Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“You stupid fool, you had just one job. One freaking job. But you couldn't get it done. You just had to mess up. You want nothing but to disgrace this household in front of the entire family.”. Mrs Nancy Dalton, who couldn't control her anger yelled,walking fast in her stiletto heel as she entered the house.

In an attempt to soothe her mother's nerves, Rosa Dalton hurried to her side, gently taking her mother's hand and speaking to her in a soft, reassuring voice. “ Mom, don't walk too fast, you're going to hurt yourself”.

But Nancy wasn't taking any of it. She jerked her arm out of her daughter's grip.

“Hurt myself?!. No, I'm going to hurt that bastard instead. Just imagine the embarrassment he caused us today”.

“Mom, calm down. I'm sure there's was a misunderstanding somewhere”.

“Misunderstanding?!”. Nancy flared up again. “Why do you always give excuses for his incompetence? Huh?”. She threw her heels at the young man in question, targeting his head, but luckily for him, he was fast enough to dodge it.

“Mom!!!” Rosa’s eyes widened at her mother's action.

“You know what?. I blame your dad. I blame him for all of this!. If he stopped you from seeing this fool while you were in school just like I advised, then I wouldn't have to deal with this. But your father was so stubborn and strong headed. He approved your marriage to this fool. He even went ahead to give him a job at the company. Now look, he isn't even alive to witness the embarrassment this bastard is causing this household”.

The young man who just stood and received all these insults was Adrian Grey. Adrian is an orphan who was lucky enough to have charmed Rosa Dalton, the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in the country during their University days. The whole Dalton family was against them seeing each other, but strangely, Rosa's father, Late Mr Walter Dalton approved of their relationship and even got him a job at the company after their wedding.

Rosa and Adrian have been married for five years and Adrian's love for his beautiful wife has never reduced, instead, it grew everyday. But after Mr Walter’s death one year ago, Rosa suddenly grew cold towards Adrian.

Adrian's gaze drifted from his ranting mother-in-law to his wife's face, which held a dark expression he could not read. She was definitely getting fed up of the continuous embarrassment.

Adrian felt his hand closing up in a fist. He needed to defend himself. He didn't do anything wrong at the office today. Someone definitely misplaced those files and is trying to pin the blame on him.

“Mother, what happened today at the office wasn't me. I haven't even laid eyes on the files they said I misplaced before. Someone definitely misplaced those files and is trying to shift the blame on me…”

SMACK!!!

Before Adrian could finish what he was saying, Nancy sent a stinging slap across his face. The slap reverberated across the room. The silence that followed was deafening, as Rosa's eyes widened in horror. Nancy's face was flushed with anger, her eyes blazing with fury.

“Who asked you to speak?!”. She hissed, her voice sharp and menacing. “And how many times have I told you not to call me your mother?!. I am not your mother!. You are nothing but a fool and you will never be good enough for my daughter”.

With that, she stormed upstairs. Adrian stood there, stunned, his cheek burning from the slap. Rosa stood there for a minute, taking in the scene before her. Her mother's words and action had left her feeling numb, her emotions shut down in self defence. She couldn't bring herself to feel sorry for her husband, couldn't bring herself to care about how he must be feeling. She walked up to him, her eyes cold,

“Listen”. Her tone showed a glint of annoyance. “We have to get ready for the party. When we get there, please behave and don't embarrass me further”. She paused, as if letting her words sink in. Then, without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out of the room, her heels clicking against the marbled floor.

*********

Adrian, Rosa and Nancy arrived at the venue where the party was being held. It was the Dalton's annual party hosted by Dalton Industries Inc which belonged to the Dalton family. Although the Dalton's were rich, they weren't considered the top families in NewYork. They were a third rate Family and also Rosa's family.

Nancy strutted into the hall, all adorned in a glittering dress and shiny jewellery, wearing a kind smile on her face and greeting anyone that passed her. Rosa wore a simple long white dress that hugged her body, bringing out her curves, with a split that reached her tanned smooth thigh. She let her hair fall graciously down her exposed back.

Although she was dressed in a simple attire, Rosa was incredibly beautiful. She was considered the top beauty of the Dalton's family because she attracted men wherever she went.

“I told you not to bring this fool here. He is killing the vibe in this room”. Nancy whispered to Rosa as they walked down the room.

“Mom, he is my husband. He is supposed to be here.”

Nancy rolled her eyes at her daughter's response. “ If he embarrasses me tonight, I'll literally kill him. I promise you that”.

Adrian on the other hand, walked beside his wife and mother in-law, ignoring all the sneering eyes glaring at him. He was used to it already and mastered himself to ignore them.

“Oh!, If it isn't our beauty goddess and her loser husband. You guys finally decided to join the party. Do you guys realise you are late?. And grandma detests people who are late” Sean Dalton, Rosa's cousin brother announced, patting Adrian on the back.

Rosa scoffed and rolled her eyes at him

It was evident that Sean had a strained relationship with Rosa, which was evident from his sarcastic comment.

“If I wasn't a gentleman, you'd get a punch in the face for laying your hands on me”. Adrian seethed.

Everyone around gasped at Adrian's words. They had never heard him say something like that. He was quiet most of the time.

Nancy approached her daughter, Rosa discreetly.

“Rosa, I told you bringing this fool here was a mistake. Look, he is causing trouble now”.

“Wow!!!. You really have the guts to speak, after tampling with company files?”.

“You know that wasn't me. I know you did that and you're just trying to pin the blame on me.”. Adrian gritted his teeth,closing in on Sean.

“Pin the blame on you?. Who the hell do you think you are ?”. Sean raised his brows, glaring at Adrian as if ready for a fight.

“He doesn't know he is just this family's leftover”. Lily Dalton, Rosa's third cousin, approached the group, adding fuel to the fire. “And it seems Rosa doesn’t know she has to tame her dog”.

Lily has always held a personal grudge towards Rosa. She hates the fact that Rosa is rated first in beauty. And makes sure to ridicule her whenever the chance pops up.

“Well Lily, it's fine. The files don't matter anymore. Because what Adrian doesn't know is that our beauty queen here has covered up for him and is divorcing his broke ass”.

Adrian’s eyes widened, “What?!”