He Locked Me Up, I Married His Nephew

Chapter 4

Derek shot her a cold glare. "Stop being dramatic."

Then he slammed the door and got out.

Cecilia watched his retreating back without a second's hesitation, and the scene from the novel flashed through her mind. When she'd been burned alive in that fire, she'd called him over and over. He never picked up once.

Right. Her life had never mattered to him.

Her heart sank, but she followed him inside and called out, "Derek. You said the Hayes family doesn't do divorce, only death. I can 'die'."

Derek stopped mid-stride, his face turning to stone.

He turned to her, impatience written all over his features. "Cecilia, what game are you trying to pull now? You think threatening me with death actually works?

"Go ahead and die if you want. I don't care!"

Hearing those words come out of his mouth still stung.

She swallowed the bitterness and met his eyes, speaking seriously. "I know the Hayes-Brooks marriage was arranged a long time ago. Divorcing after a month would be a total joke.

"So here's what I'm saying. I can fake my death and disappear. You tell everyone I died. That way the families save face, and you don't have to force yourself to stay married to me."

Derek's eyes narrowed as he studied her for a long moment.

In the end, he just dropped a flat "Suit yourself" and walked out.

He didn't believe her.

Cecilia understood. After all, for years, her whole identity had been "the girl madly in love with Derek".

But this time, she meant it.

The master bedroom lock still wasn't "fixed".

That night, Cecilia slept in the guest room again while Derek took the study.

Over the next few days, she played the part of the obedient Mrs. Hayes, just as he wanted. Things between them eased up a little.

Then one evening, Cecilia was sitting in the living room when Derek rushed out of his study, throwing on his coat to leave.

She already knew what this was. Amelia had a fever, and Mr. and Mrs. Brooks were out of town.

So Amelia had called Derek.

A sick girl and the man who couldn't stay away. Classic plot device in that trashy novel.

Cecilia wasn't planning to ask. But to her surprise, Derek spoke up.

"Cecilia, Amelia's running a fever. Come with me to the Brooks estate."

She blinked. What?

In the novel, Derek had gone alone. But the thought of him tangled up with Amelia while she was sick made Cecilia's skin crawl. She immediately declined.

"You go ahead. I've got other matters..."

She didn't even finish before Derek cut her off.

"Your sister is single. If word got out that it was just the two of us, it'd ruin her reputation."

Funny. Now he cared about reputation.

Cecilia bit back the sarcasm threatening to spill out.

But since he'd put it that way, she had no choice but to go along.

At the Brooks residence, they entered Amelia's room.

Amelia lay pale in bed. When she saw Cecilia walk in with Derek, surprise flickered across her face.

But Cecilia's eyes were fixed on the room itself. It was familiar yet foreign.

This used to be her room.

In just over a month, everything had been rearranged. Nothing looked like her space anymore.

Just like in the Brooks family, Amelia had already fully taken her place.

Before long, Derek came back with water and fever medicine.

"Amelia, make sure you take this on time."

Amelia glanced up at him and took the cup. "Thanks, Derek."

Such ordinary words. And yet the look that passed between them could have melted glass.

Cecilia frowned and was about to slip away.

But Derek called out to her again, "Cecilia, I've got work at the office. You stay and look after Amelia, okay?"

And with that, he walked straight out.

Cecilia stood frozen, completely confused.

What was going on?

Derek wasn't staying to take care of Amelia himself?

This didn't match the original plot at all.

Before she could figure it out, Amelia spoke from the bed, "Cecilia, I'm so jealous of you. I don't know when I'll ever find someone as good as Derek."

Her eyes were red-rimmed, the picture of pitiful longing.

Cecilia didn't take the bait. She just handed Amelia the medicine. "Don't worry. You will."

Amelia's eyes dimmed, and she said no more.

Cecilia stayed by Amelia's bedside until late into the night. Exhausted, she slumped over the edge of the bed and fell asleep.

She didn't know how much time had passed.

Then a warm body pressed against her back. Hot breath ghosted over her neck.

Cecilia jolted awake. Somehow, she'd ended up in the bed, and Amelia was nowhere to be seen.

A low groan came from the man behind her.

It was Derek.

He'd mistaken her for Amelia?!