my marriage

chapter 2

Barbara entered her husband's mansion, unable to believe her eyes. Her mouth hung open at the luxurious surroundings. She had never imagined living in such a grand house.

Her father, though wealthy, never owned such a place. She couldn't fathom this becoming her home. Looking around, she felt overwhelmed by the scale and beauty of the structure. The towering moldings and ceiling frescoes were unlike anything she'd ever seen.

Marrying Wyeth might not be as bad as it looks," she said slowly while gazing at the beautiful frames adorning the walls. She hadn't seen anything like them before.

Wyeth ordered the maid who had taken Barbara to show her upstairs to their room.

She settled into the bed, surveying her surroundings. "I think I love this place; it's not bad at all," she whispered to herself.

As she began to unbutton her dress, the door to her room suddenly swung open, revealing her boyfriend, Robert

Barbara couldn't believe her eyes; she froze in shock, unable to think properly. "What the heck are you doing here?" she managed to ask. "How did you get in here? How dare you show your ugly face to me in my husband's house?" she asked angrily, looking ready to explode.

Robert smiled and rushed towards her, attempting to kiss and touch her, but Barbara pushed him away forcefully

"You fool, get the hell out of my room. I don't want to shout and get my husband's attention. You abandoned me at the bus station, and we were supposed to leave this city together. And here you are, hiding like the fool that you are," she yelled at him.

Robert took two steps back with a sad look on his face. "It's not really what you think, Barbara. We've come a long way together; I can't just leave you halfway like that."

"Then how? Are you trying to justify your actions?" Barbara said. "Just leave my room; your presence irritates me."

"I couldn't come that night," he said gently. "I found out that it was my stepbrother who was marrying you. Please, Barbara, just calm down and give me a chance to explain myself," he pleaded.

Barbara's mind raced. "What do you mean? Are you being serious?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, and looking disappointed.

Robert took a deep breath. "Yes, you heard me right. Wyeth is my stepbrother. When I found out your father gave you to him for marriage, I couldn't do much," he said, folding his arms and standing right before her.

Barbara sat down on the bed, her mind whirling. This was a nightmare, and she couldn't seem to wake up from it. Her heart raced with confusion and disbelief.

"When you knew, why didn't you rush down to the bus station when you found out it was your brother marrying me?" she asked, waiting for his response and looking at him with so much disappointment and disgust.

"It was only for your good. It was for the best, my darling. I had my plans," he replied calmly, explaining himself boldly.

"You had different plans, you say? Plans to keep me stranded. Was that your foolish plan?" she asked. "What about our plans? We planned to leave the city together. Why change the plan without telling me? I thought we were in love, and you wanted us to live happily together," she said, clearly disappointed with Robert's words

He stood two steps forward, his expression serious.

"We love each other, that's certain," he stated. "But consider my financial situation. We could attain all our desires—money, power, access to my brother's wealth and properties, anything that's his."

Barbara was more shocked by what her ex-lover was saying. She felt like she had been hit in the chest. "So you can trade me for money?" she asked.

"You don't get it, Barbara. That's not my point," he said, trying to make her see reasons with him.

"So you didn't show up at the bus station so I could marry your stepbrother for his money, for your selfish desires," she said, with teary eyes.

"Barbara, when you bear his child, he'll grant you access to everything of his," he said with a smile. "We'll claim it all and escape to a distant place – just you, me, and your son – creating a perfect life together."

"You're just a big fool, Robert. So you're happy seeing me married to your brother, and I will carry his child? Oh, I wish I knew how foolish you are. I would never have had anything to do with you," she said in a whirlwind of emotion.

She lifted her head, and before realizing what she was doing, she brought her hand down across his cheek with a loud slap.

Her hand was still stinging from where she had just slapped him. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to process the shocking words he had just spoken to her.

"Why the slap? My intention is for our financial benefit, don't you like what you see? Just look around you, Barbara. I can give you all this," he said, looking shocked.

"Why suggest this? I was content. You made empty promises," she said, her voice angry and hurt.

He stepped back, his expression shifting to fear. "Barbara, I love you with all my heart. I endured rejection for you. With money, we can live better."

Barbara was about to reply when the door suddenly opened, and her husband walked in. He looked from her to his brother, looking suspicious.

"What's going on here? Barbara, are you okay? Because I heard voices," he said, his voice cold and stern.

Barbara quickly composed herself. "He's your brother, right?" she asked, smiling. "He came looking for you." Robert stood there, staring at them.

Barbara turned to her husband and said firmly, "He will be leaving now," making it clear that the visit was over.

Robert turned to his brother, Mr. Wyeth, and mouthed, "It was nice meeting your wife. Congrats." With that, he left the room.

Mr. Wyeth stood there in the room, his presence causing her heart to race with a mix of fear and anger.

"You should leave too; I want to undress," she said firmly.

Wyeth chuckled, ignoring her request. "You should start getting used to having me around. We are husband and wife now. We are married, and you belong to me," he whispered in her ear suggestively.

With a quick movement, he unzipped her dress, letting it fall below her breasts. Barbara felt exposed and vulnerable, with a shiver creeping up her spine.

"She was breathing quickly, her chest rising and falling with each nervous inhale and exhale.

As the material parted, he let out a low growl, admiring the sight of her delicate, smooth skin.

Barbara's heart was pounding in her chest as she felt her husband's hands move from her belly button to her chest."

His fingers found her full, firm breasts, and he couldn't resist the urge to fondle them. Barbara gasped at his touch, her heart racing even faster as he continued to tantalize her."

"Mr. Wyeth noticed the expressions on her face and asked, 'Are you okay?'

His warm breath brushed against her ear as he whispered, 'Prepare yourself; today, we will consummate our marriage.'

Barbara's knees weakened at his words, and she leaned into him, fully surrendering to his touch.

He trailed his tongue down the sensitive skin of her neck, moving up to her ears, all the while fondling her breasts. He sensed her body tensing under his touch. Abruptly, he stopped and pulled back when he realized she was uncomfortable.

"You don't seem comfortable; it appears you're not enjoying my company. We'll continue tomorrow. Take some time to rest," he said as he opened the door and walked out.

Wyeth knew about her relationship with his younger stepbrother, which is why he hurried the wedding to prevent her from running away with him. Despite being aware of it all, Wyeth chose to act as if he was completely unaware."

He had been admiring Barbara from a distance for a long time. When her father faced financial troubles and approached him for a partnership, he saw the opportunity to calm Barbara.

Wyeth walked confidently down the hallway, his steps echoing on the polished wooden floor. His only goal was to make Barbara see him as her partner in life, distracting her from any other man.

Leaving Barbara in a dazed state. Barbara struggled to process the intense emotions that had just surged through her.

As she approached the dressing mirror, she studied her flushed skin and slightly disheveled hair. The touch of her newly-wed husband lingered on her skin.

"Did he suspect any connection between me and his brother?" Barbara wondered, contemplating her future in this household.

The recent encounter left her astonished. Even her ex-lover, Robert, whom she had dated for over two years, couldn't evoke the feelings she had just experienced with her husband, Wyeth.

She couldn't fathom why she suddenly felt so strongly for the man she once despised. She pondered how to coexist with her ex-lover under the same roof without returning to their past romantic involvement. She genuinely wanted her marriage to succeed.

Barbara took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She knew she had no choice but to embrace her new life as Mrs. Wyeth.

Following her husband's orders to rest, Barbara got up and entered the bathroom. She turned on the shower, letting the hot water wash away her anger, fear of the unknown, and frustration.

As she gazed at herself in the bathroom mirror, she couldn't help but feel like a stranger in her own body. She was now Mrs. Wyeth, a name she had never wanted.

She felt disappointed with Robert, but her feelings for him remained fresh.

Under the soothing stream of water, she lost herself in thought. Turning back to the mirror, she murmured, "How will I manage this marriage with my ex-lover in the same house? What if we're discovered? What if Robert does something to win me back?"