Chapter six

Chapter 6

The room was closing up on me, and I could hardly breathe anymore. Mr. Frank's attention was focused on me, and I was expected to say something.

“Not everyone keeps track of old men they’ve met,” J suddenly butted in.

I froze at those words.

I looked at J in confusion. I didn’t ask him to put me into more trouble.

I turned to Mr. Frank, trying to explain. “It’s not like that, it’s not what you think, grandfather.”

Mr. Frank cleared his throat but didn’t say anything further. I bit my lower lip, silently blaming myself for turning to J for help. But what stunned me most was the fact that he actually had helped.

Dinner was served by the maids, and we all ate in silence. The only sounds that filled the room were the clanking of cutlery against the expensive dishware.

“I heard you left in the middle of the consummation last night, Jay,” Mr. Frank began, his gaze fixed perfectly on J, who didn’t even bother to look up.

J scoffed. “Are you stalking me now?”

“It was supposed to be your first night with your wife, but you ran off,” Mr. Frank said firmly. I knew he was only trying to support me, but I was already ashamed that something so private was being brought up in such a public setting.

“Grandfather, it’s—” I started, trying to calm the situation.

“I told you I didn’t want to get married,” J cut in sternly, locking eyes with Mr. Frank.

Even though I knew he never wanted this marriage, hearing it out loud still stung. It made me feel even more unwanted. But then again, nobody had ever wanted me before.

“Don’t say that in front of her,” Mr. Frank cautioned, his voice softer now as he saw how down I looked.

“Just stay out of it. It’s not your business, grandfather.”

“She’s your wife, Jay! You left her alone in the middle of the night!” Mr. Frank shouted, his voice echoing through the dining hall.

“That’s because I was never interested in this marriage. You forced me into it!” J’s voice rose with fury. I could see the disdain clearly written across his face.

“What’s the use of these arranged marriages anyway, huh? I didn’t get anything out of this crap you tied me up with. They probably got millions of dollars just for marrying me—like I’m some sort of cripple.”

“Don’t be harsh on her. Her family received it, not her,” Mr. Frank said gently.

“What’s the difference? She’ll definitely get her share of the deal,” Ryan chimed in carelessly.

Mr. Frank shot him a sharp glare. “You should stay out of it when your elders are speaking.”

He then turned back to J.

“Seeing as she’s still here, you like her, don’t you? You always divorced the others on the same day you got married. She’s different, right?” Mr. Frank asked curiously.

J sighed and glanced at me for a brief moment.

“Just stay out of it, grandfather.”

“I heard the housekeeper moved you into your own room,” Mr. Frank turned to me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. “Yes. I was able to settle in, all thanks to her.”

“No.” He shook his head, and I couldn’t understand what he meant. “You should move back into your husband’s room. You both should stay together until you truly get to know each other.”

J’s expression immediately changed. His eyes darkened, and he slammed the cutlery in his hand onto the table. “What do you mean, grandfather? You know I hate anyone in my space!”

“She should stay with you for a while until she becomes familiar with this family,” Mr. Frank replied calmly.

“She’s not going to stay with me! I don’t want to see her anywhere near me!” J growled.

“Jay, Ellien is your wife, and she will stay with you as one,” Mr. Frank insisted firmly.

“She’s not my wife because we never consummated the marriage!” J fired back angrily.

“That’s because you failed to!”

“This is your fourth marriage, and you’re not getting any younger. Don’t you think I deserve a grandchild already?” Mr. Frank’s voice softened with frustration.

“You can adopt her and get her a new husband to produce the grandchild you’re so desperate for,” J snapped.

“Jay!” Mr. Frank shouted, his fist clenched tightly. “She is your wife!”

“Only on paper! I never loved her—just like all the other women you married me off to!” J shouted, banging his fist on the table before storming out of the room.

I had kept my head down the entire time, awkwardly playing with the fork in my hands.

Mr. Frank let out a deep sigh and ran his fingers through his grey hair in frustration.

“I’m sorry you had to hear that, Ellien,” Mr. Frank turned back to me with remorse in his eyes.

“It’s nothing,” I forced a smile. I had heard even more hurtful words from my father. I was never wanted by anyone. That was probably why Ellien thought this would be the perfect position for me—a place where I would once again be unwanted.

After dinner, I decided to take a stroll around the house before returning to my room. I visited the garden I’d always seen from my window, and I realized it was even more beautiful than I had imagined.

The air was warm against my skin as I sat on one of the benches. A gentle breeze made the flowers sway gently, and the freshness of the atmosphere made me feel peaceful.

For the first time in years, I felt free—able to roam without being trapped behind walls.

Then I heard footsteps approaching. Mr. Frank walked up to me, a soft smile on his face.

“You seem to be enjoying the breeze,” he said kindly.

“Yes. I decided to take a little stroll around the house,” I mumbled.

“It feels good to finally see someone enjoying this place,” he said with a nostalgic sigh.

I frowned slightly. No one came here?

“No one visits this garden—especially Jay,” Mr. Frank explained, as if reading my thoughts. “This garden was his mother’s favorite place. After she passed away, Jay never came back here. Only the gardener visits to maintain it.”

“But it’s too beautiful to be ignored.”

“Just like his mother. She was like you—innocent, kind, and sweet,” he added.

Mr. Frank placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I know this is hard for you, but please endure it, Ellien.”

“Jay may not look it right now, but I promise you, he’s a good man. He’ll take care of you.”

After our short conversation, I returned to my room. His words about J lingered in my mind. No matter how hard he tried to make J sound kind, he still felt scary and dangerous to me—just like the rumors the maids whispered about him the moment Ellien got betrothed.

No matter what Mr. Frank said, I knew I had to stay away from J until I found a way to fulfill my side of the deal. That way, I could finally be free—with Jacob, my Jacob.

Pushing those thoughts away, I opened the door to my room—but confusion struck me immediately. The entire room was empty. My things were gone.

My brows furrowed. What was going on?

Just as I tried to make sense of it, the door opened behind me without a knock. The same maid who had helped me dress earlier walked in.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t realize you were inside. That’s why I didn’t knock,” she apologized immediately.

But I was more concerned about something else.

“Why is my room empty? Where are my things?” I asked, almost in panic.

“I thought you were informed already,” she replied, her head bowed.

“Informed about what?” I asked, more confused than ever.

“Sir Frank ordered for you to move into Sir Jay’s room. So your belongings were moved there already,” she revealed.

“What?” I gasped.