EPISODE 5

The study was quiet.

Mabel stood before the desk, now changed into plain clothes. Abel stood a short distance behind her, tense and alert. Merove slammed his palm lightly against the table.

“What exactly are you trying to do?” he demanded. “Rejecting suitors so openly, have you thought about your future at all? You don’t want to work anymore, so settling down is the reasonable path.”

“I will,” Mabel replied evenly. “But why are you forcing those men on me? I don’t like any of them.”

Merove stood. “Oh?” His gaze sharpened. “So there’s someone you do like. Is that why you disappeared for two weeks?”

“I was with Irene,” Mabel said. “I already told you.”

Merove narrowed his eyes. “With Irene, yes. But who escorted you back?” He scoffed. “I spoke with her father. They knew nothing about your departure. So you lied.”

Mabel flinched, but said nothing.

Merove exhaled sharply. “You’ll meet Mr. Trovis tomorrow.”

Her brows drew together. “I see,” she said coldly. “You’re tired of me now, aren’t you? Ever since I stopped obeying you.”

“Don’t spout nonsense,” Merove snapped.

“Nonsense?” Mabel lifted her head. “You eliminated me, then handed Rebecca a position , even though you know she’s incapable. She can’t even manage a basic conversation.”

“She’ll learn,” Merove replied flatly. “And your elimination was your own doing. Stop blaming others.”

Mabel’s jaw tightened. “First, you never explained your involvement with Aunt Jane. You married her, accepted her daughter...fine. But now I’m treated like a burden. No role in this household, nothing. You’re desperate to marry me off.”

Her voice rose despite herself.

“Ever since I found out your so-called secret, you’ve been like this. Always comparing me to her, to Rebecca , so tell me,” she said sharply, “should I make another guess? That Rebecca is your biological daughter?”

Abel snapped his head toward her. " Sis.!”

Merove lost control.

The slap wasn’t hard, but the sound echoed.

Mabel froze.

It wasn’t the pain that shattered her, it was the fact that he did it at all.

Abel hurried to her side and looked at Merove.

“Dad.”

Merove stood still, anger and guilt tangled on his face.

“You , how could you speak to your father like that?” he said harshly. “I raised you with all the love I had.”

Mabel looked at him, her glistening with tears despite her control.

“Yes,” she said quietly. “But where did that love go now?”

She swallowed and added, “You slapped me because of that woman.”

Merove blinked, his voice dropping.

“Mabel… dear, I..”

She turned away sharply and walked out of the study.

Abel took a step after her, then stopped and turned back to Merove.

“Dad… what are you doing?”

Merove exhaled heavily, rubbing his face.

“I… I just want her to settle down.”

.

Mabel stormed into her room and slammed the door shut with a loud thud. Barely holding back a cry, she slid down to the floor, her back against the door.

After some time, a maid knocked and entered quietly.

“Miss…”

Mabel, now seated on the couch, looked up. Her eyes were red and swollen from earlier.

“Misa,” she said hoarsely, “find out where Edric Thorne is staying. He’s in Eryda, right?”

Misa blinked in surprise. “Yes… I’ll find out soon.”

“It’s a secret,” Mabel added. “Don’t tell anyone. And try to find out by morning.”

Misa nodded and left the room.

Mabel exhaled and walked to the table. Picking up the card, she muttered, “He’s in Eryda, so calling the landline will be useless… I’ll just meet him directly.”

.

Morning came, and Mabel didn’t leave her room for breakfast. Misa entered later, carrying a tray, placed it down, and said,

“Miss, Mr. Thorne is currently staying at Cassa Coral Hotel, one of their branches here.”

Mabel blinked and nodded. “Fine. You may go now.”

After the door closed, Mabel rushed to her closet, scanning through her dresses.

“Which one… something suitable.”

As she said suitable, her gaze drifted toward the prettier ones. She tried three dresses. Finally, she stood before the mirror in a teal-green dress. Turning slightly, she nodded to herself.

“This one looks fine. I’ll go with this.”

She picked up a comb and started doing her hair. Minutes later, she was ready. She grabbed her bag, some cash, and the card Edric had given her. Taking a sharp breath, she walked out of the room.

As she reached the hall, hurrying toward the exit, Rebecca appeared from the side corridor.

“Oh my,” she said lightly, eyes sweeping over Mabel’s attire. “Where are you going, dressed up like that? To meet Mr. Trovis, perhaps?”

Without turning back, Mabel replied flatly, “Mind your own business.”

Rebecca’s jaw tightened. As she walked toward the stairs, she muttered just loud enough for Mabel to hear, “Fine. Answer to Dad later, then.”

Mabel said nothing and stepped out of the mansion.

.

Later, she stood in front of the hotel, staring up at the building. She took a sharp breath, exhaled, and walked inside.

The lobby was quiet and refined. She approached the reception desk, where a man looked up politely.

“How may I help you, miss?”

“Is Mr. Thorne staying here?” she asked.

The receptionist blinked. “Yes, he is. Do you have an appointment?”

Her brows twitched slightly. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the card Edric had given her. “No. But he said I could meet him.”

The receptionist examined the card, his expression changing. “Please wait a moment.”

He gestured to a nearby staff member and whispered something. After a brief exchange, he looked back at Mabel.

“You may follow him.”

Mabel nodded and followed the man without hesitation.

They walked on. The man gestured toward the mechanical lift ahead and asked her to enter first. Mabel hesitated for a heartbeat before nodding and stepping inside, the man following close behind.

As the lift began to move upward with a soft mechanical hum, Mabel stiffened slightly.

"It’s been days," she thought. "Did he perhaps find someone else…? "

When the lift came to a halt, they stepped out into a quiet corridor. The silence felt deliberate, the kind reserved for private guests. As they walked, Mabel glanced at the richly furnished walls.

Then, She collided with someone.

A lady with dark brown hair and sharp grey eyes stopped abruptly.

“I’m sorry,” Mabel said at once.

The lady looked tense, irritated. Without replying, she brushed past Mabel, muttering, “Watch where you’re going.”

Mabel blinked, annoyance flickering across her face.

''What a rascal," she thought. "Can’t she speak politely? I apologized, didn’t I ? "

Muttering a few inaudible curses under her breath, she followed the man again. As they neared a door at the end of the corridor, a realization struck her.

''This is a private suite….That lady came from this direction."

The man knocked once and said, “Sir, a lady is here with your VIP card.”

A voice answered from inside, calm.

“Let her in.”

Mabel’s heart thudded once. She swallowed hard as the door opened and stepped inside.

Edric was seated on the couch. He looked at her and gestured for her to sit.

“Miss Alkiza, I almost thought that not giving any answer was your way of rejecting the contract.”

Mabel blinked and quietly took the seat. “I was thinking.”

Edric leaned back slightly. “So, have you thought enough?”

She nodded. “Yes… I agree to your deal.”

Edric arched a brow, then smirked, clearly satisfied. “Good. That saves me the trouble of finding someone else. Then let’s sign the contract.”

Mabel nodded.

Edric stood, walked to the drawer, and pulled out a document. “I had this prepared in case you agreed, or in case someone else did.”

Mabel remained silent.

He sat back down, handing her the papers, and began to explain. “The terms are simple. First, this is a deal for mutual benefit, nothing more. You will play the role of my legal wife, appearing with me in public and managing my household.”

He glanced at her briefly before continuing. “Second, we will not interfere in each other’s personal lives. No affection is expected, but scandals are unacceptable.”

He leaned back. “Third, I will compensate you for playing my wife, and you will receive additional alimony after the divorce.”

Mabel read the document while listening carefully.

“Fourth,” Edric continued, “you will take the Thorne name as my wife and move into my manor as a married couple. I assure you separate rooms and no other obligations.”

She nodded faintly, eyes still on the paper.

Edric exhaled. “Lastly, the marriage will last six months. That should be enough.”

His lips curved slightly. “Do you agree, Miss Alkiza?”

Mabel lifted her gaze. “Yes. I agree.”

"Just six months… that should be fine," she thought. .

Edric reached for the fountain pen resting on the table. “Then sign here.”

She took the pen, signed the document, and slid it back to him. Edric leaned forward and added his signature before extending his hand.

“Then we are in agreement, Miss Alkiza.”

She shook his hand. “Yes.”

Edric nodded once. “Good. Now then, let’s discuss the remaining arrangements.”

she replied quietly. “Fine.”

Edric nodded once. “I will inform my grandfather. You can tell your father...will that be all right?”

Mabel blinked and leaned back, her thoughts spiraling.

"Right… well. I have a feeling I might get another slap."

She nodded slowly. “Yes. I suppose it will be.”

“After that,” he continued, “we will need a family meeting. As for the wedding, let’s keep it simple, only a few guests as witnesses.”

She nodded again, silently. Her mind was already racing ahead, imagining her father’s horrified expression once he heard the news and bracing herself to tell him tonight.

Edric studied her for a moment, then said evenly, “If you wish, I can accompany you when you speak to your father.”

She snapped her head up. “No.”

The refusal came out sharper than intended. She steadied herself and added firmly, “I’ll talk to him tonight. I’ll inform you tomorrow.”

"I certainly can’t," she thought. "What if he slaps me again, and in front of him? No. That kind of humiliation is out of the question."

Edric blinked once, then inclined his head. “Very well.”

After a moment, she spoke again.

“And… what if my father refuses?”

He looked at her.

She continued, “You see, he already has matches in mind.”

Edric exhaled lightly. “Then that can’t be helped. Still, try to persuade him. You’ve already signed the contract, after all.”

She let out a slow breath. “Right. I’ll be leaving now.”

He nodded. “You can find me here tomorrow. I’ll have Cael escort you directly no need for the card.”

She nodded and turned to leave, her steps tense as her father’s furious expression flashed through her mind.

She opened the door, then paused. She hesitated, blinked, and looked back.

“Um… could you ask someone to guide me back? My sense of direction is terrible.”

He looked at her; his brows twitched once before he exhaled. Rising from his seat, he walked toward her.

“I’ll see you out.”

He stepped into the corridor, and she followed.

They walked quietly down the hall until they reached the mechanical lift. She glanced at him and said, “I can go from here.”

“It’s fine,” he replied evenly.

She didn’t press further. Silence settled between them as the lift descended. When it came to a halt, they stepped out. The receptionist and several staff members glanced at them curiously.

She stopped and turned slightly. “Then..”

“Sis.”

Her words died in her throat.

She froze.

Snapping her head toward the voice, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

Abel was seated at a nearby table with his friends, staring at her in open question.

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