"Please open the door," Jerome banged on the door. It was raining heavily, and he was very cold.
"I told you to be home in thirty minutes, and it's been an hour now since you left. Why are you coming back so late? That is your punishment—stand in the rain," Mia stood behind the door and said in a harsh tone without opening the door.
"I am sorry, but I was stuck in traffic. Please, it is very cold outside; open the door," Jerome's voice was very shaky.
"Mia, why must you waste your time on this good-for-nothing husband?" Mrs. Cambridge stood on the stairs and said with disdain. If not for her father-in-law who brought this good-for-nothing home and insisted her precious daughter get married to him, she wouldn't have accepted him. She wondered what the old man was thinking. Anytime she went out, she couldn't talk about her daughter having a husband when her mates were doing so because she saw her son in law as a lowlife shameful person.
Jerome stood in front of the door, hoping they would have mercy on him and open it for him, but to his disappointment, nothing like that happened. His emotions couldn't be described: sadness, pain, humiliation. Only God knew how he felt. Tears began rolling down his cheeks. What had he done to nature to punish him that way? Hadn't he suffered enough? When would this end? He was getting tired and might give up one day.
"When will I escape this situation? Why do I have to suffer every day?" He raised his head to the sky and said with a tinge of sadness in his voice.
He stood there for almost an hour, before it stopped raining. Seeing that it had stopped raining, he was finally relieved after all his wife might come to open the door for him to come in.Just as he thought, the door was opened, with his wife glaring at him coldly.
"Can I come in?"He asked to see her cold glare
"Come in? Do you want to flood the place? Stand there until you're dry."
"What? You know I can't endure the cold," Jerome said, astonished. How could he stand till his shirt dried up?"
"No, I can't believe Mia would just leave me outside to freeze," he thought to himself and shook his head in disagreement.
A loud bang from the door snapped him out of his thoughts. She had indeed shut the door and left him outside. He began to feel sharp pains in his left leg, so severe that he couldn't stand it. He had no choice but to sit on the ground. His face twisted in pain, beads of sweat dripped from his brow, and he bit his lip to stifle his cries.
As if his stomach didn't know what was going on, it rumbled. "Damn, I haven't eaten since morning," he cursed under his breath. The rain, which had briefly stopped, started pouring again. It felt like he was being punished for something he didn't do. The pain became unbearable, and he clenched his teeth while holding onto his knees.
Inside the room, Mia had a slightly worried expression, she seemed a bit worried not able to speak out. After a while of holding her words, she looked at her mom. "Mother Jerome can't bear....."
"Why wouldn't he be okay? It's not like we're going to kill him. This should teach him a lesson. You need to assert yourself, so he becomes more obedient. Women shouldn't be weak. Don't feel sorry for him; he wouldn't have shown you any mercy if you were in the same situation," Mrs. Cambridge reassured her daughter before going to sleep. She had seemingly forgotten that Jerome was someone's son as well.
With her mother's words in mind, Mia paid no heed to the plight Jerome might be going through outside. After a while she went into her room and slept. After some time, Mia woke up from her sleep. She didn't know how long she had slept, she frowned realizing everywhere was dark.
"Did I oversleep?" She muttered and checked the time.
"Oh my God."Her eyes widened. It was 30 minutes past 1 a.m at midnight. Seeing this, her heart started to race faster. She had left Jerome outside till midnight. Without wasting time, she quickly rushed out of her room and walked downstairs to open the door. As Mia cautiously swung the door open, a wave of disbelief swept over her as she laid eyes on Jerome.
There he was, huddled in a tight position, his head resting on his laps, and the unsettling shivers of sleep gripping him. Fear clenched at Mia's heart, her body trembling as she observed his distressed state. Despite the shock, her eyes softened with concern, compelling her to approach him with deliberate care. Slowly, she moved towards him, her steps measured, until she knelt beside him.After kneeling beside him, Mia started to move her hand towards him as if wanting to touch him.
But after her hand got midway she stopped retracting it back. "Why should I even care about him? He destroyed my life by coming into it, he should suffer more than this. "She muttered angrily
With this in her head, she hit his head, "get up you lazy man, you're sitting outside sleeping like a child without any worries. Get up!" She yelled at him, "
The piercing yells jolted Jerome awake instantly, raising her head, her eyes met with that of Mia's, "M... Mia... Mia y...yo... You came for me?" He asked with softened eyes still shivering.
"Came for you?"Mia sneered. "It's like the coldness has made you go crazy, get up and come inside. You want to stay here till the next day so that if someone mistakenly sees you I become a bad person right?" She yelled at him.
Jerome frowned and sighed, he wondered till when all this was going to come to an end.
“But.. You asked me to stay here…”
“Shut up. Mia yelled, silencing him. Get inside no more words from you. She got up and turned around walking inside.
Jerome watched her slender waist as she walked inside, he couldn't deny the fact that Mia was beautiful.
I'm sure one day everything will be fine and she'll love me just like how I love her. He sighed and got up walking inside.
Jerome struggled to his feet, "aha," wincing in pain once more. He had almost forgotten about his leg's agony. He held his right leg and limped into the kitchen. Mia stood by and watched, offering no help.
To Jerome's utter shock, there was no food in the kitchen. “Mia, is there no food?" Jerome said after he saw all the bowls were empty.
"Hahahah, arriving late, and you expect someone to cook for you? Do you think we're your servants? Nonsense! Just sleep on your empty stomach; you won't die from one day without food," Mia laughed loudly and with disdain.
"Mia, at least I'm your husband. Do you despise me this much?" He asked, his voice trembling.
"Yes, I don't like you. It's mostly because I think you're not very useful, and your only good quality is your good looks. I'm so embarrassed by our marriage that I can't even tell people about it.
"You're a big disappointment. If I were your mother, I might have regretted having you. But I can't blame her entirely; she probably didn't expect you to turn out this way. If you ever dare to use the word 'wife' with your rude mouth, I won't hesitate to throw you outside. You're a foolish man," she scolded, leaving Jerome very confused.
Hearing the cold words of Mia made Jerome feel like his heart was being sliced into pieces. Without a word he held her hand, his anger boiling like that of a new erupted volcano. His eyes reddened like a lava as he stared at her. “You keep saying bad things and insulting me but I keep quiet, it doesn't mean I'm a food Mia. Don't you call me stupid because I'm trying my best and don't involve my mom in any conversation.” He said, pushing her back lightly.
“Right then, he wished he had never been born. His poor mother died in an accident when he was just three, and that's how he hurt his right leg. He always feels pain when it's very cold.
He had no idea who his father was or where he came from. His mother never told him about his family. All he knew was that he one day woke up in this mansion after the accident. Sadly, the only person who could tell him about his background, the old master, had passed away. The people he called his family considered him worthless. Sometimes he wondered why the old master insisted on him marrying his granddaughter when he knew she didn't love him.
Mia stood there in shock with his mouth wide open. “Did, was that Jerome?" She still couldn't believe her ears.
"Hey, wake up. Don't you know it's time for you to start working?" Mrs Cambridge entered Jerome's room and hit him with a stick. "Mum," Jerome said in his sleepy voice. "How many times have I warned you not to call me that? Do you think you are fit to call me that?" Mrs. Cambridge spat. " I am sorry, but it is three o'clock am, why must I wake up now?" He was perplexed. "We will be receiving visitors today, you must prepare to make sure everything is alright before they arrive." "But who are they? Because I didn't hear anyone talking about them, besides what exactly must I do at this hour?" Jerome said with a sleepy voice. "That's not your business. Just do what you are asked to do." She said and left him. Jerome was tired, it was not even three hours before he went to sleep. He was still feeling pain in his legs, what was there to prepare? He got up to see what he could do. He heard some noise in the kitchen. He knew it was Eleanor. He walked to the kitchen and saw her bu
"Pregnant? You mean you are pregnant? Or I heard it wrongly." Jerome was beyond shocked. He couldn't believe his ear. "And what has that got to do with a servant like you?" Mrs Jackson didn't know what was going on. Even if she knows, does she care? "Because she is my wife." Jerome roared angrily. "Hahahah," aren't you ashamed to utter these words? You think too highly of yourself. Oh, you better wake up from your dreams before we throw you outside." Elidad's words made the people present burst into laughter. "Mia, tell them we are married. And we have been married for five years. We can even show them the marriage certificate if they don't believe it. I know you might be forced into this. Don't worry, we will take care of the child." He spoke softly as he tried to get closer to her. "Hey, you better not come closer. Oh, are you talking about that fake certificate? It seems this has been hidden from you for years." She said with a mocking gaze. "Fake certificate, what do yo
"Doctor, how is he doing?" The old man's voice trembled as he spoke, his hands gripping the wooden walking stick tightly. He was standing next to the doctor, who was dressed in a crisp white coat, his expression somber as he looked at the young man lying on the hospital bed. The young man's face was ashen, his skin pale and drawn. The beeping of the heart monitor filled the room, the only sound breaking the silence. "Don't worry old master, he will be fine. Luckily for him, he was saved early, if not…" the doctor didn't continue further but the old man knew what he meant. He clutched his walking stick, if not that he wanted his grandson to avenge himself, he would have taught those stupid people a lesson they would live to tell their generation. "It's alright doctor, thank God he will be fine." He sighed in relief and turned to the butler, " Butler, please escort the doctor out." The old man instructed his butler. He stared at his long-lost grandson for a while, his was filled wi
Jerome thought about the old man's words and realized he was right. How foolish of him to think of such a thing. What came over him? He would have missed these good things if this didn't happen. "Thank you, old master. Is there a need for a DNA test?" "Not at all, you are your father's photocopy. I trust my instincts. Take this card. It has a sum of two billion dollars. Manage it in the meantime until everything is settled. The old man picked a master card and shoved it in his hands. "T..wo, two.. billion dollars, ho..w is ..that possible." His hands trembled as he stuttered to find the right words. You mean, this card is mine?" Tears began rolling down his cheeks. The old master felt sad. His grandson had suffered. How can he cry over a mere two billion? He regretted that he wasn't able to find him early. "My child, do not cry. This is just the beginning. You are the only heir of this family. You need to be strong so you can face the obstacles ahead." "I am the only heir?
"Nobody knows what happened, but shortly after Jerome was dragged out, the manager came from his office sweating. What's happening here?" He asked in an urgent tone. "Sir nothing big. It's just a thief who came here but he has been dragged outside." The clerk said. "A thief? What do you mean by a thief? Can I know who the person is?" "Mr. Don't worry, he was my ex-husband and I know him. He wouldn't be able to afford anything here so here came to steal things. "Mia chipped in. "Is he still outside? Let me see the person." The manager instructed. "But sir…" the clerk didn't understand what was going on. He tried to reason with him. "Shut up!" The manager rebuked him. They were all startled and were baffled at his actions. "What is wrong? And why is the boss panicking as if he has offended some big shot." She mumbled under his breath. Even Mia was wondering. She escorted him outside and luckily for them, Jerome was about to walk out. The manager looked at the picture on hi
"I am sorry sir. I truly regret my actions." The clerk still held Jerome's legs hoping he would forgive her. She has learned her lessons the hard way. Jerome gazed at the woman who was sitting on the floor. He realized that for the well-being of her newborn baby and ailing mother, he had to let go of his anger and forgive her. He believed that everyone deserved a second chance. "I am willing to give you another opportunity, but you will have to face the consequences of your actions. Your salary will be deducted for the next three months. After that, I will assess your progress and decide whether or not to continue with your employment." " Thank you, sir, thank you very much. Thank you. " Those were the only words the clerk could utter. Only God knows how she regretted her action. She swore to herself never to judge a book by its cover. She swore to herself to always treat customers with a pure and kind heart. "Since he has forgiven you, I have no objections. I hope this won't re
"Won't you let your grandson have a seat and have something to eat first?" the old master said."Oh, I'm really sorry. Come, come," Grandma said and paved the way for him.When he entered, he saw many family members sitting around the dining table. Some stared at him with discerning eyes, while others stared at him curiously. Some stared at him with hatred and envy."Good day," Jerome only said these short words and sat down. His simple greeting triggered some elders of the family. They thought he was being arrogant, but the truth is, he didn't like to talk much and was not good at initiating conversation."Hmmm," his aunt hummed."Good day, dear," his second uncle replied in a friendly tone. The others rolled their eyes. The old master saw everything. He didn't want to interfere and wanted to see how his grandson would handle them."Good day? Is that how you were taught to greet your elders?" His first uncle, who didn't bother to respond to his greetings, said harshly."I am sorry if
Shut up, how dare you? Who do you think you are?" James stood up and pointed angrily at Jerome."But he is right; being in the marketing department will help you. And also, he is my grandson, a blood relative of the Cadell family, the future patriarch and heir of this family. Mind the way you speak to him," the old madam, who had been silent, chimed in and scolded James. This warning was for them all."Mum, even you?" His mouth was wide open. His mother had always defended him no matter what. But today she stood up for this orphan. It's all this bastard's fault. He would make sure he pays for the humiliation he has been through."Well, everything is settled. I am going to introduce my grandson to the world next week. I will announce his arrival and his position next week," the old man finally declared.This time around, they didn't object. They knew it wouldn't end well for them if they continued to challenge the old man. They kept their thoughts to themselves."Good, that is a very w