Chapter 5 Lady Ferhaag (TESSA)
The giant gates swung open, revealing a magnificent white mansion with a roundabout and a fountain with a white marble statue of a goddess. Zeal stopped the car in the driveway. He unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out without saying a word to me.
Asshole.
I frowned in disgust at the dried blood on the tutu of my dress. I couldn't wait to take it off and throw the damn thing away.
"Whose blood is on your clothes? Are you hurt?"
"I thought you didn't care about me."
"I'm just asking. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
I turned to walk past him, but he grabbed my wrist.
"It's Anthonio's blood. I'll prepare for his funeral after I've cleaned up and changed."
"Do I have to come with you?"
"Not now. Tomorrow you'll be Lady Ferhaag, mourning Anthonio's death."
"I'm not mourning. You know full well I hated him. In fact, I'm glad he's dead."
I thought Zeal would get angry or slap me, but instead he just stared at me coldly.
“Then pretend to be a grieving lady. I know you can do it.”
“Tch, I’d rather have a party celebrating his death.”
Zeal walked first into his adoptive father’s magnificent mansion. The maids lined up neatly at the entrance. A butler approached Zeal. He nodded respectfully.
“Sir, I’ve heard the news of Mr. Ferhaag’s death.”
“Yes, he died in battle. From now on, I will take over all his affairs, including the affairs of this mansion.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I want you to dismantle Anthonio’s room and replace all the furniture. From now on, I will be occupying the master bedroom with my wife.”
There was a faint gasp. I was sure Zeal heard it too, but he chose to ignore the maids’ shock.
“Come here, Tessa.”
The maids stared at me as if I were an alien from Mars. They clearly didn’t respect me as their new mistress. They viewed me more like a bitch who had the good fortune to marry Zeal.
“She is my wife, Quintessa Ferhaag.”
My stomach churned hearing my new name. Even though I failed to marry Anthonio, I still had his name after mine. How ironic.
“Serves her well. She will have full control of this mansion after me. Are you all clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
They answered in unison, their faces lowered to the floor.
“Hudson, my wife and I will be taking the guest room for tonight. I want the master suite ready by tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, sir. Will you be hosting a banquet here after Mr. Ferhaag’s funeral?”
“No. This house is sterile. I will hold the funeral and banquet in the Ferhaag Atrium. But Adler will be reading Anthonio’s will in three days. You prepare the library.”
“Yes, sir.”
Zeal gestured for me to follow him to the guest room. I thought he was going to make me climb the stairs in that heavy tutu, but no. He led me to the elevator, then took me to the third floor.
“I don’t see any friendliness in their faces.”
“They’re paid to work, not to be friendly.”
“At least they showed me some respect.”
“You earn respect, not just get it. Show them you deserve it.”
“As far as I can remember, I’m the lady of this house.”
“You’re just a tool to pay off your father’s debt. You’re no better than them.”
Bastard.
He’s insulted me countless times. He always used my misfortune as a weapon to bruise my ego.
“You’re only Anthonio’s adopted son. It must have been hard for you to earn their respect the first time you set foot in this house.”
“It’s not that hard if you know the tricks.”
Zeal deliberately walked ahead of me out of the elevator to get the sensitive topic of his status out of the way. But as long as I was his wife, I wouldn't stop bringing it up around him. Just like he constantly reminded me that I was just a possession.
"This is our temporary bedroom."
"Our? Do I really have to share a room with you?"
"You're my wife. It's only right that we share a room. Come in."
