Don't Mess With Her.

Chapter 4

The morning light split through the heavy velvet curtains, casting a warm golden glow across the lavish bedroom. Henry stirred awake, his sharp features softening momentarily in the stillness. As he sat up, the first thing his eyes landed on was Wendy, or rather, Evelyn, as he knew her.

She lay curled up on the bed, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Her hair fanned out like a dark halo against the white silk pillow, her delicate features glowing in the morning light. For a moment, Henry allowed himself to admire her. She looked... peaceful, almost ethereal.

Perhaps she could make a good wife, he thought. The idea caught him off guard, and his brows furrowed as he quickly dismissed it. No, she wasn’t here for love or companionship. She was here for the money. Just another gold digger who’d sold herself to secure her place in his family’s empire.

The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Henry shook his head, standing and walking towards the wardrobe. As he selected a crisp white shirt and a tailored navy suit, his mind raced. This marriage wasn’t his choice. It was his grandfather’s demand. The old man was dying and wanted a caretaker, someone who would ensure the Nelson family’s legacy continued. If not for that, Henry would never have agreed to marry someone like her.

As he buttoned his shirt, his thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of a yawn. He turned, and his gaze locked on Wendy, who was beginning to stir. She stretched slightly, her lips parting as she blinked away sleep.

She looked...so adorable. The way her lashes fluttered, the faint pink tint to her cheeks, it all made her seem so genuine, so innocent. For a fleeting moment, Henry felt something stir within him.

But he quickly crushed the thought. No! he told himself. I can’t fall for her. She’s nothing more than a gold digger.

Wendy sat up slowly, her heart racing. She had overslept. How long had he been awake? Had he been watching her? What if he thought she was lazy? What if he decided she wasn’t worth keeping?

Her thoughts spiralled as she stole a glance at Henry. He was standing by the wardrobe, his tall frame radiating authority and power. The tailored suit hugged his broad shoulders, and the way he adjusted his cufflinks made her swallow nervously. He was devastatingly handsome, even when his expression was cold and distant.

The sound of the wardrobe door slamming shut made her flinch. Henry stepped out, fully dressed and looking every bit the commanding figure she’d expected him to be.

“Evelyn,” he said, his voice sharp and demanding.

“Mr. Henry... I…”

“You’re pretty, so pretty,” he interrupted, his tone laced with disdain. “But I feel disgusted at the mere thought that you married me for money.”

Wendy froze, his words cutting deep. But she kept her head down, refusing to let him see how much his insults hurt.

Henry crossed the room, his eyes scanning her with barely concealed contempt. “Women like you disgust me,” he said. “Do you even have a shred of dignity?”

Wendy’s hands clenched the sheets, but she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn’t afford to argue with him, not when so much was at stake.

As he moved past her, her eyes caught something, a faint scar on his wrist. Her heart skipped a beat. She had seen the same scar on that wrist that night. Now, there's no doubt that it was him.

“Mr. Henry,” she said hesitantly. “Your wrist... Did you get injured two nights ago?”

Henry froze, his eyes narrowing. “Why are you asking?”

“I...” Wendy hesitated. “I saved someone at the Crystal Palace two nights ago. He had a similar injury.”

His expression darkened as he stepped closer, towering over her. “You stalked me?” he demanded.

“No, I didn’t!” Wendy said quickly, shaking her head. “I didn’t even know who you were that night. I was just trying to help…”

“Help?” Henry cut her off, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Is that what you call it? Sleeping around with men is your way of ‘helping’?”

Wendy’s face turned red, a mix of anger and humiliation bubbling inside her. “I didn’t… I was forced…”

“Save it!” Henry snapped, his voice rising. “What more should I expect from someone who married into this family for money?”

“That’s not true!” Wendy protested, her voice trembling.

She's trying so hard to persuade him of her innocence, but she can't reveal her true self. Not now, when she's just newly married. She can't afford to put everyone in trouble, including her ill mom.

"Oh God, I'm doomed," she cried in her heart, trapped between pain and peace.

Henry noticed the suspense in her tone. "You can't keep up with the lies?" he asked, his voice firm.

“Do you think I’d believe that?” He scoffed, stepping even closer. “Don’t think for a second that your little act is fooling me.”

Wendy felt tears prick her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “You don’t understand…”

Before she could finish, Henry grabbed her arm, his grip firm but not painful. “Don’t test me,” he warned. “Just because you’re my wife doesn’t mean I won’t put you in your place.”

With a forceful push, he sent her stumbling back onto the bed. Wendy gasped, her heart pounding as she tried to steady herself.

The tension in the room was suffocating, but just as Henry opened his mouth to say something else, the door swung open.

“Sir!” Ryan, Henry’s assistant, burst into the room, his face pale and urgent.

Henry turned sharply, his expression a mix of anger and confusion. “What is it, Ryan?”

Ryan hesitated, glancing briefly at Wendy before turning back to Henry. “We’ve found her,” he said breathlessly.

Henry frowned. “Found who?”

“The lady who saved you at the club two nights ago,” Ryan said. “We’ve located her.”

Wendy’s heart stopped.

Henry’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. “Is that so?” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Ryan nodded. “Yes, sir. The details are all here.” He held up a folder, but Henry didn’t take it. Instead, his gaze shifted back to Wendy, who was sitting frozen on the bed.

For a moment, the room was silent. The air was thick with tension, and Wendy felt as if the walls were closing in on her.

“You liar!” He snapped.