Chapter 4 04

04

I V Y

"Where is my son?" The man growled out, forcing me to shrink back into the door. I tried to gauge the distance between the door and my room. There was something about him that terrified me and I had a sudden urge to make a run for it.

"I-I don't know–" I tried to say but he interrupted me with a harsh click of his tongue. He stalked closer and my heart thundered in my chest.

His lips thinned. "Who are you? You smell like a petty thief." He sniffed the air for effect. The man had brown hair, brown eyes, and a scar that ran from underneath his right eye to just beside his lips. It didn't help that he currently loomed over me.

"I'm not a thief, I promise." I rushed the words out but he shook his head, unbelieving. "I'm Elliot's wife."

I quickly dug out the ring from my pocket and slipped it on. He laughed. A sharp, menacing bark. It wrapped around my heart like a vice and squeezed. He didn't believe me. Or he didn't want to.

"You? His wife?" He chortled. Then like a whiplash, his laugh seized and his eyes hardened. "Get out!"

What?

The air left my lungs in a whoosh as I realized what was happening. No, please no. Tears sprang to my eyes immediately. With everything I've been through, you'd think I'd be stronger.

"Sir, I'm his wife. Marianne offered–" His glare immediately shut me up. He shoved me away from the door, and I stumbled before falling to the ground. Then he opened it.

"Out!" he commanded. The tears began falling rapidly, and I scrambled to my feet. What was even going on? I was confused, speechless and sorely embarrassed as he dragged me out of the house, and into the elevator. It dawned on me that this was my supposed father in-law. And he had no idea his son was married.

I tried to make him see reason as the numbers on the elevator declined. I showed him the ring, and I explained that Marianne made me sign a contract. I told him everything but he insisted I was a petty thief and a freeloader.

"This is my building, and you don't belong here. It's not for the likes of you," he sneered. Snot mixed with tears and they ran down my face. My throat was hot and tight, and a lump was stuck in it.

"Please sir, I don't have anywhere to go. My clothes are there, everything I own." I begged again as we finally reached the ground floor. His face only reddened with rage.

"My son would never marry someone like you." He dragged me out as soon as the doors opened. "You are pathetic. Wretched."

Wretched. That word again. It broke me and I allowed myself to be dragged out of the building. Eyes turned to me, and I could hear Lydia's mocking laugh as we passed her desk.

I shut my eyes tightly at the humiliation and embarrassment. My hair managed to shield me like a curtain, but only slightly.

Elliot's father deposited me outside the building into the scorching sun. And I stood there as passersby gave me long looks. I had nowhere else to go, except back to the hospital. And if my mom woke up to find me there, she would worry.

I found a bench at the side of the building and sat there. Shaky breaths left my lips, and I wiped my tears. Somehow my phone fell out of my pockets when I tried to dig out the ring, and I forgot to pick it up.

I was reminded of that when my stomach grumbled. I'd only had fruits for breakfast and hoped to cook when I got back. Now, I was tossed out of the house and into the sweltering sun while my stomach grumbled in protest.

My clothes stuck to my skin from sweat as I just watched the crowd. Some of them sneered as they passed. Some almost broke their legs as they avoided the bench I sat on. They probably thought I was a homeless beggar.

Feeling self conscious, I patted my hair and looked at my outfit as I wondered what made them think I was homeless or a beggar- even though I was homeless at the moment.

>>>

I was jolted awake by a tap, and I opened my eyes to find that night had fallen. The air was cool and crisp, it bit into my skin. Groggily, I noticed a shadow that stood over me and I sighed in relief as Marianne's face came into view.

"I'm sorry about Anthony," she apologized and helped me up from the bench I'd fallen asleep on. "Why didn't you call?"

I winced at the pain in my throat when I tried to swallow. And I swayed on my feet, as I felt lightheaded. My stomach twisted into knots. I was so hungry, I could barely see straight.

"My phone fell out somewhere in the house," was my reply. I took a step forward and paused as I swayed again. Black dots danced in my vision, threatening to pull me under.

Marianne stopped. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," I replied inaudibly. "Just hungry."

She frowned at me and helped me into the building. Thankfully, Lydia was not here this time. I wouldn't be able to look her in the face as she taunted me.

We went up the elevator and into the penthouse where I retrieved my phone from the ground. Marianne shuffled around in the kitchen and helped me heat up a half eaten bowl of lasagna that was already in the fridge.

Staring at Marianne, the back of my eyes prickled. Was this what it took to be a part of the Grayson family? A series of never ending humiliation and embarrassment? A constant reminder by everyone and everything that I was dirt poor, and wretched?

"You'd attend a gala in two months. I'll send the details to you later," Marianne told me. I could only nod in response. "And Elliot... he'll be back soon. Hopefully." She said the last word so quietly I almost missed it.

As Marianne brought the bowl to me and I took a bite, I reminded myself that this was better than working two jobs. Yes, I wished it didn't have to be like this.

But if wishes were horses...right?