Seventeen Imagines III

#59 "His Beneficiary" (part two)

Mingyu and I got married without second hesitation.

After our marriage, mom and I moved into his mansion-like place. He has three maids, two gardener and one driver. When I went to his garage, there are 20 different cars and vehicle. From what I've heard, he has countless of houses in different part of our country.

Looking from outside, this deal of us seemed too good to be true for me. Still, I don't consider myself lucky.

The moment Mingyu died, all of his properties will be mine; he wrote it on our contract. In exchange, no one should know about this. Thus, mother really thought that I married him because of love.

"You don't need to worry because I won't ask a thing from you as my wife. Just enjoy your new life now, and wait until I die," is what Mingyu has said before I signed our legal marriage contract. This is like assuring me that he won't lift a finger to me so there's no need to get scared.

And he is really a man of his words.

I've been his spouse for three months. But just like before, our relationship didn't change. He is still that stranger who rarely talk to me, look at me and hold my hand unless mom is present. We are living under the same roof but sleeping in two different rooms.

One time, I asked about his illness for the first time. Yet, he only answered, "Don't worry yourself to my life. Just be patience."

Of course I got mad! But guilty at the same time. 'He's right. A person who married him for money doesn't have rights to worry about him,' I thought.

However, my will to stay away from him as much as possible has changed when I accidentally saw a scene I shouldn't see.

"Ahhhhhhh! Ahhhhhh!" Moans came from his room.

I was on my way to give his breakfast since he didn't show up this morning. But when I peeked at him inside his room, I saw him clutching his chest while groaning in pain. He is showering with sweats, biting his other hand to prevent loud screams to slip from his trembling lips. He is in a deep pain I couldn't imagine.

"What are you ...looking?! " he asked when our eyes met. I stood at my place, unable to respond a thing. "I don't need any help. Just leave me alone!"

Even if he was hurting like that, he never dared asked for aid.

"He is a little rude but...pitiful," I sighed while drinking my tea at the garden.

"You are sighing a lot, madam," a maid commented me. She is aunt Yeni, the oldest maid in this house. "Sir Mingyu is not in the mood again, I guess."

Unlike other maids, Aunt Yeni has been living with him for a longer time. It is obvious that she knows more about Mingyu more than anybody.

"Well," I just let out a sad chuckle as my response.

Even if I've been his wife for three months, Mingyu never told me a story of his, except that he'll die soon. Maybe, asking Aunt Yeni will help!

"Aunt Yeni, can I ask something?"

"Of course, my dear." She sat down beside me and I poured tea in a new teacup.

"Do you know the reason why Mingyu hates his family so much?"

"Mingyu told me that he married you without sharing the back story of his family, but I didn't believe it. However, hearing it directly from you means he's saying the truth."