Agreement Behind Her Marriage

Along with the village security, law enforcement officials visited their home. Orion provided a detailed account of the events, having witnessed everything unfold.

Someone wrapped a blanket around Lily’s body as she sat on the paint-stained couch, while everyone else remained occupied. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Victor, currently restrained by security.

Hence, she could feel his sharp gaze on her. Why did he blame her?

“What I don’t understand is how he got into this village. Doesn’t this place have strict security and a reputation for safety?” Orion questioned.

He obviously intimidated some of them. At least, for Lily, she was not the only one. Drew’s bodyguard seemed fearless and physically strong. In the few days they spent together, she never witnessed him smiling.

“We apologize, Mr. Walton. Your wife called us to give the all-clear for those arriving today, and our gate security had been informed that your property expected delivery of appliances.”

Drew’s gaze fell on Lily, leaving her feeling uneasy. She couldn’t help but blame herself; she had been too complacent.

One of the officials inquired, “Do you know Mr. Panganiban?”

“Yes. His restaurant was leasing space in the Walton Group. If you recall the recent mall fire that destroyed a restaurant, he’s the owner. We were ensuring they provided the required clearance certificate, but the city mayor seemed to be blocking it.

“Moreover, due to the substantial penalty charges his company had to face, we had to terminate leases for his two other restaurants in different branches. Mr. Panganiban didn’t take it well, and that’s likely why he targeted my wife while I was on a business trip abroad.”

Victor clenched his fist but remained silent. Drew had foreseen this situation. Victor wouldn’t discuss Lily’s actions, as doing so would only strengthen Panganiban’s case. These officials would be aware of Victor’s past misconduct toward Lily, further implicating himself.

“We’d like to hear your wife’s account,” the investigator suggested.

Drew denied it right away. “She was terrified! Orion will be the one to provide you with the details. If our presence was indeed required, we’ll show up there tomorrow, and I’ll send my lawyer to file a lawsuit against Victor Panganiban.”

“You can’t do this, Drew Walton!” Victor hissed.

“Oh, yes, I can!”

“They tortured me!”

The investigators frowned.

Drew argued in a sarcastic tone, “Harming him will appear as retaliation for what he did; should we be pleased that he trespassed and frightened my wife?”

His response seemed to satisfy the officials and security, compelling them to leave his home with Victor restrained and Orion representing them.

Drew sat next to Lily on the sofa and pulled her close to his body. She seemed drained of energy as she pressed closer to his chest.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked.

She cocked her head to look up at him and said, “I felt awful and satisfied at the same time.” Her thoughts were so jumbled that it felt like she was losing her mind.

She couldn’t discern if she was pleased. Her chest felt like it was about to burst into flames, yet there was some kind of anger building up inside her. She thought she hadn’t done enough for Victor, but she also felt sorry.

Lily started to explain, “Earlier, I considered burning not just that area of Victor’s body, but every inch of him, because he is one of those who destroyed me. I know Kenneth is the worst, but I can’t deny Victor isn’t as bad as him.”

For the first time since his arrival, Drew grabbed her cheek and kissed her on the lips. As their kiss grew more passionate, someone rang the doorbell at the gate.

With a complaint, Drew backed away a little and said, “I’ll check.” He got to his feet to peer at the camera positioned at the gate. “It’s Finn and Lauren…”

His expression soured, clearly annoyed by the interruption. His best friend had called earlier to inquire about their whereabouts.

“They’re just concerned about us,” Lily commented, giving him a slight smile.

Drew would have preferred to rest, but there was nothing he could do but let the couple in. Lily understood because he had come from abroad. After a while, she saw Lauren enter.

“Are you alright?” Lauren asked.

Lily nodded.

“We’re sorry if we’ve bothered you by coming.”

Drew remarked as he followed Lauren inside, “I appreciate that you two are aware you can be a bit of a disturbance.”

“You, brat! We’re worried about Lily!”

Her husband’s eyes rolled, and the couple’s concern seemed to caress her chest. She didn’t know Lauren and Finn well. They often inquired about her well-being, as if she were already part of their friendship, even though she had first met them when she married Drew. Lauren would visit frequently, bringing prepared meals, knowing she spent her time at home while awaiting the start of her classes. Even now, something had happened to them, and the couple rushed over right away.

“Thank you so much! I-I’m fine,” Lily muttered, a small tear escaping her eye.

Finn directed Drew toward the pool area. Lauren’s husband probably realized that she hadn’t fully warmed up to his presence. Before heading outside with his best friend, she saw Drew grabbing a bottle of rum and two Glencairn glasses.

As the two men walked away, Lauren asked Lily, “When does your school start?”

“Next week.” She simply hoped that none of Kenneth’s friends would bother her.

“How about your relationship with Drew? I hope things are going well.”

“W-we’re fine,” Lily replied with a simple smile. She suddenly thought of inquiring about Kori with Lauren. “Did Kori and Drew have a romantic relationship in the past?”

“No!” Lauren denied it immediately. “They’ve just been friends since they were young children. Finn was part of their friendship too. So, Kori has always considered Drew as her brother because she has always been in love with my best friend Brett, who is now her husband.

“If you’ve ever seen how close they are, you have nothing to be jealous of. They’ve only been friends for a very long time. The truth is, I too have been jealous of Kori.”

Lauren didn’t provide the exact information she was looking for. Nonetheless, she did gain some insight. Kori may not have had romantic feelings for her husband, but Drew might have. Vivian wouldn’t use that as a means of intimidation if she didn’t know something.

“But has Drew loved Kori from the beginning?”

Lauren paused, taking a moment to consider her response, perhaps hesitant to discuss others and potentially escalate any tensions in her marriage with Drew. She stated, “You are his wife now, Lily. You have the power to create happiness in your marriage with Drew. He may come to love you one day.”

The words carried a profound meaning for Lily. All she knew for certain was that she didn’t want to let go of Drew. Therefore, she resolved to take Lauren’s advice and make every effort to ensure Drew’s happiness in their marriage.

***

In the pool area, Drew poured wine into a glass before handing it to Finn.

“Why are you here?” Drew asked. He had been alone with his wife when his friends arrived, which annoyed him a little.

“I know you. I just wanted to see how you’re doing. When we spoke on the phone earlier, it was hard for me to understand the whole story, and I was concerned you might do something regrettable regarding that man.”

His face contorted. “What could I have done? I’m not a criminal.”

Finn shrugged. “I never implied that you would go that far. You’re just preoccupied with your step-brother-in-law, that’s all.”

Drew acknowledged it but chose not to respond.

“I’m worried that when this is over, it will be Lilian who gets hurt. She’s been through too much already.”

Drew thought for a moment. “That’s impossible. We both agreed to a one-year arrangement. I’m taking these steps so that, in the event we decide to separate, I won’t feel guilty for failing to fulfill my duties as her husband.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of! Why don’t you commit to her for real so that everything you’ve been fighting for won’t be in vain?” Finn, his best friend, was aware of all his decisions and goals, including his intentions regarding Kenneth’s group.

“Come on, bro. It’s a challenge Lily and I had to face, based on the agreement we made.”

Drew downed all his rum at once. He had consented to Lily’s suggestion, as he realized he couldn’t bear the idea of being her husband indefinitely. He had never intended to protect anyone; it wasn’t in his nature.

After all, he was usually the one who started trouble. Reflecting on Victor, it was likely his fault too. That man wouldn’t have caused trouble in their house if Drew hadn’t made a move on his restaurants.

That made him uncomfortable because he knew they would part ways in a few months.

Ah, whatever!

It was Lily’s decision. In any case, he didn’t want to control his wife. Her family had pressured her to marry him, and keeping Lily against her will would make him feel guilty for her.

Lauren exited the main house and walked over to the poolside. “I’ve said my goodbyes to Lily, and now Finn and I are going to leave so you can rest.”

The woman pulled a key from her small bag and handed it to him. “Take Lily to our rest house for a relaxing getaway. She confirmed to me that she would attend classes next week.” Before he could say anything, Lauren followed it by asking, “By the way, what happened to your couch?”

Drew thought about the paint-stained couch and grinned to himself. The couch stands out, especially since only one part of its leather has been stained with paint, creating the impression that paint has accidentally spilled on it. His friends know how particular he is about his personal belongings, and that couch might already be considered flawed.

“It will be covered in paint soon. I’m the one doing it.”

“Are you now drawn to colorful things?” teased Finn.

“It’s not boring.”

The next to speak was Lauren. “I like the painted wall. It just got finished. With her talent, Lily is amazing. I’ll use her services for our home if she doesn’t finish her course. The gym’s equipment inside has also disappeared.”

Drew had been contemplating the changes that had occurred in his home. After the terrible incident they had, he had nearly forgotten about those weights.

“You two, go home,” he said as he made his way to the gate, gesturing for his friends to leave.

The couple followed him until they were outside the gate. When Lauren and Finn left, he checked with security before calling Orion. As he didn’t want any further distractions, he told the bodyguard to relax in his apartment.

After he spoke with Orion, the next person he called was Sarah, his assistant.

“Tell Vivian I’ll visit her tomorrow.” He was not pleased that the woman had come to his house to assess Lily.

“Noted, Boss.”

At this moment, he desired to be alone in his little world with his wife.