6: A peek on that one spring morning

He quietly approached the left-wing staircase on the second floor when he heard that voice again. It felt so strange listening to that particular feminine voice once more. He filled his lungs with all the air he needed before he decided to appear in front of the new comers.

It had been three months since he last saw her face. Since he touched that beautiful and innocent face of hers. Since they made their first kiss as husband and wife. Since the day he felt true happiness and yet it was also the exact same day she walked out of his life, without leaving any trace. Without saying a single word.

It felt like it was just yesterday. That one spring morning when they wed in front of his family and closest friends, standing in the middle of the Palladian bridge over River Tristan that reflects the clear blue sky and highlighted the blossoming trees and flowers scattered in the garden. The weather was neither too cold nor too hot. It was the perfect day to wed the love of his life.

The entire estate was in a high-spirit mood. Finally, the chaos concluded and the grand manor will witness the union of two souls who fought destiny hard but still ended in each other's arms.

They say that spring promises a lot of things. They say that spring is the time of rebirth, new beginnings, awakening from long winter hibernation, fresh bud blooming from trees and flowers and even longer sunshine hours which means perfect time to enjoy new adventures too.

Everything was all planned out. Everything on his mind was perfect. She might not have the slightest idea on how much he adored her, on how much she means to him but he set up everything that day for one sole reason; to see her smile and make her the happiest woman on the day of their wedding.

He had loved her with all his heart and soul though not once he let her hear them from him.

He was a strong believer that love is best felt through actions and he did everything to make her feel loved and special.

The only thing he never expected to happen, happened. On the same day when they vowed to be together for the rest of their lives, she left him for another man.

How could fate threw another joke on his life, right?

He was never the same man after that night.

That moment, he vowed not to let himself down again.

Not by the same woman.

Not by any of her tricks.

Not even by his lambasting emotions towards her.

He finally set his eyes on her face.

She looked different. The woman was clad on a simple black jeans and grey cashmere sweater. She wore no make up and looked puzzled as she looked around the main hall of the grand manor. It was as if she just saw everything for the first time.

The elegant Ruth Hamilton was gone. The way she acted from his point of view seemed a total stranger inside her own mansion.

Then she saw him.

Their gazes locked.

He saw her eyes glanced over him. She gazed at him from head to foot then she returned her gaze to his face. She looked confused yet somehow pleased.

Her stare was piercing through his soul.

Ah! Those sinfully crazily seductive hazel brown eyes of hers!

A throb on his chest kicked in.

What is wrong with him?

God! She must have looked like a different person now with no memories of him or their past but she is still his wife!

He missed her. Terribly.

But he defied his emotion.

He hardened his jaw and never let go of his gaze on her confused face as he walked down the staircase.

You should have never returned, my dear little wife.

…

My head spun, my ears turned deaf, my tongue was nowhere to be found.

What did this man say again?

Me? His little wife?

I tried to utter a word but nothing came out of my mouth.

I just shook my head repeatedly while keeping my distance from the man who just caused my head to ache like this.

I stepped back but he moved forward twice bigger than the steps I made.

He was a breath away from me in an instant.

"Why? You looked scared, my dear Lady Hughes?"

His eyes narrowed as his gaze became darker and more menacing.

"M-Matt?" I tried to look away and searched for Matt. But the man in front of me cupped my chin forward so I could only see his face.

I attempted to set free but he was so strong. I felt his fingers squeezing my jaws as if he wanted to devour and eat me alive.

"Don't look for another man when I, your husband is in front of you, wife." Sarcasm and intense hatred were obvious in his voice.

"I don't understand." My voice started trembling.

My body felt stiff I couldn't move. My knees were shaking and waning like ice cream out in the heat of the sun. I thought of collapsing on the floor.

Somehow, the man holding me sensed what was about to happen. He quickly seized me in the waist and held me closer to his warm body.

I could hear his heartbeat as well as mine. They were exploding like crazy.

"Let me clear this to you, then." His face was devoid of expression. But I can sense that he was kind of mad at me. "The man you married was me, Marcus Andrew Lewis Hughes and not my twin brother, Matthew."

"Huh?" That was all I can say to him at that moment. I couldn't rack my brain to work.

I couldn't even avoid his cold gazes. My arms and legs were frozen. If this man will suddenly let go of me, I'm sure I'll find myself lying on that cold marble floor at once.

"I was never your husband, Ruth. Marcus is your real husband." I heard Matt's voice from the back. "I meant no deceit, though."

"B-But how?" I couldn't even hear my own voice. The ravaging heartbeat inside my chest had gone nuts. It added to my already confused train of thoughts. Suddenly, I couldn't think straight.

"Here. Let me help you remember." Marcus said before he claimed my lips and gave me a searing welcome kiss.