Chapter 4 FOUR

BELLA

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"Congratulations on your wedding," Joana smiled at me.

"She is the bride of that bastard, what a pity," a lady said beside Joana, clicking her tongue in a pitiful manner before walking off.

I frowned when she referred to my husband as a bastard.

"What's that lady talking about?" I clutched my bouquet and stared hard at Joana.

"Maybe she is referring to your husband being the illegitimate son of Nicholas Calvin, a renowned billionaire who refused to recognize your husband."

"Is that all?" I insisted when I sensed something in Joana's tone.

"Well, rumor has it that he is a broke ass and only has his mother's fortune to his name, and I must say, the fortune is not even that great. And with the ladies? He is a demon. Rumor also has it that the last lady who dared to date him ran off and only she knows what she saw, because the only thing she could say about him was that Daniel Calvin is worse than the devil himself."

I shuddered at this description, and fear raced through my heart.

"Oh, I forgot to add that he was also an ex-convict. I mean, he was in jail before but he's out now, so it's not a big deal, I guess."

"Enough, please. I don't want to hear more. Why didn't you tell me about it? And you allowed me to get married to him?"

"You needed help, didn't you? And I helped you. You've got a place to stay and at least, he is handsome-very handsome, I must say, because I almost changed my mind," Joana drawled and sashayed past me.

"Ma'am, I was asked to drop you off. Let's go," a man approached me. He must have been the cab driver.

"Are you okay?" he asked in a concerned tone. I must have gone pale-who wouldn't feel that way after what I had just heard about the man I married?

I forced a smile and nodded as I followed him to the car. I frowned when I saw how expensive the car looked and paused to stare at the man.

"Wasn't I supposed to get in a cab? I mean, I may not know much about cars, but this looks pretty expensive to be a cab, right?"

The man looked taken aback and lost for a second. "Oh yes, you're right. But you see, your husband rented this car because it's your wedding day. I mean, it's his too, right?"

I sighed as I agreed with the driver and entered the car. This wasn't how I had imagined my marriage to be, and the man I had just gotten married to was not how I had imagined my husband to be-certainly not an ex-convict whose ex-girlfriend had described him as the devil himself.

Now, what would happen to me? He might just snap my neck the moment he got back. I shivered in fear as the car stopped in front of a bungalow.

"Welcome to your new home and congratulations on your wedding. Ah, here is the key to the building-your husband says I should give it to you."

"Thank you," I murmured as I collected the key and stepped down from the vehicle.

"Home. My home," I murmured as I entered the building. It wasn't so bad looking after all. It was even bigger than Aunt Christy's house and Jeremy's house put together.

This was now my home, and there was no going back. Although I was scared of the man I had just married-with all the news I had heard about him-I had made up my mind that this would be my home, at least for as long as he wanted it.

I thought about my aunt and wished I could call her and tell her what was happening to me right now. My mind wandered to Ana's cousin-the one I had killed in the cottage. The police might be looking for me right now. I shuddered at the thought of going to prison for killing someone. But no one would believe me if I told them it was self-defense. The same way no one believed me when Jeremy uploaded those disgusting photos of me. Ana must be so disappointed in me.

I looked around the apartment and noticed that there wasn't much in the house-a sofa in the living room, a coffee table, and that's it. Even the kitchen looked so empty. My husband must really be a broke ass. I thought to myself that I needed to start looking for a job as soon as possible-at least to help with the expenses.

Although I didn't finish college, I hoped I would at least find a decent job.

I really needed that money Joana promised me, and I hoped to get it soon. I would use it to buy a few things for the house.

Going into the only room available, I rummaged through the closet for any of my husband's clothes because the only dress I had brought with me was the wedding gown I was still wearing-and which I was supposed to return immediately after the wedding. But I would return it the next day.

I finally settled for one of his T-shirts and went into the kitchen to make something for us to eat.

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DANIEL POV

"Boss, it's done, I dropped her off at your house and she didn't suspect a thing."

"Thank you, Oliver," I replied to my driver over the phone. I paused when I felt hesitation in his voice.

"What is it, Oliver?"

"Boss, I think she has heard the rumor about you and she looked scared."

My lips turned up in a rueful smile. I could imagine what must be going through her mind right now.

"She asked about the car and I told her that you rented it because it's your wedding day."

"Thank you, Oliver," I said as I hung up.

I was standing in front of my mother's grave. "You see, Mother, I got married, and like I promised, I will not allow your money to fall into the wrong hands. From today, I'll start executing my revenge plan. I will get back every dime that was taken from you, Mother-including your company."

I will make sure I avenge my mother, even if that's the last thing I do.

When I got home, I found her sleeping on the sofa in my favorite T-shirt, and I did not feel pleased about it.

She must have started settling in as my wife, but I needed to set her straight: although we might be married, it's only on paper. I'd observe her first, and if she proved herself worth it, I might not divorce her after a year. Then I'd reveal myself-not the pauper she thought I was, but the billionaire with many multinational companies linked to my name.

I moved to wake her up to tell her just how I felt about her in my favorite T-shirt, but before I could touch her, her eyes snapped open, and in one glance, she took in my stance and raised hand-and all hell broke loose.

She screamed the moment she saw me standing beside her with my hand raised. Was she thinking I was going to kill her already? She scrambled away from me and fell on her butt.

Despite her resolve not to let the rumors get to her and to live as my wife, that resolve crumbled the moment she opened her eyes and saw my face darkened and my hand stretched toward her. She scrambled for the bread knife she had been holding before she fell asleep waiting for me. "Get away from me!" she screamed, pointing the knife at me.

"Hey, relax," I said, bringing my hand forward, but she shifted backward.

"Stay away from me. Please, don't kill me," she begged, tears falling from the corners of her eyes.

I stared at her for a moment, then threw back my head and laughed. Damn, the rumor really got to my bride's head.

She looked at me in a puzzled frown and managed to stand up from the ground.

"Now, why would I kill you?" I asked, my face growing serious once more.

"Well, b... because... because..."

"Because of the rumors?" I asked, sitting down on the sofa.

She nodded and avoided my gaze, probably fearing I might get mad at her.

"So, do I look like a murderer?" I relaxed on the sofa and crossed my legs, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

"Murderer isn't written on anyone's forehead. Looks can't tell you who's a murderer and who's not."

"In that case, you can be a suspect too," I said, leaning forward and staring at her intently. "Have you ever murdered someone?"

She paled instantly and swayed on her feet.