Chapter 4 

Arlene's POV  

A week later>>>

The prison guard knocked with a bright smile on his face,

“Pack up,” the guard said, unlocking the door.

“You’re leaving.”

He led me to the main entrance and I just realised that in all my years, I've never seen this gate. 

Stepping out, Theodore was waiting for me in a black, sleek limousine. 

One of his men held the door and I climbed in. 

“Finally…it's good to see you again. I told you I'll get you out.”

“How did you do it?” I asked in curiosity.

“It doesn't matter. What matters is that you're free and you'll do as we agreed.”

It still felt unreal to be free… to breathe, to move, to exist outside those walls and to not meet those sick therapists.

It felt like I had lost touch with humanity for years. I had lost so much; my inheritance, fiance, friends, they must all belong to Veronica now.

Where would I start from? Where would I go now? 

As though he could read my thoughts, he said,

“You'll be coming with me to a house I have prepared for you. You'll live there for a month so you can recuperate before you'll meet with my son. Is that okay?” 

“Yeah, thank you.” I replied curtly.

“Why did you choose me for this? There are millions of women out there.” I asked.

Theodore adjusted the sleeves of his shirt, “Some months after your imprisonment, things began to fall apart for your father and his company. He ran to me for assistance, as an old friend of his. We had a deal, that he would leave you to me, he was more than eager to agree to this. Never have I seen such hatred from a father towards his offspring.” 

I would have probably cried at his revelation of being sold out but I didn't. I have heard worse, so I swallowed down the lump that was forming in my throat. 

“Besides, you have nothing to lose. You're already a victim, how bad can your life get?” He continued, swiping through his tablet.

I swallowed at the harshness of his words, even though it was the truth.

“So..your son, what really happened to him?”

He paused and shut his eyes for a brief moment.

“An accident. I've told you before.” 

I noticed something weird about this whole arrangement. Theodore sounded dismissive whenever I asked about his son. 

“What kind of accident? How bad is it? Is he deformed? Why can't you just tell me so I'll know what to expect?” 

“You'll know when you see him. Expect nothing.”

The rest of the drive was quiet as I fixed my eyes on the window, watching the trees swipe past. 

The house was a one-storey building in an area surrounded by huge, tall trees. 

*****

The past seven weeks had felt like a strange, quiet rebirth.

My days had been reduced to a simple routine; early morning walks beneath the trees, supervised workouts that left my muscles aching in a good way, and meals so carefully prepared they felt almost luxurious. 

Slowly, my strength and enthusiasm returned. The hollowness in my body began to fade, replaced by something steadier…something alive.

I stood in the mirror this morning and the woman in the reflection looked like a different person.

I looked… healthier and stronger.

The hollow cheeks were gone, replaced with softness. My lips; once dry and cracked, now full and polished.

My black, wavy hair was neatly pulled into a bun, and the tailored burgundy suit hugged my frame perfectly.

My neck and ears were adorned with precious stones.

I looked every bit the sophisticated woman, no longer the woman who was weary from life, the one who survived betrayal and imprisonment.

I clutched my black bag and left the room, Theodore was waiting for me downstairs. Today was the day we've all been waiting for. I would be meeting his ‘mysterious’ son today.

“Wow, you look stunning. I knew I was right to pick you for this cause. Are you ready?” Theodore asked, stretching out his palm to me.

I placed my palm on his, “More than I've ever been.”

My bags had been packed into the trunk of the car, I said final goodbyes and our journey began. 

It took hours before we arrived at the supposed mansion by dusk. It was a big mansion situated on a hill close to the seaside. I could feel the dread pooling up in me, just by looking at the gloomy building.

There was no streak of light anywhere in the house. It felt like I was walking into a haunted, deserted house with spooky ghosts. 

The silence was unsettling. No laughter. No movement.

Just… stillness.

“Why is it so dark? I almost can't see.” I complained 

“The lights are turned on inside. Come on, let's go.”

He knocked briskly on the door and a fairly old woman opened the door.

“Good evening Sir. Good evening Ma'am.” She said, making way for us to pass.

“Arlene, this is Judith, the housekeeper. I have briefed her on everything she needs to know. If you need anything in the house, she is at your service.” He said, smiling brightly. 

Other servants trooped out to welcome us, all smiling brightly which I found weird because nothing was funny here.

“Judith, please lead us to him.” 

Judith led us through endless stairs leading to where she called the left wing. She stopped at a door and knocked quietly,

“Master, they're here.” Judith announced.

“Thank you Judith. Please wait outside.” Theodore said.

Stepping into the room, it was worse than I imagined. There was no streak of sunlight and the room was dark, save for the bedside lamp which was on. The bed was empty and it made me wonder where he was.

I heard a wheeling sound and I peered in the dark to see a dark silhouette, sitting in a wheelchair, coming closer until he stopped.

I couldn't make out his face but he looked like a really big man. Something about him felt… dangerous. Even without seeing his face, I just had this feeling.

“Simone, this is Arlene, your new wife. She… is excited to meet you.” Theodore stammered.

No response. No reaction…just a loud grunt. Is he mute too?

I walked towards where he was and stretched my hand for a handshake.

“Hello, I am Arlene. It's nice to meet you.” He didn't respond nor did he shake me.

Oh well…

“Since you've met each other, Arlene, put down your signature and he'll sign too. You don't need an elaborate wedding. We have witnesses already.”

I took the paper and scribbled my signature quickly, the knowledge that I'm giving my life away gnawing at me.

Theodore passed the paper to his son and he signed too. Still without saying a word.

“Good! It's settled then. I'll leave you both to get acquainted now. If anything comes up, do put a call across.” Theodore said, turning towards the door. 

When the door was shut, I took in a long, full breath. 

“So…uhm…you don't talk much?” I managed to ask.

No response.

“You know it would be less awkward if you could just say a word. I'm not excited about this arrangement either. How do you manage to live here?” I insisted.

The tension in the room shifted instantly.

“Get out…” He grumbled.

For a moment, I thought my ears were deceiving me. Except, they weren't.

I blinked in surprise. So he could talk after all. “I actually thought you couldn't speak…”

“Leave now!!” he repeated, his deep voice higher than before, enough to make my heart race.

Judith rushed into the room and took my hand,

“Ma'am, I suggest you leave now. Come on, let's head out.” Judith tried to drag me out but I resisted because I wanted to know what would happen if I didn't go.

I realized too late that Judith had been trying to protect me.

Crash!!! A glass cup shattered against the wall, just inches away from me. I turned in shock to see that he had also launched the bread knife in my direction.

I ducked and it landed on the wall above me. 

“I asked you gently to leave but you wouldn't listen. Now, get out!!!!”

Crouching, I escaped into the corridor for my life. My chest beat so fast I feared it would break out of my ribcage. I leaned on the wall trying to steady my breaths.

God, what have I gotten myself into?? What kind of monster did I just marry?