Chapter Five: Married Before the Poison
I woke up to warmth.
Not the warmth of sunlight—but the steady, living warmth of another person.
My fingers were wrapped tightly around a hand. A strong one. Familiar.
Andre.
I stirred slowly, afraid that if I moved too fast, the moment would disappear.
When I opened my eyes a little,the first thing I saw was him.
He was awake.
Watching me and staring at me so intensely…
A soft smile played on his lips as he studied my face like I was something precious. His dark silver eyes traced over me slowly—my closed lashes, my nose, my mouth.
My heart skipped.
My wavy brown hair had fallen over my face, and he reached out carefully, tucking it behind my ear. His fingers lingered just a second too long, brushing my skin.
My breath hitched.
His gaze dropped to my lips, He bit his lips so lightly as he leaned closer…
So close I could feel his breath.
Just as his lips were about to touch mine, my heart couldn't take it no more so my eyes fluttered fully open.
Andre froze.
Then he pulled back so fast his face turned red. He was feeling embarrassed, I couldn't believe my eyes, I thought while I giggled…
He cleared his throat and straightened instantly, that cold, composed mask snapping back into place.
"Are you okay?" I asked softly.
He nodded. "Just… a little pain."
I frowned and sat up. "A little pain? Your left hand is completely bandaged."
He shrugged. "I've had worse."
I looked at him closely, with one hand on his chest and the other touching his injured arm…
He was lying…It looked so deep…
I remembered how he'd been beaten. The blood. The way he'd barely been standing.
And I remembered myself—crying. Breaking. Begging him not to die.
He noticed my expression change.
He leaned closer again, his voice low. Should I give you more time to feel this sexiness, cus' trust me I've got plenty of time, I've got nothing to do all day and for the record,I didn't know you loved me that much."
Heat rushed to my face.
"Who said I loved you?" I said quickly, trying to hide my blush, my cheeks were so red. "I was just… sad you could've lost your life because of me." I said
He smirked.
"I told you not to leave the house," he said. "I thought you ran."
"I went to buy groceries,I told you I wanted to cook for you, right?" I replied.
His smirk deepened. "So you're not going to run away from me anymore?"
I leaned closer too.
'Only if you want me to', I said
That day would never come, he replied
For a moment, we just stared at each other.
The air felt heavy. Charged, Heated…
I leaned closely and brushed my lips lightly against his—barely a kiss—then smiled and started to pull away.
He didn't let me, he held me down, with my two arms at my back, I always knew Andre likes to be in control, I detest this before but now, it seems very….interesting, I thought, he went ahead to wrap his hand around my waist..pulling me closer... I landed gently on top of him as he kissed me—slow at first, then deeper.
My heart raced.
He tilted his head, his lips moving against mine with hunger he'd clearly been holding back. His hand slid up my back, steady and warm.
I melted.
He kissed my jaw, my neck and was going down
And then—
"Sir."
Bruce's voice.
I froze.
Andre groaned softly. This better be good, he said
Bruce stood at the door, smiling apologetically. I'm sorry Don but "Something urgent came up."
Andre sighed and pressed his forehead to mine. "Bad timing."
Bruce cleared his throat and backed out quickly, still smiling.
Andre looked at me again, serious now.
"Do you..., he hesitated, want to get married?" he asked
I was shocked, it was more like he read my mind…
I blinked.
Then smiled.
"With all pleasure."
⸻
Everything happened fast after that.
A shower. Clean clothes. Quiet determination.
No grand ceremony. No guests.
Just us.
We stood at the marriage center, signing papers that changed everything.
When I held the certificate in my hands, something settled inside me.
This was my first real move.
With Andre's power, my family could no longer crush me easily.
We walked out together, married.
In the car, I turned to him. "I want to go home to get my things."
He was silent for a while and said "I'll drop you off,", "Then I'll take you right back before heading to the office." I can't risk you running away from me
I'm your wife now silly, I'm not going anywhere, "I said"
When we arrived, I smiled at him and turned to get down,he caught my hand before I stepped out.
"Thirty minutes," he said. "If you're not back, I'm coming in."
I smiled. "No problem."
I turned again…
No kiss?, he protested
I turned and kissed him quickly and went inside.
The house was empty. No one was home
Perfect.
I rushed to my room and began packing.
Clothes. Documents. Jewelries…
Then my eyes landed on the wall.
My mother's photo.
I stopped.
I walked over and touched the frame gently.
"Mum," I whispered. "I'll get them. For what they did to you. And to me. I promise"
I lifted the frame.
Something fell.
A USB.
My heart skipped.
I stared at it, hands trembling, then rush to plug it into my laptop.
The screen lit up.
I saw a file, I clicked it and there were videos.
I clicked on a video and I saw..
My father.
My stepmother, Mabel..
A Younger Version of them….
Laughing,Talking and most of all…Plotting.
"How long before she notices?" my stepmother said on screen.
"She won't," my father replied. "By the time she does, it'll be too late."
My breath caught.
They talked about money.
About poison.
And how it was used to kill my mother, and I just realized it was similar to how my death played out….
Tears streamed down my face as I watched.
My hands shook so badly I almost dropped the laptop.
A knock sounded at the door.
I jerked and I slammed it shut.
"Yes?" I called.
"The family is back," a servant said. "Your father wants to see you."
"I'm coming."
I wiped my face and went downstairs.
They were all there.
My father.
My stepmother.
My stepsister.
And Raymond.
I felt sick seeing him.
"Join us," my father said.
"I just came for my things," I replied.
"So you can't have lunch with us anymore?" he asked mockingly.
I shrugged.
Family indeed.
I sat.
I didn't touch the food. I was scared…
"I'd like juice," I said.
The servant poured it.
I took one gulp.
Then my father spoke.
"What are you doing, Sarah? What's come over you? Don't you want to get married?"
"I am," I said calmly.
They laughed hysterically.
I smiled and placed the certificate on the table.
"I just got married."
Their laughter seized..
Silence.
Raymond shot up and grabbed my arm. "What did you say? Tell me it's a joke
"Let go of me."
My stepsister stood quickly innocently like she always do. "Sarah, don't misunderstand our relationship. Raymond and I—we're just friends." Mom, dad tell her
I had enough of her pretense…
"Shut up," I snapped.
My father stood up, walked towards me and slapped me.
The room spun, then I fell.
Stars exploded in my vision. He bruised my lip…
I tried to get myself up but Raymond shoved me back down. "You have two days to end that thing with him."
"Over my dead body," I whispered.
My stepmother laughed softly. "Be careful what you wish for darling, it might just come through, anyways it should hit in like three, two, one, she counted…
Immediately, The room spun.
My head pounded, My chest tightened, I became agitated and scared
'No', I said… Not again
But i didn't eat the food, I thought…
Then it hit me, The JUICE.
Fear flooded me. How could they go this far, I thought
"Take her to the room," Mabel said.
Raymond lifted me and he whispered " I liked you more when you were obedient, i guess some lessons need to be taught ".
They all stood there laughing…
Please Andre, save me… I thought
Raymond was about to climb the stairs when the doors suddenly burst open.
It was Andre…