Chapter 2

The next day.

Refusing to apply makeup, Wendy got dressed in a white flowing gown that belonged to her mother. Her mother wished to see her daughters wear them too. Unfortunately, she was snatched by the cold hands of death. Wendy was excited that her mother’s wish was coming to pass but it was heartbreaking that she was wearing it to exchange marital vows with a stranger; someone she didn’t love.

Only a few people were present at the cathedral to witness the joining.

“Are you sure about this?” Greg whispered as he walked her down the aisle to meet her husband.

“Yes,” she replied confidently.

Facing the strange man, her heart raced against it cage. The man was really disfigured and he had a cold expression. Scars and scary patches dominated his face. She had signed up for this so she kept her cool.

The priest came over and began the process. At the end, they both uttered I DO.

“Let’s go to your new home.” Hilton uttered and led the way to a cab.

Wendy complained inwardly. This was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life but it turned out to be the worst. In movies, she had seen how lovey-dovey new couples were but the reverse happened in her case.

Few minutes later, they arrived at a small bungalow.

‘He is wretched. How then is this place his house?’

As though he had read Wendy’s mind, he said. “A friend gave me the privilege to stay here because he relocated abroad. He can come back for it at any time. I am wretched and disfigured as you were probably informed.” He paused. “Your room is in the opposite direction. This union is merely transactional. I won’t bother you and you are to do the same.”

Wendy pulled her box and went to her room.

While Hilton was in his room, he placed a call.

“Jerry, from the documents, I was betrothed to Susan Bernard not Wendy Carter. How did I get married to Wendy? Get to the root of this, I want feedback in the next thirty minutes. Ensure my wife is closely monitored.” Hilton spoke to his personal assistant.

“What! I will get back to you right away. Most ladies are after handsome and wealthy men. Even in my dreams, I would never believe that any lady will get married to a disfigured and wretched man.” Jerry was surprised.

“Get to work!” Hilton ordered and ended the call.

“Wendy Carter, what are your plans?” Hilton fell flat on his bed.

Back in Wendy’s room, the peace and cozy room hid her from her complicated reality. She got into the bathroom, changed into something casual and entered the kitchen.

To her shock the fridge was empty. Turning to the cupboard, there was no foodstuff available.

“How has he been feeding?” She grumbled. “Could it be that he depends on the little token he gets from begging?

Wendy couldn’t help but recall all people said about her husband at the cathedral on their wedding day.

She leaned on the wall and decided that preparing a meal for her husband on their wedding night won’t be a bad idea. Recalling that she was done paying for the laptop she bought on installment, she decided to stop by at the store to pick it.

Three hours later.

Hilton pulled off his mask, his handsome, smooth and charming face came into view. He was a figure that any lady will go extra miles to have. After freshening up, he wore his mask and went to the sitting room.

Feeling uncomfortable, he reluctantly went to check if Wendy was alright. To his surprise, he met her door wide open and she wasn’t present.

“She must have run away.” Hilton mumbled and returned to the sitting room.

He leaned on the couch and stared at the space.

“Where are you coming from?” Hilton questioned the moment Wendy returned home.

His cold and deep tone made her fidget.

“I went to the market. There is nothing to have for dinner. We may be married because of a transaction but it doesn’t mean we won’t eat in our house. I will make it fast.” Wendy uttered respectfully.

“Then what is in that bag?” Hilton pointed to the bag hanging on her shoulder.

“Yeah, this is my new laptop. I am done making payment in installments for it so I went to get it.” She answered.

“What do you need a laptop for?” Hilton asked.

Wendy giggled, “I need it to apply for job openings and also take some courses online.”

“Job opening?” Hilton sounded surprised. “What qualification do you have?”

“I have a degree in cybersecurity. I hope to get a job soon, so I can pay our bills, help my father and my sister.” Wendy sighed.

Wendy headed to the kitchen.

Hilton couldn’t believe how soft this lady was relating with him. Could she be innocent and true as her actions portray?

Soon dinner was ready. She served and sat in the opposite direction at the dining table to eat.

Wendy’s phone rang, she answered it with a smile which increased Hilton’s suspicions.

“Hello. I will be there now.”

That was all she said and hung up.

“Please, I have to meet my father now. Take care of yourself, I will be back as soon as I can.” Wendy looked at him.

He glanced at the wall clock, it was quarter past six in the evening. “It is late,” Hilton announced.

Without giving a reply, Wendy left the house.

Hilton picked his phone and sent a message.

[She just left the house, track her movement]

Wendy arrived home and met her father and Nancy standing before some thugs and a lady.

The lady was Susan.

“What is going on here?” Wendy asked.

“Your family is finally going to the streets where they belong.” Susan mocked.

“Why did you get married to a ruthless and disfigured person? Don’t I deserve to know about such a step that you took?” Nancy pointed at Wendy.

Susan had earlier spilled a lot about Wendy’s marriage.

“I can explain.” Wendy’s voice was etched with remorse.

“I am done here.” Nancy said and walked away.

“Wendy! A lot is happening simultaneously but I promise you that everything will be sorted out soon. And as for Nancy, she’ll come around. Let’s give her some time.” Greg said, forcing a smile.

“Keep fooling yourselves, you have just a week to move out. These thugs won’t be gentle with you next time. This house belongs to the company and the documents bear my father’s name. So, leave and leave for good.

“Filter your words,” Wendy warned her.

“So pathetic, can’t your disfigured husband offer your father a house?” Susan laughed hysterically.

Wendy clenched her fist in a bid to suppress her anger. “Keep my husband out of this. We will leave. You’ve given us a week, it is enough for us to get another place.”

After discussing with her father for some minutes, Wendy left.

Wendy arrived home and saw Hilton lying down on the couch.

“Is everything alright?” Hilton asked.

“Y-Yes,” she replied without looking at him and entered her room.

Twenty minutes earlier.

Hilton had received a message from one of his men.

[Your wife’s family have been asked to leave their house for reasons that we are yet to decipher. Your wife went there to save the situation but they have been given just a week. She is on her way back home.]

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Hilton wondered how strong Wendy was to say everything was alright when it wasn’t. Hilton concluded that she must have berated him because she felt he was wretched. He was eager to see how she would sort it out since she didn’t involve him.

Wendy couldn’t sleep. She was worried about getting a new apartment for her father. She surfed the internet for job vacancies and eventually stumbled on an opportunity for certified cybersecurity. It was an opening at Darnold Enterprise, the largest and richest company in the state. People who meet the requirement were asked to be at the company by seven in the morning for a test and only shortlisted candidates will proceed to the next stage.

The next morning.

Wendy was dressed in a pink gown and held a file which contained her credentials.

She dropped a small piece of paper on the table which had a message in it.

[Your breakfast is set. I have to be somewhere before seven this morning. Take care of yourself.]

[Your lovely wife.]

Hilton was already dressed with intention to leave the house but he was greeted by the sheet of paper on the table.

Hilton stroked his finger against the paper.

“What is my dear wife up to?”