Chapter 2

*Matilda*

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

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

“Ptff. I don’t think she will ever be useful. Imagine your own family hates you,” another maid muttered, her voice filled with pity too.

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

My mother had offered the guest rooms to the remaining visitors, 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 under my chubby weight. Despite my resemblance to Maya, I had gained weight these past few days I stayed home crying and thinking of what to do to gain my freedom—my mother’s love and admiration. But nothing worked.

My mother has a driver to ensure that I go to lessons undercover and return home. I don’t have a phone. I don’t know what is going on in the outside world. I’m forbidden to make friends. I’m to remain indoors until I pass the exam. Only then can I regain my freedom. But since I 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 am too nervous to raise the topic.

My dad is a billionaire. He’s supportive of my mother’s and siblings’ mistreatment towards me. He believes they will help me change. But for how long?

I pushed myself up, 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: How could my sister and her fiancé be in my room? Did Maya offer my room to her fiancé to use? How can 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 dry. My mother was going to kill me if she discovered what I did.

I had to not breathe too hard, to avoid getting caught.

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

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

“Won’t you stay with me?” he called her, with the deepest voice that 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, to pretend 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 we should wait. We will meet up tomorrow. If I check and I don’t have anything doing, I will come join you,” Maya said at last, her tone sweet.

Samson replied with a hesitating 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 moved in the room, my heart thundered against my ribcage. 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 him, but my weak body couldn’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.*