Chapter 0005

Ximena's POV

"Who are you?" I inquired, propping myself up.

"One moment. Aren't you the woman who defended me from the bully at school while I was waiting for my driver?" she asked, her tone bright and her puppy eyes genuine.

"I don't recall what you're referring to, young lady," I responded, reclining on the bed. Perhaps this is her way of embracing the madness that runs in her family.

"Come on, I never got the chance to thank you for that day because you ran away," she said, sitting on the edge of the bed. She took hold of my hand and I gazed at her as though she were an alien sent to make my life a living nightmare. "Thank you so much for that day. When I told my father about those hooligans, he made certain they were dealt with," she added. The excitement in her voice was still evident.

"I see," I murmured. "The girl in the black suit with the white undershirt, standing in front of St. Michael Academy?" I asked, trying to recall.

"Exactly, Miss. I didn't realize you were the one my father was marrying, which is why I didn't attend the wedding. I apologize for that," she said, offering her best imitation of puppy eyes.

"Mr. Hudson is your father?" I questioned.

"Yes, you didn't know? Anyways, I have to go get ready for school now. I'll see you at breakfast," she sprang to her feet and scurried off.

Someone needs to inform me of my problem. Hudson has a daughter? And I'm expected to act as her mother? How old is my husband? Who did I marry? Someone please wake me up from this nightmare. The fact that she seems to like me annoys me to my core. She should hate me too. Ximena and motherhood are incompatible. No.

***

The servants brought my suitcase later on. After freshening up, I changed into my own clothes.

Sitting and sulking at my reflection in the mirror, the door creaked open and I immediately snapped my gaze towards it. My alleged husband had suddenly reappeared after disappearing the previous night.

"Hey, I expected you to be finished by now. Everyone is waiting for you," remarked Hudson.

"Everyone? Why?" I inquired.

"Have you been introduced to my relatives yet?"

"I have no desire to meet anyone," I declared, turning my face back to the mirror.

"Ximena, or whatever your name may be, you can't keep my family waiting," he groaned. "You need to get up from that chair and come downstairs with me."

"Or what?" I retaliated, giving him a piercing glare. "If I choose not to meet your family, what will you do? Force me?"

A smirk crept onto his face. "Don't push me. Quit reminding me of how much I despise you," he groaned, narrowing his eyes at me.

"Oh, please. Surprise, surprise, Hudson. I don't just hate you, I also feel like strangling you. So stop getting on my nerves," I fired back.

"And why are the newlyweds arguing in the morning?" interrupted my so-called mother-in-law, appearing by our side.

"I can't deal with this, Mother," Hudson groaned. "This woman will have her own room. I don't want to see her."

"I don't want to see you either, Hudson. I need a room for myself." Isn't it interesting how we both want the same thing?

"Now, you two. You're married now and there's no way you can stay in separate rooms. This irrational behavior needs to stop because you're in this for a lifetime. Breakfast is getting cold. Both of you should be downstairs in five minutes," scolded my mother-in-law before leaving the same way she came in.

My chest rose and fell as I tried to calm myself. I can't handle this. I refuse to obey anyone's orders. "This is just the beginning, Hudson Miles Lucas," I pushed past him and stormed out.

A few minutes later, we were all seated around the long, rectangular dining table. I attempted to hold my head up high, but those eyes piercing into me wouldn't allow it.

My gaze remained fixed upon the table in front of me. In hindsight, I regretted not bringing my phone, as it could have served as a perfect distraction.

“Ahem.” The so-called mother-in-law cleared her throat, breaking the tense silence. My attention was drawn to her. “Ximena, we are all pleased to have you among us,” she began.

Well, I am most certainly not pleased to be here, I muttered under my breath.

“Allow me to introduce Alberto.” She pointed towards the man seated across from me.

He possessed deep brown eyes, black low-cut hair, and a well-defined jawline adorned with bushy beards. He looked like the type of mafia boss that you see in movies, the one who does not hesitate to mercilessly eliminate his enemies. The way he was staring at me only served to confirm my suspicions that I may very well be his next target. I quickly averted my gaze from his intense stare.

“And here we have my daughter, Eleanor.” She added.

I immediately recognized the same lady I had met yesterday, with her ruby eyes, shoulder-length golden brown hair, round pretty face, and olive skin. She was of average height.

“And she is Harper, Alberto's wife,” my mother-in-law continued.

I turned my gaze towards the beautiful woman who was smiling warmly beside Alberto. She had a black bob haircut, piercing blue eyes, and a smile that could rival that of an angel's. From her appearance, she seemed to be around my age. I couldn't help but wonder if she, too, had been coerced into marrying Alberto. If she is not careful, I fear she may reveal herself to be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

“Hi, Ximena!” Harper greeted me with a friendly wave.

“Hello.” I returned her wave, attempting to mirror her smile.

“Lastly, we have the youngest member of the family, Nevaeh. She is Hudson's precious daughter,” my mother-in-law said. “Everyone, please meet Ximena Arthur, Hudson's new wife,” she finished her introduction.

Hudson let out a fake cough, causing us all to turn and look at him. “I'm afraid I am running late for work,” he declared, quickly grabbing his phone and making a hasty exit.

“But Dad, you haven't even touched your breakfast,” Nevaeh protested.

“I will have breakfast at the office,” he said as he hurriedly left. We all watched as he disappeared from sight.

“Granny, you would not believe that Ximena was the same lady who bravely defended me from those hoodlums at school last time,” Nevaeh's enthusiastic voice broke the tense atmosphere.

How will I ever manage with this family, who are all clearly more cunning than the last? And the most painful part is the fact that no one told me I was going to be a mother to some girl who seemed to like me. Argh!