Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

PEYTON

Faith was sleeping when I arrived at the hospital.

Her surgery had been scheduled and was all that mattered. The moment the hospital confirmed that the payment had been received, the knot that had been sitting in my chest finally loosened.

For the first time since she passed out, I felt a tiny flicker of hope. I stood beside Faith’s bed and watched her sleeping face.

“You’ll be okay. Faith. You’re a fighter,” I whispered.

“Peyton?”Her eyes slowly opened as she adjusted to the light.

“I’m here.”I smiled and reached for her hand.

“I heard the doctor talking about the surgery.“How did you get the money?”she asked, her voice weak.

I hesitated. I couldn’t tell her the truth, not right now

“I found a way.” I croaked.

“Pey…”

“Don’t worry about it.” I squeezed her hand. “Just concentrate on getting better.”

“You’re hiding something.”She stared at me suspiciously.

“I’ll explain everything when you’re stronger.”

Faith squeezed my hand and let out a small smile.

“Whatever it is, I hope you didn’t do something you’d regret,”

I sighed, forcing a smile. 

Regret! The words rang in my head and settled for a few seconds. I can’t believe I agreed to marry Zayn, a stranger.

I couldn’t even tell him about the pregnancy because I was scared he would change his mind and that would mean Faith wouldn’t get surgery.

 I had checked online to see what information I could find about him but there was nothing much apart from general news about his achievements.

Now, I was about to move to his house and start a new life.

It’s just two years, I consoled myself. It would pass by quickly.

I could only hope that was true. 

****

A few minutes after I got home, my bedroom looked like a tornado had passed through it.

Clothes were scattered across the bed. Shoes were lined up beside two suitcases.

I stood in the middle of the mess, staring at everything I had packed.

I was actually doing this. I was moving into a stranger’s mansion I’d met only days ago.

I sank onto the edge of the bed and covered my face.

What was I thinking? I had just lost Logan. Now I was voluntarily walking into another marriage Except this time, there was no love.

Two years. That was all. I repeated those words until they stopped sounding terrifying.

My phone buzzed and I glanced at it

Zayn: The car is outside.

I stared at the message and sighed as I grabbed my handbag, took one last look around my room and walked out.

****

The drive to Zayn’s mansion was quiet and I spent most of it staring through the window. When the gates finally opened, I couldn’t help staring at it again. The mansion was enormous as I remembered 

It looked more like a luxury hotel than someone’s home. I stepped out of the car and found Zayn waiting near the entrance.

“You’re here,” he had a small smile on his face. “You’re welcome to my home,”

A worker helped me carry my bags in as we both walked inside.  I could see his staff, all lined up in their uniforms with a plastic smile on their face. We both stopped a few inches away from them.

“Hello everyone. This is Peyton, my fiancee. She will be living here from now on and I expect that you will accord her the same respect you give me. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir!” They chorused.

“Good,” he turned to face me. “I have a meeting now so I have to run. Aunt Magaret, please show her to her room and make sure she’s comfortable,”

“Of course my dear,”

My eyes moved towards Zayn as he left and back to the staff who still had that weird smile on their faces. I cleared my throat awkwardly.

“Welcome to the mansion, Miss Peyton. I’m Aunt Mageret. I hope you’ll have a wonderful time here,”

She introduced me to everyone and showed me to my room. The room was beautifully furnished with a large bed sat in the center, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens.

“Wow!” I glanced around and bounced on the soft bed. It felt so  comfortable that I didn’t know when I fell asleep. I woke up a few hours later and decided to go to the living room.

Just then, Zayn walked in.

“Oh! How are you settling in, Peyton? I tried to check in earlier but you were asleep,”

“It’s perfect.  I really love my room,”

“I’m glad. But don’t get used to it. After the wedding, you’ll move to my room,”

“Excuse me?”I stared at him. “You didn’t mention that before I signed the contract.”

“I thought it was obvious.”

“It wasn’t.”

“Peyton,” he sighed. “if we’re living in the same house but sleeping in separate rooms forever, people will eventually notice.”

“I’m not sharing a bed with you.”I crossed my arms.

“I didn’t say you had to.”

“Hey grandson!” A loud shrieky voice interrupted us. 

I turned towards the door to see an elegant older woman walking towards us. She was dressed beautifully, with silver hair pulled neatly behind her head.

“Grandma!” Zayn looked so shocked to see her. “You didn’t tell me you were coming,”

“I wanted it to be a surprise, my boy. Now who do we have here,” she turned towards me, adjusting her glasses.

All color drained from her face as she stared at me from head to toe.

“You!” She pointed at me, her face filled with shock.

“Me?” I was confused.

“What are you doing here, Elena?”