His Forgotten Bride

Chapter 2

I sat quietly at the kitchen table, slowly eating my food while six maids stood around me, waiting for any command I might give.

As I chewed, my eyes wandered across the armed men scattered around the mansion. A bitter smile escaped my lips as I shook my head lightly.

Like I said, this was nothing new to me.

Terrence was one of the leaders of the Mafia organization, so it was only natural for the mansion to be filled with his men—protectors and killers alike.

“Be ready.”

My husband’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I glanced at him and saw him walking toward me with his usual serious expression. He was now properly dressed in a white V-neck shirt paired with faded jeans. I almost laughed at how naturally he acted, as if he hadn’t done anything wrong to me.

I continued eating. “For what?” I asked lazily.

He took the seat beside me and calmly fixed his plate. “It’s my parents’ anniversary. There’s going to be a masquerade ball, and they want us there,” he said formally before starting to eat.

I simply nodded and quietly ate with him.

This was always how things were between us.

We acted like strangers despite being husband and wife.

“I’ll have your dress sent to your room.” Terrence looked at me while wiping his lips with a napkin.

I nodded once again and drank from my glass. He was about to stand when I leaned back against my chair and spoke.

“Are we going to pretend to be a lovey-dovey couple again?” I asked sarcastically.

I saw his jaw tighten as he looked at me.

“We’re leaving at eleven,” he answered instead, completely ignoring my question before walking out of the kitchen.

Yeah. That’s how they were.

Always celebrating in the middle of the night.

I let out a fake laugh and shook my head.

“I wish there were parties every day,” I whispered bitterly to myself, thinking about how he only treated me properly whenever people were watching.

---

Wearing a gold backless dress with a plunging neckline paired with silver stilettos, I confidently walked down the staircase.

At the bottom stood Terrence, staring at me intensely.

If I didn’t know him, I would’ve thought he was mesmerized by me.

I cleared my throat once I finally stood in front of him and awkwardly looked away.

“Let’s go,” I said firmly, about to walk past him when he suddenly grabbed my arm.

I glanced at him.

He was staring at me as if memorizing every detail of my face.

My breath hitched when he slowly leaned closer and brushed several strands of hair away from my neck. I froze even more when he tilted his head near me.

What is he doing?

I unconsciously closed my eyes when I felt his warm breath against my skin. A strange shiver spread throughout my body, making goosebumps rise on my arms.

I only opened my eyes when I felt something cold settle against my chest.

A necklace.

I blinked several times in disbelief while staring at it.

Terrence stepped back and looked at me emotionlessly.

“W-What is this?”

His brows furrowed slightly as he glanced at the necklace. “Don’t you know what that is?” he asked sarcastically.

The nervousness I felt instantly disappeared.

I rolled my eyes at him before staring at the necklace again.

“Thanks,” I said softly despite the storm of emotions inside me.

It was only a simple diamond infinity necklace, but it meant so much to me.

This was the first time he had ever bought me something throughout all the years we’d been married. Most of the time, he would simply deposit money into my bank account and let me buy whatever I wanted myself.

“Erase that smile from your face,” he coldly said. “Don’t misunderstand. I only bought it to make you look more eye-catching and to show people that I actually give my wife gifts. Let’s go.”

The small happiness inside me vanished instantly after hearing those words.

I watched him walk out of the mansion.

A dry laugh escaped my lips as I looked up at the ceiling to stop the tears threatening to fall.

“Yeah, right, Alliyah,” I murmured to myself. “What did you expect from your ruthless husband?”

Then I followed after him.

The ride inside his limousine was quiet.

Both of us stared out opposite windows without speaking to each other.

“Don’t leave my side once we get there,” he said coldly while keeping his eyes outside.

“Okay,” I answered shortly and leaned back against my seat.

I was still tired, but I had to do this for his parents.

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling faintly as I remembered how kind they had always been to me.

I was an orphan.

My parents died in a car accident years ago, and Terrence’s parents were the ones who took me in. They fed me, clothed me, sent me to school, and gave me a home.

Even before then, I already knew about the organization they ran.

Maybe it was evil in other people’s eyes, but I could never see it that way.

How could I, when they were the ones who saved me?

A few minutes later, we arrived at the event hall.

I wore my gold masquerade mask that covered only half of my face before stepping out of the car. Terrence did the same before we walked inside together.

His right hand wrapped possessively around my waist as if silently telling everyone that I belonged to him.

Even though our faces were partly hidden, we still drew everyone’s attention. Maybe Terrence’s presence alone was enough to intimidate an entire room.

From the VIP area, Terrence’s parents immediately stood up, especially his mother, who excitedly approached us.

“Hija!” she called happily before kissing my cheek, completely ignoring her son beside me.

“Happy anniversary, Mama,” I greeted softly with a smile.

“Thank you. Your beauty never fades, hija. I can’t even blame the men here for staring at you,” she teased playfully.

I laughed along with her despite feeling the dark aura radiating from my husband.

“Lauren, why don’t you let them sit first so they can eat?” Terrence’s father finally spoke while giving me a small nod.

I respectfully bowed my head and smiled.

“Why did you take so long? I thought you weren’t coming anymore,” his mother asked Terrence.

He chuckled softly before kissing her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I let my wife rest first before bringing her here. She just finished her photoshoot earlier,” he explained gently while tightening his hold around my waist.

I tried hard not to roll my eyes.

“We’re not late anyway. We only missed your speech,” he added teasingly.

I always saw this side of him whenever we were around his parents.

But somehow, his smile still left me dazed every single time.

“Alright, sit down and eat,” his father invited.

We immediately followed and sat down to eat some light snacks while his parents continued chatting with us.

As usual, most of their questions were about our married life.

“When are you going to give us a grandchild, hija?” his father suddenly asked with a smile.

I immediately choked on my drink.

Terrence quickly handed me water and gently rubbed my back.

“Are you alright, hija?” Mama asked worriedly.

I nodded and forced a smile. “I’m okay.”

“What’s wrong with you, Tyler? You startled the kids,” Mama scolded her husband.

Papa only laughed lightly before looking at the two of us.

“They’ve been married for over two years already, dear. It’s time they give us a grandchild,” he teased.

My face instantly turned red.

“Next month.”

Everyone turned toward Terrence after he suddenly spoke.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

What was he talking about?

Before I could react, he suddenly pulled me closer by the nape and kissed me deeply.

My heart pounded violently against my chest with every movement of his lips against mine.

It was dizzying.

Weakening.

Dangerously addictive.

He slowly pulled away and glanced sharply around the room before sitting back down.

“Expect your grandchild next month,” he casually said as if it were the easiest thing in the world before calmly taking a bite of his dessert.

My mouth parted in disbelief.

My cheeks burned even hotter after hearing what he said.

Oh, God.

Tell me he’s just acting.