waking up married

Chapter 7 Who Is Lying?

Eric nodded in acknowledgment. "You initially agreed to marry me to leverage my resources to uncover who was responsible for your mother's demise."

Caroline felt somewhat guilty. She had actually agreed to marry Eric only to take advantage of him!

Eric held Caroline's hand, gazing into her eyes. His gentle look warmly washed over her. "My dear, can we let go of this contractual marriage? I want to be your true husband!"

Eric's handsome visage brimmed with hurt and hope, his gaze akin to a puppy fearing abandonment, practically melting Caroline's heart.

She reached out, tenderly caressing his face. "You already are."

They were husband and wife. Their relationship had deepened beyond that of a contractual union; they had weathered life and death together, and he had become her sole kin in this world.

She couldn't bear pushing him away any longer.

Eric's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really? Then I'll destroy the marriage contract and our marriage certificate!"

"Why destroy our marriage certificate?" she asked, puzzled.

"It's so that we can never get divorced!" he said earnestly.

She laughed at his logic, "Who does that? Besides, it'd be such a shame to destroy it. Isn't it better to keep it as a memento?"

"Then, have a child with me.” Eric stared into Caroline's eyes with a smile. “That's all I want, Caroline. That's the only way I'll feel secure, like we truly are a family!"

His intense gaze made her cheeks flush.

The mention of children reminded her of the recent encounter with Sarah on the stairs and the need to contact her. She quickly said, "Eric, could you buy me a cell phone?"

Eric was basking in the thrill of Caroline's approval, so much so that he didn't press her for details or object to her requests.

Before long, Caroline had popped into a mobile phone store near the hospital and purchased a new phone, quickly adding both Eric and Sarah to her contacts.

Brimming with excitement, she shot a message to Sarah: Now we can stay in touch more often!

However, Sarah accepted her friend request but didn't reply to her message right away.

Caroline assumed Sarah was just busy and didn't think much of it.

After making sure Eric was settled with his lunch and resting, Caroline tiptoed out of the hospital room and down the corridor to call Sarah.

Sarah picked up the phone and cautiously asked, "Is Eric with you?"

"He's taking a nap. I'm out in the hallway," Caroline replied.

On the other end of the line, Sarah let out a sigh of relief, then her tone took on a grave seriousness, "Caroline, what I'm about to tell you involves Eric, and it may be tough to hear, but I need you to trust that I'm telling you the truth. Eric... he's bad news! You need to get away from him as fast as you can!"

Caroline was taken aback, then anxiously inquired, "Why would you say that? What on earth did he do?"

"You should've seen his true colors back in college. That's probably why you broke it off with him for good," Sarah continued. "Not long after you split, your mother passed away, and somehow he manipulated you into agreeing to marry him..."

Caroline could barely stand to listen anymore. Sarah's misconception about Eric was just too profound.

With patience, she tried to clarify, "Sarah, Eric isn't the villain you're making him out to be. Our marriage is based on an agreement, and he didn't coerce me into it. I married him of my own free will."

"Caroline, how can you be so naive!" protested Sarah. "Eric has duped you; he's nothing but a scoundrel! Doesn't it strike you as odd? The moment you two broke up, your mother passed away, and then he saw his chance to propose to you. Can all of this really just be a coincidence?"

Caroline's heart clenched with sudden tightness, and a slight tremor ran through her body as she struggled to squeeze out a few words. "What are you implying?"

"Caroline, your mother's death definitely had something to do with Eric! He's the type to go to any lengths to get what he wants. Don't let his facade fool you!

Caroline, you've lost your memory. You don't recall how hard you tried to get away from him. If it weren't for the sudden death of your mother, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to swoop in and make you agree to marry him.

Caroline, the mystery of your mother's death lingers still. But if you think about it, who benefits from her death? You've lost your only kin, and it's when you're at your most vulnerable that he reappears. Can it really just be by chance?" Sarah said, gradually leading Caroline to think the worst of Eric.

"No! I refuse to believe it!" Caroline interjected vehemently. Her mind was filled with the image of Eric taking a bullet for her. "Eric's not that kind of person!"

On the other end of the phone, Sarah let out a wry smile. "Caroline, you truly remember nothing. Eric's a control freak. Such people defy all reason. You wanted to leave him precisely because you were scared of him!"

Caroline's head was buzzing, her hands trembling so much that she could barely keep the phone steady.

These dark memories and Sarah's words, set against the backdrop of Eric's warm smile, created an unsettling dissonance.

When Eric awoke, dusk had already set in.

The moment he opened his eyes, he immediately began his search for Caroline's silhouette. Relief washed over him as he spotted her sitting by the window, gazing out at the peaceful scenery.

"My dear, come here and let me hold you," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

Slowly, Caroline rose and walked towards him but merely clasped his hand gently instead of embracing him.

"I need to speak with you, Eric," she said, her tone grave.

Eric sensed the unusual serious note in her voice, and a flash of possible scenarios crossed his mind. Still, he managed to nod calmly, maintaining his composure.

"When I married you, it was with the hope that you'd help uncover the truth behind my mother's murder. Have you discovered anything?" she questioned.

With a downcast expression, Eric slowly shook his head.

Caroline felt her heart sank. So, it was all a sham?

Just as Sarah had said, he had only tricked her into the marriage? But... She was just a poor girl, while Eric was rich and handsome. Why would he go to such lengths to trick her into marriage?