Chapter 2: The Accusation

Marcus pins her with a cold, deadly gaze, his fork half raised to his mouth. He sets it down gently, his eyes demanding an explanation.

It’s the first time he’s ever shown some concern when his family members insult me. And I’m already used to it; five years of constant humiliation and ridicule have given me a thick skin. Although this time, I don’t know what I could’ve done wrong. We never even crossed paths today.

“Marcus, you will snap her head off when you find out what she’s done!” Cara sneers, her voice filled with hatred.

“Cara, what have I done?” I ask casually, though my chest tightens.

“Don’t you dare speak to me, you whore!” she shouts, wagging a finger in my face.

“Hey!” Marcus snaps, slamming his palm on the table.

Her eyes widen, she’s surprised he’s showing concern.

“Your so-called wife is sleeping with the gardener!” she spits, pointing an accusing finger at me.

My heart sinks. She must be mad.

“What?” Marcus hisses, his eyes widening.

“Yes, Marcus,” Aunt Linda agrees as she storms into the room, the household staff walking behind her. “This classless bitch has been having a secret affair with the gardener!”

I jump to my feet, eyes wide in shock as I stare at them.

“What are you talking about?” I demand, my voice tight. “How could you say such a thing?”

“Oh shut up!” Cara snarls, glaring at me. “You thought we wouldn’t find out?” She pulls out her iPad from her bag, scrolling quickly.

“Marcus, I always told you this woman is a whore but you never listened!” Aunt Linda sneers. “The cook,” she points to the trembling girl, “caught them last week in the act. She didn’t say anything at first. She simply reported and we got evidence.”

Marcus’s jaw locks, his fingers clenched into fists.

“It’s true!” Cara says, shoving the iPad into his hands. A video plays on the screen. “We caught her this time! You can see clearly how she kisses the gardener passionately!”

“Oh my God!” I gasp, dread washing over me. “That’s not true…” I shake my head, lips trembling. “I would never do such a thing! You’re lying! That isn’t me in the video!”

“Quiet!” he barks, turning his cold gaze on me. “How dare you, Isla! How dare you have an affair with a common gardener!”

“No!” I shout, shaking my head as tears stream down my face. “It’s a lie! I would never do that!”

“How can you still deny it, Isla?!” Aunt Linda snaps, shaking her head. “What a despicable woman!”

The staff rush forward, their gazes downcast. “It… it’s true, sir,” the housekeeper confirms. “Mrs. Collaway visits the servant quarters every night to see Johnson.”

“It’s not true!” I yell, sobbing. “They are lying! I would never do such a thing!”

“You know it’s true!” the butler insists, his eyes narrowing at me. “Johnson is your lover!”

“You can’t deny that!” the cleaner cries, breaking into tears. “I warned you, Mrs. Collaway… I told you someone would find out!”

My eyes widen even more, dread swallowing me whole.

“I saw them with my own eyes, sir!” the chef adds, voice trembling. “She was on top of him… I couldn’t believe it!”

“That’s not true!” I scream, my voice cracking. “Why are you all turning against me?”

“Just be quiet!” Marcus roars. “Where is that gardener!” He slams his palm on the table until it cracks, food scattering to the floor.

I clutch myself, sobbing silently, confused and terrified. “I didn’t do it,” I whisper through my tears.

The guards storm in with the gardener, his gaze downcast, wearing a look of guilt and shame.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Collaway,” Johnson says, and my heart sinks again, my breath hitching. “I cannot keep this secret anymore!”

My chest rises and falls in panic, I can’t even breathe properly.

“Johnson! What are you talking about? What sort of joke is this?!”

“We can’t continue to lie!” he says, voice trembling. “That baby is mine.”

My mouth falls open, fresh tears stinging my eyes. How did he know I’m pregnant? I only found out today… I haven’t told a soul except Marcus.

Before I can say anything, Marcus rushes at Johnson and kicks him hard in the groin. He stumbles backward with a loud cry.

“How dare you!” Marcus roars, kicking him harder, mercilessly.

The mother and daughter duo smirk with satisfaction, their arms folded as they watch the assault unfold. Johnson keeps screaming, begging for forgiveness as Marcus mercilessly kicks and punches him.

I watch in horror, my eyes filled with tears. How much had they paid him to endure this? How much had they paid them to do this to me?

The same people I treated like family… the same people I cared for as if I wasn’t the boss’s wife… turn on me today. They join hands with those who despise me to tarnish my reputation and ruin the marriage that is barely alive.

“I’m going to kill you!” Marcus snarls, pulling out his gun and aiming it at me. “So you want to pin this bastard on me?”

“No!” I cry, shaking my head. “They are lying! I would never cheat on you! I know we are not close, but I love you! I’m still loyal to you… I would never do that—”

“Shut up!” He fires the gun into the air. The deafening sound makes me jolt, my body shaking with fear.

“I swear I’m not what they say I am!” I sob, tears rushing down my face. Before I can say another word, he slams the gun across my jaw. Pain rushes, blood oozes from my mouth as I fall to my knees, sobbing.

“I have never laid my hands on a woman before, but you dare lie to me! I will not hesitate to destroy that stupid mouth of yours!”

He turns to the gardener. “So this is who you cheat on me with? This thing? A common gardener!” He points the gun at Johnson.

“No!” I scream, shaking my head.

“Oh,” Marcus scoffs. “You don’t want me to hurt your lover? Well then watch me end his cheap life!”

“You will not do that!” Aunt Linda snaps. “You are not a killer, my boy!”

He doesn’t listen. He shoots Johnson in the lap; not once, not twice, but five times in rapid succession, taking his rage out on the man’s body.

“Marcus, stop!” Aunt Linda shouts, her eyes wide with fear. “You won’t spend a day in prison for this whore!”

She gestures to the guards, and they rush Johnson out, his blood trailing across the floor as he cries in agony.

“You better pack your bags and leave my house before I return!” Marcus warns, before storming out of the dining room.