Chapter 2 The Substitute Wife

• Chantelle's eyes snapped open, and she immediately threw off the covers and jumped out of bed. The events of the previous night with Jax had left her restless, unable to sleep. She was still concerned about his well-being, especially after seeing the blood on his body.
• Each step she took towards the kitchen felt heavier than usual, burdened by the image of his pale face right in front of her. It haunted her, reminding her of what could have been.
• As she arrived downstairs, she noticed the eerie silence in the living room. Furrowing her brow, she realized that he might have already left for work or even gone to the hospital.
• The thought struck her that she was alone.
• Her gaze shifted to Jax's bedroom door, curiosity growing within her. She wondered if he was still inside, if he hadn't left yet. Despite their recent disagreements, she knew deep down that he still cared for her and wouldn't harm her physically.
• Despite their daily arguments, he always returned, ensuring her safety.
• Summoning her courage, she climbed the stairs and contemplated entering his room.
• Eventually, she decided to turn the doorknob and push the door open, revealing a dim and empty space. She had expected this, knowing that he rarely spent time in the room except for sleeping.
• Switching on the light, her eyes scanned the whole space and were immediately drawn to a picture frame on the side table.
• As she stared at the photo, doubts crept into her mind. Slowly, she approached the frame, a feeling of unease washed over her.
• Hoping that her initial interpretation was incorrect, she stared intently at the image. However, nothing had changed; the woman’s face in the frame didn’t change.
• Just as she reached for it, a hand grabbed hers, preventing her from taking it away.
• Then, a chilling voice spoke, "Who said you are welcome here?"
• Upon hearing the voice, the delicate frame slipped from her grasp and crashed to the floor, creating a deafening noise that echoed throughout the room.
• Overwhelmed with panic, she stared at the wreckage in front of her, her hands trembling with regret. As she turned his attention to the man, her breath hitched as she saw his naked body was fully exposed, with a white bandage wrapped around his abdomen. He wore only black trousers, which accentuated his well-defined biceps and chest.
• Although the blood had been cleaned up, there were still traces of crimson seeping from his wound. Uncertain of how he had gotten injured, she hesitated to ask him anything further, knowing he wouldn't provide an answer. He might respond with offensive remarks once again.
• Meeting his gaze briefly before looking away, she noticed his focus on the broken picture frame.
• Her hand remained clenched tightly into a fist, and she nervously nibbled on her lower lip to avoid any confrontation.
• "Who said you can leave your room?" His emotionless tone didn't come as a surprise, as it was always like this whenever he spoke to her.
• With tears threatening to fall, she looked up and tightly gripped her hands as he sneered and questioned her once more, "Do you think you'll find something if you sneak into my room?"
• “That picture frame…” As she pointed to the broken picture frame, tears streamed down her face. “Is the reason you brought me here because I look like that woman?”
• “Chantelle, how many times do I have to remind you? Refrain from asking pointless questions.”
• “Please, tell me! Why have you confined me here? It’s like an invisible chain is wrapped around my neck, and I have no clue how to break f-free!” she exclaimed, her voice booming with frustration as she choked on her last word.
• After that, she continued again with trembling lips and fingertips, “I-I don’t even know what I did to deserve this! Why not let the debt collectors handle me instead?”
• “Are you saying that you would prefer to let other men possess your body instead of staying with me?” he asked, his grin growing wider and more manic.
• Chantelle was completely taken aback.
• ‘How was it possible for me to have given my heart to such a cruel man in the past? How could I have ever loved someone so heartless?’ Her heart cried.
• “See?” The sharp words reverberated through the room, filling the space with an unpleasant energy. “You can’t even answer because you know within yourself that without me, you mean damn nothing. You have no value now.”
• “So, am I to understand that my sole purpose of being alive is to serve as your slave in this house?”
• “Yes—”
• Jax couldn’t finish his sentence because of the strong slap Chantelle gave to him.
• Her hand went numb. Nonetheless, at least she relieved herself a little as she watched his body frozen, with his face turned to the side.
• “You are worse than a flaming demon,” she blurted through gritted teeth.
• “You have the freedom to express yourself in any way you see fit, and you can address me by any name that you prefer,” he said in a surprisingly calm tone. “But it’s regrettable that you must obey when I command you to spread your legs.”
• “Are you fucking insane? Can you even hear yourself? You have locked me here with no explanation, and now you expect me to serve you solely because of your sexual desire? Ha!” She showed a contemptuous sneer and muttered with the words blowing through her teeth. “You fucking horny dick…!”
• His intense gaze locked onto her, and she could feel the piercing stare of his dark eyes penetrating the depths of her soul. Despite the dim lighting in the room, it was as if he possessed the ability to decipher her every thought and emotion. Without warning, he regained his composure and drew nearer to her.
• In a sudden and unexpected motion, he firmly grasped her waist and pulled her closer to him. His lips brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
• "Do you truly desire to know why I brought you here?" Each word he uttered left her feeling dizzy and light-headed.
• Summoning all her strength, she pushed against his body, yearning for distance between them. With determination, she replied, "Nevermind."
• Just as she was about to make her escape, he seized her arm and forcefully pulled her sideways onto the bed.
• Caught off guard by his swift action, his breath lingered hotly against the back of her neck. Though she longed to meet his gaze and convey her annoyance, his grip was unyielding, rendering her immobile.
• After a fleeting moment, his hand began to trail up her legs, causing a surge of warmth to course through her body, despite the room being fully air-conditioned.
• "What are you doing?" she stammered, her heart racing so rapidly that her words trembled.
• “Liliana Huxley,” he hissed, holding her from behind and burying his face in her back, like a child yearning for his mother.
• “Huh?”
• “That was my late wife’s name,” he stated.
• Chantelle remained silent, unable to formulate a response.
• “She passed away from her illness,” he added, keeping his face hidden behind her throughout. “I was helpless when I found her lifeless. Despite having enough wealth, I couldn’t save her. That cursed cancer snatched my beloved wife from me.”
• “….” She remained mute.
• “Upon capturing sight of your visage on the television screen, it was as though my dormant existence had been jolted back to life. I initially mistook you for my wife, for your countenance bears an uncanny resemblance to hers. Your laugh and smile mirror those of my Liliana.”
• “So… you brought me here because you see your wife’s reflection in my face?” A sharp pain stabbed through Chantelle’s chest as she realized she was nothing more than his backup plan.
• She couldn't believe that the person she loved first could make her feel like his second choice.
• “Yeah…The reason behind it all is solely your face.”
• Chantelle had no idea that tears had already trickled down her face.
• “Chantelle, I’m willing to support your family in their business endeavors, but on one condition - you must promise me you won’t leave me.”
• “Ridiculous…!” she gritted.
• “I know. But I want you to stay by my side and embody the persona of Liliana. Show me she’s still alive and make me believe she hasn’t left me.”
• Chantelle’s chest tightened. “Did you only see Liliana, your wife, and not Chantelle Collins, your childhood friend, when you saw me on television?”
• Chantelle thought that the words he had spoken before were the most painful thing she could endure. But when he gave her the answer she was not hoping for, she realized that the pain could get even worse.
• It felt as though a knife had been plunged deeper into her chest.
• “Liliana has always been my choice, Chantelle. And you… you will be her replacement.” His hand crawled up to her stomach. “You’ll be my substitute wife.”
• Chantelle felt a pit in her stomach, knowing that she would be used as a replacement for the woman he truly loved.