Her Accidental Husband

It was almost midnight. Everyone in the house had fallen asleep. They were tired, devastated by the incidents that happened today. The whole residence was immersed in darkness.

But Chloe couldn't fall asleep. Standing in the balcony of her room, she stared at the sky. She was lost in thoughts. Everythjng that happened today— she had never faced something like this in her twenty five years of life. The first time in her life, she felt humiliated. Even if now, when she recalled the moments, she felt the insult.

.....

After Mrs. Millar finished talking, the whole community hall fell silent. Pin drop silence prevailed there for a couple of minutes, and everyone was amazed!

Both the Smiths and the Millers were quite powerful in the town. Besides being groom and bride's family, they were also business partners for years. And it forced everyone to think that: would there be any consequences in their business partnerships because of this broken engagement?

Chloe stood still there. She felt hurt, but no one actually was paying attention to her. For them, at that moment, the most important thing was their business partnership.

"Mr. Miller, won't you say anything?"

Mr. Smith took steps forward to Mr. Miller and asked him.

He sighed.

"Jacob, at this point, I cannot disagree with my wife. As your daughter is already married, there is no point of talking about this engagement. But as for our partnerships- I'll think about it."

Mr. Smith nodded.

"Fine. And for the mess that happened today, I apologize on behalf of my daughter. I'll try to compensate it if I can."

Mrs. Miller went forward.

"Mr. Smith, we are acquainted for a long time, I believe you. But don't get me wrong, to be very honest, what your daughter has done toady, is truly unforgivable. If she still has some sense of shame, I hope, she'll not show her face in front of my son or my family again."

After finishing, she went back, towards the door. But as she was passing beside her, she stopped. Then looked at her straight in her eyes.

"Chloe, I know you for almost fifteen years, since you were rescued and adopted by Mr. Smith. I really thought that whatever your past was, you will be a good daughter of the Smiths, their teachings and upbringing will shape you, not your original identity.

But...."

She stopped.

"I was wrong. Blood shows its color certainly, if not immediately. You also could not keep the dignity of the Smith family."

Smiling sarcastically, she left. Following her, everyone left the venue slowly, leaving only the Smiths behind.

But Chloe stood still. Her sister and father headed towards the door, not even looking at her. Her mother, while passing, said.

"Are you coming, or not!"

Then didn't wait farther and went ahead. When everyone left, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Chase. He hugged her from side and saif in a soft voice.

"Let's go home."

They went out. All the cars left, even her parents' also. Only the black SUV of Chase was there. He took her towards his car, and opened the passenger seat's door for her.

"Come on, sit."

Without saying anything, she sat inside. He got on the car and deove towards home. The whole way back, none of them talked. She was leaning on the seat, looking outside. She wanted some time alone. Upon reaching home, she locked herself inside. Since then, she was there, inside her room, alone.

.....

Looking up at the sky full of stars, a faint smile appeared on her face. Every word of the people in the venue was ringing like a bell in her head.

"Poor girl, that's why people say to think before doing anything."

"You can not sail two boats at the same time, either the boats will sink, or you'll. See, the result is in front of our eyes."

"The elder daughter of the Smiths is really disgusting."

... The phrases entered her ears like bullets. She felt as if someone had poured hot lead in her ears. She was always known as kind and well mannered lady of the Smith's; but in one day everything had changed! Her image and reputation was completely tarnished!

"Why haven't you slept yet!"

Suddenly, she heard Chase's voice from the balcony of his room. She looked and found him standing in his room's balcony.

Chase's room was on the right side of her room. All the rooms on the first floor had their seperate balcony. She remembered, in childhood, whenever Chase did something that their mother didn't like, she ised to lock him up in his room.

But Chase was Chase! He used to jump from his balcony to hers, then they spent the whole day together, eating, gossiping, leg pulling each other.

"I'm not feeling sleepy."

She replied shortly.

He looked at her for sometime, then suddenly jumped on her balcony.

"Are you sad about the broken engagement? Don't worry, we'll find a way."

She didn't say anything, continued to look at the sky.

Was she really upset for the broken engagement! No, definitely not. She was upset because of the things that happened today. She was upset because of the judgement, criticism and the humiliation she faced today.

Chase looked at her carefully. Her eyes were red, swollen. It was prominent that she cried a lot today. Since childhood, whenever she cried, her face used to become red and swollen. And today was also no different.

The swollen face, uncombed hair and just a silk night gown— she still looked delicate.

When she was adopted and brought to the Smith family, she was only ten years old. The moment she stepped in this house, Chase and she became inseparable. She secured a permanent place in his heart, at just at the age of twelve, he learned how to take care of her, how to protect her. She was always precious to him, even more than his own biological sister.

And from all the experiences over the years, he could easily tell that whatever happened today, was not entirely her fault. She could never do such things. There was definitely something bigger behind this.

But even if so, what could it be!