Chapter 19

Scarlet's POV.

His mother and sister gave me a questionable look. They looked suspicious of me, as if I were some bad girl who was out to destroy their son and brother's lives.

“Scarlet, you don't look happy to see us. It looks like we aren't welcome in this house.” His mother sounded a little upset.

But the next moment I felt my hand being dragged into someone's, it's my sister-in-law, Penelope. “Mom, we are new to her, more like strangers, so it's normal for her to feel anxious; she isn't upset or unhappy.” She smiled at me.

“Hmm! That's true too. It's our first meeting. And instead of asking about her well-being, I started asking her uncomfortable question. I am sorry, sweetheart.” She apologized and gave me a soft smile, almost making my heart throb.

Was I wrong about them both?

“Are you adjusting well here? If you feel there's something you can't get used to, just tell us. No, you don't have to tell us; just change it to your liking. After all, it's your home now, and we are your family.” Mother-in-law seems soft-spoken and well-mannered despite her bossy aura.

I don't know what to say. I just stood there with a smile on my face. My mother-in-law clapped her hands in the air, and the servant lady came with a wooden box in her hand. She passed it to my mother-in-law, and she gently rubbed her hands on it with a gorgeous smile before giving it to me.

“This is our family heirloom. My paternal grandmother gave it to my mother-in-law, and she gave it to me when I married in this house, and now I am giving it to you, my daughter-in-law.” She explained.

I can see how much importance this thing holds to her, as she is both happy and emotional while passing it on to me. “Just like how you preserved it for generations, I will also do the same.” I accepted the heartfelt gift from her.

Raymond did tell me about his family, but I know very little about them, especially my mother-in-law. It's said that she's a businesswoman, but what company is she operating? I have no idea.

But my sister-in-law, I know her very well, not personally. But yes, I have seen her on the television and big screen. Her movies have always hit the box office; she's a sensational celebrity. Her net worth is, I guess, $200 billion.

But her family background was never mentioned in any of her interviews; no one actually knows she belongs to the Thornton family.

I have come to the realization that the Thornton family has maintained its reputation and mysterious aura throughout the decades. They are very secretive and look at the bigger picture than showing off their wealth.

The way they treat a person like me is very admirable. I am actually blessed to have them as a family. If only my family was like this, I wouldn't have suffered so much.

His family made me sit with them as they held deep conversations with me. I had fun talking to my new family members. Unlike their external aura, they were good to me and talked to me with love and care. After they got to know I lost my mother recently, my mother-in-law gave me a sweet hug, and so did my sister-in-law. They expressed their condolences and assured me they wouldn't mistreat me.

After we returned to our room, Raymond went to bed. As for me, I pretended to work. And the moment he fell asleep, I set off to the place where Ryan and I had regular meetings.

I drove to the place, and as expected, Ryan was already there, waiting for me. I am scared of him, but I have no other choice than to meet him and find a solution to this problem.

“I thought you fooled me and ran away, but you really came. So, what did you tell that bastard? Did he agree to divorce you? When are you getting divorced?” He threw question after question the moment he saw me; that creepy smile is all I could see in his face.

“Yes...yes, I told him, and he agreed. You can rest assured.” I forced a smile on my face.

“So when are you getting a divorce?” He put his hand around my waist.

“It's a divorce we are talking about. I can't just sign a paper and say we are done.” I carefully removed myself from his side.

“What do you mean? Are you saying you want more time?” He is getting mad.

“Ryan, there's a process we all married couples have to follow. I and Raymond just got married; it's not even a week, so the judge is not ready to grant us the divorce. He wants us to stay together for six months, and if we still don't want to stay together, then he will grant us the divorce. And if any of us try to oppose him, then he will punish us. Laws will be against us, and then I will lose the right to get a divorce. I am sure you don't want this to happen. After all, you don't want to be called the kept man, right?” I hope this works on this psychopath.

He gave me a suspicious look. Maybe I am done with it. I have come here alone. There's no one to support me right now. If he decides to do something to me, I won't be able to survive.

“You have a point. Even though I don't want to see you with that bastard, I don't want to be called a kept man. So it's important to get divorced. But six months... isn't this a long period? How will I live without you?” Ryan started walking back and forth, his eyes wondering like a ghost, scaring the sh*t out of me.

“Oh Baby! It's just six months—not too long. After I divorce him, I will be yours forever. So don't think too much.”

He chuckled after I called him Baby. What an idiot.

He immediately lifted me in the air and started spinning like he won the world. He is over the moon right now. But I am getting creeps. Anyway, this matter is settled. Now I just have to make plan B in case he becomes suspicious of me.

“Okay, okay! Now put me down. It's too late. If he wakes and finds me nowhere in the room, he will create a scene. I need to go back. We can't let him know I am having an affair before we get divorced.” I coaxed this joke somehow.

He put me down. “Alright, you should leave now. But remember, be on my call and neck whenever I want you. I want no excuse in there.” He warned me.

I nodded. “I will listen to you in this matter. Goodnight.” I took my leave.

I entered the mansion carefully and on my tiptoe, happy that no one was awake. I entered my room and thought to go back to sleep, but...the lights of the room turned on suddenly, Raymond standing in front of me with his hands folded and a worried look on his face.

“It's past midnight. Where were you?” He questioned.

“Is it necessary for me to answer this question?” I felt offended.

“Yes, it's necessary. Since we are husband and wife, I must know where my other half is. I should be informed if she's safe or not.” He's way too serious right now, and angry too.

“You didn't take Ryan seriously, so I went to meet him.” I told the truth.

“You went to meet that psycho? Do you not value your life?” He looks even more angry now.

“Of course I value my life. But I didn't go to meet him today. He might have done something to you tomorrow. You are my husband. I can't see you get hurt.” I pouted to subsidize his anger.

He sat me on the chair and sat on his knees, took my hand in his hand, and ran it gently. “Scar, I am capable of solving this problem. You don't have to beg him to leave me alone. If he ever comes to me, I will make sure to return the pain and hurt he gave you. Look at me. Do you think I can't take care of him? Wifey, I have dealt with such people while growing up. Have faith in me.” He once again assured me.

“You might have dealt with many bad people, but this man is different. Even I, who dated him for many years, have no idea about this side of him. He's dangerous, and I can't take the risk. What if I disobey him and the next moment he comes to you, pulls out a knife and pierces it in your stomach? No, I get chills even while thinking about it. You have to listen to me in this matter.” I can't even think of the consequences.

“My wife really cares a lot about me. I am over the moon right now. Since you are way too worried about me, I have a solution.” He didn't say the whole thing and left me at that only.

It was only the next day when I realized what he meant. In front of the mansion, two people dressed in black stood straight with sunglasses and a rough posture.

“Good morning, ma'am. The car is ready for you. Please get in.” They opened the door for me while I was still digesting the whole thing.

I called Raymond immediately. “Ray, what's going on? Why are there two people dressed like bodyguards waiting for my orders and be at my beck and call?” I asked him seriously.

“I can't be with you 24/7, so this is my solution. That man might appear anytime in front of you; I don't know how he will threaten you next time. So I have hired two bodyguards for your safety. Don't worry, they won't disturb you. They will protect you from the side. Have them with you all the time.” Raymond sounded proud.

“What about you then? You need these bodyguards more than me. You know the danger lurking around your neck, right? Don't tell me you want to be a victim and get beaten.”