Lara didn’t really want to leave the place she called her home.
But there was no other choice.
The news articles on her marriage with a fake background were up.
Reporters of M City were searching for information regarding Lara like a clan of hyenas.
She needed to keep her part of the promise.
Mrs Tina and Mrs Nina were helping her to pack up the house.
Isabella was still in hospital, undergoing her first session of cancer treatment under Dr Jones’s care.
The three packed up their clothes, expensive jewellery that Isabella had saved, important documents and other important things carefully in suitcases and boxes.
They even covered the house with industrial plastic sheets they found.
Every fibre of Lara’s skin screamed at her mind for abandoning this house.
“I’m not abandoning.
I will come back to this house whenever I can.” She promised internally.
Mrs Nina cried on Mrs Tina’s shoulders.
“Do you really have to go?
Can’t you stay here and still remain married?” she said.
Lara took Mrs Nina’s hand and said, “I can’t, Mrs Nina.
If I can pay for Grandma Bella’s cancer treatment and health recovery by being married to an old man, I won’t regret it.”
“But what about this house?
What about the restaurant?
What about…all of us?
Won’t you come back to see us?” Mrs Nina asked.
“Of course I will, Mrs Nina.
I’ll come back whenever I can to be with you all.
We are not selling this house.
We are just keeping it closed.
As for the restaurant, I have asked the employees to work as usual, and I have put up a hiring notice for a cashier,” Lara said.
“I should have done that a long time ago.”
“Will we be able to meet you at your new residence to meet Grandma Bella?” Mrs Tina said as she hugged Lara.
“Not immediately.
I’ll definitely talk about it with Grandpa Arnold about it and arrange it,” Lara promised.
“And what about you?
Will we be able to meet you?” Mrs Nina asked.
Lara smiled quietly.
“Definitely!
Whenever I visit Grandma Bella, I’ll meet you both.
I promise.” Lara said.
“Don’t you think the marriage is quite early?
I mean, you’re just 23…” Mrs Tina suggested.
“It’s ok.
I have a master’s degree and some experience.
Also, look at the bright side!
I get to have the influence of two rich families.
Wait and watch as I make your lives filled with richness and luxury.” Lara laughed.
Suddenly the front door knocked.
It was Butler Nolan.
“Hi Nolan, come inside,” Lara said.
“Good evening, second miss.
I have brought the car as you requested,” Butler Nolan said.
“Is it parked near the back door?” Lara asked.
“Yes, as you had instructed,” Butler Nolan confirmed.
“Thank you, Nolan.
Let me get the luggage to the back door then.” Lara said as she took the suitcase.
“Second miss, please don’t worry.
I have bought servants from the mansion to help.
Please be seated and let others do the work,” Butler Nolan said.
Lara got the hint Butler Nolan gave.
“Act like a rich lady.
Don’t do things that a servant does.
It’ll blow up the cover.”
“Sure, Nolan.
Let the professionals handle it,” Lara said and sat down on the covered sofa with others.
“This experience is…” Mrs Nina said.
“Overwhelming,” Mrs Tina finished the sentence.
“Yeah.
It is,” Lara said.
“Call us as soon as you reach the mansion, ok?
Otherwise, we’ll be extremely worried,” Mrs Tina said.
“I will,” Lara said as she hugged both of them again.
“Second miss, everything is loaded.
We are ready to leave,” Butler Nolan said.
“Yes, let’s leave, Mrs Tina and Mrs Nina.
Here is a copy of the house keys.
Please keep it safe with you,” Lara said and gave.
She entered the black SUV car and rolled down the window.
“Safe travels, Lara.” Mrs Nina waved.
“Bye, bye.
I’ll come back again.” Lara said, barely above a whisper.
The scenery kept changing as the car drove from the bustling city to the outskirts of it.
The large concrete towers got changed to tall trees and lush greenery.
“It has been quite some time since I have seen such greenery,” Lara thought.
“It’s a perfect place for Grandma Bella to recover her health.”
Soon a large mansion arrived with a large signboard.
“Ravenwood Mansion”
As the car entered through the gate, something clicked in Lara’s head.
“Wait, I have seen this mansion before.”
“Where have I seen this mansion before?”
“Why can’t I remember?
Where did I see it?”
“I have definitely seen this mansion before.”
A sudden gush of hidden memory entered her mind.
Lara felt like someone just cracked her skull open and poured something into it.
“Oh my fucking god.
Fuck.
I…
how can I forget such an important thing like this?
What in the fucked up mind did I forget about this?”
“This world belongs to the top-ranking rom-com, drama, and cliché novel – I fell for my cousin’s crippled ex-husband, need to level up.”
“And I am the ex-wife, or the cousin of the main protagonist, the main antagonist.”
“Can I just ask the car to turn back and run away from this situation?”
“No, wait.
If I do, I won’t be able to pay for the medical bills.”
“Sh*t, can I just divorce within a few months of marriage and run away?
I don’t want to fight for a man I don’t even love.”
“Yeah, let’s do that.
Let’s be married till Grandma’s recovery.
And, as soon as she recovers, I’ll ask for divorce and leave with Grandma to another country.”
“On what grounds should I ask for the divorce?
Cheating?
Affair?
Makes sense.
I’ll do that.”
Who is going to tell her she is getting married to Rian?