3. I'm not a gold-digger

I saunter downstairs through the wide spiral staircase which looks like the type of staircase that can be found in a castle. This mansion is extraordinary, every single thing around here screams wealth. I haven't even viewed the other space in the house, just the little I've seen makes me ponder if I will ever fit into this family or if I made a mistake becoming the daughter in-law of this family.

It looks like I am still yet to understand the excessiveness of the family I got married into and the distance between my life and theirs. As I was taking in the beauty of the living room which looks like the whole house of some average families, I heard someone's voice behind me.

It was even now that I realized that no one had come down for breakfast. I was rushing downstairs thinking that I was late not knowing that none of the family members had arrived for the dinning. It seems they are not hungry. Well, I am ravenous and need some chunk of food in my empty stomach.

“Hi!" I hear the same voice that calls out to me, then it occurred to me that I've still not answered whosoever it is. I turn as my eyes fall on a resplendent young lady with beautiful eyes— smiling at me. I don't think I've met her before, though I didn't quite take in the faces of the family members at the chapel but I can subconsciously remember any of them if I meet them again but I don't seem to remember seeing this woman anywhere.

Still in her vivid smile she asks,“You must be the new bride, right?"

I nod, still contemplating if I've seen her before or not. She appears nice due to her manner of approach.

“My name is Hannah and I am...."

She couldn't finish her words before a steely voice interrupted her.

“A substitute wife or I must say a pitiful wife to be."

I quickly turn to see the person who makes the comment that seems a bit nasty. Is a pretty lady with long wavy black hair that falls down her waist. For a second I was indulged in how beautiful and long her hair is but her voice is not sweet and soothing like the lady who introduced herself like Hannah, also, her smile looks fake. Looking at her I think I've met her, probably at the chapel.... Now I get it, she's one of the people that mocked me when my husband left me behind. I don't think she's nice like Hannah.

Hannah's fascinating face turned sour the moment she heard the wavy hair lady's voice. She turned angrily at her but couldn't sputter a word, she only glared at the wavy hair lady who has a bogus or more likely, mocking smile on her face.

“I was only introducing you properly, why do you look so offended? I just want the new bride to get to know you better, you might confuse her with your words and then she will be misled from knowing the real family members from partial family members." The words of the wavy hair lady sounds so vulgar as she drags them out with an irritating smile which shows that she's only trying to provoke Hannah with her words. But Hannah seemed more reserved as she replied to the wavy hair woman. And what does she mean by real and partial family member?

“I didn't require your aid, Melinda," Hannah's voice didn't completely hide her anger. She ignored the Melinda lady and turned towards me as she once again put on her vivid smile.

“Don't mind the intruder. Like I said, my name is Hannah and I'm Ryan's fiancee. Ryan is the second grandson of the family."

“And useless, you forget to add that my dear Hannah."

That's Melinda's rude voice. I wonder what her problem is, why's she trying so hard to piss Hannah off. Her demeanor screams rude and arrogant. I don't think I like her. I wonder if she's a daughter or daughter in-law.

Yet again Hannah ignored her and just continued speaking to me not diminishing the bright smile. I love the way she's handling the rude Melinda who looks like a troublemaker.

“I was out of town and just came back last night so I wasn't able to attend your wedding. You are so beautiful, you make a good bride. I believe the wedding went well, right?" she asks with a lovely smile. If only she knew how horrible yesterday was for me. My husband left me at the chapel and made me sleep on the couch last night.

Before I could lie to her that everything went well, the same Melinda barge in... I wonder what kind of a lady this is.

“Went well you say?" She sniggers mockingly. “If you must know, it was hell horrible. The groom left the bride at the chapel and he also left her this morning and am sure they didn't sleep together last night. According to our family tradition, the newly wedded couple must go on their honeymoon the next day after their marriage but unfortunately, a girl who's pitiful just like our dear Hannah is left behind again and that's how it's going to be, she will never be accepted." She laughs annoyingly after her last sentence.

Now I think I don't like this lady, she's so annoying but somehow her words hit the deepest place in my heart. My husband and I were supposed to go on a honeymoon but he left me without a word. I don't know why I feel bad about that fact, it's something I should expect, how can he go on a honeymoon with someone he doesn't love. He left me behind at the chapel, what makes me think he will take me on a honeymoon.

“Melinda! don't act childish. You are hurting the poor girl's feelings," Hannah snapped but Melinda scoffed, she cares less.

“I am only telling her the truth," Melinda hissed and walked closer to me with a smile I knew quite well is not far from faux.

Putting on that weary smile, she said, “You poor thing. Just because grandfather picked you up from the street and got you married to his youngest grandson doesn't make you suitable to fit into this type of influential family. Also, there is no way in this world you will be able to reach Jace taste and standard so don't be too excited because you may not last long here. You are just a little thing kept in the house by grandfather while your so-called husband flirts out there. Remember, he is popular especially among women and not babies."

She didn't stop until she spat all those words out in a low but with a very icily tone. Her words pierce through my heart, she said a fact that I know though I thought it was just my silly reasoning but hearing it from this vicious woman makes my heart throb in pain. I am nothing, I will forever be nothing to my husband... I am far from what his taste is and I wonder if this marriage is going to bring me pain more than happiness.

Melinda is right, I am just a nineteen— year— old inexperienced girl, what would the rich and popular Jace find interesting in someone like me. This marriage might be more insipid than I expect but somehow my heart is ready to accept whatever this marriage brings to my table, I have already made Mr Williams a promise that I will not leave this marriage no matter what.

I thought she has said enough but hell no, she still spat out more and this time I feel a bit enraged as she lean closer to be and whisper those words

“I know the reason a little girl like you who was supposed to be in school agreed to get married into a wealthy family. You are nothing but a gold-digger and gold-diggers don't last long so be ready for the day you will be thrown out from this house, the way you were brought in."

I clench my fist in anger as I try to calm my nerves. I am not someone that gets angry easily but I can be greatly furious if someone insults my dignity. I know that I am a poor street girl but I can never stoop so low to become a gold digger. I don't mind clattering my teeth in suffering rather than being a golddigger.

I wanted to lash some words on her face but I restricted myself. Am newly married into this family and I think I'm the youngest so no matter what, I need to take in my anger and give out respect.

I never married Jace for money, Mr Williams was the one that approached me because he feels indebted to my late father. I even refused his offer to marry Jace since I am too young for marriage but he coax me into doing it. He said that he just doesn't want me as a daughter but he wants me to be Jace's wife. I don't know why he chose me out of all those girls out there.

I also accepted because I thought that Jace wants the marriage too but now that I have found out that he doesn't love me, what can I do? Divorce him? When Mr Williams pleaded with me to be by his side no matter what.

The poor old man was the reason my father died but it was accidental, my father willingly wanted to save him but ended up losing his life. The man wants to pay back the kindness and he has done a lot for me already. Why should I decline him the only little thing he asked from me. I don't know why he wants me to stay by Jace's side, but I am sure he might have a good reason for that.

“Stop it Melinda. Don't you feel ashamed, she's just a little girl and you are taunting her," Hannah stepped in with a grimace.

Melinda's hysterical laugh filled the large living room. “Don't be ridiculous Hannah. Why pity her when your situation is worse than hers. At least she's married but you have been shamelessly staying here as if you are part of this family."

“Melinda!" Hannah fumes. I can see the anger ranging in her eyes.

I wonder what Melinda means by that, is Hannah not part of this family? Isn't she the second grandson fiancee as she told me few minutes ago, why then is Melinda making her look like a total stranger. I heard Melinda call her a substitute wife and pitiful girlfriend, what could she mean by that? Why is Hannah a pitiful girlfriend?

“You always get unnecessarily angry Hannah, especially when the truth is being told," Melinda spat out as if she didn't say anything bad to Hannah. I wonder what kind of a lady is this. She has such a very dirty mouth and doesn't care about people's feelings when speaking.

She turns to me and I wonder what rash word she wants to utter now. I don't know what I've done wrong to this Melinda of a lady, it seems that she doesn't like me at all and I wonder why, I've done no harm to her. How can someone hate a person she hasn't got acquainted with.

“And you, I guess you don't know who I am, let me introduce myself," she pauses as she flips her hair dramatically, in a most sarcastic manner. “I am the ultimate daughter-in-law of this great family and you are mandated to respect me, in fact... you should worship me."

“And what makes you think she's going to do that," a familiar husky voice trails from behind. I need no second thought to quickly know who it was. But I thought he left already, why's he going on and off?