CHAPTER 2: DESPERATE FOR ATTENTION

WILLOW'S POV:

The Ball finished around midnight and I was all exhausted. My legs aches from wearing those heels and fake smiling with the guests.

I retired back to my room and shut it. I sat on the bed and sighed, thinking back on the events at the party.

I shook my head to get rid of all those negative thoughts and bad memories.

"I need to shower", I said to myself and took off my dress.

Yes, you are right, Noah and I do not share a room. When we got married, I was over the moon to share our first night together in The Wellesley mansion and I could remember vividly the horrific words he said to me.

I had followed his fast pace upstairs but he didn't look at me once, he finally stopped at the door and turned to me.

"And where is it you think you're going?", He asked in his deep manly voice that I got intimidated.

"I-I want to--", He didn't let me finish.

"Do you really think I would share a room with a lowlife like you?".

"But w-we are married", I murmured in shock.

"I'm surprised you don't reek of desperation. You're dripping with it", He scoffed and went into his room, slamming the door in my face.

I laughed at the memories of that day. It was from that day Noah showed me how much my presence disgusts him.

I have stayed in this room, alone, for three good years after my marriage with Noah and not once has he come knocking on the door.

I quickly took a cold shower, letting the water tickle down my back to my buttocks and under my feet. After showering, I got out of the bathroom and got ready for bed as it was 1:12am.

"Haaa... what a day", I sighed as my head hit the mattress.

★★★

I woke up to the loud noise from downstairs. It was so loud I couldn't ignore it no matter how much I tried.

'Fuck! There goes my peaceful morning', I cussed even though I know there isn't any peaceful morning for me in The Wellesley mansion.

I yawned and dragged myself out of bed and walked to the door, placing my ear to decipher what the commotion was about. I couldn't hear properly and just let it go.

I quickly showered and went downstairs to help prepare breakfast. Mrs Wellesley hates it when I oversleep and miss out on helping in the kitchen. Sometimes I wonder if I was one of their worker.

"Good morning mother", I kept my head low as I greeted the grumpy Lady of The Wellesley family as she supervised the cooking.

"And why are you up late?!", She barked and it took so much in me not to roll my eyes.

'Maybe it's because I barely slept at all after last night ball!', God forbid I'd say that to her. She would have me whipped.

"I'm sorry mother", I quietly apologized and went to help set the table.

It was time for breakfast and as usual, everyone were seated on their respective seats. Mr Wellesley at the head of the table and his wife on his right hand side. Noah sat opposite to his mother and Ryan right next to him.

Ava sat next to Mrs Wellesley and Charlotte next to her mother. It was so obvious I was an outcast as I sat far from them.

"Can I sit with Aunty Willow, mommy?", Charlotte announced while everyone started eating and I almost choked. My eyes remained on my plate as I took small bites.

"Why?", Ava cringed.

"Because she always eats alone. Why can't she sit with us grandma?", The little girl inquired again and I could just imagine the look on their faces.

"That's because she likes eating alone", Mrs Wellesley replied her granddaughter and I almost chuckle.

'Wow, lying to your granddaughter?', I said in my head.

I slowly lifted my head to look at them and Charlotte had a sad pout on her face. Noah didn't even give a damn about what was happening, he ate his food like a gentleman.

"But--", Charlotte tried to defend but her mother wouldn't let her.

"That's enough. Eat!", Ava scolded.

"Don't yell at the kid, Ava... Eat your food Char", Mr Wellesley said in his deep voice.

If I was being honest, Mr Reginald Wellesley doesn't hate me or should I say, doesn't even notice me. He normally would turn a blind eye to how his family treated me but he never joins them in their maltreatment.

He was the one who arranged and agreed with my father and stepmother on the marriage between me and his son.

'But why would he', I was a nobody. It couldn't possibly be to safe his companies, or to build more connection with the business world. Matter of fact, he was the one who gave that to my family, so what gain am I to him?

This was something I couldn't think of till now.

After a while, everyone was done with breakfast. Noah was the first to leave as he was headed to work.

Not once did he spare me a glance and it didn't bother me, I should be used to it by now. I helped cleared the table and was about leaving the kitchen when I bumped into someone.

"Ouch!", I shrieked. I lifted my head to see who I bumped into or if was just a brick wall.

To my surprise, it was Noah and he didn't have a please look on his face.

"I thought you left for work alrea--".

"Why do you so desperately seek for my attention... What? You suddenly are running low on those innocent good girl tricks, that you outwardly resort to physical touch?", Noah blew hot and I felt embarrassed.

My cheeks grew hot and I tried to hide my face away from his.

"It was simply an accident, don't--", I tried to defend myself but he cut me off.

"Stop with the innocent pretence, you're just a conniving bitch", He said and took stepped away from me as if I was infectious. I gasped at his last word and I couldn't hold the tears back any longer.

He scoffed and walked away.

"Why would he do that to his wife?".

"Serves her right!".

"I love this!".

"Sir Noah is too cruel".

"That should teach her a lesson, ha!".

"Sure a witch!".

I couldn't block out the vicious words from the workers and I quickly went upstairs. I don't blame them, I came into this house and they saw how I was treated by those who were supposed to be my new family. I was worse than a servant.

I speed walk upstairs to my room and Ava was inside, going through my stuffs.

"What are you doing here?!", I yelled at her and she shivered.

That was the first time I raised my voice at her and she was surprised as I was. I wasn't in the right mood and I came here cry in peace and alone.

"I came here to talk to you about something", She said, dropping my novel on the floor. I looked around my room and it was a mess, she completely and intentionally scattered the place.

"I'm not in the mood, Ava", I sighed and tried to avoid her.

"Is that the way to talk to someone older than you?!", She fumed.

"Look, I don't give a fuck!", I blurted. Realizing what I just said, I quickly held my mouth and Ava gasped.

"Di... did you j-just cuss at me?".

"I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to", I quickly apologized.

"Wow, you suddenly feel so big. Why? because my daughter spoke up for you today at the dining table? You think we are equals now?", She accused.

"What?! N-no!".

She moved towards me, shoving her index into my shoulder as she pushed me with every word she said.

"I don't know what nonsense you've been filling into my child's head, but I want it to end this instant... Stay away from my Char, you and her and not from the same class!!", She said, finally pushing me to the ground.

I fell on my butt and wince in pain. She scoffed and walked away, slamming the door.

I was so hurt, not from the fall but from her words. First it was Mrs Wellesley, then Noah at the kitchen, now Ava. I was getting drained and tired of their constant ill words towards me.

I couldn't complain to my father or stepmother. They would always remind me on how I should tolerate them as they are my family and how I should take responsibility for once.

I cried for minutes in that spot, begging the universe to just end my suffering.