Chapter seven

Chapter 7

Since it was J’s grandfather's order, I was forced to move into J’s room. Left with no choice, I stepped into the same room where I had first met him, the same room where we struck our first deal. The room held too many memories in the Charlton house for me.

I sighed and sat at the edge of the bed, just like I had quietly done on our wedding night.

It had been over two hours since J stormed out of the dining room, but he still hadn’t returned. I had thought he had retired to his room, but there was no sign of him. My eyes felt heavy, but I wanted to wait for him to return. Still, sleep eventually swallowed me.

Suddenly, I felt a light tap on my legs. I realized I had fallen asleep on J’s bed. Rubbing my eyes, I slowly sat up, only to be met with J’s dangerous stare. He looked furious—his expression dark and piercing. After all, he had made it clear that he hated anyone in his space.

But this wasn’t my fault either. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to be near him. But just like being forced to marry him, I was left with no choice.

“What are you doing here?!” His stern voice echoed in my ears, so cold it made me shiver.

I swallowed hard and stood up completely from the bed.

He was obviously shocked to see me in his room.

“Grandfather forced me to move here. He moved out my stuff from—”

“You should have told him no!” he yelled, his sudden outburst making me flinch.

“Do you think you’re something special just because you’re still in this house? Just because I haven’t divorced you yet?” He scoffed angrily.

“J, I—”

“You are nothing but one of my cards. You should know your place, Rachel,” he spat, no trace of regret in his voice.

“I… I didn’t want to stay with you either. But your grandfather forced me here.”

“Then you should’ve disagreed. Don’t get your hopes up. Just because I signed that contract doesn’t mean I want you.”

“Don’t ever think I’ll treat you like my wife. Even your father never treated you right!”

That last sentence stabbed through my heart like a dagger.

A tear slid down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away before J could see, but it was already too late—he saw it. He just didn’t care.

He hissed loudly and stormed out of the room again.

The moment he left, I could feel my heart break into pieces. I crouched to the floor and let my tears fall freely. I could no longer hold them back.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, nearly scaring me. I wasn’t used to having a phone—I’d never owned one before. Father had only gotten it for me at the last minute.

I looked at the caller ID and froze.

It was a call from Father.

“What took you so long to pick up?” he yelled the moment I answered.

“I… I was with J,” I stammered, fear instantly swallowing me whole—even though he wasn’t physically here.

“Ask him if they didn’t find out,” I heard Ellien’s voice in the background.

“Did anyone find out you aren’t Ellien?” Father asked, his voice stern and cold. Before I could even respond, he added, “You probably wouldn’t be alive to pick up this call if they had.”

“I’m calling to warn you, Rachel. The moment they find out who you are, you won’t be alive anymore.”

I swallowed hard and nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I won’t let them find out, Father.”

He hung up immediately.

I sighed and dropped the phone onto the bed. He didn’t even ask how I was doing. He didn’t ask if I was surviving. Even though I knew he hated me, I had still hoped he would ask.

Fresh tears welled in my eyes.

Why does everyone despise me so much?

Even though I’d felt this way my entire life, I didn’t know why it hurt even more now.

I wiped my tears and walked out of J’s room. I wanted to speak with Mr. Frank and ask him to revoke his order about me moving into J’s room. I wanted peace. And I knew I couldn’t get that if I stayed in the same space with J.

Suddenly, I heard a voice coming from one of the hallway rooms, stopping me in my tracks.

“Jay needs an heir, and that’s why we’re accommodating her. They might be elite, but their family standard is still low compared to ours. I only accepted her father’s proposal because I was looking for a bride for Jay.”

“I need her to bear Jay a child before discarding her, at least.”

My chest tightened.

Right… he had been the only one kind to me. But I should’ve known it was all because of what he wanted.

I almost fell for his lies. But he’s just a businessman—I shouldn't have trusted him.

The moment he got what he wanted—or couldn’t get it—he would toss me aside.

I turned away from his room and walked aimlessly. My heart hurt so much. Tears blurred my vision, and suddenly, I bumped into someone.

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going,” I apologized immediately, lowering my head and quickly wiping my tears.

“Are you okay?” the voice asked, gentle and concerned.

“Yes, I am,” I forced a smile and looked up to meet his gaze.

He seemed to be around J’s age, with sharp eyes and a clean shave that made him look younger and incredibly handsome.

I had never seen him before—not even at the family dinner. My brows furrowed.

Could he be a worker?

But his expensive outfit and confident demeanor said otherwise.

“Who are you? I haven’t seen you around,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that,” I quickly added, turning to leave—but his soft voice stopped me.

“You must be J’s wife, Ellien.”

I was shocked that he knew my name. No doubt he wasn’t just anyone.

“It’s nice meeting you. I’m J’s cousin—Jeffery,” he introduced.

I gasped, realizing he was family. “I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you earlier.”

“It’s alright. We never had the chance to meet.” He smiled warmly.

“Right,” I mumbled, about to walk away again when his voice stopped me.

“You look bored. Would you like to crash at the library with me?”

The library?

I guess I couldn’t say no. He led me to a grand room I hadn’t known existed. The library was massive and filled with different books.

I had a thing for books. Since I was always locked away, with no friends or phones, reading became my escape. It helped me stay updated with the world.

I glanced over at Jeffery, who wore a soft smile as he skimmed a book. The warm lighting made him glow like a masterpiece.

He was completely different from J—kind, respectful, and calm. Even though we had just met, he made me feel safe. He felt like someone I could rest my head on.

I took a seat beside him. We hunched over a book together. For once, I was smiling—genuinely smiling, even laughing.

Suddenly, he shifted, and I lost my balance. He fell back onto the sofa, and I landed on him—our lips just inches apart.

I was so close I could admire his features clearly. He wasn’t as striking as J, but still, handsome enough to win a beauty award.

My cheeks flushed. He isn’t Jacob, I warned myself.

But something about him reminded me of my Jacob… maybe because he was the only other person who had been kind to me.

“By any chance, have we met before?” his deep voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I blinked.

Had Ellien met him too?

“I… I can’t remember,” I mumbled, our faces still incredibly close.

“You seem to be having a good time here,” a cold voice suddenly interrupted us.

I turned my head and met Sebastian’s furious gaze. Anger burned in his honey-brown eyes. Disgust twisted his features.

I quickly pulled away from Jeffery. “It’s not what you think. We just met and accidentally bumped into each other!”

He scoffed loudly.

“Why don’t you go ahead and sleep with him instead—and give my grandfather the heir he’s so desperate for?”

“What?!”