shit! I slept off I looked at the table clock on my bedside table. It’s past midnight, how many brides sleep off on their wedding night? I pulled on a robe over my nightdress

Austin would be pissed already I stepped out of my room in search of his room, I wandered around, opening different rooms none of which belonged to Austin, as I walked further down the hall way I hear moans coming from the last room, the servants quarters is downstairs, so where’s the sound coming from, I quickened my pace as I traced where the sound is coming from and I wished immediately that I had not opened the door, I pushed the door open slowly stepping into the dimly lit room, I see Austin and Ann having sex on the couch in his study, they were so engrossed in it they didn’t notice me come in I tried to cover my mouth as I gasped, too late!, they saw me but carried on as if I was there to watch the free show, I ran out to my room, not believing what I had just seen, I dropped on my head and released the sob that clogged my throat, Ann is his PA, no wonder Ann has been saucy and rude to me, she is my husband’s mistress! I heard the door open, and Austin came in with a menacing look in his eye.

“Now listen to me carefully! You are not allowed anywhere near my room or my study,” he stood over me like a predator. I tried to calm my racing heart. He continued, “Get used to what you just saw, because you are nothing but a trade to save your father’s company.” My heart did a double-take. What is happening? I opened my mouth to speak and closed it when I couldn’t form any words

“I-i don’t understand,” I said to him, when the words finally came, “I thought you also wanted this marriage.”

He bent over me like a predator that has cornered its prey. “Because I don’t do favors for free and your father has been a thorn in my flesh for years, and in return, you are payment for saving his company.”

His words felt like a heavy blow. My tears threatened to spill. Without mincing words, he continued, “You are nothing but my wife on paper and in public, a wife just for show that’s all you are, don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re anything more than that.”

He closed the space between us and said in a low tone, “If I hear a word about these out there, you will regret your very existence. Ann is my lover, learn to respect her.”

Ann came in behind him, sat on my bed with a smirk on her face

“Oh, Lorah, so ignorant and gullible, did you think Austin married you for love?” she laughed hysterically.

“Listen, my dear, Austin and I have been lovers for three years, but you see the world expects him to marry within his own social class, hence why he married you, likewise to spite your father.” She stood up from the bed and draped herself on his body.

“So if you are thinking this is a love match, wake up from your dreams,” Ann drawled, as she planted a kiss on his lips

“Now listen carefully, this is not an open marriage, you’re not allowed to be seen with any man. Likewise, your movement will be monitored,” Austin said in a menacing tone.

He stormed out, with Ann following in his wake and I crashed on the floor, it felt like the room was spinning, this is different from what I thought, my heart ached so much the pain was almost unbearable, the sob I held in my chest poured out and tears streamed down my face soaking my night robe, I thought I was leaving my father’s house for greener pastures but this is worse what have I gotten myself into…

The smell of food woke me up I opened my eyes, only to find out I had slept off on the floor. I cried myself to sleep.

“Good morning, ma’am, breakfast is ready.” Feeling embarrassed that the maid had seen me sleep on the floor, I hurriedly wrapped my robe around myself and sat on the bed, I just hope my eyes are not puffy “errm, Sarah good morning,” I responded in a low voice, I could barely hear myself. She turned to leave, then I remembered Austin, and I called out to her

“Is Austin awake?”

As if contemplating her answer, she bowed her head while avoiding eye contact with me.” They left before breakfast,” she replied.

They? I thought. It means the whole household knows about their affair, everyone knew but me, I felt foolish all over again, “Will that be all?” Sarah’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I nodded to her already retreating figure. The smell of the enticing food wafted through my nose, and my stomach grumbled. I ate the food and hopped into the shower.

Boredom had set in by noon, with nothing to do, I decided to take a tour of the mansion. I picked up my phone in case I get lost, I’ll be able to call someone.

As I wandered from one hallway to another I can’t help but appreciate the attention to detail of every nooks and corner of the Barnes mansion, this could pass for a palace, soon I had gotten to the west end of the house, this particular side of this looks like it had not been inhabited for a while, I opened what looked like a study with plethora of books lined up on the shelves reaching as high as the lintel level. This could pass for a library, the owner must be an avid reader or a book collector, as I made to leave the room, my eye caught on a door in the study, my curiosity got hold of me wondering where it leads, I turned the knob slowly, silently hoping its not a haunted room, the door opened and I let out a gasp, shocked and frozen on the spot, I opened my mouth to scream but no sound came. How did this happen?....

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