Eleanor slowly made her way out of the hospital, her arm still throbbing with pain. She had signed the last of the discharge papers and breathed a sigh of relief.
Eleanor realized that she didn't want to bother Liam to pick her up. He was probably busy in his office, so she didn't want to be a burden.
As she stepped into the cool afternoon air, Eleanor felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was finally going home.
She flagged down a cab, the air felt refreshing as she slid into the backseat.
"Where to, miss?" the driver asked, eyeing her in the rearview mirror.
Eleanor gave him her address, and the cab pulled away from the curb.
The drive home was uneventful, and before she knew it, the cab was pulling into the driveway of Liam's mansion. Agatha, was waiting at the door with a warm smile.
"Welcome home, Mrs Liam," Agatha said, helping Eleanor out of the car. "We've missed you."
Eleanor smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Agatha. "Thank you, Agatha," she said, her voice weak. "I'm just glad to be home."
As Agatha helped Eleanor into the house, Eleanor couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness. She knew she needed to take it easy, but she was bored with just lying in bed all day.
"Agatha, could you bring me some tea and a book?" Eleanor asked, settling into the couch.
Agatha nodded and bustled off to the kitchen. Eleanor watched her go, feeling a sense of listlessness wash over her.
As she waited for Agatha to return, Eleanor's eyes wandered around the room. She noticed a canvas and paints in the corner, something she hadn't seen before.
"Agatha, what's this?" Eleanor asked, pointing to the canvas.
Agatha returned with a tray of tea and a book. "Oh, that's just something I set up for you, Mrs Liam," she said. "I thought you might enjoy painting."
Eleanor's eyes widened in surprise. She had never painted before, but something about the canvas and paints called to her.
"Thank you, Agatha," Eleanor said, feeling a spark of excitement. "I think I'll give it a try."
As Agatha smiled and nodded, Eleanor felt a sense of purpose wash over her. Maybe this was just what she needed - a distraction, a hobby, a way to express herself.
Eleanor dipped the brush into the paint and began to stroke the canvas. She felt a sense of calm wash over her as she lost herself in the creative process.
Agatha watched her for a moment, a warm smile on her face. "You're a natural, Mrs Liam," she said.
Eleanor laughed. "I don't know about that, Agatha. But it's nice to have something to do."
Agatha nodded and sat down in a nearby chair. "I'm glad you're enjoying it, Mrs. Eleanor. You deserve a break."
Eleanor looked up at Agatha, her eyes curious. "Agatha, can I ask you something?" she said.
Agatha nodded. "Of course Ma. What is it?"
Eleanor hesitated for a moment. "Do you know much about Liam's family?" she asked.
Agatha's expression faltered, and she looked away for a moment. "I...I don't know if I should be talking about this, Mrs Liam," she said.
Eleanor put down the brush and turned to face Agatha. "Please, Agatha. I need to know. You've been working with Liam for years. You must know something."
Agatha sighed and nodded. "Okay, Mrs. Eleanor. But please, you have to promise not to tell Liam what I told you."
Eleanor nodded eagerly. "I promise, Agatha. I won't say a word."
Agatha took a deep breath. "Liam's father was especially bad. He's cruel and manipulative. He was a ruthless businessman who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted."
Eleanor's eyes widened in shock. "That sounds terrible," she said.
Agatha nodded. "Liam...he was affected by it. He started acting out when he was a teenager. He would get into fights and cause trouble".
Eleanor's curiosity was piqued. "What happened?" she asked.
Agatha hesitated again, looking around the room nervously. "I don't know if I should say, Mrs Liam," she said.
Eleanor leaned forward, her eyes locked on Agatha's. "Please, Agatha. I need to know."
Agatha took a deep breath and leaned in close. "But then something happened...an incident..." she whispered.
Just as Agatha was about to continue, the door to the room burst open and Liam strode in. His eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Eleanor and Agatha.
"What's going on here?" he demanded, his voice cold.
Eleanor felt a shiver run down her spine as Liam's eyes locked onto hers. She knew that look, knew that tone. He was angry, and he was going to make someone pay.
Agatha quickly stood up, her eyes darting nervously between Liam and Eleanor. "I was just...uh...helping Madam with her painting, sir," she stammered.
Liam's eyes narrowed. "I didn't know you were an art expert, Agatha," he sneered.
Eleanor felt a surge of anger at Liam's tone, but she knew better than to confront him. Not now, not when he was in this mood.
"It's okay, Agatha," Eleanor said, trying to sound calm. "You can go."
Agatha nodded quickly and scurried out of the room, leaving Eleanor alone with Liam.
Liam's eyes locked onto Eleanor's, his gaze burning with intensity. "We need to talk," he growled.
"About what?" Eleanor demanded.
Liam furrowed his brows. "We need to talk about this marriage," he said, his voice cold.
Eleanor felt a shiver run down her spine. "And what about our marriage?" She asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Liam sneered. "You seem to forget that this marriage is just a business arrangement. You're just a debt that I'm collecting on."
Eleanor's eyes flashed with memories of her struggles and endless worries. "You may have paid off my debts," She snarled, "But that doesn't give you the right to treat me like dirt. I'm not your property, Liam. I'm your wife."
"If not for me, you'd be on the streets, begging for scraps. I'm like a God to you, and you should be grateful." Liam added.
Eleanor's anger boiled over. "Why did you marry me, Liam? What is your plan? I need answers!." Eleanor's voice grew louder, filled with desperation."
Liam's eyes darkened, and the mood in the room changed drastically from sorrowful to intense. "Wrong! You're wrong, Eleanor. There is so much that you do not know."
Eleanor waited for him to maybe say a bit more and make her understand. He offered no more answers and decided not to push any further.
An uncomfortable silence blanketed the room, and Eleanor was scared to know what would happen next. In Liam's every word, she was bound to him, and that terrified her to the bones.