Vivienne
"Where are we going?" I asked as I stepped inside Phoebe's favorite black Rolls-Royce, the one Roman got for her last year for her birthday.
It came as a shock to me because she had never let me ride in the car before, saying my body would stain the seats. When she called me that morning, I expected her to order me to do some chores, but she didn't. Phoebe invited me into her car and told me she was taking me out for an event.
"You are taking me out?" I stared at her, my eyes widened in shock. Even my mouth was wide open at one point.
Phoebe let out a laugh that didn't sound fake. "Yes, I am taking you out because we have an important event you and I are going to attend in the afternoon. Now that Roman is rising in the billionaire club, it's time I show you how to act, especially in the midst of the Billionaire Wives Association."
I gave her a questioning look, frowning because all of this had happened so suddenly. The Phoebe I knew didn't care about me; she would never invite me to an event.
What's with the change of heart? I thought as I stared at how she was speaking with a warm smile on her face, which was unusual.
"I know I have treated you wrongly in the past, and you might have hated me for that, but everything I did was for your own good, and I don't regret it," she said, taking my hand into hers and rubbing it gently. "I know I can't right the wrongs, but I just want to prove to you that I am a better person now and you deserve so much more."
I narrowed my eyes at her, still trying to understand why she suddenly had a change of heart. This was the woman who had always hated me for marrying her son years ago. There had never been a time Phoebe had liked me, so I wondered where all of this was coming from.
Could it be because of the orphanage? Was she doing all of this to make me convince the sisters to leave their land? That must be the case, because people don't change overnight, no matter what.
"Is this regarding the orphanage?" I asked her.
The expression on her face turned from a warm smile to a frown, but she laughed it off and rubbed my hand in hers. "Don't be ridiculous. I didn't call you here or want to take you out because of that. I spoke with Roman last night about it, and since it's your home, he should let it be, which is the purpose for bringing you out today."
She spoke to Roman? I thought. Did he talk to her and change his mind?
I wanted to believe that, but it was hard. After what happened between Roman and me yesterday, I left the room and slept in the guest room. I couldn't bring myself to sleep on the same bed with a man who had slapped me and wouldn't apologize.
"So you spoke to Roman?" I asked her, and she nodded. "Did he tell you that he slapped me?"
Phoebe's eyes widened, and she let out a gasp. "Oh my goodness, he did what?" She sounded shocked, then placed her hands on my face, checking for any spots. When she saw it, she gasped again. The mark from the slap was just below my left eye. Even though it was already fading, it was proof that he had struck me.
"I am going to give him an earful once I see him again. He should never raise his hand to a woman," Phoebe said, caressing my cheek.
I wished I could believe that. No matter what she said, I would never trust her to speak against her own son on my behalf.
"So, regarding the orphanage," Phoebe continued.
I raised my brows in confusion as I stared at her, waiting for what she had to say about it.
"So you are bent on not agreeing to Roman's demands?"
I nodded. "Yes, I will never agree to it because that land belongs to them and they deserve to stay there."
Phoebe sighed and nodded in agreement. "I am glad you disagreed, which is commendable. Which is why the event we are having today is to let the world know about that home, and maybe they can donate to it and help with the recent funeral for the sister. Wouldn't that be great?"
I smiled brightly, excited about the good news. "That is exactly what I want. Sister Martha's funeral should be done quickly, and she should be laid to rest. I agree to that," I told her, and Phoebe took my hand and rubbed it gently.
"Alright, let's make a stop to change your hair and clothes," she offered.
"Why are you doing this?" I suddenly questioned her. "You never liked the idea of me in the past, so I am wondering why you are doing this?"
Phoebe shifted in her seat and smiled again. "I told you that I want to make it up to you for how I had treated you in the past. No one deserves to be treated as such, and that's why I had the conversation with Roman last night. So Vivienne, don't worry, I am not going to do anything against you. All I truly want is for the orphanage to be as it is."
Her words sounded genuine, and there was no malicious tone behind them, which made me understand that she genuinely wanted to help me.
I was glad because at least it meant the orphanage would be left as it was, and no one would dare touch it.
It was all I ever wanted.
"Thank you, Phoebe, for your help. I am truly grateful that you are helping us out."
Phoebe only smiled at me but said nothing, and then ordered the driver to drive us to a Clothing store.