Chapter 4: To be A Cartiera

Dinner was dreary, occupied by silence except for the occasional clinking of the utensils. Hailey’s steely eyes continued to meet mine, perhaps hoping to express her disdain toward me through a searing gaze. I didn’t have to ask her why she was acting that way. After the harrowing experience I had gone through earlier, I refused to leave the bedroom a few minutes ago. Images of that place and the scary people who operate there were too hard to scrub off of my mind. My husband’s worried inquiries did nothing to halt them from flooding my vision, even as he practically begged to enter the room to console me. It wasn’t until I grew hungry and tired of crying that I allowed him inside. I recall how concerned he was for me.

“What happened that got you crying?” he spoke softly, brows furrowed. I simply shook my head, hoping my tears would stop. However, Keith was not having it. “Viv, I can’t help you if you won’t tell me. Is it because of the car? If it is, we can always have it fixed or replaced. Or is it because of Hailey? I swear I’ll tell Hailey not to say anything mean or treat you—”

“No, it’s not because of Hailey…” I wiped my tears away, glad that they had ceased from forming. Keith gave me a pressing stare, eager to find out what was going on. “It’s just… I guess I got so stressed when the car broke down. Nothing was going my way and I just…” Sighing, I leaned my forehead against his chest. I inhaled his comforting scent, wishing that this proximity would last forever. During those days of planning, I didn’t realize Keith and I rarely hung out. Perhaps the stress coupled with the traumatic experience has caused me to break down like this, clinging to the only solace I can have in this house.

And yet, the frustration within continued to bubble for I can’t tell my husband the truth.

Keith cooed, rubbing my back soothingly. “Is that why? Baby, just let the planner handle everything. You should be resting a lot. You know how stress can be bad for our future child.” With a chaste kiss pressed on my head, my husband echoed my laugh. “Now, I don’t want to be in a hurry to brag, but I did tell my friends that our children would be the most beautiful angels to walk this earth.”

I pinched his arm lightly, now smiling. “Keith Cartier? Bragging? You don’t have to brag at all for people to notice. I mean, you’ve everything—”

“Yes, everything.” He leaned down to kiss me on the lips, whispering his next words against them. “Everything except a beautiful baby from you, my equally wonderful wife. Now cease your crying, hm? We’ll get that car fixed up in no time. Mhm?”

Even now, Keith’s presence by my side was the mere thing that kept me from escaping back to my room. Under the steely eyes of Hailey and the occasional side-eye from his mother, I was far safer than simply being here alone. Nothing made me feel at ease more than how he covered me with his pheromones, reassuring me that nothing would hurt me while he was around. That he, as a dominant alpha, would never let another touch nor harm me so carelessly. Only Keith is capable of doing it right now.

However, no matter how much he tried to pry the truth out of me, I couldn’t tell him about how Dáin Salvatore runs a shady business or how I got caught up in it. Undoubtedly, whatever he does in public is just a coverup for those deeds he planned to do. If I were to tell Keith, who knows what Salvatore might do to us or our family? I can’t stop the shiver that runs up my spine at the mere thought of it.

Estrellia cleared her throat, wiping her mouth before speaking. I paused on my chewing. “As you all are aware, an invitation from one of our investors came earlier this morning. If it were just one of those social climbers, I would’ve turned it down.”

“Ugh, I hate those types,” Hailey chimed in with a grimace. “Thinking they could ride on our tailcoats to reach the top. How barbaric.” She then changed her tune once her eyes glanced at me, malice well-kept within those irises. “Thankfully, we don’t have to go through all the trouble to be noticed.”

I glanced down at my meal, afraid to meet her in the eye. She has never passed up an opportunity to ridicule me, even in the most roundabout way. I just wished she would stop without having me resulting to tell Keith. I don’t want to be the reason why these siblings will fight. I’ve already burdened my husband as enough as it is. My father will never let that live down if he were to find out and possibly make the situation worse if he scolds Keith.

“Yes, however, Mr. Guardo isn’t your regular person.” Estrellia then sighed, as if a major problem had occurred. I knew better than to believe it. She has never been inconvenienced to a great degree. “Unfortunately, since I am going to be away, I must have someone else to go and eat lunch with him.” Turning her gaze to Keith, she softly smiled. “My son, would you do it for me?”

Keith chuckled.

“How can I say no to you, Mother?” He placed an arm around my shoulder, grinning. “I’ll take Vivien with me. She has been so hard at work preparing for my birthday celebration that she hardly goes out.” My body went rigid at the way my mother-in-law narrowed her eyes ever so slightly at me, wondering where I had gone wrong or if I should turn down Keith’s suggestion. No words would come out of my mouth. “Besides, Mr. Guardo hasn’t met my wife yet. I’m sure he’ll be quite charmed to see her.”

“Indeed,” Estrellia stated with a hint of nonchalance. My back slumped at the reaction, wondering if I could just leave the dining table. But she wasn’t finished. She never simply stops there. “Now that I think about it, Vivien… When was the last time you visited your gynecologist?”

I made sure to swallow what I chewed, careful not to falter as I responded. “Last month. She told me to rest up a lot so that my heats wouldn’t be delayed or show any irregularity.” Of course, Mother-in-law’s inquiries do not halt there. Before she could throw another question, I continued, “Don’t worry, Mom. I plan to go back next week after Keith’s get-together.”

Estrellia let out a laugh, one that had more spite than humor. I bit my inner cheek, preparing for what she might rain down on me. Why? Because what I said did not satisfy her.

“Is that so? Well, we both know you must have a child soon. Keith is not getting any younger, dear. One would think after three years of marriage, you would have a kid or two by now. The other ladies my age already have grandchildren. How long are you going to let me wait, Vivien?” Her steely gaze bore right into my skull, intent on searing her words to torment and peel through bones. “Is there something stopping you from having children? I assure you, as someone who has birthed five children, your figure will just revert if you take care of yourself—”

“Mom.” Keith grabbed my hand from underneath the table, making me aware that it was quivering. I inhaled sharply, trying to calm my pounding heart. “Vivien and I are trying, okay? Plus, we’re not in a hurry.”

With a chuckle, Estrellia shrugged at her son’s words. “Fine, fine. I was just wondering! Gosh, can’t I be worried for my son’s future? Is that a crime now? I was only trying to help.” Her eyes began to water at will, a weakness her children are not immune to for Keith was quick to stand, letting my hand go. I swallowed my pride, sitting there with a blank expression as her two children comfort their mother. This wasn’t the worst she had done. If her husband and other daughters were here, maybe I would get more than fake tears. She continued to ramble despite Keith asking her to calm down. “I was simply reminding your wife of the role she has to play… I can’t advise my daughter-in-law without being seen as a bit—”

“No, no, Mom. We know you’re worried for us, we understand. Vivien and I know you’re just looking out for us.” Keith turned to look at me, an expectant expression on his face. I froze. “Isn’t that right, Viv?”

To be a Cartiera, you have to uphold their family principles down to the nitty-gritty details of what drinks to serve your guests. After the engagement, my eighteen-year-old self was not aware of the many rules Keith’s wife should follow until I finished university and decided to become serious in preparation to be his partner. I thought all those training and lessons I’d endured as a kid to keep my father happy were difficult. The list Estrellia Cartiera handed me proved me wrong. Each of the twenty-five rules was daunting on its own, glaring back at me.

Perhaps I should have run away the second it was presented to me. I figured the Cartieras wanted these rules enforced due to how their son is at the top of the cream. A dominant alpha who could bring anyone to their knees to please him. Of course, they want the best for Keith—a life anyone would be envious of. If his partner turned out to be sub-par, the man would earn pity instead of awe. Estrellia does not want that for her son, therefore made these rules so as not to embarrass him and the rest of the family.

For the sake of not shaming the Licht family and everyone who rooted for our union, I made it my mission to integrate them into my life. Even if it were to go against my will.

Rule 3: Your husband knows what is best.

Mother-in-law’s stare was akin to steel. She was daring me to go over the line she had set, challenging me to defy it. Maybe she was looking for another reason to lash at me. Hailey was the same, albeit her gaze was furious due to how I easily reduced her mother to tears. They must have forgotten why I agreed to be Keith’s wife in the first place for them to think I would readily jump at the first chance I could get to return their treatment. All these sacrifices were for Keith and him alone. Nobody else. Against all odds, as long as he is by my side, I shall face them. A forced smile stretched my face, head nodding at my husband in order to appease him.

“Yes, of course, Keith.”

Such a life may not be for everyone, but it is the mere life I know of. My father would never live it down if I were to break off the marriage in exchange for comfort, deeming me as useless as his ex-wife. Society will never let me forget if I turn my back on Keith and the Cartieras. Anyone will see me as a defect of a human being for leaving such a posh life wrapped in the best paper to hide the stench it has.

I retired to bed after that tense occurrence at dinner with a frown on my face. Keith’s side of the bed was cold and empty. He did not say anything else after I agreed to his statement. Estrellia was far from appeased but refused to delve into the subject more and went home. Hailey, on the other hand, was more vocal. Keith had to practically shoo her away in the most subtle way possible to avoid her attracting the neighborhood’s curiosity. Peace was momentarily restored in the mansion. Now that the house was dead silent, unfortunately, Estrellia’s sharp observance echoed in my head as I lay there in bed.

There was no lie in what my husband said to her. We have been trying to have a child. Yet, there had been no luck. The doctor deemed that my stressful environment might be the cause. With my in-laws always dropping by to see our progress as husband and wife, one could barely thrive without privacy. The natural decision to make was to lessen such meetings. I could never tell her that. Estrellia might just fake a stroke to have me kicked out of my own home and force Keith to divorce me.

Her words kept me up most of the night, causing me to be quite drowsy as I greeted the morning with Keith already up. The grin he wore when he kissed me this morning gave me enough strength to do my routine and get dressed. It wasn’t until we got into the car to have lunch with Mr. Guardo that I felt something was wrong. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was, sitting in the car with slightly pinched brows. My husband was on the phone with the man, telling him that we would be arriving at the restaurant soon, his voice muddled in my ears. The whole world was spinning slowly, my mind not registering from the moment I got out of the car and followed Keith into the restaurant.

Maybe I shouldn’t have left home…

“Mrs. Cartiera, are you all right?”

I blinked, back straightening at the inquiry, and faced who asked. It was Mr. Guardo, concerned at how I spaced out. Keith had the same expression, his hand on my shoulder. Gaze shifting between them, I then let out a sheepish laugh and avoided their stares.

“S-sorry, I wasn’t paying any attention. Perhaps the coffee I drank this morning wasn’t strong enough.”

The two men echoed my laughter, nodding at my reason, and took it as the truth. I cursed inwardly at myself for letting my guard down. Mr. Guardo was a straightforward man from the way he addressed Keith’s choices in the company. I could hardly keep up when they were in business mode, relying on eating the pasta I ordered which was growing unappetizing the more I ate. I wanted to go back and sleep at home as the minutes dragged on.

I could wash my face at the toilet…

“Oh! Mr. Salvatore, what a surprise.”

My body jolted at the name Keith uttered. I was sure I would have choked on the pasta I was chewing if I wasn’t careful. I quickly turned to where the man was, the memories of yesterday flooding back. How could I forget about him? Estrellia’s words definitely distracted me from the bigger threat that I should give more priority over for I could lose my life if I slip up.

Dáin Salvatore stood there, a cup of coffee in his hand, as he smiled warmly at the three of us.

“Mr. and Mrs.Cartiera, we meet again.”