Chapter Six

CHLOE’S POV

Go to the bathroom and clean yourself up.” Michael’s cold voice echoed through the bedroom. I looked at him, hoping to find even the slightest trace of emotion on his face, but there was nothing. Not even a smile. I swallowed the words threatening to escape my mouth and slowly climbed down from the table.

My legs felt weak, and I had to steady myself against the bedside table before walking toward the bathroom. The moment I stepped inside, I shut the door behind me. For a few seconds, I stood there, staring at my reflection in the enormous mirror. Was this really my life now? I turned on the shower and stepped under the warm water, letting it wash away the sweat clinging to my skin. I didn’t know what to think about everything that had happened between Michael and me.

Was I supposed to feel happy? Sad? Or simply accept that this was another part of the agreement I had signed? I closed my eyes.

Three weeks ago, I was Chloe Blake, the daughter nobody wanted. Now, I was Mrs. Michael, the wife of a man who barely tolerated my presence. What a wonderful improvement. I almost laughed at the thought. After I finished showering, I wrapped a towel around myself and returned to the bedroom. Michael was standing by the window.  He didn’t look at me. I wasn’t expecting him to look at me.

I walked towards my cloth, picked it up and simply wore it. After putting it on, I brushed my hair and tied it into a loose ponytail. A glance at the wall clock told me it was already past eight. I sighed. There was no point staying in this room. I picked up my phone and stepped outside. I had barely closed the study door when I bumped into someone.

“Oh! I’m so sorry!” I immediately stepped backward. My eyes widened when I recognized the elderly woman standing before me. “Grandma!” A small smile appeared on my face. “Good morning, Grandma.” But she didn’t smile back. Instead, her eyes traveled slowly from my face to my dress. Then she looked at me as though I were something unpleasant she had accidentally stepped on.

My smile faltered. “Grandma?” She remained silent. For a moment, I wondered whether she hadn’t heard me. “Good morning,” I repeated, a little louder. Still nothing. She gave me one last disgusted look before brushing past me. I turned around. “Grandma, is everything okay?” She didn’t answer.

Instead, she walked straight toward Michael’s study and pushed the door open. I stood there, confused.

What was that about? Wasn’t this the same woman who had welcomed me so warmly? The same woman who had treated me with kindness when everyone else seemed determined to make my life miserable? I looked down at myself. Did I wear something wrong? My dress reached my knees. There was nothing inappropriate about it.

Maybe she was upset about something. Or perhaps she was simply in a bad mood. I shook my head. There was no point in overthinking it. I turned and headed downstairs. The mansion was surprisingly quiet.

A few housekeepers moved around, cleaning furniture that already looked spotless. I walked into the living room and settled on one of the couches. For a moment, I simply admired the expensive decorations surrounding me. Everything in this house screamed wealth. The chandeliers.

The marble floors. The enormous paintings hanging on the walls. Even the cushions looked more expensive than some of the clothes I owned. I sighed. So this is what being married to a billionaire looks like. I had barely picked up my phone when I heard footsteps approaching. “Chloe!” I immediately looked up. Michael’s grandmother stood at the foot of the staircase.

I rose from the couch. “Yes, Grandma?” She looked at me with the same expression she had worn upstairs. “What are you doing?” I blinked. “Nothing, Grandma. I was just sitting—”

“Exactly!” I flinched. “Excuse me?” “You’re sitting!” I stared at her. Was sitting now a crime? “Grandma, I don’t understand.” She folded her arms.

“Do you know what time it is?” I glanced at the clock. “Eight thirty.” “And you’re still sitting around doing nothing?” I opened my mouth, then closed it. She continued before I could respond.

“You’re a married woman now, Chloe. Don’t you know your responsibilities?” “My responsibilities?” “Yes! Your responsibilities!” She gestured around the living room. “You’re supposed to wake up early, clean the house, make breakfast, and ensure everything is properly arranged before your husband comes downstairs.”

I looked around. The housekeepers were already doing those things. “Grandma, I thought the maids—” “Are you talking back to me?” My eyes widened.

“No, Grandma!” “Then why are you arguing?” I swallowed.

“Have you given Michael his breakfast” she asked. " Yes, Grandma. I already took Michael’s breakfast to his study room”. She narrowed her eyes. “Oh, really?” “Yes, Grandma.”

“And what about mine?” she demanded. “Have you forgotten that another person is living in this house? Or am I supposed to starve while you sit here enjoying yourself?” I quickly shook my head. “No, Grandma. I already told one of the maids to prepare your breakfast. She said it would be ready soon.”

“The maid?” Her voice rose so sharply that I flinched. “Yes, Grandma. I thought—” “You thought what?” I opened my mouth, but she didn’t give me the chance to answer. “So because you’ve married my grandson, you suddenly think you’re a queen?”

My eyes widened. “What? No, Grandma. That’s not what I meant.” “Then what exactly did you mean?” “I only thought it would be better to let the maids prepare breakfast since they’re already working in the kitchen.” She let out a bitter laugh. “Look at you! You’ve barely spent any time in this house, and you’re already giving orders to the servants.” I lowered my gaze.

What is wrong with this woman? Wasn’t she the same person who had welcomed me so warmly? The same woman who had smiled at me and made me feel like I was finally going to have someone on my side? Why was she suddenly treating me like this?

“Look at me when I’m talking to you, Chloe!” I immediately raised my head. “Yes, Grandma.” She took a step closer. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten who you are or where you came from.”

My brows drew together. “What do you mean?” Her lips curved into a mocking smile. “Don’t pretend you don’t understand. You were practically a maid in your father’s house, weren’t you?” My heart skipped a beat.

I stared at her. “Grandma…” “Wasn’t that what you were?” she continued. “Cooking, cleaning, and running errands for your stepmother and stepsister?” My throat tightened.

Those were things I had desperately wanted to leave behind. Things I never imagined Michael’s grandmother would throw in my face. “Just because my grandson married you doesn’t mean you’ve suddenly become some important princess.” I felt my chest tighten. “Grandma, I never said—” “Then don’t behave like one!”

Her voice echoed through the living room. I pressed my lips together, struggling to keep my emotions under control. “Let me make something clear to you, Chloe.” She pointed a finger at me. “You might have become Michael’s wife, but that doesn’t mean you can sit around ordering people to serve you.”

I remained silent. “If you were a maid in your father’s house, don’t come here expecting to be treated like royalty. Marriage doesn’t erase where you came from.” Her words stung. For a moment, I couldn’t even look at her.

Was this really the woman I thought was kind?

Or had she been pretending all along?

I blinked rapidly, refusing to let the tears gathering in my eyes fall. “Do you understand me?” she demanded. I nodded. “Yes, Grandma.” “Then what are you still sitting there for?” I immediately stood. She looked me up and down with obvious irritation. “Go into that kitchen and make me a cup of tea.” “Okay, Grandma.” “And don’t ask the maids to do it for you!” she snapped. “I want you to prepare it yourself. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Grandma.” “Good. Now get out of my sight.” I turned and walked toward the kitchen. But with every step I took, one question kept repeating itself in my mind.

How did she know about the way Elena and Amelia treated me?

Had someone said something about me? Had Michael told her something? I remembered how she had walked straight into his study earlier. A strange feeling settled in my stomach.

What exactly did they discuss? The kitchen was enormous.

Two housekeepers were busy preparing breakfast when I entered. One of them immediately approached me. “Good morning, ma’am.”

“Good morning,” I replied with a small smile. “Is there anything you need?” “Yes. Grandma asked me to make her some tea.” The woman looked surprised. “Tea?” I nodded. “Yes.” “But ma’am, we can prepare it for her.” “It’s okay. She specifically asked me to make it.” The housekeeper hesitated.

“Are you sure?” I smiled faintly. “Yes. Just show me where everything is.” She directed me toward the cabinets. Within minutes, I had prepared the tea. I carefully poured it into a porcelain cup and placed it on a small tray. The tea was still steaming.

I considered allowing it to cool, but Grandma had specifically told me not to waste time. Besides, most people preferred their tea hot. I carried the tray back into the living room.

Grandma was seated on the couch, looking through a magazine.

“Grandma?” She didn’t answer. “I brought your tea.” She finally raised her head. “Then put it down.” I placed the tray on the table.

She reached for the cup. The moment her fingers touched it, she quickly withdrew her hand.

“Ah!” I startled. “Grandma, what’s wrong?” She glared at me.

“What is this?” I looked at the cup. “Tea, Grandma.”

“Are you stupid?” My lips parted. “What?” “Can’t you see how hot it is?” I blinked. “I’m sorry. I just prepared it, so it’s still—”

“Do you want to burn me?” My eyes widened. “No! Of course not!” “Then why would you bring me something this hot?” “I didn’t know you wanted it cold. I can wait for it to cool down.” She laughed bitterly. “So now you’re making excuses?”

“No, Grandma. I’m only—” Before I could finish speaking, she grabbed the cup. And threw the tea straight at my face.

“AHHH!” I screamed.

The hot liquid splashed across my cheek, neck, and chest. The cup slipped from her fingers and shattered against the marble floor. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Then the pain came.

A sharp, burning sensation spread across my skin.

“Oh my God!” I stumbled backward, pressing my hands against my face. Tears immediately filled my eyes. “Grandma!”

My voice trembled. “Why would you do that?” She rose from the couch. “How dare you raise your voice at me?” I stared at her. “I wasn’t raising my voice!” “Then what do you call that?” I shook my head in disbelief. “I was only surprised! You threw hot tea at me!”

“And whose fault is that?” I froze. Whose fault? Was she seriously asking me that?

I looked at her, searching her face for some sign that she regretted what she had done. There was none. Instead, she looked even angrier. “Get out of my sight!” she snapped. My lips trembled.

“Grandma…” “I said get out!” I stepped backward. My chest tightened painfully. I couldn’t understand it. What had happened to the kind woman I met? The woman who had smiled at me?

The woman who had made me believe that perhaps this marriage wouldn’t be completely miserable? “Grandma, please,” I whispered. “Did I do something wrong?” She scoffed.

“Don’t stand there pretending to be innocent.” My brows drew together.

“Pretending?” “Yes! Girls like you are very good at pretending.”

I swallowed. “Girls like me?” She stepped closer.

“Do you think I don’t know why you married my grandson?”

My heart skipped a beat. “What?” “You think because you’re pretty, you can come into this family and behave however you like?” I shook my head. “Grandma, that’s not true.” “Then learn your place!” The words struck me harder than the tea.

Learn your place. How many times had I heard those words?

From Elena. From Amelia. From everyone who believed I was nothing more than a burden.

And now, even here? I felt something break inside me.

I had thought leaving my father’s house meant escaping that kind of treatment. Apparently, I had only moved from one nightmare into another. I wiped my tears, wincing when my fingers touched my burning cheek.

“Grandma,” I whispered, “I don’t know what I’ve done to offend you.” She looked away. “But I’m sorry if I did something wrong.”

For a moment, silence settled between us. Then she pointed toward the staircase.

“Get out.” I nodded slowly. “Okay.” I turned around.

My legs felt weak as I walked toward the stairs. I had almost reached the first step when her voice stopped me.

“And Chloe?” I turned. She stared directly into my eyes.

“Don’t think those tears will make Michael love you.”

My breath caught. What? Before I could ask what she meant, she continued. “You’re only here because of an agreement. Don’t forget that.” My heart sank.  I stood there, staring at her.

Suddenly, everything began making sense. The disgusted look upstairs. The way she had ignored my greeting. Her sudden change in attitude. This time, I didn’t argue. I turned and hurried toward the stairs. My vision was blurry with tears.

All I wanted was to get back to the bedroom, lock the door, and cry until the pain in my chest disappeared. But I had barely climbed two steps when I heard a familiar voice.

“Chloe.” I froze. Slowly, I raised my head. Michael stood at the top of the staircase. His eyes moved from my tear-stained face to the wet patches on my dress. His brows furrowed. “What happened to you?” I couldn’t answer. My throat felt too tight. He descended a few steps. “Chloe, I’m talking to you.” I looked away. Then his grandmother spoke from behind me.

“Michael!” I turned. She was already walking toward us. And to my surprise, the anger on her face had completely disappeared.

“Thank goodness you’re here,” she said. Michael looked at her.

“Grandma?” She placed a hand against her chest. “Your wife just tried to burn me with hot tea!” My mouth fell open. “What?!” Michael’s eyes narrowed. His gaze shifted toward me.

“Chloe.” I shook my head immediately. “No. That’s not what happened.” His grandmother scoffed. “She’s lying!”

I stared at her.

Lying? She was the one who had thrown the tea at me! “Grandma, that’s not true!” I cried. Michael’s expression darkened.

“Enough.” I immediately fell silent. He looked at the broken cup on the floor.

Then at my face. And finally, at his grandmother. “Someone had better explain what happened here.” I opened my mouth. But his grandmother spoke first. “Michael, I was only trying to teach her how to behave as a proper wife. She became rude and tried to hurt me.” My eyes widened. “That’s a lie!” Michael turned sharply toward me. “Watch your tone, Chloe.” I froze. For a moment, I could only stare at him.

Of course. Why had I expected him to defend me?

I laughed bitterly, even as tears continued rolling down my cheeks.

“Right.” Michael frowned. “What?” I shook my head. “Nothing.” “Chloe.” I looked up at him. “You don’t have to worry, Michael. I know my place.” His expression changed slightly. I continued before he could speak. “I’m your wife on paper. Nothing more. I understand that.” “Chloe, what are you talking about?”

I swallowed. “But I didn’t know that being your wife meant everyone in this house had the right to humiliate me.”

Silence. Michael stared at me. His grandmother’s expression darkened.

“How dare you—” “Grandma.” Michael’s voice was sharp.

She stopped. He descended the remaining steps and stood directly in front of me. His gaze settled on my cheek.

For the first time, I noticed something flicker across his face.

Something I couldn’t understand. He raised his hand toward me.

I instinctively stepped backward. His hand froze in midair.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke. Then he lowered it.

“Who did this to your face?” I looked at him. Was he seriously asking me that? I turned toward his grandmother.

Then back at him. “Does it matter?”His jaw tightened. “Answer me.” I swallowed. “Your grandmother threw hot tea at me.”

Behind him, Grandma gasped. “Michael! Don’t listen to her!”

But Michael didn’t turn around. His eyes remained fixed on my face. Then he asked a question that made my heart stop.

“Did she throw it at you…” He paused. “…or did you give her a reason to?”

I stared at him, unable to believe what I had just heard.