RETURN OF DON' CARA FROM USELESS TO GREATNESS

Chapter 2

Brittany's words about Elizabeth sleeping with someone else played in his mind. He didn't want to believe it, but he couldn't help it since his wife had been behaving strangely.

For the second time, the door swung open, revealing the other half of Brittany. Unlike other people who easily mistake the twins, Joshua recognized them.

“Mother wants you downstairs,” Ginny announced. Unlike her twin sister, she wore a gown that covered her body.

Joshua shrugged off her commanding tone. “I will be right behind you,” he replied, turning his attention back to the mirror and wiping off the wine.

When he didn’t hear the sarcastic response he usually received from Ginny, he glanced back at the door and noticed she was still standing at the threshold with her arms crossed.

“She wants you downstairs now!” Ginny repeated, irritation now evident in her voice. “Is that a new suit? Why are you dressing like you're important?” She asked in an accusatory tone when her eyes saw the label on the clothing.

Joshua, who was familiar with her disrespect, cast a dead expression towards the twin but said nothing. He knew better to ignore them than to engage in any conversation that would ruin his night.

When he was done, Joshua took one last glance at his suit before making his way out of their room, not fast enough to miss her grunt.

“Pathetic fool!” She hissed in a pitchy tone.

For the second time, he ignored her and made his way downstairs.

As he approached the living room filled with laughter and chatter, silence instantly soared through the space when several eyes, including that of his wife, Elizabeth Marshall, turned in his direction.

His father-in-law, Festos Marshall, and mother-in-law, Georgia Marshall, shifted their gaze from their watches to him.

“What on earth have you been doing up there, Joshua?!” Mrs. Marshall's voice pierced through the room, causing everyone to turn and look at him.

Joshua, who spent fifteen minutes getting ready, raised his gaze to her. “I'm sorry, mother-in-law, but you wanted me to pick up your groceries, and father-in-law wanted me to take care of—”

Mrs.Marshell rolled her eyes. “Shut your dirty mouth!” She yelled with a raised finger. “How long does it take to do the simple task you were told to?!” She asked, her brow knitting into a frown.

Joshua, knowing it was better to keep quiet than to explain himself, remained silent. He was the first to start the night but the last to finish. Even when he was busy organizing an event that would benefit the entire family, he couldn't finish on time due to constant requests from his in-laws.

“I know you would either make excuses or point the blame at someone else,” Brittany spouted from behind as she descended down the stairs. “Mother, can you believe he allowed my friend to use a cold shower!”

Several gasps filled the room, and Joshua felt his lungs tighten. He glanced across the room at the face that had once accepted him with a smile. The look on their faces made his gut twist. They were staring at him like he was worthless.

When Brittany didn't hear any response from him, she scoffed and directed her gaze to her elder sister, who had been silent watching the scene.

“You never listened to me, Elizabeth, because if you had, you wouldn't marry this liability,” she deadpanned before walking out of the mansion.

Mrs. Marshall took a last glance at him and shook her head before following her daughter out of the mansion.

Joshua averted his gaze to his wife, who didn't pay any attention to him but rather panned her gaze on her phone with a bright smile. Joshua didn't know who she was texting, and to avoid any fight tonight, he avoided asking her.

“Did you complete the task I gave you?” Mr.Marshall asked, drawing his attention.

“Yes, I did,” Joshua replied.

“Then why are you still here? Aren't you supposed to be at the event already?” He added, making Joshua heave a silent sigh, and before he could reply, Mr.Marshall raised a finger silencing him before he exited the room.

When Mr. and Mrs. Marshall were out of sight, Joshua turned to his wife, who tucked her phone in her purse. She cast him a smile. “Honey, I'm sorry for my family’s behavior,” she said, walking towards him.

Joshua, who couldn't remember the last time his wife called him honey, furrowed his brow in surprise. When Elizabeth closed the space between them, she placed her palms on his chest, adjusting his tie.

The thought of her sleeping with someone else crawled into his mind, but he quickly shook it off. He was about to shove the thought to the back of his mind when he noticed the red marks on his wife's neck. A quick, cold instant soared through his spine.

“W…who was the friend you told me was sick, Elizabeth?”

Elizabeth, caught off guard by the sudden question, steps back with a frown. “Why are you asking me that?”

Joshua, seeing her reaction, knew she was hiding something. “Brittany said your friend was Mark, and you sleep at his place,” he said, a hint of anger and hurt crawling into his voice.

Elizabeth, ignoring his expression, cast him a confused look, one that told him she didn't find any fault in her action. Joshua sighed. “Elizabeth, you're a married woman and my wife, for Christ's sake! You slept in a man's house, one I didn't know existed before!” Joshua added.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Frank and I were friends even before I met you,” she scoffed. “Because I'm married doesn't mean I can't sleep at his place!”

Joshua felt his heart sink at her response. “You can't sleep in the same room with me, but you can sleep in another man's house?!” The words slipped out of his mouth, and Elizabeth snapped her eyes at him.

“That's different!” She yelled, irritation crawling into her voice. “When I found out Mark was sick, I took the opportunity so I could personally invite him to the event,” she replied defensively.

When she noticed her husband's expression didn't ease by her explanation, she quickly placed her hand on his chest. “Can’t you see I did it for you? Mark is influential and could help us with his donation,” she added.