Chapter three

As usual, Benjamin was motionless in the water, and only her stirring caused ripples in it.

Jane wiped his body and smiled at how taut his body felt under her palm.

Suddenly, his hand moved and she eyed him in shock

"If you're going to wake up, why don't you just do so?"

After helping him into the bed with the assistance of the male servants, she laid down beside him, totally worn out from the bath.

"If you're lucky to survive this, you will surely reward me for stressing me so much," she threatened.

Her aches were back, and it bothered her.

She lay down to rest on this particular day after giving her unconscious husband a massage, but a knock on the door abruptly interrupted her.

"Madam, the young master's mother wants to see you."

Jane frowned. Does she have to come now that she's almost exhausted?

It is true that she was eager to meet her mother-in-law, but it was definitely not when she was in dire need of rest.

In the sitting room downstairs, her mother-in-law scanned her as she walked in, as if measuring her worth.

Their eyes met, and she looked away immediately.

The beautiful, middle-aged woman in front of her exhumed an equal aura with a river goddess.

She was tall and slender, and she had a charming presence too. She suddenly understands why Benjamin is very good-looking; his parents could turn heads even at their age.

"Are you Jane? I hope you know why you're here. 

Unsure of how to answer the question without offending the woman, she faked a smile and nodded in affirmation.

Her eyes were filled with disdain, and even her classic makeup couldn't cover it.

"Hope you know that your family sold you to us? If at any point you get tired of the marriage, we are bound to do with you as we please."

The words pierced her heart, but she stood and maintained her composure. She was not ready to give her the satisfaction she was craving.

"My son is unwell; that doesn't mean he is dead. If I dare hear any rumour about your misbehaviour with other men, I will make sure you get punished severely."

"And why will you do that? I am still here, you know," her husband's voice rang out, and the duo turned to meet his glare.

"Did you suddenly return from your trip to scare our daughter-in-law away with harsh words?"

The wife quickly gave Jane a cold glance and went ahead to explain herself.

"Of course not, dear husband. I am only teaching her how to be a proper wife to our son."

"It didn't seem like it when I walked in on you talking to her in a scary manner."

manner.

"She's right, sir. She was instructing me on how to take care of my husband."

Mrs. Leornard took a hasty glance at him before letting the two of them alone.

She probably didn't expect that her husband would take a liking to the poor girl they married for their son.

Mr. Leornard scoffed, "Don't mind her and her strictness. I can see that you're well trained, and I know our son is in good hands.

"Thank you, sir. I want to head back to my room now."

As she arrived at the door of her room, she saw that it was slightly open, and someone seemed to be talking in a low tone inside.

"Brother, I have always admired you, but right now, you're as good as dead. I don't even know why they married a wife for you. What need does a dead man have for a wife?"

Jane clenched her fists.

"I would watch you breathe your last breath while I take over everything that belongs to you, including your new bride."

Jane pushed open the door and saw the stranger choking Benjamin

"What are you trying to do?" she shouted, pushing him roughly.

The stranger immediately let go of Benjamin's neck and adjusted his ruffled clothes.

"Who are you, and how did you get into this room?"

The stranger ignored her questions and glared at her in anger.

Suddenly, his cold expression turned into a fake smile.

"So, you're Benjamin's new bride? Anyways, I'm Kennedy, his younger brother."

"How come I have never heard about you since I got into this place?"

"Well, you're right. I hardly come home. I only came around to greet our new bride. And I must say that dad made the perfect choice for Ben. You're really as pretty as he described."

She had heard what he was saying outside; she would have believed his sweet words, but she knew better.

"Thanks for your sweet words. Please don't enter this room without permission next time," she said.

Ken smiled and approached her. "I am sure nobody has complimented your beauty since you arrived.

As he spoke, he reached out to tease her, but she recoiled and pushed his hands off.

"What are you doing?

He pulled his hands back and smiled gleefully at her momentary confusion.

"I know how lonely you would be with my brother lying helplessly here. Why don't you come to me tonight for some fun?"

"You're definitely mad to think I would want to have anything to do with you."

Ken's smile immediately disappeared, and he grabbed her arm roughly, crushing her soft frame on his hard chest.

"I've always wanted everything that belongs to Benjamin, and that also includes his women."

"Let me go now." Jane squirmed in his grasp.

The two of them struggled, and out of desperation, she kicked him on the crotch.

This enraged Ken, who grabbed her and pushed her hard until she fell into the empty space on the bed. Her head hit Ben's head painfully.