Trapped By The Wicked Billionaire

Chapter 12: Taking In Strays

RIVA POV:

The weekend arrived much quicker than I anticipated. In the blink of an eye, I was hauled into a car and driven to an unknown location. The whole operation was filled with secrecy, making me think I was either being trafficked or Ethaniel’s parents were in witness protection.

No sooner had we pulled into the driveway leading to the huge mansion than I realized how nervous I was. My palms were sweating and I wiped it over my pants.

‘What are you nervous about?’ I snapped internally.

I was neither Ethaniel’s real girlfriend, nor did I care about these people’s opinions of me. I told myself it was just the unimaginable display of wealth that intimidated me. As we approached the house, Ethaniel also grew quieter. Snow, on the other hand, became animated in excitement.

She sang the song playing on the radio loudly, a testament to her good mood.

“My mother remarried a few years ago to Sir Douglas Atteridge,” Ethaniel spoke out of the blue. I turned my attention to him. If he was speaking about this, it was absolutely necessary. Otherwise, he wouldn’t pry his mouth open and give me any ammunition.

“This is her third husband and she is not shy about it. Of course, that is because it's not a love match. My poor dad never stood a chance,” he whispered before parking the car. “So, you have no reason to care about what she says. She means nothing. And don’t forget our agreement.”

I barely registered all of the information when a butler led me out of the car and into the house.

A butler, really?

“How do you do,” she murmured.

“A pleasure,” I replied.

A few moments later, I was introduced to Lady Delia Atteridge.

She walked down the spiral staircase without paying attention to the people waiting for her. Everything about her… from the clothes to the way she walked exuded a sense of untouchable wealth.

If I could describe her accurately, she looked like a black widow, who was confident in her charm and lured men into their doom. Her clothes fit the part, too.

The only thing that stopped me from pegging her as a husband killer was the fact that Ethaniel’s dad was still alive and I hadn't heard of the second husband being dead, either. As if Ethaniel would ever tell me that.

I scrutinized the older woman in front of me. I could see a resemblance to Ethaniel except for the grey eyes that stood out in an almost inhuman way. Like they were waiting for their prey.

In light of what Ethaniel had told me, I wondered how it had been growing up in such a family. It must have been claustrophobic even though the house was huge. It was nothing more than a golden cage.

Maybe that was why Ethaniel was so discreet about his personal life. He didn’t want people to judge him based on who his parents were. Moreover, he had not made his money from scratch. He was born into it and people always spoke of privilege like they wouldn’t use it if they had it.

Did his birth diminish his achievements?

I wasn’t sure. I only knew it would put pressure on him growing up.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by Delia’s booming voice. “I see you’ve found yourself another stray since the last time we saw each other,” she said as if she was talking to a hated acquaintance.

And the stray… that was supposed to be me, right?

I instantly disliked her.

“I’m sure you learned all about Riva from the tabloids you so love to read,” Ethaniel smiled back just as tritely.

Mrs. Atteridge grimaced. “I’m merely surprised. All this time, you have been discreet. Then all of a sudden, I find out you are engaged. From a newspaper, no less!”

“Did you expect me to tell you first-hand?” Ethaniel countered. When he got no answer, he continued. “Not everyone cherishes matrimony as you do.” The cutting edge of his comeback made me realize this was a normal interaction between these two.

It made me uncomfortable.

I wanted to meet his parents, but I refused to become a pawn in their convoluted family struggle.

“You have a lovely house,” I chimed in, trying to break them apart.

They turned to me, surprised.

“Indeed, it is beautiful. It is one of many properties my husband owns. We usually enjoy our time elsewhere in the summer.”

She spoke of the rolling hills and sceneries. She spent the summer where Snow vacationed.

“Oh, then you met Snow there?” I asked innocently.

Mrs. Atteridge opened her mouth to respond before her eyes lit up. She finally turned to the little girl as if just noticing her. “Oh, baby, I am so sorry we didn’t meet. I don’t think we were there at the same time. You were there for a little while, right?”

Snow simply smiled.

Ethaniel interrupted. “Snow, would you like to go see your pony and make sure she is doing fine?”

He took her hand and led her out, leaving me alone with Ethaniel’s mother from the burning pits of hell. I hadn’t expected this. If anything, I should have been the one going out while Ethaniel and Snow spent more time with their family.

Mrs. Atteridge sighed and poured me a drink. “I deserve that.”

I couldn’t deny that. At least she had some self-reflection.

“This is my punishment since I haven’t tried to understand him. He will never forgive me for abandoning him and his father, and not making an effort to stay in that god-forsaken little town like they wanted me to.” She took a sip of her drink before sighing. “I did use him as a ping pong ball to screw his father over, too…”

This came as a slap to me. I only now understood the dynamics of this family.

“By the look on your face, he didn’t feel the need to fill you in on the gory details about his… life. It is fair enough. Why mention a mother who gave birth to him only to disappear from his life for the better part of it?”

She swirled the liquid around in the glass. Her tone held no regret. She was only stating the facts.

“When I saw Ethaniel next, he had made a name for himself and already had a child. I didn’t know my son and I doubt I ever will.” In those there, there was some sorrow. But also, finality.

She had come to terms with this.

I cut back on self-pity. “But there is still time for you to get to know your granddaughter.” It was a jab at her unwillingness to meet Lucy while she was on vacation.

The woman replied with an even look: “I suppose. But what does it matter? It’s his business how he raises his kid. He seems to enjoy the responsibility, too.” She smiled. “In a screwed-up way, he wants to make up for the messes he got into. Also, he has a terrible habit of helping hopeless people that have no business coming into his life.”

No amount of money could force me to hear this nonsense.

“You’d be surprised, but it was Ethaniel who arranged this engagement. He needed someone more… maternal than what he had experienced, I believe.” I stood up to leave, mumbling, “Also, it is never too late to try and know your own child.”

The verbal spar was over, but the winner remained undetermined. I didn’t wait around for her to get the last word.