The Deception

Chapter3 The Awakening

The morning sun streamed through my window, bathing the room in a warm golden glow that caught me off guard. In that moment, I realized with a heavy heart that I wasn’t at home, and the weight of my circumstances began to settle over me like a thick fog. I had woken up unusually early, the silence of the house feeling unnerving, especially since Ethan was nowhere to be found. In my mind, I had envisioned us waking up together in the same bed, despite the charade of our fake wedding. But true to his stubborn nature, he had chosen to abandon me in the unfamiliarity of this situation.

After a quick shower, I hesitantly opened my door, and my eyes landed on a young woman with a cheerful demeanor. Her bright smile was infectious as our gazes met. “Good morning, Mrs. Thompson. I’m your lady’s maid, Suzy, and I would be delighted to show you around,” she said warmly. Intrigued by her friendly invitation, I replied, “Nice to meet you, Suzy. I’d love that, but first, could you take me to Mr. Thompson?”

“Of course, my lady,” she answered with an agreeable nod. We strolled through the opulent halls of the estate toward Ethan's room, the air tinged with an odd sense of anticipation. As we approached, I heard a faint sound – a woman’s soft moan. My heart raced as I questioned my sanity, wondering if I was imagining things.

“Mrs. Thompson, perhaps it would be best if we returned later,” Suzy suggested, her voice carrying an understanding that sent chills down my spine. Despite her warning, I hesitated at the threshold of his door. Mustering what little courage I had, I pushed it open with trembling hands. What I witnessed stole the breath from my lungs: there, in a tangle of limbs and sheets, was Ethan, his body entwined with another woman, moving in a way that left no doubt about their intimate encounter.

A shocked gasp escaped my lips, and in an instant, Ethan’s gaze snapped to me, his eyes wide with disbelief. “f**k! s**t!” he exclaimed, scrambling to pull away from her. Panic surged through me, and before I could process the betrayal, I turned on my heel and dashed out of the room, tears spilling down my cheeks. The weight of the situation felt crushing; how could I face him after this? I reminded myself it was only a fake marriage, but the sting of his betrayal cut deep, especially after I had pushed him away just the night before.

“Cathrina, please wait!” I heard Ethan call after me, his voice strained with urgency, but I couldn’t stop. I bolted down the hall, my maid trailing behind me, her hand gently trying to soothe my distress. I made a beeline for the dining room, desperately seeking solace in a meal, wishing to find some comfort in the routine of breakfast amidst the chaos of my thoughts.

I found myself seated at an opulent dining table, lavishly adorned, with over a dozen mahogany chairs arranged around it. The atmosphere was thick with tension, amplified by the imposing presence of bodyguards stationed firmly at each corner of the room, their eyes scanning the perimeter for any potential threats. I pushed my fork through the food before me, slowly and cautiously, still reeling from the shocking events I had just witnessed.

Suddenly, Ethan strode into the room, his demeanor commanding and self-assured. He dragged a chair closer to mine with a rasp that echoed off the walls, his scent overwhelming me—a mixture of cologne and a faint musk that suggested he'd just come from an intimate encounter with someone else. It was troubling, and I couldn’t help but wonder whether he even bothered to shower before making his entrance.

“Everyone out,” he commanded, waving off the guards and my lady’s maid, who discreetly exited the room. As the heavy door clicked shut behind them, I felt as though I had been thrust into a scene from a dramatic period piece, the air thick with unspoken emotions.

“Charm…” he began, but I cut him off, my voice steady, yet edged with irritation. “My name is Cathrina. Please do well to remember that.” The nicety felt forced under his intense gaze, which bore into mine with a simmering rage that threatened to erupt at any moment.

“I’m sorry, okay? I couldn’t hold myself,” he shot back, his voice laced with aggression. “You turned me down yesterday! What did you expect me to do, huh?”

His indignation ignited a fire within me. I shot to my feet, ready to storm out. “Oh, wow! So you thought it was a good idea to sleep with a w***e? You are unbelievable,” I retorted, fury radiating from my every pore.

Ethan’s grip was suddenly firm on my wrist, forcing me back down to the table, the pressure leaving my skin stinging. “Look, I don’t care if you’re furious. I did what I had to do. And just so we’re clear, you’re not my wife; you’re merely a signed contract. So act accordingly. I have guests arriving soon, so make sure you’re presentable.”

As he released my hand, I could feel the heat lingering where his fingers had gripped me, a stark reminder of his dominance. He slammed the chair as he left the room, the sound reverberating in the sudden silence.

A wave of sadness washed over me, mingling with the rapid thud of my heart. Yesterday, Ethan had been kind and sweet; today, he transformed into a cold-hearted monster. But deep down, I knew he was right—I was just a contract to him. Swallowing my last vestiges of hope, I turned and made my way to my room, determined to tidy myself up for the guests who would soon fill this house.

Moments later, Suzy brought me a stunning black backless dress for the guests’ arrival. I couldn't help but feel annoyed—having to go through this until the contract ended was frustrating. As Suzy helped me into the gown that Ethan had given her to pass on to me, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked pretty amazing. No wonder Mr. Thompson called me "charm"—I truly looked charming. I smirked to myself.

“You look beautiful, Mrs.,” Suzy said with her head down and a smile on her face.

“Aww, thank you, Suzy,” I replied.

“I must say, Mr. Thompson won't be able to keep his eyes off you when he sees you,” she added, and I chuckled, “Yeah, right. I guess we should head down now.”

We made our way to the room where Ethan was holding his meeting. As I entered, my eyes landed on a remarkably handsome man with muscular build, blue-grey eyes, and curly hair. I'd never seen anyone this attractive before; maybe he was gay, I wondered. Just then, I heard Ethan announce, “Meet my beautiful wife, Cathrina.”

The handsome stranger looked me over with a hint of seduction in his gaze and said, “I must say, you look breathtaking, Cathrina.”

I smirked, “Thank you...”

“Jake,” he introduced himself, and we exchanged smiles. There was an undeniable tension between us, and I could feel Ethan's eyes narrowing; he was clearly not pleased. Clearing his throat, he said, “We should sit.”

As we settled down, Jake’s gaze remained locked onto mine. I watched Ethan and Jake discuss business, and I caught the mention of a name that sent a jolt through me: “Patel Corporation is making a big hit this year, Ethan.”

“Patel Corporation?” I interjected confidently, glancing at Ethan, who shot me a look that suggested I should hold my tongue. That name sounded all too familiar, and it suddenly hit me—it's the company my father owes, the very reason we're in debt. My heart sank as I swallowed painfully.

“Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom,” I said, feeling their eyes still on me as I made my way to the restroom.

“Damn, Ethan, you hit the jackpot! She's incredibly hot,” Jake remarked with admiration.

Ethan smirked and took a sip of his wine, clearly proud of himself.