Agreement Behind Her Marriage

It was a fine afternoon…

Lily sat in the car with Drew, her heart racing twice as fast as usual as they approached the Walton Mansion. They had been informed that Mr. Andrew Walton was staying in their home.

As a part of the family who had made significant contributions to it, Mr. Walton had every right to stay in the mansion. Despite the old man’s preoccupation with their reputation, Drew and his father were still Waltons.

“Babe, you have to stop worrying,” Drew said, gently rubbing her arm.

“I can’t help but feel anxious because I’m meeting your father for the first time. I’m also unsure about what Master Walton will say to me, and I can’t help but feel like I’ve taken away your chance to run his empire.”

Drew married her as instructed by his grandfather to secure his inheritance of the Walton Group. Understanding that he was severing his ties with his grandfather and relinquishing control of the Walton Group, it was clear why she felt sorry.

Drew’s arms tightened around her body, and he kissed her sensually.

“Babe, don’t even think that you’ve taken my dream away from me; those are just my trivial aspirations.”

Lily pondered, “Then, what is your dream?”

“Wet dreams.”

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at his response, but she lightly tapped his chest and chuckled.

“There she is. Smile, babe! My greatest dream is to spend my entire life with you, and I’d choose you over anything else.”

She admired his unwavering support as she closed her eyes, embraced him, and inhaled his scent. He rewarded her with a kiss on the forehead.

After some time, the car eventually came to a stop in front of the grand entrance. Mark, the driver, opened the car for them, and they quietly entered the mansion.

The sight of Mr. Arvesso sitting seriously on a long, elegant couch left Lily perplexed. He was sipping hot coffee.

“S-Sir?” Lily gasped with wide eyes.

Danica’s father initially exhibited a reaction similar to hers, especially after spotting Drew with her. However, he quickly regained his composure and subsequently smiled broadly.

“Drew, it’s great to see you again!”

“Uncle Niel!”

“Do you know Mr. Arvesso?” Lily asked her husband.

Drew scratched his chin. “He’s Orion’s father.”

“What?!” Lily couldn’t believe it, and her head shot up. “Y-you mean Orion is his son?”

“Yeah… I’ve known Orion since we were kids because our fathers are friends,” Drew explained.

“If Danica is his daughter, that means-”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Danica and Orion are siblings. They are my children,” the gentleman stated with a smile.

Lily turned to her husband, finding this news hard to digest, and asked with doubt, “Did you know that Orion and Danica are siblings?”

It makes sense now.

“Um… yes?” he replied with a grimace. “Remember when I told you to meet her with Brian? I knew Danica wouldn’t harm you. Orion suggested not informing you that we knew Danica because it might give you the impression that we were constantly watching you. He also wanted his sister to mature and discover Brian’s true motives.”

She glared at Drew as if to say, ‘You’re unbelievable!’

Though she wasn’t seriously hurt, she couldn’t believe the three of them had kept this secret from her for a year! Now it made sense that Orion knew her situation within the school. She had almost thought he possessed superhuman telekinetic abilities to ensure her safety.

It turned out that he had placed a close friend beside her without her knowledge. Who would have imagined that Danica, who was kind and sweet, would be part of this conspiracy?

“Hmm… you’ve mastered the art of glaring at me now?” Drew teased.

“Because I couldn’t believe it!”

“I didn’t get to know Danica very well due to our significant age difference. I’ve met her a few times at some previous gatherings. Plus, Orion and I try to keep our personal and professional lives separate.”

Lily’s cheeks turned scarlet as Mr. Arvesso coughed, making them aware that he was nearby while they were discussing his children.

“I didn’t realize you two had already reconciled,” Mr. Arvesso commented.

The man in his fifties, whom she believed to be Drew’s father, descended the wide stairs. Seeing the three of them in the same space as Mr. Arvesso astonished him.

“L-Lily?” Before turning to face Mr. Arvesso, Mr. Walton’s lips formed an ‘o’. It seemed like he had something to say, but he wasn’t sure how to say it, so he briefly shut his mouth before opening it again.

Drew muttered coldly, “My wife and I can return another day if you need to speak with Uncle Niel about something important.”

“N-no, it’s just-”

“It’s fine, Drew. I’ll be waiting. It seems like you’ll be discussing something important with your dad,” said Mr. Arvesso.

It felt awkward, perhaps because Kael’s client, who was also technically her boss, was present. Moreover, she had never met Drew’s father before and was unfamiliar with him.

Mr. Walton said, “Niel, Lily came here to inquire about that night.”

The latter turned to look at the ground, his eyes reflecting pain and his heart growing heavy.

Lily gathered her courage and said, “I came here to find out what happened that evening. Even though I’m aware of some details, I still wanted to know why my mother met with you… Why did Drew’s mother accuse you of cheating on her? D-do you have a relationship with my mom?”

“If the accusations against me were true, would it trouble you to learn that I had an affair with your mother?” the man responded with a question.

“No! The only thing that might affect my mental state is if I find out Drew is my brother. My dad, I mean Mr. Martin, informed me that I’m not his… I-I’m not your child, right?”

The two elderly men exchanged glances, and Drew’s grip on her skin tightened. She thought the question might have startled him as well.

“Lily, why do you think there’s a possibility?” Mr. Arvesso asked, looking at Drew’s father. His expression changed. “No way! You didn’t!”

“If the two of you are my children, I’m not that cruel to let you get married,” Mr. Walton replied.

“Then why? Why did my mother visit your workplace after office hours?”

“Because she wanted to annul her marriage with your dad, Lily! The relationship between your parents was strained because Martin already had an affair with his lover, who is now his wife. Your dad used to mistreat your mom during the time he was unfaithful. I saw it with my own eyes. Cristina had bruises when she came to my office that night.”

“What? That fucker!” commented Mr. Arvesso. “Why didn’t you tell me, Walton?! You mean he’s beating Cristina?” He stood up and lost his composed demeanor. His chest heaved with anger.

“It was a mess, Niel! I also had to take care of my severely ill wife. I didn’t expect Cristina to visit me that night because she was looking for you! Her injuries embarrassed her, and she asked me to leave the dim light on. Because of that, my wife thought that Cristina and I were having an affair and hiding in the dark.”

“So, you mean my mom was seeking Mr. Arvesso?” This revelation left Lily confused.

“Oh, my god!” Drew exclaimed. “Uncle, it was you who had a relationship with Lily’s mother!” His tone conveyed certainty rather than speculation. Drew was convinced of it!

The man tightly closed his eyes.

Lily couldn’t hold back her tears. She wasn’t present at the scene, yet it felt as if she could visualize what had transpired in the past. The two men were close friends, and her mother would track down Mr. Arvesso through Mr. Andrew Walton, wherever he might be.

Her mother had previously worked as Master Walton’s secretary, so it was easier for her to locate Drew’s father than to find Mr. Arvesso, who didn’t settle down in a permanent location.

Lily, even though she knew the answer, managed to pose the question, “My mother was faithful to her husband and had no relationships with any of you. But I’m curious as to why she wanted to find Mr. Arvesso.”

Grief-stricken by the past, she attempted to remain composed by thinking of her mother, the most ideal person she had ever known. The two men could not speak, as if something was choking them in their throats, while her heart beat rapidly.

There is no answer other than what’s already in her mind.

The truth is right there, deeply hurting her.