Murphy's family

"No, you and Ralph have moved in here since yesterday night. You will stay here for a few months, with your husband." Bella explained with another smile. Vivian's mouth dropped in shock.

She looked in between the two brothers. No, this actually doesn't concern Charles. She glanced at her husband and saw him smiling. Is he okay with this new development? Why didn't he inform her before now?

Vivian hissed as she slapped his thighs. "You never told me!" She gritted her teeth in anger.

"My wife says she will have some watermelon juice instead." Ralph suddenly said and Vivian's eyes went wide again. He doesn't mean it. She hasn't eaten a single thing since yesterday. 

Bella had a concerning look on her face, "Are you on a diet, Vivian?" She asked.

Vivian shook her head negatively. Shit! Ralph just put her in an uncomfortable situation. First, he didn't tell her about them spending months in his parents house and second, he is trying to deny her food? That's ridiculous!

"I think his grumpiness has actually gotten into his head." Vivian smiled, taking two pieces of meat and she stuffed it into her mouth.

She licked her hands loudly, silently glaring at Ralph who had a smile on his insanely cute lips all these while.

"Don't you have a formal courtesy? You are eating too loud and it is making my baby uncomfortable." Franca hissed, obviously pissed.

Vivian has forgotten they weren't at the dining table alone. She has been sucking on her thumb as whoever cooked the meal did a great job.

"Why is it irritating you? My wife eats the way she likes and I have always loved her that way." Ralph backed Vivian up. Vivian was still surprised at how her new husband was able to make up lies so effortlessly.

Charles scoffed, "Love? You only married her a few days ago without a real wedding. How is it possible you love her that way?" He asked.

"I married her a few days ago doesn't mean we are strangers. I have always known Vivian, way before you married her at all." Ralph answered. 

Unsettling feelings struck Charles's mind. How is that possible? His brother has known Vivian before he married her? Have they been friends before he met her? Did his adventure steal Vivian from Ralph but in return, she got stolen back again?

"I don't believe that, Ralph." Charles said.

Ralph chuckled, "How then was it possible for me to marry her immediately you divorced her and left her stranded?"

'Has Vivian always cheated on me too?' Charles thought. Has she been seeing Ralph behind his back? Have they been intimate without his knowledge?

Staring intently at Vivian, he could see the changes in her. No, that is not possible. It was just a few weeks that they divorced. He watched the way Ralph picked fruits and meats into Vivian's plate.

He knew he had never been cautious with Vivian. Of all the years she had been his wife, he has never taken her into consideration. He has never treated her right like she was actually married to him. Hell, no one knew they were married.

William cleared his throat, "Vivian, you are from which family? Where did you meet Ralph?" He questioned.

Vivian felt dehydrated immediately. How does she explain this? How does she explain the kind of family she is from? No, it can't be explained because she turned her back on her family.

Marrying Charles was against her parents' wishes. She disobeyed them and got married to Charles anyway. She thought he loved her but it was too late to realize that he never liked her at all.

"Her family are influential ones and they will be revealed later." Ralph backed her up again by responding to his father.

Vivian looked at him with deep appreciation in her eyes. How will she repay him? She wouldn't be able to thank him enough. It seems he is truthful to his words about helping her get revenge.

Well, he is the one who put her into his family’s mess. He has to deal with it but still, he still supported her throughout and she couldn't thank him less for it.

"Breakfast is finished. Come on --" Ralph intentionally dismissed all other talks that might come up again at the dining. He helped Vivian up from her chair.

"Where are we going?" Vivian asked, adjusting her dress. It wasn't very uncomfortable in it as she ought to have changed.

Ralph held her hands, "We are going to take a look at your new clothes." He pointed.

She didn't realize the shopping bags had arrived. What kind of influence does her new husband have to have pulled this off? Charles and Franca stared at the couples back until they disappeared. 

"Are you okay, Charles?" Bella asked.

Charles frowned, "What do you mean? When have I not been fine?"

"You look lost." She insisted and her son rolled his eyes.

"Come on, mom. I have nothing to worry about except my wife and our unborn child." Charles touched Franca's back.

"Do you like the food, Franca?" Bella asked, smiling at her daughter in law and she nodded quickly.

The rest of the breakfast went on silently. Ralph and Vivian were in their room, trying out the dress.

"Help me zip it up." Vivian asked for his help. Ralph turned to her lazily before helping her. He didn't think he would be put in such a position. 

Vivian looked at him, "Why did you support me there?" She asked.

"Do you want them to know you don't have a family?" Ralph asked.

She sealed her mouth immediately. All of these were her fault. She doesn't bear her father's name anymore. After she decided to marry Charles, she cut all ties with her family.

It was the dumbest decision of her life and she has no idea how to rectify it. How does she go back to face her parents? It's been three years. She doesn't know how they have been faring or what may have happened to them.

Vivian rubbed her stomach slowly as she thought about her life. She is a few weeks pregnant and no one knows about it. She has no idea how to sharpen her life especially now that she is bound as Ralph's wife through a contract. 

"My family is the Murphy's and they have the second richest company in LA." Ralph stared at her in shock. Hasn't Murphy's family been wiped out?