CHAPTER THREE

The table was set in the Gray family house. Cuisines were arranged to suit everyone. Mr Hillary Gray was at the head of the table, Sharon and Emilia ate quietly.

“Your husband to be is one of the most powerful men in the country, when he succeeds Mr Pavilochenki he'll have more power and influence to his name.” Mr Gray says.

“That's great father.”

Sharon replied, her head down. She barely touched the food on her plate

“You have to come by the house more often Sharon, the wedding is in two weeks.”

“Preparations have to be made for your aesthetics.”

“I have booked an appointment with the best bridal designer, you will go to test your dress next week.”

“Mr Pavilochenki requested a formal introduction, but before then, a family dinner.”

“You'll get to meet your husband, isn't that great dear?”

“Yes mother I'm very delighted to hear that.”

Mr Gray cleared his throat

“You'll need to learn to act like a married woman.”

“Mr Pavilochenki doesn't want any scandal on your end. It's best if you don't go back home in the meantime—”

Sharon raised her head from her plate. She couldn't believe her dad was saying this to her.

“I really don't need to stay here father—”

“You will, do you want us to have our name dragged in the mud?”

“No, father.”

“Then you will do exactly as I say.”

“Yes, father.”

He suddenly looked down.

“Your engagement ring isn't on your finger, are you insane?”

“What will people say? If Mr Pavilochenki sees that you're not wearing it, he'll assume you aren't in support of the union.”

“You are in support, aren't you?”

Mr Gray says.

“Yes, father. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have, I am in support of the union.”

I said in a robotic voice.

“I will—do whatever it takes for the good of this family.”

“Good, you cannot afford to do otherwise.”

Mr Gray stood up abruptly and left the dining.

Emilia took Sharon's hand.

“I know it's hard, it always is, but it gets easier once you have kids.”

Sharon instantly burst into tears.

“Is that true mum? How can you even say that!”

“Did your life get easier after you had me?”

“It got more miserable, because you had me.

Because I didn't turn out to be a boy that would carry on the family name. I'm a joke mother!”

Sharon looked at the woman who called herself her mother.

“I used to see those scars when I was younger.”

That got a reaction from her mother.

“You always wore sleeved clothes to cover them, but dad was hurting you, and you kept acting like nothing was happening, like you keep acting now.”

“Is this your definition of a happy family mum?”

The tears poured out from Sharon's eyes.

“Let's go to my room” Emilia told her.

Emilia's room was extremely large, with a Queen sized bed in the centre.

Her wardrobe was like a mini boutique, and the floor had jade tiles.

Emilia led her to her bed and made her sit down, then she reached out for a box inside her drawer and brought out a little bottle.

What's that?

“Listen to me Sharon, listen carefully.”

***************

“When I was 18, my family arranged my marriage to your father. It wasn't easy, I felt like my happiness was slowly slipping away. He didn't love me, not one bit.”

“To make things worse, I couldn't have a child. I consulted so many doctors, I wanted to have a child so bad. I felt that he would treat me like I was an actual person.”

“He hit me, made my life miserable, used me when he pleased, discarded me when he didn't feel like it. But he never took another wife, that was the agreement he had with my father.”

She hesitated, like telling the story physically hurt her.

“Then one day, I found out I was—pregnant”

“I didn't know whether to feel happy or sad, the worst had already happened to me, but you–”

“Sharon you were what stopped me from using what was inside that bottle.”

“My life wasn't easier after having you, but it was bearable. It was bearable because I love you.”

“Everyday I would put this bottle inside my pocket and tell myself that I'd poison him, so he didn’t ruin your life too. But I couldn't bring myself to do it.”

“You would never forgive me, no matter how old you got.”

“That was and still is my happy family Sharon.

It's terrible enough that I have to live the way I do, but bearable enough that I have a reason not to poison him. And that reason is you.”

“After I had you, your dad wasn't loving toward me, but at least he treated me like I existed. The doctors said I couldn't have another child ever again”

Emilia wiped a tear that streamed down her cheek.

“You don't have to play the nice person Sharon, don't let him hurt you like your father hurt me.I love you Sharon, that's why I'm giving you this bottle.

“If your husband turns out to be a nut job—”

“If he ever hits you, you kill him, do you hear me baby?”

“You kill him and inherit his family's fortune,”

“Then you marry the love of your life after playing widow long enough.”

Sharon began to ponder on everything. Her mum painting the picture of a happy family to her, her dad doing whatever it takes including marrying her off to gain more power, her position as a pawn in it all.

Women weren't really just pawns were they?

No!

And even if they were, she would change that narrative.

A terribly rich and powerful widows doesn't sound so bad. But she knew within herself that it would be very difficult.

To kill her husband, she would have to hate him to a certain degree.

She would have to hate him as much as she hated the asshole she slept with.