Chapter 6 Disown Her Father

The exquisite form, the delicate curve of the collarbone, the velvety suppleness of the skin, and the slender waist... All of these elements presented themselves before Rogelio.

His gaze deepened, and his Adam's apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed.

"What...What do you think you're doing?" Marian instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, her tone urgent. "Please, don't do that. You promised you wouldn't touch me!"

Fear crept into her mind that Rogelio might have sinister intentions.

Being pregnant, she was in no mood for any physical intimacy.

Rogelio's grip on her waist tightened suddenly, his voice firm. "Even if you stripped in front of me, I'd look away."

Pushing against his chest, Marian said determinedly, "Then back off and let me go!"

Rogelio countered with a hint of frustration, "You think I want this?"

His attention shifted to the door, and he noticed a figure passing by, accompanied by soft footsteps.

Someone was outside!

Rogelio's voice dropped. "My mother's men are out there. We need to play along."

Nervously, Marian asked, "What do you mean by playing along?"

"Just say what they want to hear," he explained shortly.

Kyra's spies clearly wanted Rogelio and Marian to have a child soon.

"But..." Marian hesitated, voicing her uncertainty. "It takes two to do that. How am I supposed to do it alone?"

"You don't know how to sound... excited?" Rogelio questioned, sounding surprised. "Are you serious?"

Embarrassment colored Marian's cheeks as she realized that he wanted her to act as if they were having sex.

However... Marian really didn't know how to fake intimacy!

The situation was made worse by Rogelio's unyielding grip, intensifying her discomfort.

Marian regarded Rogelio as if he were a devil incarnate. His mere presence made her tremble with fear.

Rogelio's patience was wearing thin. "Come on. Do it now!" he demanded.

Marian bit her lip, left with no option but to comply with his command.

Living under Rogelio's control had stripped her of all dignity.

Rogelio's gaze bore into her, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.

However... her soft-spoken compliance stirred a memory of the woman from that hotel night.

Frustration welled up within him.

How could Marian even be compared to that woman?

"You're so shameless," Rogelio sneered, climbing out of bed to straighten his rumpled shirt.

Marian's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, though she felt powerless.

He wasn't only subjecting her to physical torment but also crushing her spirit.

"Marian." Rogelio's tone shifted, growing serious as he remembered something. "Did you truly visit my brother's grave on our wedding night? Did you go anywhere else?"

"No," she replied.

"Are you absolutely certain?" Rogelio's gaze narrowed, a veiled threat behind his words. "You know the consequences of lying to me better than anyone."

Marian couldn't fathom his line of questioning. Could he have recognized her that night?

His state of mind had been chaotic then, influenced by drugs and darkness!

After steadying herself, she opted to keep her secret. "I'm sure. I only went to Neal's grave that night. I didn't want to spend our wedding night alone."

"Your days of solitude have only just begun!" Rogelio retorted before he turned to leave. However, Marian caught his sleeve.

Gently, she pulled at his cuff, her voice soft. "Rogelio, you've done all this to me... What would Neal think if he knew?"

Neal had quietly held feelings for her, and she respected him. He wouldn't have wished any suffering upon her.

But now, his own brother was subjecting her to torment day and night.

Rogelio's grip on her wrist tightened, his voice cold. "He resented you deeply for letting him die in your defense. If he knew what I was doing, he'd likely relish me being even more ruthless to you."

The pressure on her wrist was almost unbearable. The pain brought sweat to Marian's brow, but she dared not utter a sound.

She understood that crying out would only stoke Rogelio's cruelty, not his mercy.

Seeing her efforts to remain composed, Rogelio remained detached and impassive.

"Marian, mark my words. You'll regret addressing me in such a manner."

Head lowered, regret began to set in for Marian.

She chided herself for mentioning Neal's demise before having concrete evidence.

She had only succeeded in provoking Rogelio and inviting suffering upon herself.

Patience should have been her approach.

Yet, to her surprise... Rogelio's retribution was swift.

On the second day, as Marian was preparing to head to school, a derisive voice echoed from the living room entrance.

"Such a disobedient daughter. Are you determined to dismantle the Chapman family? Marian, we raised you. We don't require your care for us. But you mustn't wreck this family!"

Mindy Chapman, her stepmother, strode in with a torrent of curses.

Beside Mindy, Grady appeared grave and apprehensive.

Since Mindy wedded Grady, she held a strong distaste for Marian. After all, Marian wasn't her biological child.

Whenever she spotted even the slightest flaw in Marian, she would unleash her fury through beatings or scolding, all while putting on a facade of kindness in front of others.

Marian was taken aback by this unexpected departure from Mindy's pretenses and her direct scolding.

This villa belonged to the Bailey family, and Marian was now Mrs. Bailey, after all!

"I harbor no intentions of tearing apart the Chapman family," Marian retorted, her gaze unwavering on Mindy. "I've married Rogelio as you wished. Is that not enough? What more do you want?"

When Rogelio had proposed to the Chapman family, he had wielded a threat. It was evident he sought to hold Marian accountable for Neal's demise throughout her life.

The Chapman family members, both respectful and fearful, nodded in agreement, prioritizing avoiding offense toward the Bailey family rather than caring for Marian.

However, Mindy now sneered, "How splendid you must feel now! Married into wealth!"

"Then I'll gladly step aside for your daughter, Lorna. How about letting you and your daughter bask in the splendor?"

Mindy's expression shifted.

She was well aware of Rogelio's motivations for marrying Marian. It wasn't for marital bliss but rather for inflicting suffering.

Had the circumstances been favorable, she would have seized the chance for Lorna to marry Rogelio and become a member of the esteemed Bailey family. She wouldn't have bestowed such an opportunity upon Marian.

She would never endanger her own daughter in such a precarious situation.

"You're the one who took the life of the Bailey family's eldest son. It's what you deserve! I've warned you that there would be consequences. Someone has already met their demise because of you. Acknowledge your wrongdoing and confess. Accept responsibility. Spare us any further pain!"

Confusion etched Marian's face, and she inquired, "What's going on?"

Grady answered with a heavy sigh, "Mr. Bailey has declared his intention to penalize the Chapman Group. All of our clients are pulling out their cooperation. How can the company survive without clients? We're headed for bankruptcy within a month."

That explained their visit to Marian.

No wonder Mindy was so incensed. She dreaded the prospect of the Chapman family's financial ruin.

No wonder Rogelio had uttered those ominous words last night. He had warned her that regrets were coming.

He had an arsenal of methods to make her suffer.

"Marian, now that you're part of the Bailey family, you need to heed Mr. Bailey's wishes. If you can win his favor, life could improve for you and, perhaps, benefit us as well." Grady continued, "Find a way to persuade Mr. Bailey to reverse his decision."

"He firmly believes I'm responsible for his brother's death. Can deep-seated hatred like that be erased by mere appeasement? Dad, you're overestimating me."

For Marian, self-preservation was a daunting task.

"Then what's the alternative? You're the one who caused this! Your actions aren't tied to the Chapman family!" With a stern countenance, Grady proceeded to demand, "I'm your father. I've raised you from childhood. You owe me gratitude and repayment!"

Marian took a steadying breath and made a proposal. "Alright, I can ask Rogelio for help. However... on one condition!"

"What is it?"

"From this point forward, I disown you!"