CHAPTER FIVE

My cheeks were still sore from the slap I received earlier in the day. It took all the maids in the mansion to separate us from each other. Ever since then, I made sure to keep my distance from all three of them. I sought solace in the garden, admiring the beautiful flowers, when someone sneaked up from behind and pushed me into the pond.

I struggled to breathe, desperately gasping for air in the water. Rona, however, just stood there, watching me with pity. "Please," I begged as the water filled my lungs. I didn't know how to swim.

"If I help you, will you promise to run away and leave my husband for good?" she asked mischievously.

I wanted to tell her that it wasn't my decision to make, but I was starting to lose consciousness. "Have you lost your mind?" Marc's angry voice boomed. Without waiting for her response, he dived into the water and rescued me.

Rona showed no remorse, her posture unwavering as she stood confidently. He guided me out of the water, my breath heavy and labored. Facing Rona, he said, "I have warned you multiple times, Rona, yet you refuse to listen. Go upstairs and pack your bags. You will be leaving for your father's house."

Rona's smug expression immediately vanished, and she fell to her knees. "Forgive me, my husband. It was only a joke. I won't attempt such a thing again."

But Marc remained firm. "I said go and pack your bags."

Jade and Blair hurried to the location, both dropping to their knees. "Please forgive her, my husband. It was just a mistake, I'm certain she has learned her lesson now," Blair pleaded. Wasn't it just this morning that they were pulling each other's hair? It was surprising that she would plead on her behalf.

"I agree with Blair, give her one last chance," Jade said. Seeing their desperate pleas, Marc had no choice but to give in. "Don't let it happen again," he warned, then picked me up in his arms and walked away.

"Don't take it to heart," Marc said, helping me out of my wet clothes. "If anyone ever tries to bully you, just let me know. I will make sure to teach them a lesson," he vowed. I couldn't help but chuckle at the seriousness in his tone.

"But really, why do you have so many wives?" I had been pondering this for a while now.

Marc laughed, leaving me unsure if I had hit a nerve or not. "Unless you see things from a man's perspective, you won't understand."

Perhaps he was right, but there was one thing I noticed. None of his wives had children. I was curious, but I knew better than to ask. Marc cleaned me up and dressed me in fresh clothes, gently placing me on the bed before going out to get dinner.

While I waited for him to return, I overheard some voices whispering in hushed tones. Curiosity got the better of me, and I stood up and pressed my ear against the door.

"Are you sure this is alright?" the first person whispered.

"Why? Have you suddenly changed your mind and want to back out?" asked the second person.

I slightly opened the door and saw two girls leaning against the wall, appearing suspicious. They carefully surveyed the corridors with their eyes and continued whispering in low voices. I strained to hear what they were saying, trying to make sense of it.

"Don't you think madam will be furious if she finds out?" "Well, don't you want to protect your mistress?"

After that, they fell silent and walked away down the corridors. I returned to my bed, confused about their conversation. When I couldn't come up with an answer, the memory slowly faded away.

A sharp knock on the door brought me back to reality. "Come in," I replied, and Rona entered the room. She was the last person I expected to see. "Why? Are you here to finish what you started?" I asked, furrowing my brow.

"No, I'm here to apologize," she said softly. She genuinely seemed remorseful, but I found it hard to believe she was telling the truth. Someone must have coerced her into it.

"Well, I decline your apology. I'm not going to pretend." It's clear that this woman wanted me dead, so she can go away with her apology.

"Do you think I'm doing this because I want to?" She suddenly snapped, which didn't surprise me.

"I know. Marc must have put you up to it."

"You're right," she confirmed. "If it weren't for my husband, I wouldn't be here. He told me that I must earn your forgiveness, or he won't even smile at me. Why else would I be doing this?"

"Leave," I told her.

"How about I provide you with some valuable information in exchange for your forgiveness? I'm certain you've been curious about this question for quite some time," she said cunningly.

Intrigued, I couldn't resist moving closer. "And what is this information you're referring to? There are so many things I've been dying to know, but no one has been able to answer my questions."

"My husband is incapable of fathering a child." "What?" I exclaimed, taken aback.

"The three of us have never been able to conceive, not even once. We've undergone numerous medical examinations, but no abnormalities have been found. The doctors claim my husband is perfectly healthy, but we all know they're lying to hide the truth. He doesn't seem bothered by it, so he's never brought it up, and we've lived harmoniously ever since."

Naturally, I suspected something fishy from the start. "So, are you saying that if I remain married to him, I won't be able to have a child?"