I had explained myself to Max, and we were cool again. I didn't tell him the whole truth some things were better left unsaid but he still wished me the best in my marriage.Only I knew the truth about my situation in that house. That so-called mansion… it didn't feel like home. It felt like hell wrapped in gold.
Today, I lied about having a check-up just to escape its suffocating walls. Now, I sat at a small park, sobbing quietly while my guards lingered a few meters away. Their constant presence was suffocating.
"Give me some space," I told them.
They exchanged glances but obeyed, stepping farther away. I wiped my tears with trembling fingers and looked around. The park was alive children laughing, mothers chatting, men playing chess on cracked tables. The people were clearly poor, yet their joy radiated brighter than the sun.Even with all my wealth, I didn't have a single shred of that happiness.
Before I realized it, I was smiling faintly, watching them. Something about their laughter, their simplicity… it gave me a strange peace, a brief escape from my reality.
"I don't ever want to see you in my mansion again. Do you hear me?!" Mark's voice thundered through the grand hall, making the walls shake."Yes, sir," Scorpion Mark's most trusted bodyguard said before seizing Raphaelina by the arm and dragging her out of the front doors. Her protests echoed through the driveway until they were gone.
Tiwa stepped forward, her voice quiet but laced with guilt. "Brother… you did a good thing throwing her out. But… I need to tell you something. Aurora was never Maxwell's girlfriend. They've always just been friends. And… Maxwell is married."
Mark's head snapped toward her. "What?!" His brows furrowed deeply. "How—"
"I'm sorry," Tiwa cut in. "I know you had hopes. But Aurora has been nothing but kind to me. You should… try to be nice to her. She's not who you think she is."
Mark's jaw tightened. He didn't respond.
When I finally made it back to my room, exhaustion weighed me down. My body felt sore all over. But then my eyes landed on something that made me pause a bouquet of yellow tulips resting on my bed. A genuine smile tugged at my lips. "Wow…" I murmured. Only a few people knew tulips were my favorite. I picked up the bouquet and pulled out the small card tucked inside. Two words stared back at me: Sorry. A small, knowing hum left my lips. "I think I know who this is from."
"Then just forgive him."
The deep, warm voice came from behind me. I froze before slowly turning. Mark stood there, his gaze locked on mine, unreadable yet piercing."What's with this sudden change of attitude?" I asked quietly."I know we didn't start off right," he admitted, stepping closer. "And even if we don't feel anything for each other… you shouldn't have witnessed what you did that day. It was wrong disrespectful. As your husband, bringing another woman into our bed… it's unforgivable."
His voice faltered for just a moment. "But… please. Forgive me. I want us to start fresh. Even if we can't be friends, at least we can be two adults who speak to each other with respect." I hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Thanks… for the flowers." I placed them in a vase and walked into the bathroom, my thoughts a tangled mess.
A month had passed since our wedding. Mark and I still weren't exactly close, but he had been… nice. We were learning about each other, even if the conversations were brief. Sometimes, he would take me out movies, aquariums, quiet dinners. Slowly, I was beginning to warm up to him.
This morning, he was getting ready for work when he left his files on the dresser. I noticed just as he was about to leave."Mark!" I called, running after him. He stopped mid-step and turned. "You forgot your files." I handed them over, and our fingers brushed. My breath caught for a second."I'm sorry—" he started.
"It's okay," I said with a small smile.
He studied me for a moment before speaking. "There's going to be a party tonight. I'm putting you in charge of the arrangements."
"M-me?" I stammered. "Yes, you," he replied with a faint smirk. "I believe you have good taste. I'm counting on you." He pulled out a sleek black credit card and held it out. "Use this for everything you need." I took it, still surprised. "Okay," I murmured, smiling lightly.
He hesitated for a moment… then leaned down and brushed his lips against my cheek before walking away without another word.