THIS FEELS LIKE A TRAP
1215 Words
CHAPTER 14: THIS FEELS LIKE A TRAP
CLAIRE:
“Oh my dear girl, what has my grandson done now?”
As soon as Grandma Evelyn said that, tears gathered at the back of my eyes again.
I closed the door behind her and turned away quickly, wiping my face with the sleeve of my shirt.
“I was just about to go to bed,” she said, lowering herself to a seat on the chaise. "But I asked one of the maids if you’d come down for dinner. She said you hadn’t.”
“Oh,” I said quickly, forcing a tiny smile. “I already ate. I wasn’t really hungry for more.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure about that, Kimberly.”
I swallowed hard. “Yes Grandma.”
“Well, I know everything that goes on in this house,” she said, sounding very gentle but firm. “You think I don’t notice the way Barbra bullies you? The way you shrink whenever she enters the room? I've been watching from a distance.”
I stayed quiet.
“She treats you like an intruder, I know,” Grandma continued. “She’s been doing that to people she doesn't like for years. It’s nothing new. But you’re not here to be liked by her.”
“It's just... Grandma, I don't want to make a bad impression.” I confessed, lowering myself onto the edge of the bed.
“You’re a good girl, Kim and we all know it,” she said, eyes softening. “But you have to learn how to survive in this household. That woman thrives on weakness. The more you retreat, the more power you give her.”
“She doesn’t even try to hide her contempt,” I murmured. “Like I stole something precious from her.”
“She’ll get over her contempt when it dawns on her that you're here to stay,” Grandma said simply.
I shrugged. “She was horrible this morning when I tried to make breakfast. I had to leave the house without eating.”
“One of the maids told me about it. Next time when she bullies you, stand up to her. If you can't, then just let me know,” she said reassuringly.
I nodded appreciatively. “Thanks, Grandma.”
“Don't thank me. You're my granddaughter-in-law. It's my responsibility to protect you.”
I was so touched that a single tear drop escaped from my eyes.
“Where is your husband?”
“He left,” I said without explaining further.
“Did you have a fight?”
I hesitated and then nodded.
“I figured something had happened,” she said thoughtfully. “Your eyes were swollen when I saw you.”
I looked down, playing with my fingers. “I said something I'm not supposed to say and he's angry with me.”
She sighed, leaning forward. “Marriage isn’t a fairy tale, Kimberly. Not even when it’s arranged by both families. You’re still expected to try. Especially as the wife.”
“What if I don’t know how?” I said, frustrated. “It has only been a day and we're already fighting.”
“You have to learn to understand each other. It takes time and effort but if you're determined, you two will make a perfect couple,” she replied.
I didn't respond because I didn't know what to say.
She took my hand and looked directly into my eyes. “Trust me Kim, Barbra is waiting for you to fail. And if I were you, I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.”
I heaved a sigh. “I’ll try my best, Grandma.”
Her eyes glinted. “Give it all it takes.”
I nodded..
“You’re Damien’s wife. That gives you as much right to everything here as she has. The staff will only treat you how she treats you—unless you show them who you are.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it again.
“I didn’t say you should disrespect her,” she added. “I said be firm. You think I built this empire by being soft? I was twenty when I married into this family and they thought I was beneath them. I proved every single one of them wrong. And you can too.”
I took a while to consider her words.
“Start by joining Carter Enterprises.”
“What?”
“You heard me.” She smiled faintly. “You’ve got a brain, and you shouldn’t be content just playing around. Get involved in the business. Learn it. Be part of it.”
I hesitated. “Damien hasn’t mentioned anything about me working there.”
“You got married just yesterday. Take a couple of weeks to get yourself familiarised with your responsibility as a wife. Then get a position in the company,” she said. “It’ll keep your mind busy. You won’t be pacing the house waiting for him to come home.”
“You really think I should?”
“I don’t just think. I know. And I’ll make sure you’re given a proper role—not some placeholder position.”
I exhaled slowly. “Thank you, Grandma.”
Her lips lifted slightly. “There’s one more thing.”
I blinked. “What?”
“If you give me a great-grandchild,” she said casually, “I’ll transfer ten percent of the company’s shares to your name.”
I stared at her. “Wait—what?”
“You heard me,” she repeated, her voice calm like she hadn’t just dropped a bomb on me. “Ten percent. No strings—except the child, of course.”
I swallowed hard, feeling my palms grow clammy. “That sounds... a little like a bribe.”
“Oh, honey,” she chuckled. “It’s not a bribe. It’s an incentive. You and Damien are married. Naturally, children will come eventually.”
My eyes widened so much I thought it would pop out.
Her smile widened. “Don’t look so alarmed. I’m not rushing you. I’m simply telling you what’s on the table.”
I frowned. This feels like a trap.
“I see potential in you, Kim. Don’t let Barbra or anyone else break you before you find your feet. And as for Damien... he’s short tempered. And arrogant. But he's got the purest heart. You just have to show him that you're all in for this marriage.”
I looked directly in her eyes, still trying to process everything. “Grandma, I don't know what to say right now.”
“Then don’t say anything. Just give it a thought.”
I nodded slowly.
“Good night, dear.”
“Good night, Grandma.”
As the door shut gently behind her, I sank back onto the bed.
Ten percent of the company... for a child?
My mind was spinning. My heart was already confused, and now my future felt like it was dangling from the promise of shares and motherhood.
While I was in the bathroom having a shower, Damien came back. I thought about Grandma Evelyn's words and wondered how I could approach him.
As I heard his footsteps inside the room, I screamed for help.
- Writer
