Chapter 13
1254 Words
Ellie’s P.O.V.
“You will attend it.”
I mimicked Zack’s deep voice under my breath as I marched down the corridor.
“My foot!”
The nerve of that man!
My blood was still boiling because of our argument.
“You sold the pictures to our rivals.”
The more I replayed those accusations, the more annoyed I became. Honestly, Zack deserved an award for being insufferable.
As I rounded the corner, my gaze landed on Mr. Walton’s room. A mere thought crossed my mind.
‘If I could convince my husband to skip this banquet, Zack wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. ‘
Perfect!
Zack couldn’t go against his father!
Feeling hopeful, I stepped toward the door and knocked at it before twisting the knob. The room smelled faintly of medicines as I entered. Mr. Charles stood beside the bed while Mr. Walton rested against several pillows.
He looked comparatively better as the oxygen mask wasn’t there now, replaced by a thin tube beneath his nose. His face was exhausted, but far more awake than before.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Walton.” I greeted politely. “How are you feeling today?”
His tired eyes settled on me. “Better.”
Then his gaze shifted toward Mr. Charles. He straightened immediately.
“Mr. Walton wishes to discuss some important issues with you.”
My heart sank.
Zack must have already complained about me.
Great!
In a split second, I reviewed every possible accusation in my head, bracing myself for the consequences. Indeed, I needed a good piece of explanation to convince them about my innocence.
“Yes?” I asked cautiously.
Mr. Charles opened a folder in his hands.
“First, Mr. Walton wishes to formally welcome you in the White Mansion.”
What?
That… was completely out of syllabus.
I blinked in confusion as he continued.
“He hopes you will adjust comfortably and consider this White Mansion your own home.”
Home?
My chest tightened. That word felt so unfamiliar after everything.
Then Mr. Charles moved forward and handed me that file.
“This is for you, Mrs. Walton. Please have a glance.”
“Thanks.”
I accepted it politely and flipped the first blank page to start reading.
A second later, my eyes widened.
The first page was a bank account statement, the number of zeros after one in the balance section knocking the air out of my lungs.
The next thing was the list of cards: Black, Gold, and Blue. Every document carried the same name.
“Ellie Walton.”
My mind went blank as I stared at them in awe.
“This is…”
I was sure I was reading them wrongly, but Mr. Walton spoke weakly.
“This is for your expenses.”
Gosh!
The amount was absurd.
“I can’t accept this. It’s… It’s too much.”
Mr. Walton merely nodded.
“I insist.”
Mr. Charles continued professionally.
“This is a part of the agreement you signed, Mrs. Walton. Your residence, your comfort, and personal expenses are your husband’s responsibility.”
I had heard the word ‘responsibility’ plenty of times before, but today, it hit me differently.
No one even used that word for me. Ever!
My father never sent money to my grandma when she raised me. After her death, I moved into the Hunt Villa. But all I got was a room there. Dad never spent a dime on me.
Even Jared believed in fifty-fifty partnership. I had paid the wedding expenses myself.
Yet here, this man I barely knew, insisting on taking care of me?
That mysterious husband wasn’t as bad as it seemed.
A strange warmth settled in my chest as I said quietly.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Mr. Walton nodded again.
“Good!”
His tired eyes once closed briefly, then opened again.
“Anything else?”
Yes!
The banquet!
I immediately seized this opportunity.
“My father has delivered a banquet invitation.”
I deliberately emphasized the last words.
“For you.”
Mr. Walton took a slow breath. His gaze shifted toward Mr. Charles, and he understood.
“Mr. Walton is honored by the invitation. He highly values his connection with the Hunt family.”
Hope bloomed inside me as Mr. Charles sighed.
“But unfortunately, his health prevents him from attending.”
My shoulders relaxed. This reason was enough, as now, there was no way Zack could argue with me.
I was about to say that I would apologize on his behalf when Mr. Charles spoke again, crushing my happiness altogether.
“Therefore, Mr. Walton wants you to attend this banquet on his behalf and personally deliver his best wishes to the newlyweds.”
…
A few hours later, I stood still on my balcony, glaring at the night sky.
“Why?
Why does this keep happening to me?”
The stars offered no answer, watching my helplessness silently.
Firstly, I was forced to marry Mr. Walton right after that public humiliation. And now, I had to attend this banquet celebrating my ex-fiancé and step-sister’s marriage.
What else could be more awkward than that?
Groaning loudly, I grabbed a water bottle from the table and took a long drink.
“What has my life become?”
A dejected sigh escaped me.
“I can’t even drink alcohol to grieve. Today’s calorie window has already ended.”
The tragedy felt personal as I checked the calorie-tracking app on my phone again. Still, the number remained the same.
I leaned against the railing, my mind racing for a solution.
Maybe I could fake illness to avoid this banquet?
No!
I rejected it instantly.
“The doctor will expose my lie easily.”
Perhaps, disappearing for a day could work, as no one would send me anywhere if I just hid.
Like, Maria’s place!
As I considered this possibility, my logic warned me about the consequences of my recklessness.
The White Mansion would definitely inform the police about my sudden disappearance, and being my only friend, Maria would be the prime suspect.
No!
I couldn’t drag her into this mess.
My grip tightened on the railing frame, the metal cold under my touch.
“There has to be something. Anything!”
Utterly helpless, I looked around, my gaze wandering downward the garden stretched below.
As my room was on the second floor, the distance felt less threatening. A ridiculous thought crossed my mind.
“What if I just break one leg?”
Considering the severity of the situation, this idea sounded surprisingly reasonable. A broken leg meant complete bed rest. I wouldn’t have to attend this banquet and face Jared again.
“Desperate times, desperate solutions!”
My heart rate accelerated as I slipped off my shoes, staring at the distance.
“Come on, Ellie. It’s not that dangerous. This fall won’t cause any severe damage.”
That was stupid.
Definitely stupid!
But as I gripped the railing decisively, a sudden burst of adrenaline fueled my courage. I carefully lifted one foot and climbed the railing, choosing the left side for fall while adjusting my body.
The cool night air grazed my face, the idea of physical pain sounding liberating as I closed my eyes.
“Please, just one leg.”
“Ellie Hunt!”
Suddenly, a furious voice exploded behind me.
“Are you out of your damn mind?”
My heart lurched as I whipped around abruptly and saw Zack at the doorway, nearly losing my balance in shock…
- Writer
