Chapter 7

Marcus stated unequivocally his opposition to Shelina's presence.

"Marcus Herbert, please! Who are you referring to as a bitch? HAH?!"

Andrew yelled, unable to contain his rage any longer.

His son went way too far.

He had no right to insult her in that way.

"Who other than the woman standing beside you," Marcus responded boldly and defiantly.

His eyes were piercing and arrogant to Shelina.

"You?" he exclaimed.

"Andrew, please relax. Remember that you have an important meeting waiting for you?"

Shelina can't just stand there and watch them fight.

And persuaded Andrew to calm down and stop being angry.

Andrew took a deep breath to calm himself.

He gave Shelina a small smile before turning to face his son "Yes. Marcus, whether you agree or not, Shelina will continue to live here. You can still stay in your apartment if you don't like it."

"And let you guys get dirty in my family's mansion."

"Marcus Herbert, please!"

Andrew's voice was booming and loud.

Anyone would be terrified to hear that, including Shelina, who was standing beside him.

He is no longer Andrew's gentle and loving figure.

It was the first time he had become so enraged.

"Come on, Andrew. I don't want you to fight him, so you should leave."

Shelina was persuaded once more, and her hand touched Andrew's chest to calm him down.

"Okay, I'm leaving. Please call me right away if anything happens."

Andrew spoke quietly and attentively to Shelina.

"Of sure," Shelina say.

"I'll return in the afternoon, and we'll eat dinner together."

Before leaving, Andrew kissed Shelina on the cheek.

Shelina kept staring at Andrew's back until he vanished behind the closed door.

"Disgusting! Stupid slut!"

Marcus' words had an effect on Shelina.

Shelina's heart was stabbed directly with a long spear.

When Shelina turned around, she was met with an intimidating and condescending glare.

Shelina subconsciously addressed Marcus as "Marc," the name she always used for him when they were together.

Marcus's eyes widened and he threatened Shelina.

There was a clear flash of hatred and rage there.

"Never, ever call me that, bitch. I don't even want a lowly sly bitch like you to call my name."

Marcus, why do you despise Shelina so much?

Why did he say such venomous words?

Why is he so upset with her?

Shelina should be upset with him.

"Why are you acting like this to me?" she inquired.

"Because I am aware of your rottenness. A bicth who sells her body for money. Not content with that sum, you intend to amass the entire Herbert family fortune by marrying Andrew Herbert, my father. What a clever lady."

Shelina's body shook backwards as she realized she couldn't play, and those sharp black eyes cut Shelina's heart.

Is Shelina really that bad in Marcus' opinion?

What is Shelina going through right now?

The girl's eyes sparkled.

It was so hot that tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Stop staring at me in that way! You think your disgusting and phony expression will move me." Marcus didn't care for it.

Shelina rubbed the creases of her brow.

What did Shelina anticipate?

Treatment that is gentle and loving?

No, Shelina received this treatment because of her status as a prostitute.

Belittled and humiliated.

No one would believe Shelina if she truly loved Andrew and not because of his wealth.

Shelina's lips pursed; her fate was ironic; now her sincerity was considered a lie, and her lie was considered honesty.

So, why does Shelina insist on denying everything if it's all for naught?

Marcus frowned as Shelina laughed lowly.

"Wait, were my intentions so clear?"

Shelina does not want to be humiliated any further.

Shelina has been humiliated many times before.

So, let the facts prove everything later.

"You—you?" Marcus couldn't believe what Shelina had said to him.

"I don't care about your dislike for me. But if you become an impediment to my marriage to Andrew, I will not remain silent. Whatever happens, this marriage will happen with or without your permission."

Shelina turned around and began walking towards the stairs. Shelina should ask the housemaid rather than Marcus to take her to her room.

"How dare you!" he exclaimed.

Shelina's feet came to a halt on the third step. She remembered something crucial Marcus should be aware of.

"Ah, one more thing," Shelina said, looking at him.

"Could you please be more courteous to me? In one month, you will become my stepson. You don't want to get an evil stepmother, do you?"

"I'm not going to let that happen, Shelina. NEVER!"

Marcus exclaimed angrily.

Shelina was unconcerned about his screams.

All she had to do now was construct a solid wall around her heart so Marcus couldn't stab her any longer.

°°°••°°°

Shelina was now sitting on the bed, taking her clothes from the suitcase.

Shelina remained silent as she examined her mother's red dress in her suitcase. Her hand slowly extended. This red satin gown is extremely comfortable.

This gown...

Her eyes began to blur and fill with tears gradually.

And it's now dripping down her cheeks and onto the floor.

This is Mom's best and last gown.

The lovely gown she wore just before her death.

Shelina's body shook violently.

The longer it goes on, the worse it gets.

Cold sweat quickly appeared on her brow and hands.

Flashes of Shelina's past memories race through her mind.

Shelina's body began to shake as her lungs became increasingly constricted.

Shelina had completely forgotten how to breathe.

Tightness and discomfort. She was being choked by an invisible hand.

°flashback five years ago°'

Shelina rubbed her tired eyes and rested her back against the chair's backrest. Shelina worked on her course work for nearly three hours before finishing it.

The wall clock read twelve o'clock at night. Her mother will return home soon.

When the door creaked, Shelina's smile appeared. It's got to be mother. Shelina stood up and approached her right away.

Mother was standing at the front door, taking her shoes off.