The car ride to Raymond mansion was filled with silence. None of them speaks to each other. Lina was busy looking at the moving scenery through the window of the movie car. They both have their own thoughts.
Raymond’s gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, his mind replaying the unexpected encounter with Ashley at the airport. He had received news of her returning a month ago, before traveling abroad. Her sudden appearance today sparked a mix of emotions, frustration, annoyance, and a hint of unease.
How did she know he was returning today? Was it mere coincidence or had she been stalking him? The thought sent a shiver down his spine. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that Ashley’s reappearance was more than just a casual encounter.
Lina, oblivious to Raymond’s turmoil, continued to gaze out the window. Her thoughts lingered on the woman at the airport, wondering who she was and what her relationship with Raymond was. The woman’s intensity and Raymond’s cold demeanor had piqued Lina’s curiosity.
As the car navigated the winding driveway to the mansion, Raymond’s frustration simmered. Why did Ashley have to show up now, just as he was starting to rebuild his life with Lina? He couldn’t deny the past they shared, but he had thought he’d left those emotions behind.
“Raymond?” Lina’s soft voice broke the silence, her eyes turning to him.
He forced a neutral expression, hiding his inner turmoil. “Yes?”
“Who was that woman at the airport?” Lina asked, her brow furrowed.
Raymond’s jaw clenched. He hadn’t expected Lina to ask directly. “Just someone from my past,” he replied, his tone dismissive.
Lina’s eyes narrowed, sensing there was more to the story. “Someone important?” she pressed.
Raymond’s gaze drifted back to the road, his voice measured. “Not anymore.”
This response did little to alleviate Lina’s curiosity. She sensed a depth to Raymond’s emotions, a complexity she couldn’t quite grasp. As they pulled up to the mansion, Lina wondered if she would ever uncover the truth about Raymond’s past and the enigmatic woman who had stirred up such strong emotions.
As they stepped out of the car, Lina couldn’t shake off the feeling that Raymond was hiding something. His curt responses had only fueled her curiosity.
“Welcome home, sir,” the butler greeted, opening the mansion’s door for their entry.
Raymond nodded, his expression still tense. “Thank you, Jenkins.”
Lina followed Raymond into the mansion, her eyes scanning the opulent interior, which she had gotten used to this past month. The silence between them grew thicker, like an unspoken challenge.
“Raymond, I think we need to talk,” Lina said, her voice firm but gentle.
Raymond paused, without turning to face her. ” Talk about what?” He said coldly. It was like the man complimenting her beauty with that gentle smile at the airport had disappeared. Lina sighed, but she still wanted to know about that woman. She also doesn’t know why she was feeling this way.
“About the woman at the airport, just now.” Lina’s gaze locked onto his back, searching for answers.
Raymond turned, facing her as he gazed into her eyes, his eyes blazing. “What about her? Have you forgotten you don’t have any right to question me? Our marriage is just a facade, so know your place.” He roared angrily.
Lina’s eyes widened, stung by Raymond’s harsh words. She felt like she’d been slapped. The sudden chill in his tone and the contempt in his eyes made her question if this was the man that had woken her up this morning with that soothing voice of his.
“Know my place?” she repeated, her voice trembling. “You’re the one who brought me here, who married me. You’re the one who…”
Raymond’s gaze cut her off, his eyes flashing with anger. “Yes, I did. And you accepted. Don’t pretend you didn’t know what you were getting yourself into.”
Lina’s face burned, her heart racing. She felt trapped, like she was drowning in the depths of his anger.
“I may have accepted,” she said, her voice firming. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll be treated like a nobody in this place. You’re hiding something, Raymond. And I want to know what it is. Don’t I have the right to know about what I’m going to face in the future?”
Raymond’s expression twisted, his jaw clenched. For a moment, Lina thought he’d explode.
Instead, he turned and strode away, leaving her standing alone in the grand foyer.
“Jenkins!” he called out the butler, his voice echoing through the mansion. “Show Mrs. Walton to her room. She seems to need… to be reminded of her place.”
Lina’s eyes stung, tears threatening to spill. She felt humiliated, belittled. She gritted her teeth as she watched Raymond strode into the elevator, pressing the third floor button.
As Jenkins approached, his expression sympathetic, Lina realized she had to talk to Raymond and set rules and boundaries for each other, since he didn’t want her to know anything about him. He was being a jerk all of a sudden. She had been living peacefully for the past month, it’s like her peaceful life is about to get disrupted just as she thought.
“Follow me, ma’am,” Jenkins said softly. Lina took a deep breath and followed Jenkins to the room she had been staying in after getting married.
Raymond stepped into his room, slamming the door behind him. He leaned against the door, his eyes closed, attempting to calm his racing thoughts.
What had just happened? He’d lost control, lashing out at Lina like a wounded animal. He just directed his anger towards her.
He sighed as he went to take a shower. There is still work he needs to finish at the office. He had been absent for a month already. Coming out from the bathroom, he changed into his business attire, his movements mechanical.
His mind replayed the confrontation with Lina, her words echoing in his mind. “You’re hiding something, Raymond. And I want to know what it is. Don’t I have the right to know about what I’m going to face in the future?”
He couldn’t shake off the feeling that he had just scattered the good relationship he was planning to build with her on his return.
As he knotted his tie, Raymond’s gaze met his reflection. For a moment, he didn’t recognize the man staring back.
Who was he? A controlling, cold-hearted stranger?
He took a deep breath, attempting to rationalize his behavior.
Lina was poking into areas she didn’t belong. She had no right to question him. But… her words had struck a chord.
Raymond’s thoughts drifted to Ashley. Her reappearance had unsettled him, stirring emotions he thought he’d long buried.
He grabbed his phone and dialed a number.
“Lucas, I need you to find out what Ashley’s been up to, and when she returned to the country.”
His assistant’s voice was reassuring. “I’ll take care of it, sir.”
Raymond ended the call, feeling a semblance of control return.
He wouldn’t let he and Ashley’s past disrupt his future with Lina. Not when he’d finally started to rebuild. He had to apologize to Lina for his rude behavior just now.
But not now. He had to return to the office first. Duty calls.
Raymond headed out of his room, determined to face the day ahead.
But the memory of Lina’s hurt eyes lingered, haunting him.