A Marriage Beyond Reach

He had a black cloth as his arm band, and was looking solemn, while Jewel had on light makeup, and her foxy features bore a tinge of sadness. An elder of the Herschs had recently passed, and it became major news in the city. However, no one found it strange that Ian was the only outsider among the Herschs and their extended family members attending the funeral.

I bowed at the director's tombstone alone, a stark contrast to their huge group.

The director was the one who had helped me find someone to teach me massage techniques through various connections. When Ian left the Langhams, the director became worried for us, and she transferred half of her meager pension to me for six months.

Ian was a man who harbored gratitude, and he was the only person aside from me who truly respected the director. After she retired from her post, he made sure that the orphanage received higher donations than before. However, she was now gone, and the respect she once had followed suit.

It was not easy for me to accept her death as I placed a bouquet in front of her tombstone. I was about to leave when someone grabbed my hand at the cemetery's entrance. "Are you planning to create more trouble with the Herschs around?"

Ian's grip on my right hand hurt my fractured hand badly, and I broke out in cold sweat from the pain. However, I did not show the pain on my face as I lowered my head. "I'm just here to visit an old friend, Mr. Langham."

The sadness on Jewel's face was gone, and she started acting like the gracious heiress she was supposed to be. "It's fine, we understand. It's very kind of you to come here to pay respects to a member of the Hersch family, Miss Everton."

I felt disgusted by her words. There were hardly any faults when it came to Jewel. She had a beautiful face, and talent. Even when she was being petty, she did it with grace. However, Jewel was supposed to be born a butterfly, but she chose to become a fly. Thank goodness this fly managed to find a rotten egg like Ian.

The look in my eye was cold and distant. "There is no need for any physical touching, Mr. Langham. You wouldn't want Miss Hersch to misunderstand, would you?"

Ian's expression fell, and he acted as if he had just heard something preposterous. "That's enough! Do you need to be jealous about every single thing, Tiana? Are you unhappy about living a comfortable life after becoming the wife of a Langham?"

Jewel moved slightly to the side to hold Ian's hand, which was gripping me. Ian stared at me for quite a while before releasing me. The pain in my right hand gradually subsided, and for the first time ever, I felt grateful to Jewel. However, it did nothing to appease Ian's anger.

"What's so great about being the wife of a Langham?"

Ian was enraged, and he flung off Jewel's hand. He took a step closer to me with a frightening look in his eye. "You're not allowed to say anything of that sort as long as you're still my lawful wife, Tiana!"

I laughed miserably as I took a step back, and I raised my tone, "You were the one who refused to let me go, Ian! You were the one who knelt, begging the Langhams to let me marry into your family! It was you who promised the director that you would take care of me and love only me your entire life. If you can't do it, then we should get divorced!"

Ian's veins throbbed on his forehead, and a guilty look flashed across his face. He remained furious, but he lowered his voice. "You have lived a life of luxury all these years. Have you ever suffered or gotten hurt all this time?"

I looked coldly back at him as my hands fell limply by my side. It was the first time my pain made me laugh. His tone softened, and it reminded me of old times when we were in love, and he was gentle with me. "Once this busy period is over, I'll accompany you to visit the director. My migraine has been working up again. You should make some time to give me a massage."

All I did was smile as I used whatever strength was left in my left hand to hold up my right hand. The fingers that had soothed his migraine numerous times, but were now filled with pain, appeared in his line of sight. "How about taking a look at them for yourself, Ian?"

I held back the horrible pain to pull up my long sleeve to reveal what was hidden beneath. It was my right hand, which was swollen, bruised, and contorted.