chapter 4

Marvis heard it all. She quickly tiptoed away to avoid being noticed. She took the foodstuffs from Madam Esther and went to the kitchen on the second floor where she stayed with Jace.

The smell of a delicious dish wafted into his nostrils.

"Your food is ready, Master Jace", Marvis announced. The aroma was heavenly and certainly irresistible. It had been a long time since he last ate such a sumptuous dish. His stepmother had always hated him and his accident was a good chance for her to revenge.

He took the fork from her and started eating. It even tasted better than he imagined. He suppressed the urge to say 'thank you'. He didn't want her to feel proud or special. Even his girlfriend had never been this nice. She disappeared from his side immediately after the accident.

Marvis opened the windows and looked out. It was raining, so going to her parent's place was out of the way today. She scrutinized the room. She took in the new room, in her new house, owned by her husband. Nothing was pleasing or appealing to her eyes. She sighed and was about to return to the sofa when she noticed something that looked like a canvas at the far end of the room. It was covered completely and would only be seen by someone who looked closely.

" Wow", she muttered lightly and went closer to see. It was indeed a canvas. She could at least paint. Her eyes fell on a door at that end of the room too.

"Where does this door lead to?", she couldn't help but ask.

"That is my room, or, used to be my room", he answered.

" But, why are you not there? Why are you here?", she probed further.

"Don't question me", he replied curtly.

"I'm sorry. Can I paint with this canvas?"

"Paint?", he asked.

" Yes", she replied excitedly.

"Don't you dare? Don't ever try that around me", he ordered.

" But, I love to paint ", she protested.

" Get out! Out of my room. Quick!", Jace thundered.

"But why is he furious?", Marvis asked herself as she rushed out of the room.

Days went past uneventfully. The doctor came every two days to check on him and administer his drugs. Jace too had become less hostile to her. He now lets her sleep on his bed, but on the condition that she doesn't stay close. Grandfather Liam had told Marvis that she had three months to produce Jace a son for a handsome reward. But, Jace wasn't giving her any room for romance. They lived two separate lives in one room. Marvis was grateful that Jace had quit throwing things around and getting irritated easily.

She touched up her makeup and sprayed some perfume. She was going to her parent's place to take her balance. She had been waiting for it to be sent to her bank account but she didn't see it and neither did it seem forthcoming. Jace lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

"I am going to see my parents", she said and left without waiting for him to respond.

She took a taxi and was soon in front of her parent's house. She knocked on the door and it was opened by a servant. She stepped inside the house and met her parents and sister drinking juice in the sitting room. There was no exchange of pleasantries aside from, "Good afternoon Dad and Mum". That was all that existed between them.

"Dad, I have come to collect the balance", Marvis said bluntly. She didn't have time to mince words or beat about the bush. Her courage stunned her father. He didn't believe she would ever have enough courage to demand her money.

"Well, it has been used to sort our needs", he answered, caring less about how she felt.

"What do you mean, Dad?", she questioned.

"Have you gone deaf? I'm sure you heard him. The money has been used. And there is no other to give you", it was Shirley, her stepmother this time.

Marvis got angry instantly.

"What do you both mean by that? I married Jace in Tracey's place and you sit there and tell me you have used the money? No. I won't hear any of that. Dad and Mum, you have to complete my payment ", she yelled.

Her parents didn't seem moved. Marvis didn't stop there. She had already planned on how to make herself and her late mother happy by setting up her art shop. And now, the money which was her only hope was gone. No, she wouldn't sit back and let it happen.

"No, Dad. I must have that money before I leave this place", she continued firmly. After some time, her father said to her,

"Marvis, you are disturbing the peace of this house. Leave now or I will have the servants throw you out".

But Marvis wasn't moved. She continued ranting unabated. Some minutes later, her father carried out his threat and she was thrown out of the house. The laughter from Shirley and Tracey pierced her soul. She let the tears fall from her eyes. No, she would not lose it all. She went to her favorite spot in the garden to weep her heart out.

"No, I will not let it go easily. I will not lose my money just like that. What will happen to my art gallery?", she wailed.

She opened the door to her room sadly.

"Good evening, Master Jace", she greeted upon entry

When Jace heard the door open and her greeting, his heart fluttered. He had spent half of the day thinking about her. He had tried to shake off the thought but it stuck to his head like glue.

" Where have you been?", he asked.

"I… I went to...see my parents", she answered trying to suppress her tears.

*Are you crying?" Jace asked in concern before he could realize it.

"No" Marvis tried to cover up but her voice betrayed her.

Jace tried to stop himself from caring but it was no longer him that was talking but his emotions.

"What happened?"

Marvis broke down in tears and narrated to him what had happened.

"Come here", he said tenderly. Marvis was surprised but at the same time, she craved that comfort. She went closer to him and he pulled her closer and hugged her tightly. Before they could both realize it, their hidden emotions had taken control of them. Marvis felt his soft lips on hers. She wondered how something that looked so hard could be that soft. She responded to his kiss. His strong hands moved on her body and found its way under her clothes. Soon after her clothes left her body and hit the floor.