Chapter 2

Matilda’s POV:

“Isn’t she the Rolands’ family daughter too? How can they hide her from the guests? No one is even asking about her?” I heard the maids gossip.

“She’s so pitiful,” another one said, her tone laced with pity.

“Ptff. I don’t think Matilda will ever be useful. Imagine your own family hates you,” another maid muttered, her voice laced with mockery.

They all gossiped about me. No one stopped to offer me a helping hand. Besides, it was late at night. The party had already ended. Several guests were already leaving our home, except for those who had come from afar.

My mother had offered the guest rooms, all to make Maya’s birthday a blast. Now, I had to return to my room as quietly as I could, before any of the guests noticed me.

As I pushed myself up, my hands trembled as they bore my chubby weight. Despite my resemblance to Maya, I had gained weight over the past few days I had stayed home, crying and thinking about what to do to gain my freedom and my mother’s love and admiration. But nothing worked.

My mother had a chauffeur to ensure that I went to lessons undercover and returned home. I didn’t have a phone. I didn’t know what was going on. I was forbidden to make friends. I was to remain indoors until I passed the exam. Only then could I regain my freedom.

But since I had tried and failed, I refused to apply for admission this year. I planned to discuss it with my Dad, to let me follow my dream and do something else. But I was too nervous to raise the topic.

My Dad was a billionaire. He was supportive of my mother’s and siblings’ mistreatment of me. He believed they would help me change. But for how long?

I pushed myself forward, staggering until I reached my door. I turned the knob, my eyes too blurry to see my surroundings.

As I walked into the room and shut the door behind me, the thick manly perfume hit me hard like a slap. A mixture of ginger and honey.

Swallowing my nervousness, I tiredly moved to the bed and climbed onto it. Then I used the soft blanket to cover myself. It was soft and comforting compared to the cheap quilt my mother had subjected me to use.

As I lay on the bed, falling asleep, my eyes were too heavy to stay awake. My chest hurt as I wondered how to gain my parents’ love.

Just then, the door slid open, and I heard the deep voice of a man fill the air.

“Thanks, babe. I appreciate the room. I didn’t know my car would develop a fault and I would stay up to this time. It’s already past 10 p.m., and the estate gate would have been locked,” the magnetic voice said, slow and steady.

My sister’s sweet voice came through.

“It’s fine, babe. My Dad approved for you to come here. After all, we will be getting married soon. So you’re free to come over to sleep here as you want.” She chuckled, and I could already picture her lips curling into a bright smile. Her happy face. Her big blue eyes twinkling with happiness.

The first question that hit me hard was: How could Maya and her fiancé be in my room? Did Maya offer my room to her fiancé to use? How could she shamelessly bring him here?

I tried to push myself up on the bed, but my hands wouldn’t comply. I was too feeble to move a muscle. I lay on the bed like an ant, not making any noise as I waited for them to leave.

The fear of getting caught in the same room as Maya’s fiancé, Samson Finley, made my blood run cold.

My mother was going to kill me if she discovered what I had done.

I tried not to breathe too hard to avoid getting caught.

I couldn’t sleep, despite my eyes becoming heavy.

I heard the door slowly shut after Maya finished kissing Samson and muttered, “Sleep well, babe. See you tomorrow.”

“Won’t you stay with me?” Samson called after her in the deepest voice I had ever heard. His voice was calm and soothing, and I tried so hard not to react to it.

What the hell was wrong with me?

I tried to sleep, pretending I wasn’t in the room. I silently prayed Maya wouldn’t agree.

“No, babe. I would have loved to. But you know, it’s your first time here. I don’t want my parents to think less of you. Though they already know we are engaged, so they won’t talk. But should they find out, there will be a problem. We will meet up tomorrow. If I check and I don’t have anything doing, I might come join you,” Maya said at last, her tone sweet.

Samson replied in a hesitant voice, “I will be waiting for you, my love.”

After that, I heard the door shut, followed by the removal of clothes. The belt dropping.

With each step that Samson took in the room, my heart thundered against my rib cage. Why didn’t he leave when Maya did? Why was he in my room? Had I entered the wrong room?

I wanted to sit up and explain to Samson, but my weak body wouldn’t allow me. I lay on the bed, slowly falling asleep as I lay on one side. I silently muttered a short prayer.

*Don’t let him realise I’m here.*