Chapter Five

Chapter 5

The housekeeper helped me settle into my new room. It looked much better compared to the one I lived in at my father’s house. There was an outer space where I could relax and gather my thoughts. The transparent wall offered a kind view of the garden and a large pool just a little ways off.

“This will be your room,” the housekeeper said at last. “I’ll ask some maids to shop for new clothes for you.”

“That won’t be necessary. This is enough,” I replied, pointing to the small amount of luggage Ellien had graciously packed for me.

She looked at me, a little surprised. “J’s grandfather insisted on it.”

Her stern expression made me nod in agreement. I had heard many rumors about J’s grandfather—and none of them were nice. I knew better than to disobey his orders.

Once the housekeeper left, I lay on the bed, my eyes scanning the entire room. In the blink of an eye, I had married the deadliest man connected to J, and in mere minutes, I had struck a deal with him.

My mind reeled at the thought—J was impotent. Never in my worst nightmares had I imagined that. But I didn’t dwell on it. All I could think about was Jacob. I couldn’t believe that the man I hated most had become my ticket to get Jacob and me away from all this chaos.

A knock came on the door. Curious, I got out of bed to answer it—and saw it was the same housekeeper who had just left.

“Is something wrong?” I asked quietly.

“You should get prepared for your first dinner with the family,” she said, and my heart shivered slightly. I was finally meeting J’s family. I had never heard anything friendly or exciting about them—only terrifying, deadly stories, especially about J’s grandfather.

Despite my earlier refusal, the housekeeper sent a maid to help me get ready. Even though it was just dinner, I was dressed up and dolled up like I was attending a grand event.

I looked down at the high heels the maid instructed me to wear—they were too high for me. I had never worn such shoes before, but I had to. I was pretending to be Ellien, and she had worn heels like these flawlessly for years.

My feet ached even before I was fully dressed, but I knew I had to endure everything. In less than three months, I would be gone—living the life I had always dreamed of, with Jacob.

The maid wanted to help with my hair, but I stopped her and styled it myself while she watched. Once I finished, she gasped in disbelief.

“Did you learn that from somewhere, ma’am?”

I had spent so many hours locked inside, trying to keep myself busy and out of boredom. That included playing with and styling my hair. Over time, I became really good at it—something Ellien could never manage.

“I learned some years ago,” I said, forcing a smile.

She was about to speak again when a knock came on the door. She opened it, and the housekeeper stepped inside.

“It’s time,” she announced.

Gathering every ounce of courage, I lifted my gown and followed her toward the dining hall, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest. What if they realized I wasn’t Ellien—just like J did?

That would be the end of me. No one would be able to save me from their wrath.

Soon, we arrived at the long dining table. It was set with fancy plates, silverware, and candles. I looked at the faces of the people seated politely around it. The only person I recognized was J. But it wasn’t hard to guess who the man with greying hair, pale skin, and a stern expression was—it had to be J’s grandfather, Mr. Frank Charlton.

There was another unfamiliar face, a younger version of J. He had the same eye and hair color, but his face looked more innocent. He had to be J’s younger brother.

Despite my grand appearance in a long ball gown and noisy heels, no one seemed to notice me. They were all lost in their own worlds. J’s grandfather focused on his magazine, J was busy on his phone, and his brother was engrossed in a video game.

The housekeeper cleared her throat and announced, “She is here.”

J’s grandfather immediately looked up. I nearly peed my pants. His gaze was sharp, stern, and dangerous.

He scanned me from head to toe, but I couldn’t read his expression. He closed the magazine and set it down beside him.

“You must be Ellien—J’s new wife.”

To my surprise, the man smiled widely. He stood and walked toward me, looking unexpectedly delighted.

J’s grandfather was far friendlier than I’d imagined.

“I’m sorry I didn’t show up yesterday,” he said, taking a deep breath. He pointed at J, who hadn’t acknowledged me once. “I had an emergency. Unfortunately, he didn’t show up either.”

There was a genuine look of remorse in his eyes.

“No... no, Mr. Frank. It was fine. His attorney handled everything smoothly.”

He sighed in relief. “I’m glad.” Then he frowned. “Mr. Frank? You should call me Grandfather,” he insisted.

My mouth formed an “oh,” and I knew I had no choice but to comply. “Alright, Grandfather.”

J’s grandfather instructed me to sit beside J. As dinner began, he turned to me and asked gently, “Ellien, have you met your husband’s brother?”

I shook my head, exchanging glances with the man seated across from me.

“Introduce yourself, Ryan. Don’t be rude. She’s your brother’s wife.”

“That’s because I’m tired of doing that already,” Ryan said coldly, not taking his eyes off me.

“But still—” J’s grandfather scolded him.

“I’m Ryan. Your brother-in-law... but only if you last more than five days here, as per the usual rites.”

“Enough of your nonsense, Ryan.” Mr. Frank shot him a stern look, but Ryan didn’t react. Then Mr. Frank turned to me with a smile. “Don’t mind him, Ellien. You’re very welcome here.”

I nodded. “Thank you for welcoming me, Grandfather. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

His expression shifted instantly. “We met before—did you forget?”

I swallowed hard. Ellien had met him already?

I bit my lip. Why was I so careless? Why had I said something like that?

“Ellien, don’t you remember? I met you with your father at our restaurant,” Mr. Frank added.

“I…” I was on the edge.

I knew I was in trouble the moment J’s grandfather realized I wasn’t Ellien—but the cursed girl, the bad-luck monster.

I looked at J, pleading with my eyes for help. But there was none. He looked at me like I was nothing.

I knew it.

It was finally my doom.