Oops I Am My Bully's Bride

chapter 9

Adrian’s smirk lingered as he looked up the staircase. He dug his hands in his pockets, barely looking at the women he had brought home.

The three women from the club stood behind him, still shifting and whispering. Victoria remained near the study door, arms crossed.

He expected fire. He expected Marceline to come down already raising her voice. He expected her to break out of her shell, because he couldn't believe a woman could have such composure even when faced with the worst.

And instead her voice floated down, it was so calm..

“Adrian…It's good you're back. Can you grab me a glass of water?”

He blinked. “Water? That’s it?”

Victoria let out a high pitched annoying laugh, as she flipped her hair. “Oh, this is rich. She’s too fat and lazy to walk down the stairs and get it herself? Look at her standing up there like she owns the place. Pregnancy turned her into a complete freeloader.”

Adrian's heart almost ached at the words, he wanted to scold Victoria. Because at the end of the day, the baby was his. His only heir or heiress.

One of the club women... with a classy outfit and a face that can launch ships....she snickered behind her hand.. Moving closer to Adrian like she's his sworn lover.

Another muttered, “I wouldn’t get out of bed either if I looked like that. At least she still has a pretty face.”

Marceline’s fingers tightened on the banister.

In most mansions, the Don's wife was highly respected and crowned as the Donna. But Marceline wasn't respected and she wasn't given that title either. That was how vicious Adrian had been towards her. He gave everyone a gate way to disrespect her.

She started thinking long and hard, "Of course. Let them talk. Let him stand there and listen like it’s entertainment. Four years of this and he still thinks of me as dirt beneath his shoes.“

She kept her eyes fixed straight into Adrian's eyes. “I’m waiting,” she said. “The water.”

Victoria took a step closer to the stairs, voice rising with false sweetness. “Come on, Marceline. You’re not helpless. Or are those ankles too swollen to carry you? Maybe if you hadn’t eaten everything in the kitchen you’d still be able to move.”

Adrian said nothing. He only watched, the earlier smirk gone, replaced by a cold look on his face. He looked like someone had thrown a bucket of ice over his head.

Marceline ignored Victoria, tears dared to fall but she blinked them away.

“Say something. Tell her to stop. You brought these people into the house and now you let them speak to me like this in front of you. Typical." She thought.

Victoria continued, clearly enjoying the audience. “I waited hours for you, Adrian, and she can’t even get her own water. What kind of wife is that? No wonder you needed company tonight.” She said, fixing her heavy boobs on her chest, sliding the dress lower than it was supposed to be.

One of the women pipped in and added, “She’s lucky anyone still looks at her.”

Marceline’s throat tightened. She felt fresh hot tears threatening to fall, but she blinked them back hard.

*Don’t cry in front of them. Especially not while he’s watching. You asked for water from your husband. You already know he won’t give you one shred of respect.*

Regardless she forced her voice to stay even. “Adrian. The glass of water. Please.”

Victoria turned fully toward him now. “You’re not actually going to fetch it for her, are you? She’s playing the helpless pregnant card. Don’t fall for it.”

Adrian’s gaze flicked from Victoria to the top of the stairs and back again. Still he did not speak.

Marceline’s thoughts raced, bitter and tired.

Victoria’s smile widened. “See? Even he knows you’re being dramatic. Just come down and get it yourself if you’re so thirsty. Or is the baby making you too delicate for basic tasks?”

Marceline’s free hand rested on the curve of her stomach.

“Delicate. Right. I removed bullets from his body with my own hands and he still lets strangers call me useless in his foyer.“ She thought.

She finally spoke again, quieter but clear. “I’m not coming down. I’m asking my husband for a glass of water. That’s all.”

Victoria scoffed. “Husband. That’s cute. He’s barely looked at you all night and you’re still calling him that.”

“Then how did you think I got pregnant?" Marceline shot a smirk.. Victoria stomped her foot and grabbed Adrian's sleeve tightly, as if she was expecting him to defend her tantrums.

Adrian started at Victoria then said "Well, you provoked her." The muscle in his jaw almost locked for a second.

The club women had gone quiet, waiting to see what he would do.

Marceline could not believe he had defended her. For the very first time.

Marceline kept her wet eyes carefully averted from his.

“You...To the bedroom, the rest of you. Out!“ Adrian commanded.