VALERIE
" If I die, my blood will be on you and Trisha!" Sam snaps over the phone.
" Sam, calm down—"
" Don't tell me to calm down," he barks, then bursts into groans. " Father said you're married to a very wealthy man. Why don't you make him pay for my treatment? You have no idea how it feels like, that's why you can tell me to calm down. It feels like my bones are on fire, Vally. Every single one."
I inhale a shaky breath, my face buried in my palms resting on the kitchen island. How can he say that? Doesn't he realize what we've been going through just to ensure he recovers from this?
" If they don't resume treatment, I'm going to die, Vally."
" You are not going to die!" I snap, glancing at my phone. " You're just twenty-two, you have a long way to go, Sam. Don't say that."
" Then pay my bills so the doctors can put me back under chemo."
" I will soon, I promise. I'm just waiting for Trisha to send the rest of the money. Just hang on till noon."
A loud curse rips from his lips, making me grip the island tighter.
" You and Trisha are very selfish! You're letting me rot in this bed while you live your new life. I know you have the money but you just want me to suffer."
Annoyance begins to cloud over me. I understand that cancer affects people mentally, but his accusation is unfair!
" You know the mess Trisha's in now, Sam. I've told you already—the bill will be paid before noon. Try to be considerate."
Beeping greets me as he cuts the call. I stare at the phone, my mouth agape. That's it? He just ends the call on me and acts like it's our fault?
I stand straight and drag my phone off the island. Ungrateful brat!
It's been over an hour, but I won't disturb Trisha. If I could, I would ask for a loan—or maybe even better, let him endure the pain till dawn.
My heart races at what I just thought. No, I can't let that happen. I run a frustrated hand through my hair.
Just then, I hear the jingle of keys at the door. My heart hammered against my ribs. Who was that? A robber? Christian wouldn't be back... would he?
I slip off my slippers and grip one tightly as the door slowly opens. When I see Christian's face, I heave a sigh of partial relief.
His dumb gaze meets mine, then turns to surprise. Slowly, it drifts to the slipper in my hand.
" Are you planning on attacking me in my own apartment?"
I drop the slippers and slide my feet back into them. " I had no idea you were going to return tonight."
He steps in fully and shuts the door. " I didn't expect you'd still be awake."
I watch him as he takes off his blazer and hangs it on the coat rack. I had received his message. Clearly, he'd misinterpreted what I'd sent, but I'd love to know what he thinks my expectations of this marriage are.
He furrows his brows, taking in the look of the apartment he made me set up all alone.
I haven't even had a bath after that, I must be oozing with sweat.
" I saw your message," I start, sinking onto the couch.
He looks at me, raising a brow. " Any problem with it?"
" No, of course not. But you expect me to keep my expectations down when you don't fulfill your end of the deal."
I try my best not to let my anger show in my tone. The frustration from setting up this place alone and that heated conversation with Sam is still very heavy in my heart.
" You're upset I didn't stay with you, isn't that it?" he accuses, his icy gaze locking on mine. " What are you expecting I do? Stay and consummate this wedding?"
I grimace. " Why would I want to have any sexual intercourse with you?"
His open mouth seals, his expression stunned. I stand this time. The thought had never even crossed my mind, and now he's accusing me of wanting it when he's the one thinking about it!
" With all due respect, Christian, I only accepted this marriage because I didn't want to drag your father's reputation through the mud," I lied confidently. " I don't have feelings for you and would therefore never think of consummating this marriage."
" I will keep my end of the deal, take care of your daughter, and remain faithful to you as long as I live. But if you leave me to do the exhausting work of setting up this place alone again, I may just reconsider being faithful to you."
I exhale sharply.
I feel Christian's gaze linger on me as I walk out of the living room and into the kitchen. He doesn't say a word, nor does he move, as I return holding a tray of the dish I'd prepared for him.
I had wanted us to eat together and discuss how we could endure this relationship, but his accusation has built up my pride.
I drop the tray on the table. " You must not have had anything to eat. I made you chicken soup with toast." I say firmly.
His expression turns blank, unreadable. " I don't eat at this hour of the night."
" As you wish then!"
I attempt to walk away, but he speaks, his voice lighter than usual. " Where did you keep Lizzy?"
" In the wallpapered room," I respond, my back still to him, part of me expecting an apology.
" All right… Good night." is all he says.
I walk out of the living room and into my room, shutting the door. Before I can begin reeling over everything Christian has done, my phone rings.
It's Trisha. I pick up immediately, hoping her voice will calm my tumultuous heart.
" Have you seen the rest of the money?" she asks, but I hear a break in her voice. Just a slight sound, but enough to know something is wrong.
" You've been crying, Trisha?"
" No." But then she begins sobbing.
My heart pulls, my eyes widening. " What is wrong, Trish? You know you can tell me."
" It's nothing. I just called to tell you I've sent the money."
" I'm going to drive to your place now if you don't tell me why the hell you're crying."
Her sobs increase. I'm tempted to get out of this house and rush to her. I hate hearing her cry. It's only ever for one reason. Carl. Her husband.
" It's Carl again, isn't it?"
She chokes on a cry. " I just took some money from his desk, Vally. He'd stolen the money I put aside for Sam's bill last month, and I thought I'd take it back. But then..."
" But then what?"
" He… He took off his belt."
The world went silent. The phone felt suddenly heavy in my hand. All the anger I felt toward Christian, toward Sam, vanished, replaced by a cold, terrifying dread.