After the encounter with Ryan, I spent days locked in my room. I would only go out at times to eat because Jay Jay would want to see me at the dining table. Strange enough, when I went there, Ryan would continue as though nothing happened, as though he hadn't chased me away.
I hadn't wrapped my head around the whole situation because it was actually my first time I saw that side from Ryan. Instead of feeling horrible and sad for the way he spoke to me, I felt sad because in my last life, I never paid attention to him, so I knew little about him.
I kept running through different plans on how to change my fate, my relationship with Ryan was already taking a horrible turn.
I had actually contemplated about leaving the Evans residence like Ryan had suggested but where could I go? My step-sister was probably waiting for me with sharp claws and the society wasn't very kind to divorced women or women with failed marriages.
So I had no choice but to stay, however if I stayed what could I possibly do to change the way things were going because at this rate I would develop the same relationship I had with Ryan in my past life.
Thinking back, I realized that I was docile, I accepted whatever life dished at me so if I wanted change I had to change from being a docile, meek woman to be a confident young woman who married a Duke.
Having steeled my resolve there was no turning back and so the only way forward was to learn to understand the man I married since I failed to do so in my last life.
Firstly we were a couple, but we did know one another because we lived separate lives and this needed to change.
" Why are you looking at Daddy, mom?" Jay Jay said reminding me that I had unconsciously stared at Ryan for too long.
" Jack, Do not address miss Charlotte like that." Ryan said still ignoring my existence.
" But I want to." Jay Jay said as he stopped eating and pouted.
" That's impolite, Jack." Ryan warned
Seeing that Jay Jay was about to cry, I said, "I don't mind, really."
Ryan shot me a very dangerous look and I added, "Though Jay Jay, you must listen to your father, okay?"
It broke my heart to see him sad, but there wasn't much I could do because I did not want to make Ryan even more agitated especially if I wanted to change the status quo between us.
Jay Jay did not respond, and so I finally settled on an idea, it might have been a horrible idea, but I still went through with it.
Lowering my head I whispered in Jay Jay's ear," How about you call me, mom when It's just the two of us? it would be our little secret okay, Jay Jay?" After I said this, Jay Jay's eyes lit up, and he gave me a goofy grin as he nodded his head then placed his little index finger on his mouth and made the sound, "shhh"
Smiling I imitated him and said, "shhh" with my index finger on my mouth.
Seeing our little interaction Ryan did not say a word, i felt like he was ignoring everything i did as long as, i suppose, Jay Jay didn't address me as his mother.
However, for now, I was just glad that I was able to pacify both sides for now.
After dinner, Ryan's best friend and right hand man, Tom Matthews, came in to announce that master Evans was going to cone back to the residence, and he would be here the next morning.
Ryan took this as an opportunity and said," Remember what we discussed. I hope you can settle it as soon as my father arrives."
He then stood up from his chair and left the table.
Just as he was about to exit the dining hall I said," Your Highness, since you have an issue with our arrangement why don't you settle it?"
Ryan paused, and I saw Tom holding back his laughter at my words, he appeared amused that I said that.
" Why should I settle something I had nothing to do with?" Ryan said with a menacing smirk.
Before saying what I had in mind I turned to Jay Jay who was listening in and said," Jay Jay, Go to your room and brush your teeth. I will be there soon to read you a new bedtime story." He nodded his head and left without another word though I could tell he wanted to say something.
" You don't have to bother yourself with my son especially since you will be leaving soon." Ryan said after I sent Jay Jay to his room.
" Oh? Your Highness, I do not recall ever agreeing to your terms. Who said anything about me leaving this family?" I asked with a serious face.
Ryan turned and walked back to the dining table. He cupped my face with his one hand and said,
" Miss Charlotte, I thought I had made myself clear, do you dare defy me?"
His face was so close to mine and with every word he said, I felt his breath against my cheeks. I involuntarily blushed but I was not backing down. Since I came here as his wife, I was going to make this work, I was going to make him fall for me and I was going to redeem my past self.
" My lord, defying is an extreme act, and I know that I did no such thing." I said
" If you are not defying me then what do you call your actions?"
" If a woman is simply fighting for her marriage do we call it defiance now, my lord? Because that's what I thought I was doing."