Catherine's POV
I am glad that I have been allowed to leave today, my stay at the hospital has been pleasant and comfortable.
I was in a VIP ward throughout my stay and had everything I needed.
No one had come to look for me, not my Dad or anyone.
"Hello Miss McLane" His voice suddenly sounded in my ears and I was certain it was me hearing things until I saw him standing just a step inside the room.
His broad shoulders inside the tailored suit, and his bold eyebrows and high cheekbones made me stare wordlessly for a few seconds before snapping out of it.
"Hi Mr Dalkeith" I managed to reply in a small voice.
"Before you leave, I believe we have something to discuss" he said with a thoughtful nod.
My heart quickened when he said that, would he demand I compensate him?
Does he want to sue me?
I was still lost in thought, when his words interrupted me.
"What do you want?
I have different things you can choose from.
Money?, house?, cars?.
Just name it, I only want to pay for the damages I caused to you" he continued.
"No, I'm alright. You paid the bills and I'm fine now. I don't need compensation" I replied hurriedly and prayed he would stop talking about it.
"How about me?
Since all I have mentioned are not good enough, marry me Miss McLane. We will make an exceptional couple" He said with a smile.
"Marry you?"
"Sure. Let's do that" I replied, smiling at his joke.
***
Turned out to be more than a joke, his assistant arrived some time later carrying some documents for me to sign.
"Do I really need to sign this?
I thought you were bluffing or just a joke". I said slightly nervous as I took the papers from him.
"I saw you on the news that night" he said suddenly after a little pause.
"News?"
I became confused, was my accident in the news?
"Yes, on your wedding day." He replied and immediately my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.
Is that why he decided to marry me?
"Do you also pity me?" I might have looked pathetic in the news and sad. Is that why you want to marry me?" I asked, my voice going high in anger.
He frowned ever so slightly before shaking his head.
"No, I don't. I rarely pity people or feel anything towards them. I believe we both need each other." He replied solemnly.
I signed the papers and got discharged.
"I would drop you off at home" he announced as we walked out of the hospital.
I have been here for over two weeks and none of my family members came to find me.
The thought filled me with anger and sadness.
"I don't know if you read through the papers, but you got an estate to your name immediately our marriage became registered. So I will come back to take you there" Gerald informed me as we got to the parking lot.
I was about to reply to him when a black jeep rolled up in front of us.
The tinted windows suddenly filled me with dread.
Have I made the right choice?.
"Are you alright?" He asked peering to look closely at me.
"Yes, it's just that…
I'm wondering, what do you do?" I asked after a little pause.
I don't have much to lose at this point but I'm curious to know why he would want to marry someone as useless as I am.
"I run a few businesses" he replied with a smile and maintained eye contact with me.
His firmness suddenly made me feel safe enough to trust his words.
"I would like to go home now".
The car drove away immediately. I was dropped off at the front of my parents home.
The house was quiet when I walked through the front door but I was immediately stopped by the security.
"Who are you looking for?" One of them asked as they blocked the way.
"Huh?
I'm Catherine, I live here" I replied in annoyance and waited for them to leave.
Did my appearance change when I had the accident?
"I'm sorry, no one by that name lives here" The second one replied and moved forward causing me to move backward.
I look between them in confusion.
"Is this some kind of game? Move out of the way!" I yelled angrily.
It was getting difficult to remain standing for long becauseI'm still not very strong yet just healthy enough to return home.
"What is the commotion for?!" Anna yelled from inside before coming out to see.
A smile broke out on her face and she walked out with her arms folded.
"Did you lose your way?" She asked in a cooing voice.
"What are you doing?
All of you should get out of my way" I repeated, getting tired of the back and forth.
"Aww, no Catherine.
"Dad had your things moved out of the house and ordered them not to let you in. You no longer live here" She replied and waved a hand at me.
"You don't believe me right?
I know you won't, your things are over there. Maybe that will help" She replied and sauntered back into the house.
I rushed over to the place she had pointed at and my things were lying around on the ground.
Some seem to have been trampled upon, and also seemed like they have been there for days.
Ignoring the waiting guards, I walked to the entrance and I was almost through when I was suddenly shoved away.
The impact of the push sent me tumbling down the short stairs at the front.
My legs gave out when I attempted to stand on them again.
Pain coursed through them, making it impossible to stand.
"Now, look at what you've done!. This wouldn't have happened if you listened, Dad decided it was a waste of space to keep a total trash around and he gave his order.
You even embarrassed me on my wedding day by walking out, you should be grateful you are still alive". She said with a scoff and turned around and left.
***
Gerald arrived in less than five minutes, his eyebrows tightly drawn together when his eyes landed on me.
He paused for a second with his jaw clenching in suppressed anger.
I had called him, when I was left with no other options.
He crouched down beside me, giving me a look over before bending to scoop me up from the floor.
I was too stunned to say anything when the car drove away.
I wasn't expecting him to come.
The car moved on the highway before he asked a question.
"What happened?" He asked softly, almost in a whisper.
"Nothing" I replied, too embarrassed to say the truth.
"Maybe you are forgetting something, we are legally married.
Even if it's just between us two, take that information into consideration whenever you are doing anything" He leaned over to say to me.
I nodded weakly at his words
And he smiled softly before sitting upright.
"Now, tell me again. What happened?".
He asked, flashing me a smile.
I stared at him in silence, lost in the depth of his eyes. Am I so stupid to believe a man's word again while still in the mess created by another?
***
"Welcome boss" One of the men greeted as he opened the car door and held it for me.
Boss?
"Did you prepare all that I asked for?" He asked and the man nodded.
Beckoning me to him, he held out a hand towards me.
"I don't want you falling," he explained after noticing the confusion all over my face.
His workers all lined up when he led me inside the mansion. My eyes wander as we walked inside, nothing was overly extravagant or out of place but the inside was built and decorated to a sophisticated taste.
"Welcome home Madam" they all chorused and bowed.
Just a while ago I was being ridiculed by people I grew up knowing and now I am being respected by total strangers.
"I hired half of them for you, they would answer to you and do your biddings.
Whatever it is that you want" Gerald said in a loud authoritative voice that commanded respect and I stood beside him, almost invisible and pathetic looking.
"Why?
Why me?" I asked him and his serious expression melted into a charming smile.
"We have a deal, remember?" He replied.
"A deal?" I echoed in my mind and my heart skipped a beat.
Gerald excused himself after he helped me into what he said was to be my temporary room.
The large bed frame, huge walk in closets and the warm tone of the room stopped me on my track.
The room has a different feel from the rest of the house, extra effort was placed into decorating the room.
"Ma'am, we are here to serve you".
Someone said behind me, causing me to turn around startled.
Two of the maids I had met earlier stood waiting with their heads bowed.
I may have been betrayed and deceived but I have gotten something better.