One Month Later
Arjan and Taylah had moved out of the mansion to his private villa, a decision Arjan had made unilaterally. In response, Mr. Davier had hired a butler to keep an eye on them, but Arjan quickly took control, ensuring the butler didn't reveal anything to Mr. Davier.
Now, Taylah found herself isolated, unable to even have a friendly conversation with anyone from her in-laws. She felt exhausted from being confined in the villa, unable to go out without Arjan's permission. Even if she wanted to see her in-laws, she had to ask Arjan first.
It had been a month since they left the old mansion, and Taylah wondered if he cared at all. He returned home late at night and left early each morning, leaving her feeling even more alone and trapped.
The life of an ordinary husband and wife continued, but there was an underlying bitterness. The wife's responsibilities remained unchanged even after a decade, highlighting a troubling aspect of society. For her, life wasn't easy when she was alone with a man she despised, but now the feelings were starting to shift.
She began to develop unknown feelings for him. Her jealousy when she saw Arjan with Dia revealed how much she cared for him. Despite her efforts, he hadn't been kind to her.
Taking care of him had become a habit for her. Her resentment wasn't due to any unforgivable action on his part, but rather from her own envy. Sometimes she wondered why she couldn't have a caring partner like Dia, even though she had loved Ethan at one point.
She struggled financially because she managed all the household responsibilities, and he contributed nothing to their expenses after moving to his private villa. Balancing living costs without a job was becoming increasingly difficult for her.
Her savings were just enough to support her, and her grandparents occasionally sent money when she needed it. However, she concealed the truth about her harsh marriage from them.
AT NIGHT
Taylah lay on the bed, feeling lifeless. She jolted when she heard footsteps approaching. The door swung open, and though it wasn't completely dark, her heart raced as she recognized Arjan coming toward her.
She sat up abruptly, taking a deep breath, and heard a scoff.
"Are you already awake, my little wifey?" His voice was unsteady, clearly influenced by alcohol. She couldn't tell just how drunk he was, and then, suddenly, something unimaginable happened.
Arjan grabbed her hair and pulled her close. She placed her hands on his, trying to avoid his gaze. He lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him, and she felt herself become submissive under his dominance.
"Have you dreamed of us as a sweet little family?" he said. "Remember your place in my heart: you're just a slut who warms my bed whenever I want. You'll never have my love, so don't bother trying to get my attention." He groaned.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, blurring her vision. When he yanked her hair again, she realized he wasn't drunk at all. This was his way of taking revenge for marrying him.
Arjan left the room, and Taylah curled up under the blanket, unable to fall asleep.
The sound of her quiet sobs echoed throughout the room.
Meanwhile, Arjan went to the room with his wine collection, poured a glass, and took a sip, swirling the liquid thoughtfully.
He often took out his anger on Taylah. If she were any other woman, she would have left him by now, but she hadn't. Whenever he forced himself on her, she struggled briefly before becoming submissive.
Her gentle, tear-streaked face unsettled him in a way he couldn't quite understand. Did he really have feelings for her? A flood of thoughts began to swirl in his mind.
"Damn… what the hell am I thinking?" Arjan shouted, hurling the glass to the floor, where it shattered into pieces. The butler rushed in at the sound.
"Sir, do you need any help?" he asked, bowing respectfully.
"I didn't call you. You shouldn't have come. Why don't you just go back to the old mansion and serve your master?" Arjan's arrogance flared again.
"I can't leave you and Mrs. Davier. It's my duty to care for you both," the butler replied calmly.
"I don't want your damn care. Got it?" Arjan growled in anger.
The butler left the room, understanding that he couldn't change Arjan's mind. He knew better than to engage in an argument. Although he felt pity for Taylah, he couldn't show it on his face.
The butler felt a deep pity for Taylah, who endured so much under Arjan's dominance. His heart ached whenever he thought about her, but he felt powerless to help.
The next morning, when Taylah woke up, Arjan was already gone, as usual. She made her way downstairs to find the butler.
"Young lady, you're awake. Do you need anything?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
"I'm just hungry. What's for breakfast, Butler Uncle?" Her warm smile brightened the atmosphere.
"Breakfast is already prepared, Miss. Just let me know if you'd like anything else," he said, pulling out a chair for her and extending his hand to serve the food.
She hesitated for a moment. "Did he eat breakfast?" Her heart fluttered with hope.
The butler shook his head, and Taylah sat down, her expression revealing that she had expected he would have eaten. Disappointment washed over her, and as the food caught in her throat, tears slipped from her bright, shining eyes.