SWNOVELS Chapter 0022
Chapter 0022
+25 BONUS
My words had barely left my mouth when Bella's trembling voice revated in the space. "Mark!' Her voice quivered with raw emotion and her eyes glinted with unshed tears as she gazed at him, "Stay," she whispered. "My friends are all waiting for you. If you leave, they'll mock me endlessly."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her dramatics.
It was her fault if her friends mocked her. Ever since she returned from her elopement, she had made me look like the villain before her friends and anyone who cared to listen. She would always tell them that she and Mark were the real deal and I, who had always envied her, had taken the opportunity to force myself on Mark when she went abroad for her medical treatment. The bitterness of her accusations still lingered till this day. I had felt betrayed when I had heard it. When I had thought I was saving her name, painting me bad was all I got in return.
I rolled my eyes some more when I saw Mark's expression softened. Even in my grasp, I felt him lightly leaned forward. Before he could utter a word, my hold on his arm tightened. I was surprised at the possessiveness in my grip.
"Sorry, love. No can do," I cooed, my voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. "But my husband." I placed my other hand on his chest, "is very busy. He has to take me home and unlike some people, he has commitments and responsibilities so he has tons of work to get to."
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Anger flared in her eyes, her eyes shooting daggers at my palm on his chest. "You two-faced bitch!" She scowled and her face reddened. I flinched back and raised my brows at the hatred in her eyes, "Didn't just announce that you were going to divorce him? Now you've changed your mind, clinging to him like he's your lifeline."
I rolled my eyes, "Look, couples have issues like this more often...." I trailed off and flicked my wrist in the air; "you're not married, so you won't understand. This is just a little fun between my husband and I. Haven't you noticed that our relationship has improved since we left the courtyard? We're good now." I turned to Mark, fluttering my lashes, “Isn't that right, darling?"
Mark's jaw tightened, the muscles in his face tensed as he gritted his teeth. "You're right." He sounded like the words were forced out of him as he muttered through clenched teeth. All the while, his gaze remained fixed on Bella showing his longing. I bet he was practically itching to run to her.
I lifted my chin, the corner of my lips lifted in a subtle smirk, I rested my head on his shoulder, his warmth seeping into my skin. "See?" I murmured softly with fake affection, "We're good. Now run along, tell everyone we'll be out soon."
Ignoring my presence with a deliberate disregard that almost stung, she turned her attention solely to Mark, her words were accompanied by desperation and forced vulnerability. She placed a trembling hand over her chest, "My chest feels tight, Mark."
Her brows creased and her lips turned down as she tried to make her non existent distress evident, "It feels like there's a weight crushing my chest, Mark. It hurts," she murmured, her voice was strained as she slowly rubbed her chest area. "Please, can you stay with me? Just for a little while," she implored, her voice trembling with a mix of pain and longing, as if hoping it would prompt him to bow to her.
I marveled as I watched her display. She could as well be an actress. It was less wonder Mark was deeply fooled by their lies.
Chapter 0022
+25 BONUS
I let out an exasperated breath and snorted. She was good but I still wondered how Mark could still be oblivious to her manipulative tactics. It was almost as if he were under some kind of spell, unable to see through her facade. With her ample figure and glowing face, she looked nothing like a sick person, let alone someone suffering from a disease. Just because dad had publicly announced that she had a heart disease after she had fled on her wedding day, she made sure to always capitalize on her 'hurting heart' every now and then, especially whenever Mark was around.
The frustration bubbled up inside me as I thought deeper about the situation. Mark and the others were really fools to be honest, their unquestioning acceptance of her supposed illness didn't make sense. How could they be so naive, so easily manipulated by her deceitful facade? With each of their pretenses that I witnessed and lies that I heard, my patience wore thin. My gaze lingered on her as I silently prayed for the moment when Mark's blind trust would crumble and the hidden truth beneath the carefully crafted lies will be out for everyone to see.