THE UNWANTED BRIDE

CHAPTER 5: INVISIBLE☑️

When I reached the driveway and turned off my car, a chilled wind hit my skin. I knew given his brazen threats at our engagement and while we drove home after the wedding— of his ability to make my life miserable weren't just idle threats and the atmosphere right now confirmed that something was on the horizon.

A spine chilling feeling hit me at the pit of my stomach and I felt like prey in predator territory. It was eerily quiet and not even a single soul was in sight and for a minute, I thought I was in the wrong property. Obviously I hadn't been here long enough to know whether workers idled around outside but surely this place was so empty, it nearly looked like a well taken care of— abandoned, haunted house.

I picked up my small overnight bag and climbed up the grand staircase and opened the door to my marital home once I reached the top, and true to my word it was quiet. Every step I took inside was calculated but one thing that was for sure is that he's home because his cold and calculating aura could be felt lingering in here.

"Well, well looks like the queen is finally back," his voice hit me like a torpedo submerged in water. I felt my heart lodge in my throat and I remained frozen, eyes wide like a deer in headlights. He didn't seem bothered by my reaction as he continued speaking.

"You know for a minute there I felt bad for talking to you that way, that night, but after seeing the photos you and your boyfriend posted, I finally came to the conclusion that you are just a lying, backstabbing and self - centred bitch, who just wants attention and will do anything to have it. It's not as if you care but please try to stay away from scandals, it ruins my image and I don't want people thinking I'm a joke because my wife is cheating on me and doesn't even care enough to keep it a secret." He'd said his peace but as much as I should have let him walk away glad to have avoided an even worse punishment, I didn't.

As he was about to turn the doorknob to leave, I found my voice and spoke up.  "I'm sorry for leaving without informing you. It was irresponsible and it won't happen again," I began but somehow the courage I felt when I was with Xavier, my handsome stranger now turned friend, hadn't worn off and it was pretty much evident by what I said next.

"And it's not that it's any of your business, but he's just a friend I recently met. But don't worry I will try to keep your reputation intact and you shouldn't worry about me," I finished in one breath and immediately took my luggage and went upstairs to our room, leaving him dumbfounded.

Xavier said something to me when I told him about the drama series my life had been ever since the engagement was announced. He said, "From what you've explained he doesn't seem like a person who tolerates weakness and your shy and quiet nature is exactly that to him. If you want to survive and maybe even have a chance of getting him to respect you as an equal— his life partner if you will you have to be braver and little bit more outspoken."

He went ahead to add. "Though don't let him make you lose sight of who you are. Being shy, quiet, reserved doesn't mean you're weak. It just means to prevail more in the calm rather than chaos and unfortunately that's exactly what you married. You married a storm and it doesn't come without chaos and destruction. You have to learn how to either tame the best or ride it like a pro."

I wasn't sure if I would ever have the courage to speak up to my husband just like I did a few minutes ago, but I had to at least give Xav's advice a try.

I quickly took a warm shower and went to my side of the bed and slept because of the fatigue from all the driving way too much. A few hours into my nap, some disturbance woke me up but when I checked nobody was in sight. I thought I had some giggling and moans in the hallway but it might just have been my imagination or it was just some house-helps fooling around since some are either dating or married.