Chapter 5 You Are Not Jocelyn

Janet's POV:

"You go ahead and shower first. I want to look around." I crossed my arms against my chest as I unconsciously took a couple of steps back. It felt as if I was facing a formidable enemy.

My face was flustered but I tried to act unbothered by his actions.

I had no idea how to face my husband.

Ethan stood by the table. He was nearly 6.2 ft. tall. His jawline accentuated his beautiful features. With sharp eyes, he stared at me intently.

Fear coursed through my stomach at the sight of his expression.

He donned a smile on his face as he said, "Don't be so nervous, I'm not going to eat you. However, I do have something important I'd like to discuss with you."

My arms were still crossed against my bosom as I hesitantly walked over to him.

Even though we were married now, I really did not want to have sex with him.

I didn't think I was mentally prepared for something like that. At least not now. Especially because we barely knew each other.

"What is it?" Apprehension was apparent in my voice as I asked.

"Please, have a seat," he said as he picked up a wooden chair and placed it right in front of me.

Once I was seated, he pulled out the chair in front of him and sat down as well. "I'm not one to beat around the bush so let me get straight to the point. I know marrying me was not your choice," he said.

Was it so obvious?

With awkwardness in my voice, I said, "Love can't be achieved overnight. We have to cultivate our relationship gradually."

It was not until I was finished voicing out my sentiment that I realized that an explanation was completely unnecessary. Ethan must have known that. He was well aware that Jocelyn would never marry a poor, illegitimate son like him.

There was calmness in his eyes as his gaze seemed to pierce through my very being. "Don't worry. It was also not my choice to be married to you. We could be a couple on paper but we don't have to interfere with each other's matters. That will probably make things easier for you. I go out all the time and I rarely ever go home. We both have the freedom to do whatever we want, alright?"

Before I could say anything else, he picked up his suit jacket from the chair and got up. Something seemed to have occurred to him. The corners of his lips raised slightly as he grabbed the handle of the chair I was sitting on. He was incredibly close. "Of course, if you ever need me to fulfill your sexual desires, it is my duty as your husband to satisfy you," he said.

The fragrance of his clothes mixed with the faint smell of his sweat invaded my nostrils. It was the scent of a mature man. It was, in no way, unpleasant.

"You don't have to do that!" I exclaimed, my face burning red. Despite the discomfort he seemed to have successfully planted in my system, I still looked at him in the eye, determined not to show any sign of weakness.

Ethan's deep eyes darkened. His eyes drifted to my belly. "Although we are only a couple by name, you have to be careful about something. I don't want to hear you getting pregnant with someone else's child," he warned.

Almost immediately, I shook my head and firmly said, "Rest assured that I will abide by my duty as your wife during the duration of our marriage. I hope you can keep your word and not interfere with my life as you promised."

His face softened a bit at the sound of my words.

Finally, he straightened up and distanced himself from me. There was an inquisitive look on his face as he asked, "You are not Jocelyn. Who are you?"