The Alpha's Contracted Mate

Chapter 2 Tensions and Revelations

Isabella and Mathew stood in silence for a moment, their eyes meeting briefly. Mathew offered a half-smile, but Isabella remained expressionless as she uttered, "No, I don't want it."

With that, she continued walking towards the mansion. Mathew's smile faded as he watched her graceful figure move away. Even though Isabella was walking ahead, she deliberately slowed down when she reached the gate, waiting for him.

They were newlyweds, and though they couldn't pretend to be deeply connected, they wanted to at least give the appearance of respect. So, side by side, they entered the mansion, pretending to be in a cordial and loving relationship like every couple would do.

As they stepped into the living room, a cup came hurtling towards them. Mathew swiftly pulled Isabella behind him, shielding her as the cup crashed into his chest and spilled hot coffee all over his shirt. Isabella pursed her lips, concerned, and attempted to step forward to check if he had been scalded. However, Mathew stopped her with a raised hand.

"You bastard! Why are you always messing around with those women?" Mathew's grandpa's voice was filled with anger and frustration. He continued, listing recent incidents of Mathew's infidelity that had been exposed by the media.

Mathew, looking older than his years due to his disciplined lifestyle, sat upright on the sofa with an angry expression.

He unbuttoned his shirt and flashed an undisciplined smile as he retorted, "I am not fooling around every day. I just managed to secure an overseas purchase order yesterday and got the contract offer from Helix company."

His words seemed to calm Mathew's Grandpa, who had been seething with anger. The old man, holding his stick with both hands, beckoned Mathew closer, his voice cold. "Come here! Let me see if you're scalded."

Mathew released Isabella's hand and walked over to his grandfather, asking about the person who had informed him of his recent actions. Mathew's Grandpa, who had always doted on him, had turned a blind eye to his love affairs over the years, rarely punishing him for his actions.

Mathew's Grandpa gave him a sidelong glance and said, "You're not a child anymore! You should know how far to go and when to stop. Don't let others get the goods on you!" He then turned to Isabella, acknowledging her handling of the situation. "You handled today's affair very well."

Isabella politely thanked Mathew's Grandpa, her smile not reaching her eyes. After a while, she took the initiative to help in the kitchen. Mathew's Grandpa, observing her departure, looked sternly at Mathew and spoke in a serious tone.

"What on earth do you think about Isabella? If you don't like her, you should part ways. We can give her a large sum of alimony. After all, I have seen her grow up. You can't..."

Before he could finish speaking, Mathew, displaying his nonchalant attitude, interrupted. He opened his legs slightly, grabbed a grape, and stuffed it into his mouth lazily. "Do you prefer a boy or a girl?"

Mathew's Grandpa was momentarily stunned before he smiled and asked if Mathew had made a decision about having a baby with Isabella.

Mathew stretched his legs out and answered, "Yes." Just as Isabella emerged from the kitchen, she witnessed Mathew successfully coaxing his grandfather into laughter. It was no surprise to her since Mathew had a way of winning over people regardless of their age or gender.

As dinner approached, the rest of Mathew's family members began to arrive home. Mathew's Grandpa had only one son, Edmond, who was Mathew's father. Edmond had three children: Alex, Mathew's half-brother, Mathew himself, and Emily, Mathew's younger sister.

While Edmond's current wife had given birth to Alex and Emily, Mathew was the son of Edmond's childhood sweetheart. Thus, the family dynamic was harmonious but hypocritical.

During dinner, Mathew's stepmother repeatedly added food to Mathew's plate, showering him with care. Emily, feeling neglected, complained, "Mom, you're always partial to Mathew."

Mathew's stepmother smiled kindly, assuring her, "Don't talk nonsense. You're all my children, and I love you three equally." Alex interjected with a touch of elegance, "Mom, you love Mathew the most." As the mother and her two children echoed each other, Mathew felt like an outsider, disconnected from their affectionate display.

After the meal, Isabella and the maid rose to clear the table together. Emily, in an affectedly sweet voice, requested Isabella to cut an orange. Isabella calmly responded, agreeing to the request.

Mathew, engrossed in a phone call by the floor-to-ceiling window, overheard their conversation. He turned to Emily and asked, "What?" Emily hesitated for a moment, realizing her mistake.

She smiled and apologized, promising not to make such requests in the future. She then approached Isabella, tugging at her arm like a spoiled child, and pleaded for forgiveness. Isabella, smiling with a sense of detachment in her eyes, replied, "Never mind."

Mathew finished his phone call, speaking derisively to the person on the other end. He then hung up and walked into the kitchen. Isabella was washing dishes, her head down, when Mathew suddenly reached out and pushed her hair away from her ears, securing it with his hands.

He spoke softly, "My grandpa asked us to stay here tonight. Is that okay with you?" Isabella paused briefly before responding, "It's up to you." Mathew leaned closer, his voice seductive, "Don't worry! I'll sleep on the sofa." Isabella instinctively leaned away and stated, "Stay away from me."

Mathew chuckled, "What are you afraid of?" As Isabella placed a dish on the rack and turned to face him, her hair slipped from his grasp. She spoke firmly, "Ravenwood Pack will hold an annual conference next month. You mustn't have any scandals exposed."

Mathew slipped his hands into his pockets, his fingers subtly caressing the strands of her hair. He provocatively asked, "And what if a scandal is exposed?" Isabella furrowed her brow, exasperated.

"Can't you restrain yourself for just one month?" Mathew grinned mischievously, "It's too difficult." Isabella reached out to push him away, declaring, "Fine! Do whatever you please!" With that, she walked out of the kitchen and headed upstairs.

Mathew's smile vanished as he watched her departure. He then turned to the maid and issued a command, "Don't let her do housework anymore."

The maid, trembling with fear, blushed and stammered, "She offered to help with the housework herself." Mathew's smile returned, albeit coldly. "If I catch her doing housework again, you will be fired." The maid was left speechless.

As Mathew left the kitchen, he bumped into Alex, who had always carried himself with refinement and approachability.

Alex requested a private conversation, and Mathew, harboring disdain for his half-brother, sneered and asked, "What's up?" Alex handed him a glass of red wine and spoke earnestly, reminding Mathew of his responsibility towards Isabella.

"Since you married Isabella, you should take good care of her. She may appear strong on the surface, but she is quite fragile inside." Mathew accepted the glass of wine, raised an eyebrow, and replied, "Although others may not understand why I married her, I believe you know the reason quite well."