Chapter 4

Colton Daniels-

“She’ll be here soon, Mr Daniels. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll tidy up and be on my way.” Hannah tells me, I glanced at her and nod, dismissing her with a slight wave.

I sat down on the large yellow sofa right in front of the stairs, waiting for my supposed wife. There’s just too many things that need to be ironed out between us but I fear it’s past that now. After what happened two years ago, I can’t find it in me to be totally civil with her. My phone dings, letting me know I had an unread message. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, already knowing who is sending me these messages.

I glanced at my watch, eyebrows furrowing in slight annoyance. It’s five minutes past and she isn’t still here.

The women I paid to work on her have long been gone but here we are. She’s still not here. Looks like she has a thing for backing out at the last minute, doesn’t she?

I stand up, slipping my hands into my pockets, about to walk up the stairs and drag her out of the room if need be but I halt in my steps, right there and then did she decide to walk down the stairs. I blinked twice, watching her slowly walk down the stairs.

She looked absolutely stunning in the black dress she had on. A sight to behold with her striking green eyes that shone like gemstones. They contrasted beautifully against her lightly tanned skin which was subtly dusted with a scattering of freckles that only address to her charm. Her full lips were coated with a glossy sheen, making them look soft and inviting, her pointed nose was straight and elegant.

“I’m sorry, I’m a few minutes late.” I hadn’t even realized she had now gotten off the stairs, barely giving me time to catch myself.

“Don’t worry, let’s go.” I reply, turning immediately and walked outside where the car was waiting, missing the fall on her face.

I helped her into the car and shut the door before taking my turn. I glanced at the lady beside me and felt my breathe hitch for a bit. The moonlight was directly on her, giving her face a new glow. She turns to look at me and I immediately avert gaze.

I cannot be weak, not right now.

I strapped the seatbelt around myself and turned on the ignition, driving out of the house.

~

Twenty minutes later, we arrive at my parents home. I got down from the car and helped her too. The house was properly lighted just like my mom loved to do it. I glanced at Ashley whose eyes was surveying the whole house.

“Let’s head in.” I tell her, allowing her slip her arm into mine. We walked up the short stairs and stood outside the door, pressing the doorbell. I heard Ashley mutter something to herself but couldn’t catch it, glancing to look at her only to see her eyes already on me. She looks away, a light shade of pink dusting her cheeks.

“Sorry, I’m just nervous.” She tells me although I didn’t ask. I looked away, hearing the rushed footsteps from the other side of the door. The door opens, revealing a very excited Jennifer. Her eyes land on me and the smile on her face grows even larger before she throws herself on me, Ashely’s linked arm thrown off. I could barely catch myself at the impact.

“Jenny.” I exclaimed, pushing her off me seeing as she hadn’t even seen the person next to me. Jennifer shifts back, eyes crinkling with happiness as she tucks her hair behind her ears, embarrassed.

I chuckled, turning to Ashley only to see her quietly watching the exchange between Jennifer and I with a small smile on her face.

I bring my hand to her waist, registering it behind my mind how tiny her waist is. “Jennifer, this is..” I didn’t need to complete my words, the rather bulging eyes Jennifer had was enough to tell me she recognized her.

She smiles at Ashley but it comes out as a grimace, not bothering to hug and shake her. She finally steps aside to allow us into the house. Jennifer looks at Ashley again and then me, her eyes demanding an explanation.

“Mother has been expecting you even more than she was expecting me when I got back. She had the maids go all out with tonight’s dinner.” Jennifer comments as we walked towards the dinning room. She looks at Ashley who has been rather quiet then looks at me again.

We finally arrived at the dinning area, mom was busy ordering Sam about the house. She was dressed elegantly like she always is, her blonde hair tied into a ponytail. Father sat at the end of the table, Alec sat next to him with a spoon and fork ready.

Wait, Alec?

He looks up and our eyes meet for the first time, mom and dad are still yet to notice our presence. Alec’s averts his eyes to Ashley who was beside me and a smirk makes it way to my lips. That fucker.

Mom finally looks my way, mouth open midway from still ordering a tired looking Sam.

“Oh, Colton, you’re here.” She blurts out, a smile making its way to her lips as soon as our eyes meet. She shoos Sam away and I could see the relief on the woman’s face before she scurries away.

“Mom.” I part my arms aside, allowing her hug me as tight as she wants. It’s been three months since we last saw. I have been out of the country since three months ago and recently got back two weeks ago, finalized my marriage with Ashley and now just coming here.

“Hi Dad, it’s nice to see you.” I say, chuckling when he waves at me distractedly.

Mom takes a step back, none of them seems to have noticed Ashley beside me. Mom looks at Ashley and then at me, a confused smile making its way to her lips as she stretched her hand towards the lady. Mom would only smile like that when she’s actually confused.

Someone clears their throat loudly and I look at the direction to see Jennifer leaning against a chair.

“Who might you be, young lady?” Mother asked just as Ashley stretches her hand out to shake her.

“You don’t know her, mom? She’s Ashley Tanner. The same Ashley Tanner.” Jennifer says and just like that, the dam is broken.

Mom’s eyes widen, immediately withdrawing her hand and leaving Ashley hanging.

“What? What is she doing here? What is she doing with you?” Mom asks, anger lacing her tone almost immediately.

“That’s why I called for this dinner, mom. There is something I would like to tell everyone.” I announced, looking at everyone of them. The only person that didn’t look confused is Alec.

“What do you have to say? I don’t even care. What is she doing in my house after all she’s done?” Mom snaps, jaw hardening.

“I’m very sorry for-“ Ashley begins, voice shaking slightly.

“Shut it! You’ll speak when spoken to!” Mom all but yells at her.

I sighed, I already predicted this. “Ashley is my wife.”

Everyone goes quiet, if a pin were to fall, it would be heard. Everyone’s eyes was on Ashley and I. I could feel the tension in the air, sighing internally. I didn’t intend to say it this way but what can I do? We haven’t even sat down.

“What did you just say?” Mom asks, voice low, eyes wide as she waited for me to say it’s a mistake.

“Mom.” I tried reaching out to her but she shoves my hand away, head tilted slightly as she waited for my reply.

“What do you mean by married, Colton?” Dad asks this time, he had also gotten up from his seat.

“I got married to Ashley two days ago.” I repeated.

“You did what? Why would you? Did you just forget everything this wretched godforsaken lowlife did to you? To us? How can you get married to the same person who abandoned you in an instant? How can you.” Mom yells.

“How could you have gotten married without telling me. I’m your sister.” Jennifer says, voice laced with hurt.

“Jennifer, listen.” I tried but she shakes her head, eyes red and blurry with unshed tears. If there’s one thing about Jennifer, it’s how emotional she can be.

“I’m so disappointed.” She croaks out then looks at Ashley, glaring hard at her before stomping away.

“You got married to her? Why? Why would you do something so stupid?” Mom yells.

“Kate, let’s talk about this calmly.” Dad tries, walking towards her but she gestures for him to leave her alone.

“Why? Why would you even get married to someone like her? Why her? You could have any other Girl in the whole country! Heck! The whole world so why her?”

“I’m not angry with her anymore mom. We solved our differences.” I tell her and she scoffs meanly.

“That’s bullshit and you know it. I’m not stupid so don’t give me that trash. If you wanted to get married to bad then why didn’t you pick Ivanna? Why did you pick her and not her step sister?”

“Mom stop.”

“Don’t mom me! If you wanted someone then you should’ve gone for Ivanna. If you wanted to get married to someone from their wretched family so bad then you should’ve gone with her step sister. A much better version than her.” Mom yells, turning to look at Ashley.

“You’re not welcomed in my house! Not after what you did to my son. He might have supposedly gotten married to you but I don’t accept that sham of a marriage.” She then moves closer to Ashley.

“Whatever it is you’re doing with him, you better cut it off quickly. I am not Kate Daniels for just any reason. I will make your life a living hell than what it is already. I am not playing around Girl.”

I step in between them, making Ashley move back, soft sobs leaving her lips.

Mom heaves, eyes red and filled with anger. She doesn’t say another word and instead storms off.

Dad walks towards me, eyes downcast. He glanced at Ashley behind me and looks at me, shaking his head in disappointment, he doesn’t say a word then walks the same direction Mom has taken.

I sighed and looked at Alec who was leaning against the chair, arms folded against his chest. He quirks his eyebrows at me, silently saying ‘I told you so’ I rolled my eyes, giving him the middle finger and walked to the extravagantly set table, poured myself a glass of white wine and gulped it in a go, ignoring a sobbing Ashley.

“Should’ve waited till I had eaten before dropping the news.” Alex says within my ear shot. I raised my eyebrows at him.

“What will you do now?”

“Nothing, they’ll get over themselves soon.” I shrugged, slipping my hands into my pockets.

“and Jennifer?” He asks and I groaned. Jennifer isn’t like mother or father. She’s different. She might be four years younger than me but she’s just as close to me as Alec is.

“I’ll think of a grand gesture for her. She’s not going to forgive me that easily.” I muttered, glancing at Ashley who has now stopped sobbing but still standing the same, not daring to let out even a squeak.

“She has good reasons too. I don’t know why you didn’t tell her about your plans.” He looks at me and I shrug again.

“I’ll go home and just get this whole thing over. At least the worse is over.” I say, dropping the glass on the table. Alec raises his eyebrows, looks at Ashley then at me.

“You think? I think it’s just the beginning.” He replied with a smirk.

“Fuck you.” I walked away from the table, stopped beside Ashley “Let’s go.” I tell her and walk towards the door, leaving her to rush after me.