I was packing my things at home and found an offer letter from my cousin Benedict. He lives in Milan, where he has turned a building into a flower shop and an antique porcelain store. Benedict offered me a job as a florist and my hidden talent as a potter.
I once studied to become a pottery expert when my parents were still alive, and I was flattered that Benedict still remembered my efforts and skills from back then, so he offered me this job. Becoming a potter was my first dream, but when I lost both of my parents, all my dreams had to be sacrificed. Our modest wealth vanished in an instant, and I had to work as a florist and marry Deryl at the age of twenty-six. Actually, Benedict had offered me this job a long time ago, but I always postponed it with the excuse that I now have a husband and child to take care of. I planned to call Benedict to ask if his offer was still valid or not, but before I could connect the call, someone suddenly yanked my phone from my ear and slammed it to the floor. "WHAT WERE YOU DOING AT MOM'S HOUSE EARLIER? YOU EMBARRASSED ME!" I don't know when Deryl and Cecilia came back. Deryl grabbed the collar of my shirt, lifting me up with his strength until our faces were aligned. "THERE WILL NEVER BE A DIVORCE!" Deryl insisted. Back there, Cecilia rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Why not just throw it away? The Myer family agrees with our relationship. So let her go," pleaded the disobedient child. "THERE WILL NEVER BE A DIVORCE!" Deryl reiterated, this time not just to me but also to Cecilia. "Why? Do you still love that old woman?" Cecilia asked angrily. However, Deryl spat on me, then he shoved me so hard that I was pushed against the dressing table. "I NO LONGER, MAYBE NEVER DID, CONSIDER THAT RELATIONSHIP LOVE. I KEEP HER HERE BECAUSE SHE'S QUITE USEFUL TAKING CARE OF ME AND YOU!" I wiped the saliva that had really hit my cheek. My heart was hurt; I desperately held back my tears so they would never see me as so pathetic. "Our contract marriage can be canceled anytime," I said, still trying to stay calm. "BUT NOT BY ANYONE ELSE! ONLY I CAN CANCEL IT!" Deryl was so angry, he kicked my suitcase until the clothes inside spilled out again. Deryl grabbed Cecilia's hand and left my room, slamming the door shut, and I didn't know when Deryl had taken my room key. The sound of jingling outside was a clear sign that he had locked me in my room. Deryl thought I had no other way to get out, so I carefully climbed down the window in the middle of the night. Carrying a rather heavy suitcase, I tried to run out of the house. I am grateful because the guards in this house were asleep; it seems Deryl will have to reprimand them after realizing I escaped from here so easily. I called a taxi and tried to contact Benedict. I need to know if his offer from a few years ago still stands for me so I can go to the airport right now. "My efforts wouldn't even get off the ground without you. Come to Milan." Benedict's words on the phone made me unhesitatingly go to the airport and book a ticket to Milan. However, the flight schedule to Milan is in five hours. I have no choice but to wait, with a feeling of restlessness. I stomped my feet repeatedly on the floor while checking the time on my phone over and over. Maybe I can only relax once I'm on the plane. While waiting, for some reason, I remembered Dr. Adams. It seems I have to say goodbye to him, and I feel the need to say a word or two after Dr. Adams caught me arguing with Cecilia outside his clinic so that we wouldn't feel awkward. Without hesitation, I dialed Dr. Adams' number and called him. "This is me, Reinhard Myer. Ah, no, I am no longer part of the Myer family. As you saw, the young girl was in front of your clinic the other day. She is my adopted daughter, and she might become Mrs. Myer now. I plan to go to Milan, and I might not be able to have face-to-face therapy. But can I still receive remote therapy?" "Of course, ma'am. I hope your journey goes smoothly and you find peace there. You can contact me anytime," Dr. Adams said on the other end of the phone. When I was about to respond to Dr. Adams, I suddenly saw Deryl with some of his bodyguards at the airport. Deryl must be looking for me. I hurriedly ran from my spot and accidentally bumped into someone. Our suitcases collided, drawing everyone's attention, and when I looked back, Deryl was already running towards me. "Mrs. Reinhard, are you okay?" And I forgot to hang up the phone with Dr. Adams. "You think you can get away with this? Go home quickly before I act harshly in public." Deryl's words sounded like a whisper. I knew he was trying to maintain his reputation, but he still gripped my hand tightly and dragged me out of the airport. When we reached the front of the car, Deryl took my phone and checked who I was calling. "Mrs. Reinhard, are you sure you're okay?" Deryl raised an eyebrow upon hearing Dr. Adams' voice; he slammed my phone and stomped on it with such emotion. "All your cards will be deactivated, there will be no communication devices, and you just have to serve me and Cecilia at home!" Deryl's words were absolute and non-negotiable, and he then slammed the car door shut."I, Reinhardt Meredith, fully aware, allow my husband to marry our adopted child. So please do not spread any rumors because this is done with our mutual agreement." I flashed a smile.The flashing cameras of the reporters made it hard for me to focus; I could only hear the murmur of the guests and the reporters flooding me with questions about why I didn't use the Myer surname behind my name.But I was reluctant to answer. I stepped down from the podium, strutted away from the wedding hosts, and exited the area.That afternoon, while I was tidying up my room, I heard the sound of keys clashing and several knocks on my door, which I had locked earlier.I crossed my arms over my chest, ready to greet whoever was at the door and trying to get in here.I counted to three, and the loud bang that I was sure was caused by a man had now successfully broken down my bedroom door.Cecilia walked quickly towards me; with the dress still clinging to her body, she yanked my hair without any sense
"Why did you come here, Dr. Adams?" I asked as my feet led Dr. Adams to the back garden, leaving an angry Deryl in the living room."Because I want to help you." Dr. Adams' words suddenly made me turn to face him."You are my psychologist; I appreciate that. But this is excessive." Unconsciously, my voice rose.I have only met Dr. Adams a few times, and receiving treatment like this as a married woman feels very uncomfortable.Damn, I still appreciate Deryl as my husband after what he did to me."You don't like my way, ma'am?" Dr. Adams asked."I'm sorry, but I have to say yes." Dr. Adams fell silent, making me feel guilty."Your husband will marry your adopted daughter; I know that, and it hurts. You don't want to use me to escape from here?" Dr. Adams asked sincerely.I know his intentions are good, but my ego and emotions do not allow anyone to get involved in my personal issues. To meet him as a psychologist, I have to think about it over and over again."I know this is painful, a
Deryl dragged me back into his hellish house. He even passed by Cecilia and dragged me back into my room. The door was locked again, but they remained standing behind my room door."Tighten the guard. Don't let Reinhard escape again." Deryl's voice was still clearly audible to his bodyguards out there. Then the sound of their footsteps faded away, replaced by the sound of footsteps that I was sure belonged to Cecilia."Why was she brought back again?" Cecilia complained."I brought her back because no one understands you and me better than Reinhard." Deryl's words caused a strange flutter, indirectly acknowledging that I am so needed here."If that's the case, how long will she be locked up in her room? Isn't it pointless if we don't use her strength?" Cecilia asked, still sounding so annoyed."Until we get married. Mom said she wants to hold the wedding party as soon as possible. And when that time comes, I want Reinhard to come out to help prepare your wedding.""Really? I heard Rei
I was packing my things at home and found an offer letter from my cousin Benedict. He lives in Milan, where he has turned a building into a flower shop and an antique porcelain store. Benedict offered me a job as a florist and my hidden talent as a potter.I once studied to become a pottery expert when my parents were still alive, and I was flattered that Benedict still remembered my efforts and skills from back then, so he offered me this job.Becoming a potter was my first dream, but when I lost both of my parents, all my dreams had to be sacrificed. Our modest wealth vanished in an instant, and I had to work as a florist and marry Deryl at the age of twenty-six.Actually, Benedict had offered me this job a long time ago, but I always postponed it with the excuse that I now have a husband and child to take care of.I planned to call Benedict to ask if his offer was still valid or not, but before I could connect the call, someone suddenly yanked my phone from my ear and slammed it to
That night, when Deryl returned from the office, he confronted me in the room. "Cecilia said you saw a psychologist." I had suspected that the root of the problem must be coming from Cecilia."Then? Am I not allowed to go wherever I want?""You are my wife; everyone knows that. What if people think you're crazy?" Deryl's words were really not casual; I knew he would forbid me to protect his image. So I left quietly, but that damn kid followed me."Psychologists are not just for people who are insane. You are highly educated; why think so narrowly?" I casually walked to the vanity, starting to take care of my face that they had scolded like an old woman."You don't think about how my image will be in front of everyone if someone finds out about this." Deryl still couldn't accept it."You also didn't protect your wife. You even..." Before I could continue, Deryl had already approached me and grabbed my jaw with one hand. My makeup tools fell because of his bump."Stop seeing that psycho
My phone vibrated while I was on the road, and I regretted having to pull over after reading who the sender was and what the message contained."There will never be the divorce you want. You have to keep taking care of me and Cecilia at home."Deryl's message made me reflexively throw my phone onto the seat beside me. I look more like a maid now, a caretaker of a big baby who is turning into a homewrecker.However, I picked up my phone again to reply to Deryl's message. "The contract marriage five years ago—I hope you haven't forgotten." I reminded Deryl again how this marriage started.Deryl found me at the flower shop as an employee there who was being scolded by my boss. Deryl suddenly spoke up for me, a woman who was also alone like Cecilia, whom he married through a contract five years ago.As the heir to a famous company, Deryl was pressured to marry, pressured to have a wife who looked smart and authoritative, and also had a clean background.However, Deryl's act of picking me