Chapter 4
1119 Words
Jackie paced porch like a restless mother cat despite that it was a tranquil afternoon.t
Things have changed ever since Michael managed to get up on his feet all by himself. Each time Jackie remembered bursting into the room only to see Michael standing, fear gripped the point of trembling. She has never liked Michael despite his heroic history. She hated him because he was an invalid in many ways, in her perspective, more than being bound to a wheelchair. He has caused her daughter, Soléne, more harm than good. Jackie has always wanted Soléne to be married to a man either equally powerful or surpassing. She was deeply disappointed when Soléne listened to her grandmother. Michael, in her opinion, can't even woo her daughter so when she heard that a divorce was coming up between them she got angry. Soléne's marriage to Michael Edge was the disaster and the big slap of mud to her face, a divorce will even be worse . Or so she thought until that very day Michaels stood up and the days after. That occurrence seemed to have quietened her daughter. She didn't like the imposing dominance coming off him.
Jackie feared retaliation. Now that it was certain he could not just walk again but regain his war god status, she was afraid of what might become of her or her daughter. The both of them have never been nice to Michael. Jackie shuddered, biting her thumbnail as she stared into space and envisioned the worst thing for our soul and her daughter should Michael choose to retaliate.
“Is everything alright?” Michael's voice penetrated her fearful thoughts like a freshly hammered sword. Jackie jumped in fright, her heart accelerating
“Does it look like it is not?” She tried her best to put on the facade of confidence as she peered down at Michael who was still in a wheelchair. Why was he still being pushed around by Jonathan? She wanted to ask but couldn't bring herself to. It would sound like she cared or she was bothered. In truth, she was unsettled.
“It is strange to find you chewing down on your nails while you lose yourself staring into space.” Michael pointed out, an observant crease forming on his forehead.
“Well, man cannot exist without thinking.” Jackie gave a quick reply once again feeling invisible roaches call over her skin as she looked at Michael and the fact that he was still sitting on a wheelchair, appearing harmless when he could just easily pounce on her if he chose. The wheelchair made him appear mysterious, his next act unpredictable. It was easier when she believed that he was actually stuck to a wheelchair. His limitations were clearing at her in the face at that time and it was easy to think of him as weak and helpless. But now he was like a shifting image. One moment he was this and the next moment he was not.
“You'll agree with me that there are pressing and rather confusing matters to be thought about.” Jackie added, her quick glance at his legs giving some of her thoughts away.
Micheal smiled. “If you're worried about my health, I'm getting better. You witnessed it first hand didn't you?”
Whether it was in his tone or not Jackie was certain she heard the taunt in it and felt challenged.
“Are you admitting that you are a cunning deceiver?” Jackie asked, one eyebrow quirked up.
Michael frowned. “Whatever do you mean by that?”
“Oh please don't play dumb with me.” Jackie felt her annoyance rise to the surface. “You have managed to deceive both the military and my daughter about the state of your legs and obviously plan to continue because tell me why you're still sitting in a wheelchair despite your perfectly fine legs. Haven't you gained enough pity and money from us?”
“I know you think so low of me but I didn't think it was this low.”
Jackie rolled her eyes. “What did you expect? you're married to my daughter and your presence in general has been nothing but imposing. I advise you to take the check and leave us alone!” Jackie was done talking, her annoyance exhausted and before it got overtaken by fear she walked out on Michael.
Michael sighed, staring helplessly after Jackie. Last thing he wanted to do was to be enemies with his mother-in-law but she was making that a nearly impossible task. He was glad that the secret rehabilitation trips were paying off but he still needed to complete it as the strength in his legs didn't last long enough like normal. However it was enough to put Soléne's decision to divorce him on hold. This was along with her internal family issues. He suddenly remembered that Soléne was at the Hastings family estate appearing before the matriarch.
I should go there, he thought. He knew he was likely not to be welcomed or respected but it was better than Soléne being tortured alone by her merciless biased family and if he needed motivation to recover and be the man Soléne desired, this would be perfect. He raised his head up at Jonathan.
“Let's go to the Hastings family estate.”
It was a short drive and soon enough we were driving through the iron gates of the mansion and into the winding driveway. The Hastings had a thing for DaVinci-style sculptures and made sure to decorate the grounds with it along with lush green bushes and trees. There wasn't a dash of vibrant colours like pink or yellow among the plants and the house was peaceful. Eerily peaceful.
No chirping birds and crying crows that usually perched on the paper birch tree. In fact, the tree was devoid of them. It was so quiet, Micheal could hear the soft thuds of his beating heart.
“It's hell in here, is it not?” Micheal muttered to Jonathan who turned off the engine.
“Definitely sir. I can only hope your wife is surviving being eaten.” Jonathan replied.
Micheal drew in breath and released it out slowly. “Let's go.”
As Jonathan wheeled Micheal towards the front door, a maid stepped out to welcome him and lead him inside the house.
“They're in the study sir.” She informed him and Micheal acknowledged with a nod. Micheal's suspicions were confirmed as soon as he neared the shiny brown study door. The peace outside was a mask.
“You must be delusional if you think I'll give the business to Edgar!”
- Writer
