Chapter 7

• 'Older men with attitude problems are not my type either.' I replied angrily
• Before I knew what was happening, he slapped me and said,
• 'Don't ever talk back to me,' and walked out. I held my right cheek in pain and silently went back to my room crying. I was relieved that no one was around to witness what had just happened. I still felt slight pains from the cramps, the one in my heart, and the burning sensation on my cheek from the slap. Thinking about what happened in the morning, the tears couldn't stop flowing. I had given him his boundaries, but disrespecting me that way made me really angry. Accusing me of carrying a bastard and what he told Dr. Ben earlier made me furious. I'm not a robot; as humans, we all have our limits. Dragging my parents into this made me lose control and talk back to him. The words had left my mouth before I knew I shouldn't have said that. I cried myself back to sleep because the pain was too much.
• The following morning, I woke up with pains all over my body. I went to the bathroom, quickly freshened up, and went out of the room to look for Greg. I thought about it the previous night, and I realized that I couldn't bear to make him angry. As his wife, the right thing to do was to apologize. Talking back at him was wrong. Luckily for me, he was already dressed when I saw him with a small luggage. The time was already 6 am, and Sheila resumed work by 7 am. I wondered where he was going this morning. I walked to where he was, and he didn't notice my presence until I called him. 'Sir,' I said. He looked at me and saw my cheek. For no reason, I saw his expression change to being angry.
• 'What have I done this time again? Oh, Sophie, you called him an old man yesterday,' I thought.
• He didn't say anything and tried to walk out. I ran forward and knelt down.
• 'I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry about my actions yesterday. It won't repeat itself again,' I pleaded with all seriousness.
• He stopped walking, looked down at me, and I thought he was going to accept my apology. I wouldn't say I'm surprised; the few days I've been in this house, I knew what Greg was capable of doing. But later, I realized I was wrong. I didn't know anything about the man I married. He looked at me for a few minutes and left.
• That was the last time I saw him until today. It's been three weeks now, and there's no sign of Greg. I've called several times, but it wouldn't connect. I've sent several messages, but there's been no reply. I've asked Sheila and other staff, but they didn't know about his whereabouts.
• I thought about calling Nana, but I didn't want them to suspect we're having issues. That would make her sad, and I didn't want her to question Greg and make him angry again. These past three weeks, I've been reading for my forthcoming entrance exams. I haven't left the mansion, only going from my room to the sitting room and my favorite spot in the garden. If I needed anything, I'd tell Sheila, and she would get them for me. I had two weeks left until my entrance exam. I needed to travel to Bellaris city a week before the exam to take care of some important matters.
• My problem now is that I don't have enough money to sort my accommodation and traveling costs. I can't leave the mansion without Greg's knowledge either. I only have this week to sort everything out. I couldn't ask my parents for money because they believe I'm in a better place, and it's part of the promise the William family made before our marriage. I know if I called them, they would send the money, but I didn't want them to worry about me. I couldn't call Nana either to avoid any suspicion. Whom do I ask for help? I tried calling Greg's number again today, and this time, it rang, but he didn't pick it up. An idea popped up in my head. I opened my Instagram account and searched for Greg's sister's name. She's a popular stylist. I immediately sent her a DM, telling her who I was and asking whether we could meet.
• It took her two days to finally reply to my DM, and she said she was going to come over to Greg's house the following day.
• The next day, Greg's sister, Victoria, came to the house around noon. I didn't go to my favorite spot in the garden today because I was expecting her. I welcomed her warmly, and she even initiated a hug. She asked about Greg and how being married to him was. I lied and said everything was fine.
• 'I got to see him last week since the last time, which was on the wedding day. It's so nice to see you today,' she said, smiling.
• I was surprised to hear that he had been around all this while and never thought to come home. Sheila brought her food, but she declined and said she wanted something light. She only drank a cup of fruit juice. She asked me to tell her why I wanted to see her.
• Before I started, I told her not to tell anybody, not even Nana or her brother, about what I'm about to ask her. She promised not to tell anyone.
• 'I know you'd be surprised about me asking you this, but I couldn't think of anyone else I could ask besides you. Could you please lend me some money? My exam is in a few weeks, and I have to pay for some things,' I said.
• Her expression showed that she was surprised by my request.
• 'Why didn't you ask Greg?' she asked. I couldn't reply and just looked at the floor shyly and embarrassed.
• 'Are you guys having issues?' Before she could even begin what she was about to say next, I quickly said,
• 'No, we're good.'
• 'Oh, you're shy and embarrassed about asking him for money?' she asked. 'Yes,' I replied shyly.
• 'But he's your husband. You shouldn't be shy about asking him something like this,' she said, smiling.
• 'Okay, I'm going to pay for everything. You don't have to pay me back. You're family and my sister-in-law too,' she said. I thanked her repeatedly and explained the things I needed to do and the amount needed. She immediately transferred the money with extra change. I thanked her once again. She waited for a few minutes while we talked about other things before she left.
• Back in the house, I was happy that I had enough to cover my expenses for the trip. However, I was worried about how to tell Greg that I was traveling. He could suddenly come home after I had traveled. I prayed that he would come back home before I left so that I could tell him about it.