Her Substitute Groom

Janice POV

I couldn’t hold back my tears, so I let them all out. Recalling the pain in Connor’s eyes earlier only made me feel guilty. He must have thought that everything was my fault, but I deserved all the blame, anyway.

“Boss is coming,” I heard the stupid guard that was assigned to my doorpost speak from outside, and I scoffed angrily. Seeing Carl was only going to make things worse for me, but it seemed like as long as I stayed under this roof, then I was bound to see him every damn day.

A few seconds later, the door opened and he walked inside without even knocking. He looked earthly handsome as usual. If there was one thing I would never deny, then it was the fact that good looks seem to run in the family of Hughes.

“Hey, babe,” He smiled as he counted his steps to the bed and sat with me, a lovely smile displayed on his face.

“I heard what happened at the mall. I’m proud of you, sweetheart,” He smiled, revealing his teeth. I just sat and stared back at him wordlessly as he leaned forward and claimed my lips. All I felt was bitterness and disgust as he kissed me tenderly, his hand groping and fondling with my boob like his life depended on it.

“You are so sweet that I want to take you right away… But not yet,” He hushed after he pulled away from me. What was I supposed to say? Resist him and get myself killed? Fuck it! That’s the last thing I was ever going to do. I needed to fight for my life and get the hell out of this place alive.

“Guess what baby?” He smiled softly as he cupped my cheek in his palm and caressed it.

“I have a surprise for you,” He whispered, then leaned forward and kissed my forehead. At that moment, I didn’t need to be told that the surprise would be my family he told me would be moving in, but what he did next made me freeze on the spot. He removed the black patch that was covering his one eye, and my jaw dropped to the ground when I saw his perfectly fine eye.

For the next fifteen seconds, I stared at him with my mouth agape, trying to process what the fuck was happening. I was too shocked to react.

“Are you so shocked to see me like this or are you disappointed that my eye is fine?” He asked as he raised one of his eyebrows, and I gulped down nothing.

I tried to figure out something to say to him, but the only thing I could come up with, was “How is this possible?”

“I was waiting for this day, babe… Aren’t you happy that your soon-to-be husband is not blind, hmm?” The corner of his lips twitched up into a smirk as he stared at me, but I only swallowed nothing and blinked my eyes a few times. What the hell is happening here?

“Carl…” My voice trailed off, not knowing what to say because this was reality crazy.

“How?” I muttered, my lips barely moving, and he shrugged.

“You weren’t expecting me to meet my in-laws with one eye, were you? I wanted this to be a surprise, and I’m glad that you are,” His smirk widened into a grin.

“Are you happy?” He asked, but I just stared back at him wordlessly, not knowing what to say.

“Come on, babe… You should get dressed. I sent Royce to get your family at the airport, and they’ll be here soon…” He paused then stood up and tucked his hands inside his pockets.

“I will send the maid to bring you a dress to wear. You should look beautiful for your man,” He said huskily as he bit his lip seductively probably to seduce me, but the only thing I felt was disgust, and nothing else.

“I’ll come and get you in thirty minutes. Take your time, darling,” And with that, he strode elegantly out of my room, leaving me stunned. How on earth was his eye fine? He was supposed to be blind after the incident that day. The doctor confirmed that he could never see with his eye ever again, so how come he was perfectly fine and the eye looked like nothing had ever happened to it? I asked myself as I stared at the closed door, but it felt like I was crazy.

My heart wavered in excitement when I realized that I would be meeting my family soon after so many years, but on second thought, I felt there was no need to be happy. Besides, I didn’t know what this monster was up to this time.

With all the strength left in me, I dragged myself from the bed and made my way into the bathroom where I had a quick bath, walking back inside the room minutes later, I found a neat short purple gown lying beautifully on the bed, and a pair of purple heels beside the bed. Without being told, I knew the clothes were for me and I was supposed to get ready and wait for my family.

I proceeded to do my thing, and barely five minutes after I finished wearing my clothes, the door opened and Carl walked in yet again without knocking. My heart skipped.

“Wow! You look gorgeous,” He stared at me hungrily with desire written on his face. It felt like he was already stripping me or fucking me rather with that hungry look on his face, but I tried to pretend I saw nothing as I stood up and sighed.

“Come here,” He didn’t wait for my consent before he pulled me close and hugged me tightly.

“I’m glad you are mine,” He hushed against my neck as if I already agreed to marry him.

“You disgust me,” I wanted to say to him, but I changed my mind when I saw the pistol in the holster at the back of his trousers. I was sure I wasn’t ready to die.

He pulled away from me and smiled.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“You look stiff. You wouldn’t want your family to think that you are not happy with me, do you?” He cupped my cheek and pouted his lips like a baby. I was supposed to find it cute, but fuck cuteness! To me, he was everything disgusting.

“I’m not happy with you and you know it,” I managed to pour out my mind to him, and a deep frown that scared me settled on his face, but it only lasted for about five seconds before a smile laced up his lips.

“You will learn to love me with time, and by then, you’ll be happy with me,” He stated hopefully, and I scoffed. That was the last thing that would ever happen, anyway.

“Come on, let’s go welcome your family. They should be here now,” He smiled then held my hand and led me out of the room. He led me down the walkway and we soon descended down the staircase.

“Sis!” Jack, my eighteen-year-old brother squeaked excitedly as soon as we walked inside the living room. He rushed to me and threw himself in my arms, hugging me tightly. It has been years since I last saw him, and I couldn’t be happier that I finally got to meet them. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I hugged him tightly. I felt like holding him in my arms forever and never letting go.

“I’ve missed you so much,” He whispered, and I smiled. I finally pulled away from him and walked up to Mom and Dad who were already standing with tears in their eyes, and without thinking twice, I embraced them.

“I’ve missed you so much, Mom, Dad… I’ve missed you so much,” I whispered as I hugged them tightly. I was excited to have them around even though I had to worry later about what Carl was up to.

“Good day, Mom, Dad…” Carl’s voice made me pull away from them, and I turned to find him smiling like the gentleman he was not.

“My name is Carl Hughes. I’m Janice’s fiance. It’s nice to meet you,” My jaw dropped to the ground when he introduced himself to my parents. Fiance? Not even a boyfriend…