Swimming pool

I truly felt that the man who was now my husband was insane.

Yes, insane. Samuel De Leon had no sense of humanity at all. My entire body ached, especially my waist, which felt like it might break after having to pick up thousands of fallen leaves in that vast yard.

I let out a long breath as I lay down. At least there was one thing I could be grateful for. Tonight, I could sleep on a soft bed. My suffering did not feel as severe compared to when I was at my parents’ house. Here, I could also eat as much as I wanted without waiting for their leftovers or asking Mother for permission.

“Maybe I really am not their biological child,” I muttered softly.

That thought always crossed my mind whenever I remembered how they had treated me for the past twenty-five years. But I quickly brushed it aside. Everything was in the past now. I had escaped that hell and had officially become part of the De Leon family.

Now, I only had one focus, to survive. But how? Would I let myself remain a lowly servant as Samuel wanted? Or should I fight so that he would see me as his wife?

I closed my eyes, letting a faint smile form on my lips. I decided to try something reckless. I would seduce my own husband.

Even if he turned out to be cold or unable to give me what I wanted because of his condition, at least I had tried. I wanted to see how long that arrogant man could hold out once I stepped into his world.

***

The next morning, I woke up to a loud knock on my door. I was startled. It was unusual for me to wake up late. Maybe it was because my entire body still ached from yesterday’s exhausting work, or because the bed was too comfortable.

“What is it?” I asked curtly to the guard outside.

“Sir is waiting for you by the pool right now,” he replied briefly.

I nodded and let out a long breath. Without changing my clothes or even taking a bath, I walked out immediately. Along the corridor, the servants looked at me with various expressions. Some bowed respectfully because I was the lady of the house, but others sneered at my messy appearance.

I did not care. I had made up my mind to change. I was no longer the weak Emelia Perez who could be bullied.

“What?” I asked as soon as I arrived in front of Samuel.

“How rude. You wake up this late and have not even bathed!” Samuel snapped, looking at me with disdain.

“That is your fault. Yesterday I was forced to clean that huge yard alone. Of course I am exhausted,” I replied calmly.

“Now, clean this swimming pool,” he ordered sharply.

I turned toward the pool and my eyes widened instantly. How was that possible? The pool was filled with dry leaves floating on the surface, even though yesterday afternoon I had seen it completely clean. There were no large trees right next to it either. This was clearly intentional.

“Why is the pool this dirty?” I demanded.

“Clean it. Stop talking.”

I exhaled roughly. I knew this was his doing just to torture me. But instead of complaining, I smiled faintly. Cleaning the pool meant I could play in the water.

Without warning, I ran and jumped into the clear water. I swam back and forth gracefully, letting the cold water wash away my fatigue.

“What are you doing? I told you to clean the pool, not to swim!” Samuel’s loud voice stopped me.

I clicked my tongue. I moved toward the edge to grab a cleaning net, but my steps halted when I heard his next command.

“Stop right there.” Samuel turned to his men. “All of you, leave now. Do not look toward the pool. If anyone is caught peeking, I will gouge your eyes out.”

I swallowed hard at the cruel threat. The guards quickly dispersed. Once it was quiet, I realized something. I was wearing thin white pajamas. Now that I was completely soaked, the fabric clung tightly to my body and became transparent. I was not even wearing a bra.

The curves of my body and my chest were clearly visible through the wet fabric. So that was why he had sent everyone away.

Suddenly, a bold idea came to mind. Instead of taking the cleaning tool, I slowly walked toward Samuel with a teasing movement. I deliberately unbuttoned one button of my pajama top to reveal more of my cleavage.

“What are you doing, Emelia?” Samuel snapped as I stood right in front of him. His breathing seemed slightly uneven.

“Nothing. I just want to greet my husband in the morning,” I replied calmly, looking straight at him.

I smiled in satisfaction when Samuel turned his face away as I leaned closer. Boldly, my hand touched his thigh, which was covered by expensive trousers. I knew his legs were paralyzed, but I was curious whether the rest of his body was the same.

“Why look away? Are you afraid?” I teased.

“Stay away, Emelia!”

“Stay away where? I just want to see my husband’s face up close. You are very handsome, especially when I touch you like this...”

As my hand moved to touch his cheek, Samuel quickly grabbed my wrist. “Do not dare touch my body,” he snapped, his gaze deadly.

Instead of being afraid, I let out a soft laugh. I pulled his hand and pressed it against my wet chest. I wanted to see how far he could endure.

A smile formed on my lips when Samuel’s face suddenly turned pale. His eyes widened in shock as he felt the warmth of my skin beneath his palm.

“What is it? I am your wife, right? Did you not send all the guards away because you did not want them to see what belongs to you? So, do you not want to try?” I whispered near his ear.

Bang!

My body was thrown backward as Samuel pushed me harshly. Without saying a word, he immediately turned his automatic wheelchair and left me there.

“Ouch! Damn it!” I groaned as I rubbed my sore backside after hitting the floor. “That man is unbelievably stubborn!”

***

“Hey, you! Enjoying yourself eating here? Go work like the others!”

I, who had been enjoying fresh fruit, immediately turned my head. I looked at a young female servant standing with her hands on her hips.

“Why are you silent? Go work. Do not just sit here and eat!” she shouted again.

I stayed still, not intending to leave the comfortable chair. My principle was simple now. I would only work if Samuel ordered me. Otherwise, I would enjoy the facilities in this mansion like a queen, at least until Samuel showed up again. Ever since the incident by the pool this morning, he had disappeared.

The other servants did not dare to scold me. They were probably confused or hesitant seeing me relax during working hours. But the girl in front of me seemed to have lost her sense. Or perhaps she did not know who I was.

“You crazy new girl! Told to clean but you act deaf! You have to work like us. Do not just sit and eat. You are only a servant here!” she yelled as she grabbed my wrist and pulled it harshly.

“That hurts!” I cried out as her grip tightened painfully.

“Good. Now you know how it feels. Go work. You are just a maid!” she said as she shoved me hard until I fell to the floor.

I let out a rough breath. My anger boiled. I was about to get up and retaliate, but I stopped when a deep baritone voice echoed from behind.

“What is going on here?”

It was Samuel. He appeared in his wheelchair, staring at us coldly. Several guards stood behind him.

“Sir, I apologize for the disturbance,” the young servant said immediately, bowing in fear, her voice trembling. “I was just trying to tell the new servant to work properly instead of sitting around and eating snacks.”

I remained silent as I slowly stood up, wincing in pain. Damn it. In just one day, I had fallen hard twice because of him and his servant.

“Do you know who she is?” Samuel asked in a flat tone.

I smiled inwardly. My heart pounded. This was it. I could not wait to hear Samuel announce in front of this rude servant that I was his wife, the lady of this house.

But the words that came out of his mouth hit me harder than the shove earlier.

“She is my personal servant,” Samuel said firmly. “She only works when I tell her to. Otherwise, she does not have to do anything. Do not ever order her again.”

My lips twitched. The pride that had briefly risen in my chest vanished instantly, replaced by a suffocating emptiness.

Personal servant?

I wanted to laugh bitterly. Even in front of others, Samuel still refused to acknowledge me as his wife. To him, I was nothing more than collateral who had merely been promoted to a special servant.

***

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