The wheels stop, and the engine noise subsides, as we return to glamorous London at dusk. Only my mother-in-law and Andermis are there to greet us, while my father-in-law, as usual, is busy with mysterious work. Perhaps he is catching up with paperwork, or meeting important clients. But we are not so intimate to care about what the other is doing. Both my mother-in-law and Andermis show some unusual emotion when they see us get out of the car. I can read part of their emotions through their faces.
My husband steps forward to hug his mother and kisses her on the cheek. I quietly greet my mother after a long trip, and although she is surprised to see me, she still awkwardly kisses me on the cheek. The tension between the Morten brothers suddenly ignites in their handshake. The servants outside begin to unload luggage and take them to our rooms. My mother-in-law goes inside the house, and my husband follows, while Andermis and I are still looking at each other. Andermis could not help but frown at my appearance right now. He asked with a worried look, "Are you alright, Fiona?"
The bruises and scratches all over my face and body make Andermis restless, but I cannot say anything. I just remain silent and shake my head. "Everything's fine."
"Fiona..." Andermis grabbed my arm as I tried to walk inside. "What did Augustin do to you?"
"Fiona!"
The ineffective calls made me startled. My husband is behind me, calling loudly with a cold face. I immediately withdraw my hand from Andermis, hurriedly walk inside. I do not resist, completely surrendered to my husband. I drap his shoulders as we walk upstairs, bowing like an obedient woman to my husband. No one knows what happened on the hill, and I do not want to mention it again. The only thing everyone needs to know is that Fiona Morten is an obedient wife, caring, and listens to Augustin Morten. Soon, I will be pregnant with the heir to this family. I will maintain my integrity. I will preserve the virtue of a woman and the faith of a devout bell. One thing that I always have to remind myself not to forget, I am a Morten.
I follow him up the stairs to return to my familiar room. Andermis' gaze still follows my every step, but there is nothing else he can do. I bow my head and walk silently. Everything can change quickly in the blink of an eye.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
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When I wake up, Augustin has already left the house early, and I do not know where he has gone. Andermis also left mysteriously during the night. He did not leave any words, and no one knows where he went. The maid Anna tells me about master Andermis packing his luggage in a flurry and leaving on a midnight train without turning back.
If I say that I do not feel disappointed and completely indifferent to Andermis' absence, it would surely be a lie. Part of me has disappeared with Andermis, and now I feel really empty. Last night, before Augustin and I fulfilled our obligation to each other, I heard the two siblings talking back and forth. Andermis must have confronted him and questioned the wounds on my body. Whether in Drevolre or Aries House, there is at least one man who really cares about and protects me. Sometimes I wonder what I have cultivated to experience such despair, and what virtues have allowed me to meet good people like Andermis. I do not understand either. I think it is a game that God has left for me. Perhaps one day I will realise, but not in the near future.
I stand by the window, looking down at a large corner garden with a fountain in the centre. The sound of the gate opening makes me glance over. A black car drives in and stops right in front of the door. A servant walks up to open the car door, and out steps a young woman in a light pink dress. I cannot see her face clearly, but I imagine she must have a very beautiful one. The fur hat she is wearing looks very fashionable, as does the leather purse she is carrying along. I silently wonder who she could be, appearing with such grace. Could it be that Augustin has a sister I do not know about? Perhaps she is my mother-in-law's niece or someone close. But then, when the other door opens and a familiar person steps out, I immediately stop guessing. I should have looked out earlier!
My husband steps out of the car, looking very happy. He even looks up at the room, as if he knows I am watching from above. He smiles triumphantly, while I do not bother to show any emotions. Augustin walks over to the woman. He extends his arm in a polite manner, and she takes it. The two walk in, like a pair of lovebirds, completely oblivious to anyone or anything else.
I take a deep breath, then shake my head in frustration. I walk to the door of the room and lock it tightly. But then, as if I have thought of something, I unlock it and go downstairs.