I walked into the living room to see Benson with a strange woman. Her face was covered in heavy make up and shiny red lipstick. She looked at me and remained silent. I diverted my gaze to Benson, his eyes were fixed on me, and his silence was driving me crazy.
"Benson, what is going on? Why did you ask to see me?"
"I see you haven't learned the rules around here. My name isn't Benson, don't you ever call me that. If you must mention my name while talking to me, call me Nathaniel."
The lady with him, proceeded to speak too,
"Nath, she's your wife, how can she not know that?"
At this point my heart rate is increasing and I am reminded of the kind of situation i am in. I know i didn't have a say in the union because it was a forced marriage but I had at least hoped for peace. That we could both do our own things and stay out of eachother's way.
"Why did you ask to see me?" I asked again.
"I wanted you to meet serelith. You're going to be seeing her around the house a lot and I thought it was important for you to know that and avoid being dramatic around her." He said.
I resisted the urge to ask him if he had gone mad again. What did he think? That this would break me? This was a loveless marriage and that is enough heartbreak for me.
I looked at the thing he brought into the house and back at him. I let out a sigh to help release all of my anger, and responded.
"Okay."
I turned away from them and walked back to my room. As long as Serelith stayed away from my business and my face then there wouldn't be a problem.
I got back to my room to see missed calls from Denice, my nanny. Before leaving I told her to call me if anything happened to mum. I called her back immediately but she wasn't answering. Now my mind has travelled to a million places. Denice would never call me if things hadn't gotten out of hand.
I rushed out of my room immediately and made my way to the car Mr. Theodore had gifted me as a wedding gift.
By the time i arrived at the house, Elizabeth was outside examining her mum who had bruises all over her body.
"Look at what your mad mother did to me!" Felicia said as soon as she saw me.
Her words provoked me. Felicia was very evil, she must have said something horrible about me that prompted my mother to react that way to her. My mum never reacts to their insults only when it involved me, or sadly, my father.
"What did you do to make her attack you?" I responded. Without waiting for a response I rushed inside to see my mum.
When i got to her room. She was now asleep and uncle Pete was with her.
"Oh my God, uncle."
"Shh. I just put her to sleep. Let's talk outside." He whispered.
"Okay. Please give me a moment with her."
He nodded and walked out.
I gently sat by her bed and looked at her as she slept. Her cheek was swollen and red.
Tears filled my eyes as I thought about what that witch must have done to her.
"Violet?" She said, slowly turning her face to me.
"Yes, mum." I sniffled.
"Don't cry. I am fine. I had the upper hand and gave her the beating of her life. Something i wish i had done 20 years ago."
I chuckled. And wiped my tears. She had come around and it was good to see.
"Mum, please come live with me. I don't want you here with these wicked people."
"You know I would never leave your father."
"Mum, he is barely alive."
"As long as he is breathing, he needs me. I will never leave him alone with that witch Felicia. Don't worry," she reached out for my hand and gently held them, "I will be fine. I survived all these years. They cannot hurt me."
I don't know what it is. But sometimes my heart hurts so much that I can't stop crying. I wish things had turned out differently for her. I wish she never loved him to this point.
"I'm sorry. Don't cry." She brushed my tears off my cheek. "How is your marriage going? Is he treating you well? I am sorry i couldn't stop it."
"It is going very well, mum. He is very calm and treats me with respect while minding his business. It is something I can handle." I didn't want her to worry about me at all.
She smiled, but her lips curving upwards didn't stop the angony in her heart from showing in her face.
"I love you. Please stay safe." I placed a kiss on her forehead.
"I love you too, Vi."
I left the house after having a brief conversation with my uncle. He had also rushed down from work after hearing about what happened to my mum. He promised to protect her and assured me she was going to be okay.
I looked at the rearview mirror to be sure my eyes no longer looked like i had cried. The last thing i wanted was for Benson to see me weak.
"Welcome madam Violet." Han welcomed me from the door.
"Thank you, Han."
"Mr. Theodore left a few minutes ago."
"His guest?" I asked.
"She is in the guest house."
I scoffed. He seriously wanted her to live here with us? Okay. It shouldn't bother me. Afterall we didn't marry for love and I won't mind as long as she stayed away from me and my space.
I slowly walked up the stairs, and threw myself on the bed the moment i got to my room.
I stared blankly at the ceiling with my thoughts foggy and emotions empty. I sighed, turning on my side. My emotions immediately turned into anger and hate as i saw a strand of hair and lipstick stain on the bedsheet.