Married To My Sister's Husband

MINNESOTA

LUTHEL INC

Silence filled the car on their way home from the airport as the scenery of the city they call home welcomed Livy with both excitement and emptiness.

Markian is typing away on his laptop, totally and completely giving whatever it is that he's doing his undivided attention.

None of them wanted to break the silence that was slowly deafening them but, it's better no one says anything than to say something wrong.

The past 2days have been like that. No one wanted to initiate a conversation and no one wanted to intrude in the other's business.

News had come to Markian that Daniel was already back in Minnesota, so that was one burden half lifted from his chest as he does not have to be so conscious of whether his wife would meet up with Daniel or not.

He tried to occupy his mind this entire journey back how with the Hong Kong contract which he was going to receive from Judy the moment they arrive at Luthel Inc. He has been so busy working on new ideas for it and all.

Livy on the other hand couldn't wait to unburden herself and take a nice long bath. So, it was much of a surprise to her that they arrived at Luthel Inc instead of the Winfrey Mansion.

Also, Judy didn't seem so surprised to see them at all, making Livy wonder why her mother had summoned them so urgently without letting them rest from their trip first.

The seriousness on Markian's face also confirmed the fact that they have been summoned by Judy, and that this wasn't just a courtesy visit to announce their return.

Judy welcomes them both and offered them seats on the couch, and they obliged. She seemed a bit nervous but also excited to hear about the details of how their honeymoon went, as though she was that close to either her daughter or her son-in-law. "So, how was the Caribbean? Hope you both had plenty of fun?" Judy asked with a smile, making Livy a bit uneasy.

When Markian and Livy both hesitated in answering, she grabbed the telephone on the glass stand beside her and called her Secretary to come to serve them some wine from the fridge, but Markian interrupted.

"There'll be no need for that Mrs. Luthel. I only came here to let you know that I kept my own part of our deal, and I hope you'll keep to your word." Markian blurted out, causing a confused raised brow on Livy's forehead.

"Deal? What deal? And why was it so important that we had to come straight here from the airport, Mom? Couldn't you both discuss business later, after we are settled perhaps?" Livy questioned.

She was wondering what the deal they made was about, and why it was so important to Markian that he just had to come straight from the airport to Luthel Inc on their arrival.

She truly was exhausted and just wanted to take a warm bath and have at least 4hrs of rest from everything.

If only her eager mother knew what ordeals she had to go through on her honeymoon, this little forced-reunion would end faster than anyone can say 'tell me all about it'.

"Nothing you need to worry yourself about darling. It's just a little business I have with your husband, that's all" Judy defended rather anxiously.

"Little business, you say? May I remind you that the Hong Kong contract isn't a small matter, and I certainly hope you haven't forgotten your promise to give it to me if I successfully..." Markian commented but was interrupted rudely. "I know what I promised! No need for you to state the obvious." Judy stated nervously but still tried to be graceful about it.

Markian was trying to understand why Judy wasn't being upfront with him. He is beginning to feel like she was about to go back on her word, and that- he wouldn't stand for.

Judy knows how much it would

upset Livy if she finds out that it was her idea to go on a honeymoon vacation, and that she had to make a deal with Markian so he would agree to go with.

So for Markian to babble about this matter in Livy's presence would be causing more harm than good for both of them.

"Obvious for you both maybe, but Markian brought us straight here from the airport, which means it must have been very important to him. So, why don't you both get on with it already." Livy ordered exhaustedly. For her, the quicker they get on with their matter, the faster she gets to rest on her bed.

But she couldn't help but notice that her mother was starting to feel uneasy about their discussion. And if she didn't know better, she would think Judy was trying to hide something from her.

"Great! Since it's pretty obvious to the 3 of us that I'm here to collect what I was promised if I went on this vacation with you, can you please tell your mother to hand over the contract to me already?" Markian requested of Livy.

Well, there was no reason for there to be any secrets between them especially since Livy and her mother had planned the honeymoon together, he was pretty sure the Hong Kong contract was no secret to her either.

"Mother, what is he talking about? What promise did you make about the honeymoon?" Livy asked, now curious to know what the hell Markian was talking about.

"Livy, darling? Could you go wait outside for a bit so I can talk about private matters with your husband?" Judy requested politely, but Livy wouldn't have more secrets kept from her.

"No mother! I'll stay right here and hear what you both have to say" Livy insisted boldly, more agitated and frustrated now than before.

"Of course you will. You know everything already, so I wonder why your mother is starting to play a fool all of a sudden." Markian insinuates, referring to Livy.

"And can you elaborate on what you think that I know? What connection does this... Hong Kong contract have to do with our honeymoon, Markian?" Livy asked, more sternly this time requesting clarity.

"Well, your mother promised me that...." Markian started but was aggressively interrupted by Judy again.

"Will you just shut up Markian? please!... Honey, I'm asking- no, pleading with you to go wait outside." Judy requested more anxiously and nervously than she was a few minutes ago.

She thanked the heavens that Livy didn't argue any further, but angrily stood up and left the room.

Markian on the other hand was more confused and surprised by Judy's outburst than at Livy's anger.

What exactly is going on here? He wondered.

"What the hell is wrong with you?! Are you trying to ruin everything that I've worked so hard to build all these years?!... You could have just dropped her off at your new home first before coming here, would that have been too much for you to do?" Judy questioned angrily. "What difference would it make? It's not like she isn't aware of any of this. After all, wasn't the honeymoon both your idea?" Markian accused.

Judy could only rub her palm on her forehead frustratedly and baffled by how oblivious he was to matters that concern Olivia.

"Of course she doesn't know about anything! She would have been excited to go anywhere with you even if it was to the end of the world. But if she had known that I had made a deal with you to take her on a honeymoon vacation, she would have rejected the offer in a heartbeat!" Judy stated between gritted teeth, clearly upset.

"Wait, What?" Markian asked, receiving this revelation like a bomb without warning, not quite sure he understands what Judy is trying to say.

"That child who does everything I ask her to do without questioning my decisions, stood in front of me the other day to tell me that she wasn't going to marry you. Why?... Because she knew your intention wasn't to get remarry and she didn't want to do anything that would upset you, do you understand?! She, stood up against me for the very first time all for you, even though she was scared. She wouldn't have gotten married to you if I hadn't threatened her with ruining you." Judy blurted out in a fit of rage.

"Livy didn't want to marry me? I don't understand. Are you trying to tell me that all your plans to make me the King of the International market and handing over Luthel Inc someday to me with your daughter by my side was just your plan alone and not Livy's as well?" Markian question in utter surprise and confusion.

It can't be true. Judy is obviously lying right now- but what would she gain by lying? Markian thought.

"She had planned to run away on the day of your marriage and I knew. I knew that if I used force on her it wouldn't work, so I threatened her by telling her how I'll ruin you and Castlehill and I meant it. It was because she cared about you so much that she renounced her freedom and pride just to get you away from my wrath." Judy continued, leaving Markian with more regrets now than questions.

"Why would she do that for me? She completely despised me back then" Markian asked totally bewildered by Judy's confession.

"Don't you understand? It's because she loves you, you dimwit! If she really despised you as you think, why then did she try to save you from me?...[Sigh] I know I've made many mistakes with my daughter, so I needed to do just one good thing for her. Even though I had my own selfish reasons for wanting this marriage, at least it was with the man she loves. And since you cared so much for her late sister, I hoped you would care for her and eventually fall in love with her in time as well." Judy revealed.

There was no point in hiding her true intentions from him now. She had always been frank with Markian so, he had to know this very detail.

"I... I don't believe you. I can't. You're capable of saying anything just to get what you want, you're a businesswoman after all." Markian debated disheartened, hopeful that

Judy was lying so he wouldn't have to feel like he had made a grave mistake.

Judy exhaustedly stood up from the couch and headed to her desk, sat down, and looked up at Markian.

"Do you think I give a hoot if you believe me or not? Whether you believe what I just told you or not, it's entirely your problem. My problem is that you nearly ruined several years of my excessive planning to get Olivia to where she is now. And believe me, if she finds out about the connection of our little agreement with the honeymoon vacation, then we will both be in a whole lot of trouble. Trust me." Judy stated profoundly.

Markian was left in awe of the news he just heard and wondered if what Judy just told him is true. That she and Livy didn't see eye to eye on his marriage to her.

Then everything that Livy had said and done all this while had been true?

Oh no! What exactly have I been doing to that poor girl? he thought.

She had been honest and open with him but he had never believed her let alone trusted her.

"And as for the Hong Kong contract, your cousin was here and he made some very big claims demanding that I hand the contract over to him. He seems to know his way around the Verc, so you should seriously keep a leash on him or else he might take Castlehill from right under your nose. You may leave." Judy advised cruelly and dismissed him abruptly.

Right now, the Hong Kong contract was the least bit of his problems, which was kind of funny because that was all he has had in mind since they started packing up to return from their honeymoon to Minnesota.

But now, he just couldn't shake off the depressing feeling of deep regrets as he struggled to stand up and made his way out of Judy's office.

When he got outside the office, he was finding it hard to stand properly. He looked around but couldn't find Livy, so he asked Judy's secretary of her and was told she had left in anger.

He managed to look cool as he walked carefully to his car and completely broke down when he was sure he was alone with the driver.

'You still love Sophy right? Keep loving her. But no matter what happens from here on out, you must promise me you'll never come back to me with these 3 sentences; I'm sorry, I miss you and I love you. Promise me this, Markian.' He recalled Livy's words and now understood they were words from a broken heart.

She had been open to him, maybe even with her heart so many times, but he had thought it was all a trap and never really bothered or thought twice about crushing her feelings.

His head was spinning and everything was beginning to irritate him.

The hands that had held Livy and pinned her to the wall with so much aggression- hurting her softly, his lips that spoke rudely to her and teased her meanly, his mind that had thought the worst of her and had almost claimed her maliciously. Everything about him irritated him.

What if he had just hurt the last person in his life who cared or gave a hoot about him for who he was and not for what he had.

He was feeling terrible and for him, this was a new and strange feeling.

He was hurting, not from another's betrayal but from his very own- and he had betrayed a lot of people without any remorse before in this lifetime.

He sincerely wishes he could start over and undo all he had done wrong with Livy.

The fear and dread of he pain he had caused her, corrupted him.

How would he be able to face her now?

M. WINFREY VILLA

Arriving at the new mansion, the M. Winfrey's villa was a whole new grand venue for exploration. And when Judy Luthel had said she bought a place for her daughter, she went all out.

But Markian was too depressed to explore his new home. He tried to rest a bit and he is almost grateful Livy wasn't around yet, that way he wouldn't have to feel even worse than he already felt.

'Where is she anyway and why isn't she back home yet?' he wondered to himself.

He was almost dosing off to sleep on the couch where he sat when his phone rang.

He sighed when he saw the caller ID. He had to answer the call unless he wants an even bigger problem on his hand-so a clear mind is what he needs now.

"Markian here." He confirmed half-heartedly.

"It's Jeffery. I'm currently in Minnesota and I'm wondering if you forgot that you promised to get a place set up for me and a driver too, but I don't see anyone here to welcome me Markian. I hope I'm still welcomed?" Jeffery asked disappointedly.

"Oh yeah... I'm sorry about that. I was supposed to handle your accommodation arrangement myself. I can't believe something as important as that escaped my mind." Markian apologized sincerely.

"It's ok, I can just sleep at the airport terminal. It's nothing I haven't done before, you know?" Jeffery stated sarcastically.

"I'm really sorry man. I'll send a car to come to get you and bring you to my place immediately. See you in a bit." Markian replied regrettably before hanging up.

Not really interested in doing anything else, he just called his driver and asked him to go fetch Jeffery from the airport and bring him to the Villa.

It's already after 6 pm and still no word from Livy yet, so now he's getting worried.

Jeffery was already on his way to the villa but Livy wasn't answering her calls and it was stressing him out even more. So much for a restful evening.

WINFREY MANSION

"I must applaud you, Olivia. You've done what I haven't been able to do for the past 17years." Barbra declared, obviously pleased at something that Livy was still finding a bit strange to wrap her head around.

"Do you mean my husband moved us out of the Winfrey mansion without my knowledge? But to where exactly?" Livy asked sounding more upset than curious.

"Well, I don't know, but I think he meant for it to be a surprise. Even his father is still heartbroken that his only son left home. He believes you have separated him from his beloved son, so try to avoid him on your way out." Barbra stated rather contentiously, like she was pleased with all the possible outcomes that might come from this new development.

Livy knew that Markian has an estranged relationship with his step-mother, but she didn't know just how deep it ran.

She picked up her phone to call Anthony- Markian's driver but realized it had a flat battery. Markian must have been trying to get to her all evening.

She had angrily left Luthel Inc that afternoon and had been at the dog park close to her old high school all afternoon, thinking about what she had learned about Markian, her mother, and their honeymoon.

It almost drove her crazy with rage just thinking about how far her own mother would go just to get what she wanted, and Markian was no different.

No wonder he had been hostile and rude to her for the past 14days. And even if she had given up the idea to try and make a marriage out of whatever it was they had, it still doesn't stop the fact that her mother was still playing with her life.

She needed to take Judy out at any cost and soon. But first, she needs to find out just what her mother's fixation on Castlehill was all about.

Worst-case scenario, she would only have to destroy Castlehill just to get Judy's missions to fail, and this fight wasn't going to be one she would fight without knowing just how deep her mother's roots run in the Verc.

Livy went to her old room in the Winfrey mansion, to check if she could find a spare charger anywhere to charge up her phone.

As she entered, the once bright and floral-arranged room where she had once thought all her dreams would come true, it now looked almost completely deserted.

She didn't have many fond memories in this room. In fact, she had felt almost like a prisoner when she was here.

She quickly went through the drawers and lockers for what she came for but, couldn't find any.

She was exhausted and hungry, but God forbid she stays and eats dinner with her in-laws, not after how her mother-in-law sounded while breaking the news that she and Markian won't be living in the mansion any longer. She just wants to power her phone and make a call to Markian's driver or to Markian, and ask for directions to her new home.

With frustration, she slumped on the bed and shut her eyes.

"You said you loved him, is this really the extent of your self-professed love for Markian?" Sophy asked upset.

"Why are you here? I thought I got rid of you?" Livy replied exhaustedly.

The last thing she wanted was a visit from her subconscious. She can't function properly each time she's around.

"You just hate me because I call you out on your stupid decision, mistakes and weaknesses," Sophy replied nonchalantly.

"And that's where you only come in? I had no idea." Livy stated sarcastically.

"Haha, go ahead and make jokes. The truth is that you can't unlove Markian even if you wanted to. The mind- you can easily manipulate but not the heart. The heart wants what it wants." Sophy commented.

"But I already have! He no longer has a place in my heart or my mind, and that's what he had always wanted. I'm finally being the good person you always thought I was by setting him free." Livy replied with great tenacity.

"How can you unlove him just like that? He means the world to you...you can't just..." Sophy started but was interrupted,

"He meant the world to me, in past tense! And...I already have!" Livy stated rudely to Sophy.

"If that's true, then you haven't been honest with yourself from the start. You never really loved him, and like always he was just a pawn in your game." Sophy challenged.

"I- was never dishonest about my feelings- I loved him, wholly! Do you know why I stopped?... Of course you do. There's no point saying it out loud." Livy addressed.

"But?..." Sophy started but was interrupted again,

"Just leave me alone!... Please! I've buried my feelings for Markian on the Caribbean sea and I'd prefer we both part ways here too. You make me sick and I can't stand you any longer. You are my weakness, you and my love for Markian. But it's over now. With this experience, I have a very good reason never to let my heart love ever again." Livy said and with that, she woke up.

Wait, there's someone in the room.

"I can hear you. Show yourself!" She commanded and immediately, a maid came out of the shadows where she was hiding.

"Forgive me, ma'am. I didn't mean to wake you but I saw this door open and I thought I should see if anyone was inside," the maid answered.

"Get me a phone charger suitable for my phone, and hurry up with it." Livy requested authoritatively.

The maid hurried up and got a charger for her and helped her charge up her phone.

So while it was charging, Livy thought about what kind of life Sophia had lived in this mansion.

"Tell me. When my sister was here, how did the Winfrey's treat her?..." She questioned, but noticed the reluctance of the maid to answer as she struggled to find the right answer.

"...It's ok, you don't have to fear. I don't live here anymore so you don't have to feel awkward about telling me the truth. Now speak up!" Livy commanded again.

"Ma'am, at first she was happy, but then a few months into their marriage, the Winfrey's completely changed their attitude towards her. I believe she was left out in important discussions and decisions until she stopped trying to fit in. They never accepted her and she became insecure. We would often hear shouting and arguments from this room each time they were together, they didn't get along very well." The maid answered frightfully.

"Why didn't they get along?" Livy questioned even more.

"She believed the family was turning him against her, but he loved her so much and kept reassuring her that they can't. But her insecurities grew until she finally made a mistake," the maid paused, looking straight at Livy who encouraged her to continue, but she shook her head and declined.

"Well, go on. What mistake did my sister make?" Livy asked vehemently.

"Nobody knows, ma'am. Master wouldn't tell anyone about it, but it broke him. She tried to fix things but nothing could help until the day of the accident. So gossip started among the maids. Some said that she may have stolen money from the company, some said she leaked important information to your mother, while others thought she was caught in an affair. I'm so sorry ma'am, that's all I know, please forgive our insolence," the maid pleaded.

"It's not my problem so why are you apologizing to me? Here is your charger, you may leave now." Livy replied nonchalantly.

She picked up her phone and dialed Anthony's number- Markian's driver.

The estimated time for him to arrive was 30mins, so she just sat on the bed and pondered upon what that maid had told her.

So, Markian's beloved wife did something that even Markian couldn't forgive? Well, isn't that just surprising? She thought.

Livy wondered if that mistake was strong enough for the Winfrey's to have wanted Sophia dead?

Just how clandestine are the Winfrey's motives towards the Luthel's?

If she could jump to conclusion, she would really believe that Markian left the Winfrey mansion because he didn't want the same mistakes as last time to happen again.

But one thing is for sure. If the Winfrey's had a hand in Sophy's death, then Sophy would be the last Luthel they'll ever harm.

Back at M.Winfrey's villa, Markian wasn't up for a discussion with Jeffery who wouldn't stop talking.

This was strange because Jeffery hardly engages in these kinds of conversations, but today he was hell-bent on getting words out of Markian who wasn't in the mood to talk.

He was more worried about Livy, she wasn't answering her phone and it's almost 9 pm.

Where could she be?

"How long until your wife gets home? It's getting quite late Markian," Jeffery asked concerned.

He has been reading Markian's mood and could tell something was bothering him.

Both of them have been friends since their college days. And although Jeffery graduated 2 years before Markian, they still reconnected and did few contract jobs together in France and Newyork 4yrs ago. They had quite a relationship because of course, nothing bonds businessmen more than business deals and partnerships.

Jeffery had saved Markian's ass many times in business as much as Markian has saved him too.

This was his 2nd visit to Minnesota for a business meeting, and since he had no family or a place to stay in the city, Markian promised to set him up at one of Castlehill's hotel franchises in Minneapolis. But he completely forgot and didn't want to rush any last minute preparation, so, he changed the plan and decided to host Jeffrey at the new villa instead.

"If you are so worried, the why don't you go look for her? I'm sure even you can do that little." Jeffery continues when he saw Markian's reluctance to share his thoughts.

Just in time, Anthony came in and whispered in Markian's ear that Livy had called him and asked him to come to pick her up at the Winfrey's mansion.

He was disappointed in himself.

Of course, she would have gone back to his parents' mansion. She didn't know they had moved. Why didn't he think of that earlier?

She must have been so embarrassed when she was told that they no longer stayed there, and it was all his fault since he didn't tell her about their new home.

"Thank you Anthony, but I'll pick her up myself." He responded to Anthony's querying eyes.

"I need to go pick up my wife. Hope you don't mind staying here alone for a while?" Markian asked Jeffery with pleading eyes, but he shook his head in agreement.

"I need to rest anyway. My flight from Shanghai was deteriorating, and thanks for the dinner man. Now, go get your wife." He responded, and with that Markian zoomed off.

WINFREY MANSION

"Your son is here. Don't you want to go down and see him, darling?" Barbra asked a distressed-looking Matthew Winfrey.

She was enjoying this and he knew she was. Her satisfaction with all this was very evident, she wasn't even trying to hide it.

Reluctantly, he walked out with his wife and down the stair to the sitting room as he found a worry-filled Markian pacing about.

"You came back? So soon?" Barbra asked sarcastically to an already irritated Markian, irritating him even more.

"I came for my wife," Markian replied, and just then Livy came walking down the stairs.

"Trouble in paradise already?..." Matthew asked satisfied, but Markian ignored him.

"...I told you not to trust anyone son, especially the Luthels. Why her? What's so different about her that you had to leave your home to be with her? I know we agreed and forced you into this marriage, but weren't interested initially, and I was comforted by that. You had said you'll never love anyone after your first wife, so what changed now?" Matthew questioned vehemently.

It has always been symbolic for the heir of Castlehill to live at the Winfrey mansion. So, Markian leaving home was a big deal.

Soon, it'll be on every gossip blog and magazine as people would start to speculate on the reasons for his action to leave his family home.

"Father, please! Not now. I just came here to get her, so can you please not cause a scene? Our new home was suppose to be a surprise for her, so I apologize for the intrusion. We are leaving already." Markian replied upset and exhausted.

He didn't have time for his father's qualms right now. All he wants to do is just to take Livy away from here before more damage is done.

"Can't you see, son? She is a Luthel and they can't be trusted! They want Castlehill and you are playing right into their hands by falling for this wench! She is just like your Sophia, just like her Mother! They only want what you have!" Matthew yelled.

"Enough father!... She is not Sophia, and even if she is a Luthel, she's definitely not Judy. The choice to leave here was mine, and it's a decision I should have made a long time ago. Goodnight." Markian responded rudely, creating more grievance within Matthew towards

Livy.

"She'll ruin you! You think she is better, but she is the worst of them all! You are making a mistake, son!" Matthew cried out as Markian held Livy's hand and they walked out on his parents together.

******

The ride back to M. Winfrey Villa was awkward and Markian knew he had to say something to avoid more misconceptions between them both.

"Livy... I'd like to apologize on my father's behalf. He had no right to says those things, especially not in front of you." Markian apologized to a very stiff Livy.

He looked at her when she didn't respond or give out any emotion at all. She just stared blankly at the road ahead of them that quickly passed by in a blink.

"Livy, are you even listening to me?" He questioned.

"Yes..." she answered nonchalantly.

It's ok for her to be upset. After all, she had just been humiliated by his family, and only heaven knows what they might have said to her before he had arrived.

But her coldness was unusual. She wasn't looking upset, she wasn't looking anything. Just a plain, blank expression.

"And?" Markian pressed trying to get a response from her.

"And nothing. You don't need to apologize for your father, he didn't say anything wrong. I'm a Luthel, that's a fact. And we Luthel's can't be trusted, so he was right again. He is also right about me not being different from my family. So, I'm not upset with what he said. I just hope he would exercise a little more patience, because pretty soon everything would be back to normal- or barely." She responded with a wicked tone that made his stomach churn in anxiety.

There she goes again bringing up that goddamn divorce.

"Livy, you..." he started but was interrupted,

"I don't care. Whatever you or anyone thinks about me won't bother me at all, so there's no need for you to defend me. I'll handle my sh*t myself from now on." She responded unfeelingly.

"What happened to you? Why now? Why the change all of a sudden? I thought you wanted... I thought you want to be my wife?" Markian asked out in frustration.

"Are you seriously asking why? Well, I didn't change! This is the real me- the me you have always suspected I was. You were right not to trust me, and since you said I'll never have a place in your life, I decided to stop trying..." She responded rudely,

"[Sigh] this...kind and thoughtful Markian isn't like you at all, so just stop. Go back to how you were, I prefer that Markian better" she concluded.

Was

I right all along? Markian wondered.

But if this was who she was, someone who doesn't care at all, someone who isn't warm and nice, someone who isn't innocent- then he earnestly wished he was wrong.

Because, apart from not knowing how to fix the damages he may have incurred on her pride, he also doesn't know what the main reason for her drastic change was.

But until he finds that out, he needed to tread carefully as not to further hurt her feelings.

He was almost sure that she wasn't serious about the divorce before, that's why he kept raising the issue back then.

But now, he was starting to feel anxious and scared that she just might go through with it if he doesn't fix their broken relationship.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐