"I've trans…" he swallowed back the words almost immediately as he was about to spill out the truth.
He wanted to tell them that he'd paid for the surgery fee, but on second thought, there was no need to tell them since they wouldn't appreciate his efforts. They were going to mock him instead. They could lay false allegations on him that he stole to pay for his wife's surgery.
He couldn't forget how the entire family humiliated him last year during Olivia's birthday because he gave her a second-hand necklace from a store.
She poured expensive wine on him, made him undress, and forced him to clean up while the family and guests watched.
He snapped out of his thought and his gaze met with the cold and hateful glares on their face. He ignored their expression like it was nothing and shoved his old mobile phone into his pocket.
"What do you want to show us, you good-for-nothing human?" Madam Kate cursed under her breath. She glared at him with anger seething through her.
She couldn't hide her anger and hatred for the poor man before her. She wouldn't have let her granddaughter marry someone like him if it wasn't because of the contract.
She was going to change that soon because she couldn't afford to be an in-law to someone as wretched and poor as him.
"What do you expect him to show us? He only wants to show you that he has nothing on his account."
"I'm sure that the bank would have probably frozen his account because he has no money there," William said mockingly.
All Smith could do was watch as they mock and humiliate him in the presence of his weak-looking wife at the sick bay. He knew better than anyone to keep quiet. He wouldn't want to make madam Kate angrier than she was.
"I regret being a mother-in-law to someone as poor as you. You can't even afford to pay the hospital bill for your wife not to talk about the surgery fund," Olivia spat out angrily.
It was disgraceful that her daughter's husband couldn't afford to cater to her beautiful daughter. She couldn't be proud of her daughter's husband among the family and friends.
She couldn't wait for her daughter to get on her feet so that she could make her leave Smith for a better man. She wanted someone wealthy and influential for her daughter.
"But I've…" he paused as a hot slap landed at the left side of his cheeks.
He was shocked and taken aback by Madam Kate's action.
"Whenever the rich talk, wretched people like you keep shut and listen," she warned and rolled her eyes at him.
Smith bit his lower lips and tightened his knuckles, forcing back the tears that threatened to pour down from his eyes.
"She's right. Until you're able to pay your wife's surgery fund, then you're allowed to talk to us," William chimed in.
What if they knew he'd paid for the surgery fund?
"You'd better leave my daughter if you know what's good for you," she warned, her voice cold and hostile.
"I can't leave her," he suddenly said adamantly. They turned to him in disbelief.
He could afford their humiliation and mockery, but he couldn't afford to leave Georgina, not even now. She was the reason he was enduring their humiliation.
They were shocked and taken aback by his outburst. They couldn't believe that he could still be interested in their daughter despite what they'd done to him.
Madam Kate gritted her teeth in anger and disappointment as she stared at Smith.
"You have the time now, and if you choose to be adamant. I promise you that you'll regret your action eventually," he scoffed inwardly as he listened to their threats.
He was unfazed by it. He didn't care anymore.
"I don't care," he muttered with a sigh, his voice sounding cold.
He breathed out in relief as madam Kate and Olivia stormed out of the room, leaving William, who was leaning on the wall with a smirk on his face.
"Try to take your bath with good soap. You stink." William patted his shoulder and walked out of the ward.
Georgina, on the other side, shook her head with a sigh as she watched as her family humiliated Smith. Although she didn't have feelings for him, she wouldn't deny that she didn't like the way he was being treated by her family.
Smith forced out a smile as he turned his gaze to his beautiful wife, who was lying weakly on the bed.
He walked closer to her, sat on the chair beside the bed, and stroked her cold and pale hand. It was so soft and succulent.
He couldn't remember when last he had body contact with her.
He shook his head with a sigh as she slowly withdrew her hand from his hand. Although he was sad, he made sure to maintain a smile on his face.
He could sense it in her face that she was ashamed of him, even though she tried to hide it.
"I'm sorry about…" he interrupted her, knowing where she was heading to.
"It's fine," he muttered.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'm fine," she replied. Even though her voice came out weak, it still sounded melodious and sweet to his ears.
"You don't have to worry about anything. I promise that I'll raise the surgery fund for you as soon as possible."
"Where would you get such an amount of money between now and next week?" she asked. He knew she was underestimating him like her family did.
"I…" he shuddered since he didn't know what to say.
If the wife he trusted underestimated him in such a way, what else did he have to say?
Though his conversion didn't turn out the way he wanted, it was the longest conversation he had ever had with her after two years of being married to her.
The door pulled open with a creaking sound, snapping him out of his deep thoughts.
"The doctor wants to see you."
*
"Good afternoon, doctor Lincoln," he greeted and extended his hand for a handshake.
To his demise, the doctor only smiled and sat down on the swivel chair without shaking him.
It did not surprise him since her family had humiliated him countless times in the presence of the doctor. The doctor no longer respects him.
Lincoln stared at him for a while. He couldn't believe that someone looking so dirty and poor like him could afford to pay 500 thousand dollars within a few hours.
Smith bit his lower lips, dropped his hand, and sat down on the chair at the front of the doctor.
"May I know the reason you called for me?" He asked in a bitter tone as he placed his hand under his clenched jaw.
"Yes. Firstly, I would like to commend your effort over your wife, Miss Georgina, even though it's surprising you paid sooner than expected."
Though he knew that Lincoln was indirectly mocking him, he nodded his head gently without saying anything as he listened to the doctor.
"I contacted you regarding the surgery operation that is scheduled to take place on her in the next two days."
"What's the problem? You can go ahead."
"Or is there a problem?" He asked as he noticed the skeptical look on the doctor's face.
"Yes, there is," he looked up in an instant.
"What is it?" He asked eagerly, and worries filled his voice.
"After running a series of tests on her, we found out that her chance has dropped from 60 percent to 40 percent," the doctor said, and worries washed over his face.
"And it's because of the fetus in her." he blinked his eyes as he heard the doctor's last statement.
"Fetus!?" Although he didn't know much about medical terms, he knew that a fetus referred to an unborn baby.
"Yes, the unborn baby in her," the doctor cleared his doubts.
"What baby!?" He asked in shock.
Smith stared at the doctor for a while, shocked and awestrucked by his disheartening revelation. It wasn't had been disheartening if he was the owner of the unborn child in her.He can't certainly be the father of the unborn child in her. He could remember vividly that he'd never have sex with her before. They were just only husband and wife on signed paper. He sleeps on the floor while the wife, Georgina, sleep on the bed. So how did she manage to get pregnant? Who's the father of the unborn child in her?He couldn't ignore the pain that stung his heart as his nins reminisced on the questions he'd asked himself. Though she obviously doesn't love him, he couldn't believe she could cheat on me. Wasn't she cheating? The slight bang on the table brought him out of his world of thoughts. He blinked his eyes and turned to the doctor, who looked at him in confusion. "What's wrong with you, Mr Smith?"the doctor, Lincoln, asked as he stared at Smith who was lost in thought. "I'm fine.
Smith swallowed hard the lump that formed in his throat as he walked into the big restaurant which wasn't occupied with many customers like it used to be.He ignored the disdainful looks the customer threw at him. He can't take it to his heart since he's used to it anyways. He made his way toward his boss's office. He took a deep breath as he stared at the wooden door of his boss, Mr Peter, before him. He leaned closer to knock at the door but the loud voices coming from the office made him stop. "I need money, dad,""What! But I thought I had sent some cash the last two days. So why are you asking me for money today?"He shook his head with a sigh as he heard his boss daughter, Madelyn, in the office. It's obvious that they're at it again. "Because I've used it and I need it,"she replied nonchalantly. "What do you take me for? As your money making machine?""I don't know, dad. What is the reason why you're working? It's because of me obviously so why are you being reluctant
"Huh?"He turned to her and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. He couldn't believe his ears. What!? His wife offer to massage his hand? It's really hard to believe her statement because she'd never show him care as a wife ever since they've married as husband and wife. He wouldn't believe her because it was a contract marriage. He didn't plan to but he didn't have choice since the Grandpa chose him for his first elder daughter. "So what do you think?"her soft voice brought him out of his thoughts. He looked up and swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. She is serious. He thought. Although he's yet to recover from the shock, he nodded his head affirmatively to her statement. "Yes…"though he wanted to speak firmly but his voice shook the moment he uttered the word. He can't possibly lose the chance. A massage from his wife. "Okay. Wait while I get the balm,"she said, stood up from the chair and walked to the cabinet on the floor. He couldn't believe his eyes as she ret
"What!"Georgia lowered her head in fear as she stared at the angry looks on their faces. Madam Kate's expression suddenly turned cold and stoic. She looked up at Georgia who averted her angry gaze. Pregnant? With who? She doesn't want to believe it was with Smith. She wouldn't dare get pregnant with him. "What's wrong with you? What are you saying?"Olivia asked as she dragged her into a place beside the hall room. "Nothing is wrong with me. I'm pregnant mum,"she muttered with her voice laced with pain and sadness. "With how? How can you get pregnant now?"her mother asked in an angry tone. She scoffed loudly and rolled her eyes at her mother. "What do you mean? I'm old enough to give birth, right?"she grunted, and her mother shook her head with a sigh. "I never said you're not old enough to give birth,""That isn't the matter right now. I need to know who is responsible for the baby,""Mum,"she groaned, trying to mask the frustrated look on her face. "Who's the father of the
Next morning, Smith yawned softly as he woke up from the slumber. He turned to the other side of the bed and sighed as his gaze met with the empty side of the bed. His wife wasn't on the bed. He wondered where she'd gone. She must have left her work, modeling agency.He whined as his wrist twitched in pain. A smile formed on his face when he remembered how Georgia massaged and caressed his wrist. Though her attitude yesterday was right, he couldn't help wishing for more. He wanted to be a real husband even though it's almost impossible. He exhaled after sniffing her whiff of perfect and intoxicating scent on the bed. His body reacted to the scent in such a way he couldn't describe. Though he wanted to forget and act like nothing happened yesterday night, he couldn't take the scene from his head. It's indeed strange to him that his wife offered to help him massage his arms and allowed him to sleep on the bed for the first time. It's a scene he couldn't take away from his head eas
What!?Smith stared at her with a surprised expression, taken aback by her action. She hugged him with tears rolling down from her eyes. His shoulder was drained with her tears but he didn't mind it. He couldn't hide the shock after she hugged him. Why wouldn't he be surprised? This was the first time he'd hugged her apart from the aisle of their wedding where they pretended to love each other. He breathed in as her fragrance hit her nose. He made use of the opportunity and hugged her back even though he was somehow reluctant. She is his wife, right? He asked himself as he began to feel guilty for hugging her back in such a state. He felt like he was taking advantage of her. He stared at her and stroked her hair for a while until she sniffed back a bead of tears and stepped backward.Though the hug wasn't long, it felt so real and good that he wish she didn't stop hugging him. "What's wrong?" He managed to ask after stretching out a white handkerchief to her. "Thanks," she mutte
Smith shook his head with a sigh as he stared at the old and outdated design of his in-law house. It's hard to believe that the second daughter of Madam Kate could be living in such a place. This is one of the reasons Georgia's mother, Olivia, is desperate to marry someone rich who can afford to buy her a good house. He shoved his hand inside his pocket as he passed through the hallway that led to their house. He wanted to turn and leave when he remembered how they humiliated him in the presence of Edward just because he couldn't visit and greet them with gifts. He shoved the thought away from his mind. He believed they might change since their daughter seems to be becoming close to him. And if they humiliated him like they used to, he would not take it to his heart since he's used to their insult and abuse all day. He suddenly stopped as he came closer to their room. He heard some familiar voices oozing from the house. He knew something could be wrong though he couldn't tell what
What! A gasp escaped from her mouth and she turned her cold gaze to her mother, Olivia. "What did you just say, Mum?" She asked in a surprised tone. She wanted to know if her mother was joking even though her mother's expression said it all. She was dead serious. "You heard me right baby girl so you should find something to do about this before it gets too late,""And besides, there's nothing you're going to lose if you choose to lose him. He's poor and useless. He's the family dog and good-for-nothing being…""That's enough mum," she growled deeply, and her mother scoffed then crossed her arms under her breasts. She is quite angry that her mother keeps throwing shade at him because he's poor even though he'd been trying his best to satisfy the family in one way or the other. His efforts are quite useless because he isn't rich and comfortable. Though she doesn't like him, she feels bad for him. She shoved off his thought and turned her gaze to her mother with a cold and hostile