Chapter 3

Briar’s POV

“Why can’t I visit?” Mum yelled from the other end of the phone.

I held the phone away from my ear, cursing inwardly. “Mum, please. I am stressed.”

“That is not the response I seek.” She snapped.

Inhaling sharply, I rubbed at my growing belly gently with my free hand. It’s been over two weeks since Isadora’s arrival and my life has taken a different turn. It took me back to the days when I lived with my mother and had to stay locked up in my room whenever she brought her numerous guests over. He says she would only be here until her apartment is ready. But it is beginning to seem like a shallow excuse to me.

In just a short while, I have seen a different side of Adrian. He laughs freely with Isadora and whenever I see him, she is always on his arm. They eat together, spend long hours talking about God knows what in his room or study. I don’t think I have ever felt this much loneliness before. Whenever I try to talk to Adrian, it's always brief with no emotion. He seems impatient to talk to me. I have tried to keep my mother away, knowing that if she shows up, all hell might let loose. I already have too much on my plate as it is.

“Did Adrian ask that I shouldn’t visit you two?” She inquired. Jolting me back to the present.

“Yes, mum. Just for the meantime.” I lied, not bothering to give any explanation further.

Mum fears Adrian, she never wants to do anything to get on his bad side. I guess that is what happens when one's daily bread comes from someone like him.

There was a bit of a pause on the other end. “Well, let’s hope it won’t take too long. Can you send me five thousand dollars? I need to do some quick grocery shopping.”

“With five thousand? What sort of groceries are you buying?” I questioned.

“Don’t ask me what I do with money. Just send it.”

“I thought Adrian already gave you your monthly allowance.”

“Am I not allowed to spend money now? Are you being this rude because you are the one with the billionaire husband?” She began her manipulative streak.

I inhaled slowly. “I don’t have that much to send you. A thousand is what I can spare.”

“You are so miserly.”

“You want it or not?”

“Send it and it better not take long.” She hissed, ending the call.

I dropped the phone on the kitchen island, taking in a deep breath. I can feel a headache brewing. The doctor had warned me on my last visit to the hospital that I should try not to be stressed for the sake of my baby. And it felt like following the warning would be one of the hardest things for me to do.

Everywhere I look there is something to make my heart race and not for a joyous reason. My mother is always bugging me for money and my husband doesn’t care about his breeding vessel. We never discussed his ridiculing description of me. But every day I remember and it crippled me.

Tears formed in my eyes, and I had to blink them back. Crying will make me appear weak. And I am not. I reached for my phone again and sent the money to mum before she started blowing up my phone. Went ahead to dip the phone in my pocket and get cooking. Gibson is off today and I thought it might be nice to make something tasty for dinner. A part of me hoped Adrian might show interest.

“What are you doing?” The voice I dread lately inquired.

I didn’t bother to raise my head. “I am preparing dinner as you can see,” I replied, cutting the veggies with more intensity.

Isadora cackled coldly. “Don’t tell me you are planning to feed Adrian whatever you cook up?”

She eventually got me to raise my head. I exhaled, staring at her. She always does this, rage-baiting me with dumb questions and snide remarks.

“Why not? I am his wife after all. Feeding him is part of my duty.” I said.

She snorted, flipping her straight hair. “You are so pathetic. I am certain he has told you countless times that he doesn’t want anything from you. But it seems your hope keeps mounting each passing day.”

Shutting my eyes for a split second, I decided she wasn’t worth the response and continued with what I was doing. That didn’t sit right with her. The next thing she did was pull my cutting board roughly, scattering the veggies around the kitchen island.

“What the hell?” I blurted.

Isadora’s eyes were like a piercing arrow as she glared at me. “You will respond to me when I speak to you. Better not think for a moment that Adrian will ever want you. I said it before, I am his first love and will forever be the woman he wants. For you; you are just a placeholder.”

I couldn’t resist the laughter that rumbled in my throat. “A placeholder? I am legally married to him. If you were the true love of his life, why aren’t you wearing his ring?”

Her cheek twitched as her expression darkened. “You stupid girl! You have grown a lot of wings. Do you think I don’t know that your mother practically sold you out to Adrian? Everyone knows how much debt he had to pay to have you be his surrogate. The only difference is that you have a married title. Nothing more. You will never mean anything to him. Not now, not ever.”

I grabbed my dress, clenching my fist. Tears pricked the back of my eyes painfully as I pressed my lips together to avoid bursting into tears. It took me a few seconds to get myself together.

Squaring my shoulder, I held her gaze intently. “You are the storyteller, keep narrating. It still won’t change the fact that I am Mrs. Sterling here. Not you.” I affirmed, turning to leave.

“How dare you talk to me like that, bitch!” She pulled me back, but I was quick to yank my arm out of her grip causing her to fall. And she let out a scream in effect.

As if he had been around the whole time, Adrian showed up in the kitchen pushing past me to lift Isadora off the floor. My back hit the kitchen island edge and I winced in pain.

“Isa, are you okay? What happened here?” Adrian asked, his face filled with concern and he didn’t even bat an eyelash at me despite the push.

Isadora with a sneaky look in her eyes pointed at me while sobbing. “She pushed me. Just because I wanted to help prepare dinner. She insulted me and shoved me to the ground.”

“You did that?” Adrian growled at me, helping her up.

“I didn’t….” I tried to speak but he stopped me.

“Don’t you say a word! I should have known you would act out someday. She is a guest. Do you not know what that means? You could have hurt her.” He fumed.

“I am hurt,” Isadora whined, clinging to him.

Adrian patted her hair gently then turned a fierce gaze at me. “Let this be the last time this happens. You don’t want to know what I might do if you do this nonsense again!” He snarled, lifting Isadora in a bridal style out of the kitchen while my back gave out.