Scars Of Marriage.

chapter 19: Press conference.

The day of the press conference, I could somehow talk, but it hurt to do so. I was also not planning on speaking. I had just finished dressing when I saw Henry enter the room.

"I think you are now healed. From today, return to the main bedroom," Henry said as he massaged my shoulders. My body immediately shuddered in protest. I heard him chuckle before he sat on the bed.

"I will praise father-in-law for having such a caring daughter like you, Shiba, so just simply smile at the conference. I only ask you to smile, okay?" Henry slowly asked. I knew that when his tone sank that low, his insane nature was threatening to come out.

I simply nodded at his words. Henry smiled as he stood up to leave.

"Let's have some simple breakfast and meet up with the rest," he said as he closed the door behind him.

After some time, I went downstairs. However, I didn't have any appetite; my throat also hurt when I swallowed, so I decided not to have breakfast.

Henry had already finished having breakfast. He told me to follow him. The driver was already waiting for us in the garage.

"Hello, sir, please," the driver greeted us and opened the door for us. He then closed the door before sitting in the driver's seat and starting the car.

"Why are you sitting so far? Come close," I heard Henry say before he pulled me to him.

I saw the driver peek at us through the dashboard mirror before quickly looking away with a smile.

I wondered what theories he pictured in his mind. My body was stiff all over as Henry hugged me and slowly stroked my hair.

"You are really stunning today; I am not telling lies," Henry smiled as he said, looking at me with what appeared to be loving eyes.

I wanted to tell him to shut up; I didn't like his smile and touch! I finally discovered I didn't like anything about Henry!

The car soon approached the venue. I assumed that the cameramen would be surrounding the area, but everything was organized and in order.

The driver opened the door for us. I heard cameras go off as Henry led me west, smiling brightly at the cameras and the reporters.

"Henry!" I suddenly heard a loud scream. I turned and looked in that direction and saw a young girl; I assumed she was about 15. Well, she looked young.

Henry smiled before he led us in her direction. "Where are your parents?" Henry asked.

The girl was blushing non-stop and didn't answer the question. I then saw a man with a round belly running toward us.

"Quin! Why did you run all the way here? I am sorry, sir; my daughter watches everything about you! When I was coming to the conference today, she asked to tag along. I didn't know she would go out of line," the man explained.

"No problem, she is still young after all. Go on with your dad, Quin," Henry gently smiled, but I had now mastered his smiles. Right now, he was showing impenitence and disdain toward the father and daughter.

I wanted to warn the girl not to just randomly like anyone on the internet, but I couldn't; cameras were right in my face.

Even so, the girl bore an infatuated look. I didn't think I could say anything to convince such a person, so I simply faced ahead.

The father and daughter left, and then we headed inside the venue. More cameramen were already inside and had their seats. It was my very first time seeing Henry's other two brothers.

Kelly and Julie immediately stood up and headed our way, smiling. "Shiba, you really escaped from us; you no longer come for yoga," Kelly said as she pushed her hair behind her ears, her manicured long red fingers showing.

"Shiba is now concentrating on sewing and crocheting; where would she get the time to go for your meet-up?" Henry said with a fake smile.

"Really?" Kelly assertively asked, facing my direction.

I smiled as I shook my head in acknowledgment.

"Shiba recently developed a cold; please forgive her for not speaking today. She has just been on medication," Henry said.

Julie silently looked at me for some time. "Let's go ahead; father-in-law is waiting," she said as she tugged at my hand, but Henry forcefully held onto me.

"Do go ahead, Julie. I will lead my wife there," Henry smiled at Julie as he spoke. Julie awkwardly let my hand go as she moved ahead.

"How did you become Julie's friend all of a sudden? You only spoke once? Twice? But you have your ways; after all, you are the most charming wife in the world," Henry said beside my left ear with a chuckle before he led me further ahead.

"Brother!" Henry called, this time releasing me and hugging his elder brother before turning to his other brother.

"Shiba, this is your eldest brother-in-law, Kain Charpil, and second, Trent Charpil," Henry said. I simply gave them a small nod as Henry explained to them that I had a cold.

I saw Kain scan me. "So this is my sister-in-law? Wow, Henry, you weren't lying when you said you found a unicorn," he chuckled as he said it.

The three brothers smiled as the cameras flashed away. "These children, you don't have any respect for your elders!" Musa Charpil scolded as his wife smiled.

Henry led me to them and explained my situation. I nodded towards the couple as they wished me good health.

The press conference then officially began. He started off by introducing the entire family and me, who had become a new member and therefore family.

The cameramen asked many other questions that I didn't care to know the answers to, which the family answered one by one.

One hour passed in this situation, and the press conference was coming to an end.
Suddenly, there was commotion outside the venue, and then I heard shouts from cameramen calling someone repeatedly.

"Lilly? She's back?" I heard Julie whisper under her breath beside me on the left side.

I was confused. I then caught a glimpse of Kain smirking as he looked towards the entrance.

A very beautiful, thin girl with a bright smile and a straight but weak walking posture walked in amidst the excitement and questions from the cameramen. She was wearing a white dress, and her saint-like aura was blinding.