Rachel's POV
I walked with Darius's grandma to the garden, the cold air sending chills on my skin. We had just finished dinner, and Grandma wanted to have a word with me.
Darius was skeptical of letting me go alone with his grandma, but I had assured him it was okay.
Even though deep down I knew it wasn't, I could handle myself.
As we walked, Darius's grandma turned to me with a serious expression. "Rachel, I want to talk to you alone about something," she said, starting.
I nodded, gulping down a lump.
I was anxious. Of course," I said.
Darius's grandma looked at me with a critical eye. "I know you're not from our world, Rachel," she said. "I know you're not used to our way of life."
I felt a bit defensive, but I tried to stay calm. "What are you trying to say?" I asked.
Darius's grandma sighed. "I'm saying that I'm only letting you marry Darius because I haven't seen him show interest in any woman since his deceased wife," she said. "But you should know, Rachel, that your status as the poor, low-life woman who is leeching off our family still stands. I've never liked you, Rachel, with Andrew first, but I let him because he thought you loved him, and he loved you too, but he soon realized that you were only after his money." She paused, taking in my expression.
"When I heard about your divorce from him, I was glad that our family's honor was restored. I mean, he lowered his standard to you…. But then again, Rachel, how deceptive are you? I mean, it's been barely a month since your divorce, but yet again you have managed to crawl back once again to our family. I must admit you do know how to play your cards well."
I felt a sting from her words, and I tried to hold back tears. "With all due respect..." She cuts me off.
She looked at me with a cold expression. "Rachel, you're not good enough for Darius," she said. "You're not good enough for our family. And it's not long till Darius finds out too."
I felt a wave of hurt and anger wash over me. I tried to speak, but my voice was shaking too much.
I couldn't even come up with a coherent sentence, feeling humiliated and insulted.
"I have my eyes on you, Rachel; any wrong move you make… I will make sure you suffer for it. She turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the garden.
The tears that had been stored slipped down every word of hers ringing in my head like a broken record.
I am the reason their family business is still running. I lowered my standards and spent three years worshipping Andrew and catering to all his needs secretively, and she dared to insult this much.
"That was harsh!"
A voice snapped from behind.
I hurriedly wiped off my tears, turning to Coke in contact with a lady around my age.
"Sorry about that; Grandma can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but I promise, she's just being overprotective of her family," the lady consoled.
Overprotective indeed.
"Who are you? You here to add salt to my wounds too, 'cause you Smithsons are—"
She cuts me off, "Reid, I am Ashley Reid, Darius's younger sister," she corrects, cutting me off guard.
"I didn't know Darius had a sister," I said, taken aback.
She shrugs, handing me a handkerchief. "Here, take it; tears don't suit you."
I smiled thankfully.
"You know you shouldn't be taking any crap they throw at you… I mean you could"
I cut her off knowing what she'd say, "I don't have much choice; I am starting to think it's a way of punishing me."
She chuckles, "I am starting to see why my brother is smitten by you."
My brows furrowed. "You do know this isn't actually real, right? I mean us; we're faking it.
She laughs, nodding, "I do. But come on, I see the way he looks at you and the way he stood up for you yesterday at the gala and then today when you both got here. Trust me, my brother hasn't tolerated any woman since Tiana, she rants.
I may have just gotten myself a ranter.
But then come on, Darius and I… We just work together, and that isn't going to change. I mean, sure, he has the looks and all, but, c'mon, no! He was off-limits.
"Rachel I am sorry you had to go through being with an arsehole and the betrayal… the Smithsons have dirt up on their sleeves. Ever since Mum died, we have barely attended their family gatherings or meetings… They—" she paused, biting on her lower lip as though she had said something she wasn't supposed to say.
"What is it?"
"I'd say—"
"What are you two doing out here?" Darius's voice came as he approached us.
He narrowed his stare at me as he walked to my side, "Are you okay?" He whispered to my hearing, and I nodded.
"I see you've met Ashley," he says.
I nod, "Yeah, we were conversing before you interrupted," I say.
Ashley nods, "Uhm… I came out here to tell Rachel that I will be designing her wedding dress.
"You did?" Darius asks, sharing a look.
I didn't know what she was talking about and certainly didn't know she was a designer, not until I recalled her name.
Ashley Reid.
Top-notch female fashion designer, I am sure I have a few of her customized works.
"Did Ashley tell you how she's always wanted to meet you in person? She mentioned designing a few customized dresses for you," Darius says.
Ashley growled, sending a glare at her brother, "Even though what he is saying is true, I didn't want you finding out like this… and—"
I cut her off, my heart swelling as my lips spread into a smile, "It's okay; I get it."
She giggles, "It's just that I can't believe you are going to be my sister-in-law… The Rachel Beaumont!"