Chapter 10

• [Ariya’s POV]
• IN INTENSE SURPRISE, we almost simultaneously gasped and looked at Christopher. I blinked several times because I couldn't believe he would say that. Well, I am just his temporary wife. But I didn't expect him to defend me like this.
• "What did you just say, Christopher? Do you understand what you're saying? Yes, it's true that your Daddy and I are pressuring you to get married. But that doesn't mean you'll just pick up a woman anywhere and marry her!" his mother shouted at him, then gave me a disdainful look. Even Colette had a sharp gaze at me, but that changed when Christopher turned his attention to her.
• "And why are you here, Colette? This is a family matter. You shouldn't be here," Christopher asked authoritatively.
• She swallowed and seemed embarrassed. She couldn't even speak and just turned to Christopher's mother, as if seeking help.
• "Don't talk to Colette like that. She's even more valuable than that lowly woman, and-"
• "Damn it!"
• Christopher's mother dropped her phone and handkerchief in shock at Christopher's sudden outburst. Colette quickly picked them up and handed them to her. Even I was startled by his behavior. His intimidating aura was back, making my knees tremble. "Did you just curse at me?" Christopher's mother uttered in disbelief. But Christopher's sharp gaze remained, and the veins on his face and neck bulged due to his clenched jaw.
• "Get out of my house right now! I already told you never to insult or badmouth my wife. Get out! I am not a child for you to meddle with my life decisions, Mom. I love you so much, and nothing can ever measure how much I truly love you. But this is my life! And I won't allow you to control me or my life anymore," Christopher declared seriously and definitively.
• This time, Christopher's mother's eyes filled with tears, making me nervous again. It seems like they might have a serious argument because of me.
• "You're disrespecting me and disregarding me just because of this woman? You're choosing her over us? Do you think your father will accept this situation, huh?" Christopher's mother accused him. Christopher forcefully exhaled, wiped his face, and looked irritated.
• "Mom, I did not disrespect you or disregard you. I was just defending my wife. Besides, Dad already knows about her. And he's very happy. That's why we will announce our marriage at Maine's birthday next week!" Christopher replied in a lower tone. But that's when I got more nervous.
• "No! Don't you dare!" his mother shouted at him. Christopher closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.
• "Mom, it's just early in the morning. Have you had breakfast?" Christopher changed the topic. His mom scoffed and glared at me once more.
• "I planned to have my breakfast here, but I don't want to share the dining table with that woman," his mother replied sternly.
• "Mom, let's just eat in peace. Ariya is my wife, and she should be given due respect in this house. She deserves it!" Christopher insisted. But I couldn't hold back from responding.
• "Ma'am, with all due respect, can you please help me get out of your son's control so you won't have to get all worked up like this? Because, as I mentioned earlier, I also don't want to marry your son!"
• Christopher abruptly turned to me upon hearing what I said. His mother stopped and raised an eyebrow as she looked at me.
• "We already have an agreement. I am very hungry, and you just stressed me early in the morning. It's either we all eat in peace or Ariya and I will eat in other parts of the house. Period!"
• Christopher took my hand, and walked straight to the dining room. Despite his mother calling him multiple times, he ignored her. I had no choice but to follow him because of his firm grip, slightly pulling my hand.
• "Take a seat," he ordered after pulling out a chair for me. I quietly sat down, feeling nervous. The anger still hadn't left his face.
• After a while, his Mommy followed, and Colette was behind her. She sat across from me, and her eyes were fixed on me with a stern gaze. Meanwhile, I avoided eye contact. How am I supposed to eat when someone is watching my every move?
• "Mom, please, let's just eat in peace. I'm happy that you're joining us for breakfast as a married couple. So, please, allow me this, okay?" Christopher pleaded with his mother.
• She gave me a resentful look and sighed.
• "Fine! But we will talk about this again after," she replied with lingering discontent.
• "Ariya, this is Silvia Campbell, my mother. Mom, this is—"
• "We already introduced ourselves to each other earlier. No need for that to be repeated," Silvia interrupted him. I swallowed hard. But I didn't show it and continued eating my food.
• "Mom, Ariya is already my wife. We have an agreement that once she gives me a child, we can separate," Christopher explained frankly. Silvia was taken aback, slightly gaping. Colette continued placing food on her plate, occasionally glancing at me. But I caught her smiling when Christopher mentioned our separation.
• If I can't control myself from this woman, I might as well pluck out those eyes that keep rolling incessantly. It seems like she needs another lesson.
• "So, it's true. She is just your temporary wife. But the way she acts, you'd think she's the queen of the house, even mistreating Colette, who has been working for you loyally for over ten years," Silvia angrily remarked.
• Christopher looked at me, but I resisted his gaze. Let him try to scold me in front of that woman, and I'll leave them even if I'm starving.
• "She isn't like that. I'm sure there was just a misunderstanding between them. I'll talk to them later. Please, let's not ruin the mood for breakfast," Christopher replied formally and seriously. I breathed a sigh of relief. I thought he was going to lecture me when, in fact, it was his house manager’s fault.
• I ate slowly because I couldn't really eat well. It wasn't a good idea to join Christopher's mother at the dining table. I felt her judgmental eyes on me, making me feel like I had no right to eat with them, like I was just a beggar in her eyes.
• Oh well! I never wanted to end up in this hellish place. That's why her son is a demon. He got it from somewhere. I wonder what the personality of Christopher's father and siblings is like. Just the thought of him introducing me as his wife to them makes me nauseous.
• After the stressful breakfast, I excused myself and went to our room. Christopher followed, so I glared at him.
• "Tell me what happened. What did you and Colette fight about?" he asked seriously. I rolled my eyes.
• "Fire that woman! She's making life difficult for your other employees here!" I replied bluntly. He registered shock on his face.
• "What? I can't do that. She has been working for me for a long time, and there hasn't been any problem," he answered. My irritation grew. So, now I'm the problem?
• "Did you see how she treated me? She doesn't respect me as your wife! So, fire that woman!" I ordered him. But he quickly shook his head.
• "No. It's just a misunderstanding between you two women," he insisted. Now I was really angry because he didn't understand what I was saying.
• "I am your wife, and—"
• "Temporary wife!" he corrected. I was stunned. "You are just my temporary wife, remember? You won't stay long in this house, so just bear with Colette. I won't fire her," he declared.
• I couldn't speak, and I didn't know why a part of my heart felt hurt. It seems his maid is more important than me.
• "Well, that's true. I don't plan to stay long in this house anyway. So, I shouldn't interfere with what your arrogant maid wants to do!" I replied with a lot of bitterness.
• He nodded. "That's right. Just avoid her and don't mind her because you don't want to stay here anyway," he casually replied.
• I turned my gaze away. Why am I affected? Of course, he would side with her because they've been together for a long time. Meanwhile, I'm just here to bear him an heir. I sighed heavily and endured the pain in my chest.
• "Fine! But if she insults me again and shows a bad attitude, I won't back down!" I replied in irritation. Afterward, I passed by him to go to the bathroom and take a bath, but he stopped my arm.
• "Ariya, I want you to feel comfortable in this house. I'll prepare our contract. I'm true to my words. I'll let you go as soon as you give me an heir," he said. I wasn't sure, but there seemed to be a hint of plea in his tone.
• "I have a better proposition. Since you seem to get along well with that maid, why not let her replace me as your wife? She and your mother will probably get along, right?" I sarcastically suggested and withdrew my arm from his grasp.
• I lowered my gaze as his face suddenly turned angry. What could be making him angry again? I spoke the truth. He even sides with that woman more than me, saying I'm just a temporary wife!
• "We've already talked about this, and what I dislike the most is repeating myself," he declared authoritatively. Now, his thick eyebrows furrowed again, making him look like a demon. A handsome demon, darn it!
• "Well, big deal!" I retorted and continued entering the bathroom. But I gasped when he followed me, slowly removing his clothes one by one. One eyebrow raised, and he grinned slightly while looking at me. "What are you doing?" I asked in surprise.
• "I'm taking a shower. How about you?" he teasingly asked. My nose felt like it was about to smoke from irritation. It seems I won't be spared from this man's mischief.
• "I got here first. You can go later!" I said to him.
• "Let's shower together. We're married, so there's nothing wrong if we shower together. Come on, undress. Don't tell me you'll be acting all high and mighty; I've seen it all," he continued, undeterred, and finally removed his briefs.
• Although my inner self was raging, I had no choice but to undress. If I plan to leave this place, he might get annoyed with me again, and who knows what he might think of doing. What else can I hide from him when he has already seen everything? This guy is truly a demon, shameless!