Agreement Behind Her Marriage

CHAPTER 22: The Motive

When Lily awoke, the entire city lay shrouded in darkness. Pain shot through her flesh, prompting a wince as she realized her body was covered in bruises. The discomfort extended to her heart, making her uneasy.

Summoning her strength, she forced herself to rise and immersed her body in a tub filled with ice. This act, reminiscent of her childhood when she sought relief from beatings by her father, was a familiar remedy. Closing her eyes, she tried to discern the sensation in her numb body. The heartache was overwhelming, and tears began to stream down her face. The depth of her anguish prevented her from registering the chilliness of the water.

The heartache…

“You’re here…” she heard Drew say after finding her in the bathroom. She didn’t hear him walk in.

The man approached her and caressed her tear-stained cheek.

“Don’t cry, baby.” He could hardly breathe and seemed to be wounded by her condition. After assisting her get out of the tub, he dried her off with a towel. “Until you feel better, you spend a few days at home.”

“I have to go to class. I’m also working on a project with Danica.”

“At least for two days, Lily. Please don’t be stubborn anymore.”

“What if I fail my class?”

“Well, you will enroll once more in the subsequent class, until you pass and graduate.”

“Do you worry that I may become a burden to you?”

“You are not a burden; don’t think too much.”

She fell silent, uncertain if she could even venture out in her current state. Was he prepared to support her for a lifetime?

Drew attended to Lily for the next few hours. After carefully cleansing her body, he assisted her in changing into a comfortable dress. Her husband even took the time to blow-dry her long hair.

How could she suppress her emotions when this man made her feel like the most important person in the world?

“If you have any plans to visit your father, phone me and I will go with you. You are no longer going to the Martin household alone,” he muttered.

Lily nodded in response. He carried her and then carefully took her to the dining area.

He whispered quivering, “I’ll make sure they are going to pay, Lily.

“I’m fine.” She touched his cheek to calm the man down.

“How can you say that? Your monster father beat you until you lost consciousness. Look at yourself. I feel like I’m useless!”

“This will be the last time.”

“Of course! I won’t let anyone hurt you any longer. Do you remember what I said before? You are my wife; if they embarrass you, it’s like they did the same to me.” He offered her a fresh glass of milk and said, “This will make you feel better.”

“Thank you,” she said weakly.

“What do you want to eat? I will cook for you.”

“This milk is fine.” She smiled simply at the attention she was getting from him.

“I’ll toast the bread.” He didn’t wait for her to respond. He was desperate for her to eat something. Lily watched Drew’s back.

The prospect of their separation would undoubtedly weigh heavily on her. Whether she admitted it or not, Drew always occupied a significant space in her heart, regardless of the self-restraint she exercised.

***

A few days later, Drew and Lily paid a visit to Master Walton’s estate. Drew proposed the idea of visiting his grandfather as a means to shift their mental state temporarily and set aside their troubles.

Even though Drew didn’t explicitly express it, Lily discerned that her husband harbored a desire to see the elderly gentleman as well.

The Walton family’s mansion is situated in a nearby city, boasting a verdant garden adorned with various plants and well-manicured grass. The interior reveals high ceilings adorned with a sparkling crystal chandelier and an expansive living space. The pristine condition of the surroundings is a clear indication of meticulous care by the housekeepers, a point emphasized by Drew, who attests to his grandfather’s preference for an impeccably maintained home.

“I haven’t seen you in a long time, Lily,” said Master Walton, smiling at her. “I heard that your father hurt you. Are you alright?” He examined a few of the evident bruises that had left traces on her skin.

“Grandpa, of course, what that person did to my wife wasn’t right!” Upon hearing him recalling the recent event, her husband was obviously enraged.

Lily squeezed his arm to calm him down and then smiled simply at him.

Drew went on to say, “If it wasn’t for Lily, I would have reported that shameless man to the police for abusing my wife.”

The old man winced. “Aiist! If you take that course of action, the Walton Group could face serious implications. Do you really want to thrust yourselves back into the spotlight by publicly accusing your own father-in-law and making headlines? Allow me to intervene and try to persuade that scum to step away from causing trouble for both of you.”

“I hope he stays away from us forever!”

Master Walton proceeded to inquire about her health while ignoring Drew. In the presence of Drew and his grandfather, her emotions softened. They clearly cared about her, which is extremely different from how they handled her at the Martin Residence.

In an effort to regain composure, she excused herself and headed to the ladies’ restroom.

“I’ll ask the maids to prepare dinner,” said Master Walton.

Drew, who was plainly concerned, asked, “Are you sure you’re the only one going to the restroom?”

“Look at this man! Lily is a Walton! She should get used to this mansion!” The old man criticized his grandson.

Lily lost interest in the ongoing banter between the two and shifted her focus towards finding the restroom. On her way back from the ladies’ room, she traversed the corridor, passing a spacious open room.

A particular photograph caught her attention – a teenage picture of Drew displayed prominently on the wall. Intrigued, she decided to explore the room, drawn not only by curiosity but also by its pristine white ambiance.

The room exuded a monochromatic elegance; every element, from the walls to the leather couch, the grand piano, and the adjacent chair, was painted in a pristine white. The sole exception was the oversized painting adorning one wall, portraying a family of three.

Drew, unmistakably younger, stood out in the portrait, accompanied by a stunning woman adorned with red lipstick and a fur coat, as well as a man in his early forties who bore a striking resemblance to Lily’s husband. Intrigued, Lily scrutinized the details of the artwork that had captured her attention.

‘I guess that was his dad and mom.’

However, when staring at the woman, particularly at her eyes, it appeared as though Lily was the focus of her attention. She gasps because the painting seems to be alive.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Miss Lily?”

“Ah!” Lily shrieked after being startled. Her heart jumped in nervousness. When she turned around, she saw the butler of the mansion.

“I’ll apologize for frightening you. Master Walton wanted this room to be neat, but the maid failed to latch the door after she finished cleaning. Moreover, family members are not allowed to enter this room.”

“What?” It confused Lily.

‘Why are they forbidden? Why not simply toss the items away and remodel the room so that someone else can use it if this is prohibited?’

However, it is not for her to concern herself with what they want to do.

“Okay. I-I’m sorry.”

“No problem.” The butler made sure that she wouldn’t wander around the mansion again, so he personally escorted her back.

Lily thought about asking him while walking because she just couldn’t stop her curiosity.

“Why is that room forbidden?” Lily asked.

“That is madam’s favorite room,” he replied, referring to Drew’s mother.

“Oh!”

He continued, “She lost her life there, too. Because the master has superstitions about some things, the chamber is no longer permitted to be used, especially by the family.”

They were already back in the dining room, making her stop wondering. Her husband gave her a simple sweet smile after seeing her.

“Thank you!” Lily thanked the emotionless butler.

Observing how well they got along, his grandfather said, “You two seem to be getting along well. Are you planning to start a family? Are you pregnant?”

Drew almost choked, drinking his water. “Grandpa, why do you want us to become parents right soon when we’ve just been married for a few months? We have other plans, and you know I don’t want kids.”

The elderly man bantered without hesitation. “Because my only concern is determining when I’ll cease regarding you as my grandchild, replacing your own child!”

Lily concealed her smile. She employs birth control pills to prevent pregnancy since she and Drew aren’t ready for any additional responsibilities. Parenthood isn’t part of their current agenda, especially given the shared conflicts and hardships they both experience.

Master Walton kept a silent eye on her. Lily was unaware that the old man had asked directly whether or not they intended to be parents in order to find out the truth about their relationship.