Chapter three 

Lorraine has never felt this peaceful and cared for since her little self gave a sincere response to her grandfather. No one has cared for her, none loved her, worse showed her some affection since then.

She was deserted, maltreated, made her feel like an abomination, as if she was cursed, a disgrace and a shame to their family and their name. 

But then he entered into her life, filling all those empty holes at the small space of three days. She had never felt this cared for, no one has ever took care of her this way. He’s a blessing bestowed upon her. Her happiness for meeting him knew no bound. 

In the blink of an eye, three days had gone by. And those three days were the happiest three days Lorraine had ever experienced in her past nineteen years of her life, she replied her grandfather when she was seven years old where it all started. What response is expected actually from a little girl of that age with fairy dreams, if it isn’t just her grandfather being a baleful human being. 

She still doesn’t know who this man was, what he is and why he took her in and cared readily for her, he cared for her attentively and stayed with her all around the clock. 

Every night, he will sit by her side telling her stories and jokes, lulling her to sleep. He made her more than wanted, he made her feel happy. 

And every time she woke up, those strong hands of his were always there, holding her and assuring her that he’s here with her and for her. 

For all this years, she had forgotten what care was, not to mention love or affection. 

But right now, she felt loved, like she was in love. 

 None of her family looked for her or try to know her whereabout since she left home with this mysterious strange caring man. She has gotten into no trouble that would warrant a slap or hurtful words to be said at her. 

She was peaceful, and it’s finally time to remove the gauze she was wrapped up in. 

In the villa, in front of the mirror in the room. Lorraine was wrapped in white gauze from her head to toe, including her face. 

She couldn’t help but feel nervous. Would everything be really gone? She asked herself. 

For the past three days, she applied consistently the salve on herself, feeling her skin burn at every doing. 

Avon told her that as long as she did it regularly, she would get her looks back for sure. 

“I…. I can’t believe this is happening.” She held onto the pair of strong hands. 

“It is.” Avon slowly and gently started removing the gauze from her body and head. 

Lorraine knew her surroundings were bright, but her nervousness made her shut her eyes and afraid of opening them. 

“Open your eyes now, and take a look.” Avon urged. 

Only then did Lorraine had the boldness to open her eyes, she was standing stark naked in front of the mirror. 

Her reflection shows that she still have remnants of the salve all over her body, but it was pretty blatant that her skin was smooth and unblemished. 

In the mirror, her face was almost perfect; watching away all those remnants would bring out the real perfection. Lorraine was shocked, her jaw dropped staring unbelievably at herself. 

After some few seconds, she wiped away the salve on her face, touching it disbelievingly. 

“How…” 

She was shocked beyond bones. How could the girl in the mirror with smooth, unblemished skin be her. 

She had always suffered from scars and marks, all imprinted on her by her family, and her haters with bullies. She was the laughing stock of EastHill.

And they didn’t care a bit about getting her advanced doctor to treat her. None was she able to help herself. 

But now… 

Over the years since her sadness started, she had not even looked in the mirror or be able to do that, tears of joy flowed down her cheeks. 

She fell into Avon’s arms and brawled, feeling the weight of grief and suffering of the past years lifted off of her. 

Avon hugged Lorraine back tightly. “I‘ll never let anyone hurt you again. I promise you’re now save and freed now.” He promised. 

Lorraine was excited and overjoyed at first, then she realized that was stark naked. Her exuberance was quick to turned into embarrassment. 

But then the man in front of her appreciate all she is ever since she met him. The thought about choosing him as his husband crossed her mind like a flash. 

Ever since she met him, all she had lost was recovered, he showed him affection, love, and care. 

She freed herself from the embrace, looking away helplessly. 

Avon pointed to the bathroom, saying, “I’ve prepared for you some hot water and clothes for you, however I don’t know your size, so the bras are of different sizes. Just wear whichever is suitable for you.” 

Shyly, Lorraine ran to the bathroom. 

Minutes later, Lorraine emerged from the shower after a while. 

She had chosen a white slip gown which showed off her smooth neck and arms. She would never have wore something like this in the past. Else she would be mocked of the marks and scars made on her by them. 

She was in a rather good mood, humming a tune under her breath as she skipped to the foyer where Avon was at. Touching her smooth skin, she grinned widely. 

She walked over and sat down next to him. Her face was flushed, though she didn’t know if it was because she had just finished her shower or because she was shy. 

“Um…” she opened her mouth without knowing what to say.

Even though she had spent three days with Avon, it was different as she was blindfolded. Now that she was actually seeing him, she was a little shy. She did not know what to say at all. 

Finally pulling from her thoughts, Lorraine looked up at Avon, her eyes sparkling. “Will you marry me?” 

“What?” Avon was stunned. His mouth slightly opened. He looked so adorable with him being confused. 

Lorraine wanted to pay him back for what he did for her, unbeknownst to her that she was the first to save him and inspired Avon to repay her back. She had forgotten, it seems like that and Avon isn’t ready to remind her. Rather repay her, and grant her all she wishes for. 

Lorraine smiled. “That night you came, the party held was for my grandfather to choose a husband for me. And now that I’m well and might be returning soon, he would choose me a husband. So marry me, or do you not want to marry me?” 

“I do.” 

Once Avon caught up, there was nothing to say except those two words. If marrying her makes her happy, then Avon is ready to. He would pay to her in any way he can.

Avon had shown her so much care for the past three days that he had wormed his way into her heart. 

How could she not said to a man like this not to marry her? 

She snuck a glance at Avon. 

He was tall, strong, and confident. Even just looking at him made her blush and her heart beats faster. 

“Then let us go get married.” 

One hour later. 

Hand in hand, a man and a woman emerged from the Department of Civil Affairs. 

Lorraine looked at the green certificate and it finally dawned on her. She was officially married now. 

Fantasizing about her future before this, she had always hoped that she would one day have a passionate love affair. 

However, things rarely went according to her imagination. Her grandfather who have arranged her fate. But instead Avon, who’s now married to her family, stole her away to a palace- like paradise where she stayed for three days. 

In those three days, she had recovered. She was beautiful once again. 

Even though she still didn’t know who exactly is her husband, warmth spread through her entire body and she held onto Avon’s hand tightly. 

    None of the Hales bothered to look for Lorraine even though she had been gone for three days. 

To them, she was the black sheep of the family and the laughing stock of EastHill, and that’s a shame on them. If it wasn’t for her, the Hales’ business would have boomed more than before. 

Once Lorraine had recovered, she picked up her marriage certificate with Avon and decided to visit her family villa together. 

Lennox Hales had three sons. 

According to birth order, they were Oscar, Royce, and Vance. 

Vance was shunned by his own family because of Lorraine. It did not matter that he worked hard, expanding the family business by leaps and bounds. 

At home, he didn’t have any rank, or status, or any authority whatsoever. 

He might be the Hales’s Group manager, but he had no shares in the company. All he got is nothing but his fixed salary each month with no bonus. As such, he was struggling to make ends meet. 

He managed to bought a house, but there was still the mortgage to pay off every month. 

“Welcome to my home, Avon.” 

Pointing to the doors, Lorraine muttered, “It’s nothing compared to your palace though.” 

Avon took her hands in his and smiled. “Home is wherever you are.” 

Lorraine returned the smile. Approaching the entrance she knocked on the door gently. 

Charlotte; Lorraine’s mother opened the door. 

She was slightly shocked to see a beautiful girl and an unfamiliar man on her porch. She asked, “Can I help you?” 

“Mom, it’s me your daughter. Lorraine.” 

“What?” 

Charlotte couldn’t believe her eyes nor her ears. Looking at the girl in front of her confusingly, “You’re Lorraine?” 

“It’s me mom. My scars and everything are all gone now.” 

“Hi mom,” Avon added. 

“What?” Charlotte still couldn’t believe what’s happening and is trying to recover from the shock. 

Holding onto Avon’s arm, she said. “Grandfather was going to marry me off, but I have gotten a husband, I have married him, and I have come to let you all know that.”

Charlotte finally recovered, she pulled Lorraine to her side quickly. Coldly, she said to him, “I have never acknowledged you as my son-in-law.” 

Now that Lorraine had recovered her looks, Charlotte had other plans in mind. She will marry her off to one of the families in Great five. 

With how beautiful she looks now, she could marry a very rich man instead of the lazy worm standing beside her and only after her family’s wealth. He purposely cured her so he can obtained the families’ love. Not knowing his actual background.

She pointed at the door and coldly ordered Avon, “Get out.” 

“Mom, what are you doing? That’s my husband, I’m married to him now.” 

“Let’s go to the family villa now. I’ll have your grandfather call off the wedding himself.” Gladys wasted no time, dragging Lorraine with her. 

“No, Avon.” Lorraine turned around to look at Avon helplessly. 

Avon simply shrugged, looking like he didn’t have any care in the world. He merely trailed along the two women. 

The Hales gathered in the Villa’s living room having a meeting, looking at the beautiful girl that showed up with Charlotte in disbelief. 

How could this be Lorraine? 

It’s impossible, Lorraine can never be this good looking, her face has been ugly since years now? 

“Lorraine, this isn’t you?” 

“I think she undergoes a plastic surgery in Korea. Is there technology so advanced that there’s a full body option?” 

“Did you still forget that Richard would want you more now since you have this new look. I pity you and whoever is beside you.” 

Then Charlotte got straight to the point. “Dad, I disagree with this marriage between them. With Lorraine’s looks, she could marry someone rich from a prestigious family out of the Great five. How could she choose some spineless worm.” 

Smoking a tobacco pipe on the couch, Lennox turned over to stare at Lorraine. Truly his granddaughter had change, and she was with a handsome man that looks undefinable and rather poorly assumed. 

“No!” Lorraine stepped up with tears already welling up her eyes. “Grandfather, you all wanted me gone and out of this family. Now that I have marry a man who helped me recover, you’re not letting me go again.” 

“You ungrateful brat…” Charlotte moved closer slapping Lorraine hard across the face. She yelled, “What do you see in this penniless man, we still have the Wilson’s to deal with.” 

Lorraine grabbed the knife lying on the table and pressed it to her cheek. “I’ll cut the beautiful face into pieces if you push me too far.” 

“You wouldn’t dare…” Charlotte trembled in anger. 

“Enough!” Lennox roared. “What is going on, Lorraine? This if for your own good. Look at how beautiful you’re now. You could marry well and enjoy everything you desired. The man beside you won’t offer a half of that, talkless of the quarter.” 

Just then, Avon who had been quiet all this time spoke up. Looking around at the Hales, he said mildly. “I don’t care about being part of your family either way, but this is between me and Lorraine. Only if she wants a divorce that I’m going to give her. If not, nothing is happening.” He was angry the way Lorraine’s family are treating her, she suffered so much and they didn’t still care. 

“I’ll give you five hundred thousand dollars. All you have to do is divorce Lorraine and stay away from her.” 

“No!” Lorraine yelled in tears. 

“Did you remember what you did to Richard?” Oscar suddenly spoke up. 

“Will you take charge if their family revenge to us? We’ll all be buried with you.” In the same room, Vance said also. 

“Or do you think you or your worthless husband can appease their anger? You’ll get us all killed.” 

Everyone started accusing Lorraine and insulting her, tears stung at the corner of her eyes threatening to spill down heavily. 

“Enough!” Avon shouted, he couldn’t take the words anymore. “I’ll solve the problem by tomorrow.” He sentenced in a cold voice, sending shivers down everyone’s spine; including Lorraine’s.