Chapter 1 - What's going on here?

[Matilda]

"You mean he's not yet back?" I bit down on my lower lip as Julia, my best friend asked on the phone. I nodded as if she could see me, pressing my lips into a thin line.

"He's not back Julia, it's been a week, I'm scared I don't even know if he's okay!" My hand moved to my eyes as I wiped off the tears that were rolling down my cheeks

"Don't tell me you're worried about that asshole of a man, you fucking know that he's having the best time of his life right now with that whore he calls a mistress. Tilda listen the man who made you enter that disgusting marriage is dead, don't you think it's time you leave that asshole of a husband!" Julia snapped, I shut my eyes for a moment, allowing the tears to fall freely.

Yes, Mr. Black Donovan, my father-in-law, passed away a week ago, and he was the reason why I got into this marriage. Even though I knew Kaden hated me so much up until now because of what happened three years ago. Even when I was innocent of his accusations, that didn't still stop his hatred from growing every single day towards me

"Julia, you know, I can't...I..."

"Yes, that's right, go on, you love him, isn't that the trash you want to say now? Where has that love taken you? He does not even talk to you like a husband, makes love to you only when he's drunk as if you are some disgusting piece of shit that he can't fuck when he's sober, tell me what more of an asshole can he be? Your father-in-law is dead, how much more do you think he would do now that the only man who defends you is no longer alive!!" Julia snapped, making me drag my duvet closer to my body as cold shivers ran down my spine.

"I love him, Julia, I know he will change...I"

"You're just funny, a man who left you after his father's funeral and walked out with the same mistress he rubs in your face. And it's been a fucking week, he has not even called to check on you, and he still will not take your calls. Who the fuck does that?" Julia yelled, and every word she said felt like a slap to me. It was all true, that was the type of marriage I got myself into.

But how could I leave him?

I love Kaden with my life

"Knock!" A soft knock sounded on my door. I bit down on my lower lip, wiping off my teary eyes

"Julia, I'll call you back, I need to answer the door!!"

"It's not about calling me back, think about leaving that marriage, you're a fucking beautiful lady..."

"Julia, please!"

"Fine, talk later!" Julia let out a loud sigh before ending the call.

"Hold on, I'm coming!" I said to whoever was at the door. I stood up and adjusted my robe before making my way to the door

I pulled the door open and one of the maids was standing right at the door with her lips pressed into a thin line

"Good evening, Ma'am!" Zia gave me a firm nod. I already knew why she was here, but I had no appetite to eat anything right now.

"Zia, I know it's dinner time, but I'm sorry I don't have an appetite to eat. Could you please store it well? I'll eat tomorrow, or if I get hungry later, I will come to warm it up myself!" I said softly

"All right, ma'am, but it's not just about dinner...I...I," Zia paused in her words, staring at me as if she had suddenly lost the ability to speak

"Is everything okay? What's wrong?" I asked her, my eyes darting around the hallway

"Mr. Kaden is back, and...!"

"My husband is back?" I asked and Zia nodded, biting down on her lower lip

"But ma'am...,"

Without waiting for whatever she was trying to say, I walked out of my room and banged the door shut as I made my way toward the staircase

Kaden is back. I couldn't help the smiles that spread across my lips. I was worried for nothing, he's fine. My husband is okay

I almost ran down the stairs, I just wanted to see him, I've missed seeing his face, It's been a whole week, and Kaden wasn't taking my calls, I could have called any of his family members to ask but the hatred towards me was not just only from Kaden, they all hated my guts

My brows furrowed together as I walked towards the sitting room. I could hear laughter erupting from the side of the dining room, but what caught my attention was the three large luggages that were right in front of the sitting room, making my brow furrow even more. Who owns these large luggages?

My heart skipped with each step I took to the dining area.

"You have no idea how hungry I was, my brother's house was a lifesaver tonight!" My legs came to a halt in front of the dining table as I heard that voice - Loretta? My husband's sister. What is she doing in my house? My eyes darted to the far end, where another person was seated at my dining table

What the fuck? Cherry? Kaden's mistress. What is going on in my house?

Before I could stop myself, I took long strides to the dining room, my jaw clenching tightly. What exactly was Loretta's deal? What is she doing in my house with the so-called lady everyone wished Kaden was married to

"What is going on here?" I fumed, staring at the two women that were seated in my dining. My eyes wandered around but Kaden was nowhere in sight - but that was far from what I was thinking right now.

I needed to know what my husband's sister was doing in my dining with my husband's Mistress in my own house. Whatever my husband had going on with his mistress, we made it clear that it should end outside of this house.

"Good evening to you too!" Loretta smiled. Of course, that fake hatred smile.

"What are you two doing in my house at this time of night? Eating in my dining without my permission? Who served this food without my permission!!" I roared. This was madness at its peak, how dare the both of them?

"Your house, indeed!" The blonde whore who was the apple of my husband's eye smirked as she reached for a piece of cutlery. Before I could stop myself, I was already storming towards her. But then that voice - that voice that sends shivers down my spine every fucking time froze me in my tracks

"And what right do you have to question my guests?" Kaden's voice roared behind me. I froze, my breath hitching as I swallowed hard. I took a slow deep breath and turned to face the only man that has ever made my heart race. I stared at Kaden, watching his jaw clenching hard, his eyes burning with disgust as his eyes lingered all over mine before he turned his attention to the bags that were right beside him

"And why are these bags still here? Take them to the master's bedroom!" Kaden barked at the maids, his tone sharp and commanding, making my brow furrow even more, and before I knew it I was already walking toward him

"Kaden, what is going on here? Why is your mistress in our home? And whose bags are you telling them to take to our room?" My voice cracked, confusion clouding my thoughts as I met Kaden's cold eyes