet his fists were tight at his sides, as if he was trying not to touch me. With each word and breath, the gap between us got smaller."You don't scare me anymore," Georgia said. Not because you are quiet. Not with your threats. "Not even with y
Georgia’s POV"Henry, she doesn't belong here." Stop it before she messes everything up.Henry's mom's angry voice cut across the corridor like broken glass. I couldn't move behind the half-open door because my breath seized in my throat.The big home was peaceful save for that harsh voice coming from the study. The fragrance of ancient books and burning wood from the fireplace surrounded me, but instead of comfort, I felt frigid anxiety.Henry's mother was sitting in one of the leather recliners, and her pearl necklace shone like a chain of judgment. Her lips twisted up as if she were sick of me.Henry's mom: "This girl is a stain on your name." You are better than her. Henry, contracts end. "Finish it early and finish it cleanly."Henry said, "Mother..." in a calm, deep voice.The way he hesitated made my stomach turn. He wasn't standing up for me. He didn't say she was wrong.I put my back against the wall and strained to hear, which made my chest feel tight.Henry's mom: "If you k
Georgia’s POVThe lights above the crowded ballroom shone like diamonds, but all I could feel was the storm in my chest. As I crept in the side door, unseen in the darkness, my pulse raced against my ribs. I wasn't simply a visitor tonight; I was a trespasser. I just came for one thing: Anna.Music. Laughing. The sound of glasses clinking.Everything looked so beautiful and golden. But my eyes were glued to her the lady who took everything from me.Anna.She stood in the middle of the room in a blood-red gown that screamed triumph. Andrew was next to her, smiling as if she hadn't ripped my life apart piece by piece.I forced myself to move ahead by swallowing hard.Georgia (inside): Don't lose your cool. Not yet.I moved closer. My fingers shook as I held the glass I swiped from a waiter's tray, but I had to keep my voice firm.Georgia spoke out loud, "Are you having fun tonight, Anna?"She turned around carefully. Her lips curled into that arrogant, venomous look that always made me
Henry’s POV"When she smiled, my chest clenched, but not with happiness. There was something off about her, like music that was performed in the wrong key.Soft piano music filled the restaurant, and low golden lights made the polished tables look cozy. People whispered to one other over wine glasses, and laughing came and went, but none of it reached me. I couldn't take my eyes off her.Mary. Or the lady who said she was her.She sat across from me, her posture flawless, her smile prepared, and her fingers delicately tapping on the stem of her glass. The way her hair flowed over her shoulder, the way her nose sloped, and the way her lips curved as she turned her head all seemed familiar. But my stomach turned.This wasn't the Mary I recalled.It's been... years." Even when I attempted to keep my voice calm, it cracked. "You disappeared without a word, and now you're here, smiling like nothing happened."She laughed softly, which should have calmed me down but instead made me angry. "
POV: Georgia"So, they're having a party..." Georgia muttered to herself, her knuckles becoming white around the wine glass she was holding. "Why are you celebrating?" "Is this humiliating for me?"The room was silent, save for the clock's soft ticking and the low buzz of voices coming from the opposite side of the hall. As Georgia came closer to the slightly open door, her shoes quietly tapped on the marble floor. She held her breath and listened.She could hear Anna's laughing insidehappy, light, and carefree. It hurt her ears.Andrew's voice came next, low but distinct."Anna, this will be something you'll never forget. We deserve this party."I understand." It finally seems right after everything. I can't wait.Georgia's heart beat so loudly that she was afraid they would hear it. She put her hand on her chest, and her nails dug into her palm.Georgia said to herself, "Right?" Do you believe this is right? "After everything you both took from me?"Her breath shook, but her eyes sh