Their eyes met and locked for a few seconds and Samantha's world caved in at that moment.

"You!" Ryan pointed, as he walked towards her slowly.

"What is going on, Samantha?" Ryker asked coldly while taking a slow confused glance at Samantha who managed to keep her heads high.

""Oh, her name is Samantha?" Ryan laughed and licked his lips in disbelief.

This is not happening, Samantha cried silently as she was handed back her flower bouquet by her maid of honor.

"Ryan, what are you doing?!" Mrs Clyde yelled and pulled him away.

"Are you..are you getting married to my brother?!" Ryan fired with his eyes on Samantha while being pulled away by his mom.

"Do you know her? What's going on?" Sophia and Claris asked in surprise.

Ryker tried to maintain his cool as he took a slow glance at Samantha again.

"Do you know him?" He asked in a slow but angry tone.

"I..I..I don't," Samantha answered quickly.

"Why did you drop your bouquet at the sight of him?" He continued in whispers.

She felt her heart jump into her stomach and she did all she could not to show fear. She could still see Ryker's eyes on her face, and she tried to keep a straight face.

She knew the Clyde's family too well, they wouldn't tolerate any sort of nuisance. It's over, she thought to herself as she swallowed hard.

"Ryan, why are you bent on destroying everything the Clyde's family have worked so hard to achieve?!" She heard Mrs Clyde yelling at Ryan.

"Mother..I..," he tried to explain.

"What? You wanna tell a lie about Ryker's bride just to ruin his day?" She accused him.

"Why would I?" He defended himself.

"Ryan, just leave!!" Claris yelled in his face.

"Who invited you here, you good-for-nothing son?!" Mrs Clyde yelled, hitting him the more.

He moved away from his mother and sisters who were yelling at his face and he took a final glance at Samantha whose gaze was buried on the floor.

"As usual, I guess I'll miss the family photos," he said and wore his sunglasses before walking out.

"Oh, thank goodness!!" Mrs Clyde cried and took hold of Ryker's hand.

"Take hold of your bride," she said with a smile.

Ryker looked at Samantha who was still nervous and she raised her head as soon as he took hold of her hand again.

"I'm so sorry for the inconveniences," Mrs Clyde said to her.

Samantha nodded with a wry smile as she took hold of Ryker's arms. At intervals, she looked back to see if Ryan was still watching.

"Look here," came Ryker's voice as they both stepped into the hall.

She turned to look at him and she could see the dark stare he gave her.

"If I ever find out you're telling a lie..," he said and paused.

Her heart skipped and she held onto her wedding dress tightly.

"Nevermind," he swallowed back his words and heaved a sigh.

She pinched herself and heaved a sigh of relief before continuing the walk with him.

As soon as they were pronounced husband and wife, the whole family headed home.

Samantha couldn't bear the thought of Ryan being her brother-in-law. How come she never knew about him?

She had always believed Ryker was the one and only son of Mr Clyde. Where did Ryan come from? She thought and wiped the sweat off her brows as she was led into the foyer alongside Ryker.

She looked around the house with fear written all over her body, hoping for Ryan not to show up.

"Are you okay?" Mrs Clyde asked, sensing the fear all over her body.

"No..um.. I'm fine, ma'am," she replied with a forced smile on her lips.

"You can have your seat, we'll have a little discussion about the rules of the Clyde's family," Mrs Clyde said with a serious look on her face.

Samantha nodded and took her seat beside Ryker who was already seated.

Sophia and Claris sat beside each other and Samantha could see the demeaning stare they both gave her.

"I really appreciate the fact that you showed up to be my son's bride," Mrs Clyde started with a smile.

"It's my pleasure, ma'am," Samantha replied.

"But there are conditions to meet if you really want to remain in this family," she continued.

"I'll follow all the rules, ma'am," Samantha said confidently.

"Great, you look submissive," Mrs Clyde smiled with satisfaction.

"I was brought up that way by my mother," Samantha explained.

"We didn't ask for your family story," Claris interrupted with a disgusting look on her face.

Samantha gulped and tried to keep her cool.

"Now, Sam," Mrs Clyde spoke, crossing her legs stylishly. "Rule 1, the Clyde's family would not tolerate any form of disrespect from our daughter-in-law.

Rule 2, Your role is only limited to being a full-time housewife. You mustn't engage in any form of employment, as the Clyde's family will cater for all your needs.

Rule 3, You mustn't question any activity going on in the mansion and you should learn to stick to your boundaries, as any form of poke nosing or gossiping would not be tolerated.

Whatever happens here in the mansion, dies here in the mansion.

Rule 4, you must be submissive to your husband in everything, and never get on his nerves.

Rule 5, No form of deceit would be tolerated. Am I clear?" Mrs Clyde asked with full authority.

"Yes..yes..," Samantha stammered, wondering how she could survive with all these rules.

"You heard number 4 clearly. Don't get on my nerves," Ryker repeated with a smirk that sent shrills all over her body.

"Yes..yes..sir," she replied.

"Great. The maids will accompany you to your room," Mrs Clyde said and Samantha nodded nervously.

She stood up slowly and followed the two ladies in blue uniform waiting to accompany her.

She was led up to the large staircase by the maids who were carrying her luggage. As soon as they turned into the large passageway, a firm hand grabbed hold of her and pulled her over.

"You!" His aggressive voice yelled in her face.

She looked up at his face and realized he was Ryan, the man she had an affair with last night. Her heart cringed and her world caved in as his bloodshot eyes pierced into her eyes deeply.

"Last night, we had a fling, and today you're married to my brother?!" He scowled, spewing out hot breath on her face.

She stuttered, "I..I'm..I'm.."

"No!! You can't be married to Ryker! You can't be my brother's wife!" He raged, looking aggrieved as he pulled away from her.

Ryker's dominant voice was immediately heard from the stairs, "What's going on here?"

Her feet grew cold, and realizing he must have heard their conversation, she grabbed her wedding dress firmly and took to her heels.

"Wait!" His commanding voice made her halt in the middle of the passageway. She stood stiff as she heard the sound of his shoes kissing the ground stylishly.

His presence behind her made her turn pale in the blink of an eye.

Caressing her left shoulder, he whispered sinisterly into her ears "Wifey, what did you do on the night before our wedding?".

"I..I don't..," she tried to speak, but Mrs Clyde's presence interrupted her.

"What's going on here?" She asked, looking from Ryan to Ryker who were exchanging fierce glances.

"You should ask your son to stay away from my wife!" Ryker barked.

"Ryan, are you at it again! What is your gain in ruining everything your brother worked so hard to achieve?!" Mrs Clyde cried.

"Worked so hard to achieve? When everything he has right now was clearly mine?!" Ryan scoffed.

Samantha pinched herself firmly and she swallowed hard and buried her gaze on the floor. Oh, no, the Clyde's family are going to get her killed once they find out the truth, she thought as her palm became sweaty.

"Daughter, do you recognize this man standing here?" Mrs Clyde asked, her gaze now on Samantha.

She gulped and raised her head up quickly.

"I don't know him, he must have mistaken me for someone else," she spoke confidently.

"It was you," Ryan cut in immediately.

"Who? Uh? Who?!" Ryker barked, pushing him away to the wall.

"Stop it!!" Mrs Clyde cried.

Ryan maintained his cool and dusted his suit.

"Now get out! Leave and don't ever show yourself in this mansion again!!" Mrs Clyde yelled in his face.

He took a quick glance at Samantha once again before stepping out of the passage.

"And you," Mrs Clyde turned to her immediately. " If I ever find out you're telling a lie, I'll deal with you!" She warned sternly and stormed out immediately.

She was left alone with Ryker and the maids who were watching silently.

"You heard her right, remember the rules and stick to them," Ryker warned and walked away.

She heaved a sigh of relief and held her chest tightly.

"Ma'am, can we proceed?" The maids asked and she nodded immediately.

She was taken into the spacious bedroom on the second floor of the building. She couldn't help but marvel at how spacious and luxurious it was.

As the maids helped her undress, she could see beautiful portraits of her handsome husband hung on the walls of the room and she smiled wryly.

"Anything else you'll need?" One of the maids asked.

"No, I'm fine for now," she replied quickly and they both nodded and left.

With her white sleek dress on, she jumped on the bed and thought about her encounter with Ryan. She couldn't recall so much of the sex they had last night because of her drunken state and she never wished to recall it.

His relationship with his brother seems to be quite off, and she wondered why. No doubt, they were both handsome men but Ryan's handsomeness is quite unmatched. Moments from the pleasurable night she had with him began to pour in like an avalanche and she tried all she could to wade the thought off.

She wondered why he never really spilled her secret and she hoped he continued this way. What if he tries to blackmail her? She thought and her heart flinched. She was still deep in thought when sleep crept her away on the large king sized bed.

She was woken by Ryker's unruly voice which made her jump off the bed. She wiped her eyes and saw his broad figure standing in front of the bed, looking so drunk and wasted.

"You're supposed to be naked!" He yelled.

"Na..naked?" She asked in confusion.

"This is our first night, and you don't know what happens on a couple's first night?!" He thundered.

"Oh, I..I actually forgot," she stammered as she moved backwards slowly.

She wasn't prepared for this night, and she didn't know what to do at the moment.

"Strip, now!!" He yelled, taking off his white long sleeve shirt.

His thick bare chest was exposed before her and she became scared, seeing his muscular physique before her.

"I..I am exhausted," she managed to speak.

"Exhausted?! Did you just challenge me?!" He growled and pulled her legs aggressively.

"Stop it!! Stop it!!" She screamed, banging the bed with her fists.

He pinned her on the bed with his two hands and climbed over her body.

"Vanessa would never deny me sex! Don't you ever try to do so!" He yelled and landed a heavy slap on her face.

"Who is Vanessa? Stop it, I beg you!!" She cried so loud as he stripped her dress and her panties.

"What's this?!" He grimaced, as his eyes met with the unpleasant sight of her vagina.

He rose up quickly and pulled away from her.

"Your vagina is rotten?!" He cried with disbelief.

"It's only an infection, I can explain..," she cried from the bed.

"Infection?!! And you tricked me into marrying you with a rotten vagina?!!" He cried so loud.

"I can explain...," she went with her knees on the bed.

"Mother!! Mother!!" His heavy voice trembled around the building as he ran out of the room.

"Oh, no!" She cried on the bed.

Not long, Mrs Clyde and her daughters stormed the room, alongside Ryker who was sweating profusely.

"Mother..she has a disease!!" He screamed with disgust.

"I knew it! I knew there was something off about you!!" Claris fired, walking over to her.

"How dare you trick us?!" She yelled and landed a slap on Samantha's face.

"I'm sorry..I can explain..," Samantha cried.

"Explain? Explain what? Why didn't you tell us you had an infection?" Sophia asked angrily.

"Because it was gone, I never knew it would show up again," Samantha cried.

"Why then did you trick me into marrying you?!" Ryker slammed in her face.

"I didn't trick you, I never knew it was gonna show up anymore, I thought it was gone!!" She wept seriously.

"I knew she was a golddigger!!" Claris put in.

"Enough, everyone," Mrs Clyde spoke softly.

She sat on the single sofa opposite the bed and sighed in devastation.

"Look at me, Sam," she ordered slowly without looking up.

Samantha raised her head slowly to look at her.

"Since when have you been battling with this disease?" She asked.

"Since I was a teen, but it was eventually treated and I became cured of it, until it showed up today," she explained soberly.

"Lies!! You tricked my son into marrying you because no man wanted you! Because we were so desperate to get a bride for Ryker, you jumped on the boat, believing this was your only chance of getting married. And then you tricked us, and you think you'll get away with this?" Mrs Clyde scoffed.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am," Samantha sobbed and wiped the tears off her cheeks.

"You took a great risk, Sam. You sure didn't hear about the Clyde's family before you decided to pull this stunt," Mrs Clyde continued as her face pulled into a smirk.

"Mother, don't just sit there, do something!" Ryker yelled impatiently.

"Patience, son," She motioned with her hands and turned to Samantha. "I read the rules clearly and you listened carefully. Now, for tricking the Clyde's family into marrying you, I hereby reduce you to the position of a slave. You'll no longer be given the wifely treatment. You'll render your service day and night in this mansion with minimum food and water to drink. You think you're smart? I'll show you smart," Mrs Clyde declared and stood up from her seat.

"You bitch!" Claris cried and pulled Samantha's hair while Ryker grabbed hold of her throat and began to strangle her.

"Stop it!! Stop it!! Mother, you don't want a repeat of what happened to Vanessa!!" Sophia cried and rushed towards them.

"Stop it, son. We can't afford to lose a new bride. Let her be, her punishment is enough," Mrs Clyde interfered.

"Now grab your bags and get out of my room!!" Ryker slammed.

Samantha began to gasp for breath. Seeing the deadly look on Ryker's face, she quickly stood up from the bed and went to grab a few clothes from the closet.

"To the maid's quarters, now!!" Mrs Clyde ordered and she ran away immediately.

"She must not escape from this mansion!" Ryker fumed.

"She wouldn't, that's so certain. How could I be a fool for such little fellow?" Mrs Clyde lamented in disappointment.

"How do we get rid of this bitch right now?" Claris lamented, throwing her long blonde hair behind her shoulders.

"We can't, it will arouse suspicions. We just need to give it time before throwing her out," Mrs Clyde suggested.

"You guys, do what you like, I'm out," Sophia said and walked out.

"I'm out too, going to search for a boyfriend," Claris giggled and walked out immediately.

"Mother, I'm so devastated at the moment. Our plan has been sabotaged by this bitch!" Ryker lamented as he sat beside his mother on the couch.

"Son, you don't have to worry, I always have my ways," she said, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

"So what will happen now? It's clear she can't give me a child, how do I get my legitimate heir?" He asked.

"I'll send in doctor Steve tomorrow to diagnose if she's still fertile. If she's still fertile, then we'll proceed with the plan," she said.

"Oh, damn it! I can't sleep with that thing?! I can't place my cock in that rotten place!" He slammed.

"Be calm, son. If that's the only way, then you've got to do it," Mrs Clyde said.

"And what if she isn't fertile?" He asked.

"We'll go hard, she'll have to die like her counterpart," she replied with a smirk and stood up.

"It will arouse suspicions like you said," he reminded her.

"Her death wouldn't be suspicious, we'll make it less suspicious. We just hope she's fertile. There is no time left to search again, we're stuck with her," she said with a sigh.

"We just have to keep Ryan away from the mansion for now, else he'll find out the truth about father's will," he said.

"Yes, our main job is to keep Ryan away while trying to have your legitimate heir," she said with a smile.

He nodded and she patted his shoulders and walked out.

Her body ached, her eyes sore with tears as she opened her eyes to the noise coming from the large room known as the maids' quarters.

Through her blurry vision, she could see the tall, fair skinned middle-aged woman standing in front of her. Her face wasn't visible enough but she could easily tell this was the maid who had brought her here last night.

"Madam, you've been assigned to the kitchen this morning," the middle-aged woman spoke with a calm but serious tone.

Samantha rose her head slowly and her short brunette hair could be seen, dangling all over her face.

"I'm so weak," she spoke with a low pitched tone, recalling how she had cried herself to sleep on the cold tiled floor last night.

"It's an order from above, unfortunately there is nothing I can do to help your situation," the lady continued sternly.

Samantha licked her dry lips slowly and dragged her body up from the floor. She looked around and could see some of the maids in blue uniforms, sitting on their respective beds, staring at her.

She dragged her frail body up the floor and took a deep breath while staring at the lady in front of her.

"Shall we?" The lady asked at once.

Samantha nodded slowly and followed behind as she walked out of the room.

Walking into the large kitchen, the smell of pastries and fresh vegetables filled her nostrils.

All eyes were turned in her direction and all activities seemed to slow down at her presence in the kitchen.

"You all, turn to your duties!" The woman ordered and everyone looked away from Samantha immediately.

She quickly sensed the woman to be the head amongst them and she buried her gaze to the floor as the woman turned her attention towards her.

"Now, you'll scrub the kitchen floors this morning, and then wash all utensils used in preparing breakfast for the family. As soon as you're done here, you'll receive your next assignment," she ordered.

Samantha remained silent with her gaze still on the floor.

"Anna, get her all she needs to work on the floor," the woman said to a young slender blonde haired girl who was chopping carrots.

Samantha watched as Anna returned with a bucket and a floor brush for scrubbing.

"Here," Anna said and dropped the equipment on the floor.

"I'll be back to supervise," the woman said and walked out immediately.

Samantha knelt on the floor and wiped the tears that escaped her beautiful hazel eyes. She could hear the maids gossiping as she began to scrub the floor slowly. The floor wasn't that messy, but she knew it was just a punishment from Mrs Clyde. What has she gotten herself into? She thought as she sniffed and continued scrubbing.

"Who would have thought she would become a maid overnight?" She heard gossip from the maids who were assisting the male chef in the kitchen.

"Serves her right, she thought she was the most beautiful woman in the city to be chosen as sir Ryker's bride," one of the maids remarked in whispers.

"Be nice, Betty, she probably never heard about the Clyde's family," another lady remarked.

"Neither did she know what awaits her," the third lady said.

"She didn't bother to find out why she was the only girl who applied," Betty said with a mocking laughter as she looked at Samantha who wasn't paying attention to them.

"I heard she's from the countryside, so she probably didn't know," Anna commented.

"Of all the beautiful girls in Avena city, she was the only one who applied to be sir Ryker's bride, and she was happy, thinking it was luck on her part," Betty continued with laughter.

"Oh, poor thing, I pray she doesn't end up like madam Essa," Anna whispered to the other maids.

Samantha raised her head quickly and her eyes met with that of the women who were gossiping in whispers. They all looked away immediately and her heart began to pound.

"You all, quit the gossip and continue with your duties!!" Rick, the male chef ordered and Samantha could hear the ladies throwing insults at him while carrying out their duties.

"Essa, she doesn't end up like madam Essa," she muttered the words of Anna as they echoed in her ears again.

**

Seated regally around the large dining table, the whole family could be seen, having breakfast in a serene, well coordinated setting.

"It seems Ryan has left already," Sophia said to her mother as she sipped from her cup of coffee.

"Oh, that'll be goodnews. Enough of his nuisances already," Mrs Clyde sighed and rolled her small grey eyes.

"How can I leave so soon without breakfast?" Ryan's huge voice came down the large staircase and they all turned to him.

Ryker's brows gathered deeply, seeing his brother walking down the stairs, still dressed in his white pajamas.

"Good morning brother, good morning mother and my beautiful sisters," Ryan greeted with a smile as he joined the table.

He made a silent chuckle, seeing the frown on their faces, except for Sophia who smiled wryly.

"I asked you to leave," Mrs Clyde groaned.

"This is my father's mansion, and I alone have the right to decide when to leave and when to come in," he said with a smile as he grabbed the jam jar.

"You lost that right a long time ago," Mrs Clyde reminded him.

He kept silent and spread jam over his slice of bread which he munched gently. He looked around and pulled a surprised face.

"Where's your new bride? Samantha or whatever she's called?" He asked, looking at Ryker.

"And how's that your damned business? Hmm?" Ryker fumed.

"She's supposed to be beside you, having breakfast, right?" Ryan chuckled.

"Are you here to mock me?" Ryker snarled, hitting his fist on the table.

The girls gasped and looked at their mother at once.

"Oh, Ryan, you claimed to know Sam, didn't you?" Mrs Clyde smirked.

He nodded while munching his bread.

"How come you never knew she had a disease?" Mrs Clyde asked with a mocking smile on her face.

"A disease?!!" Ryan exclaimed.

"What?..uh?.. Have you slept with the bitch?" Claris laughed.

He stood up immediately.

"Where is she?" He asked almost immediately.

"In the kitchen, with the maids, that's where she belongs," Sophia said.

His face pulled into a frown and he stormed out of the dining room immediately.

Standing in front of the kitchen door, he saw her kneeling on the floor, her fragile hands scrubbing the floor as gentle as she could. Her sleek white dress was soaked with perspiration and his heart shattered immediately.

"What are you doing?" He asked, walking into the kitchen majestically.

The maids greeted him as he walked in but he paid little to no attention to them.

She raised her head at the sound of his voice and her face was covered with her messy hair which she tried to wade off her face.

He couldn't bear the sight of her sore eyes and he knelt before her immediately while everyone watched with keen interest.

"What are you doing?" He asked in a calm but angry tone.

"I'm..I'm..scrubbing the floor..," she spoke, trying to look away from his face.

"Get up and walk with me," he ordered firmly.

"I..I can't, I'm not done yet," she replied.

"Get up and walk with me!" He thundered and pulled her up immediately.

"Sir..she can't..," Betty tried to counter him as he dragged Samantha with him to the door.

"If you dare say a word!" He fired, his charming blue eyes now burning with rage.

Betty and the maids retreated backwards and he turned and stormed out with Samantha.

"Call Madam Kate immediately!!" Betty cried to the rest of the maids.

"You can't do this.. I'll be punished severely for disobeying orders!" Samantha cried as Ryan's huge arms pulled her carelessly along the passageway.

"Some orders are meant to be disobeyed," he said angrily as he continued to drag her along.

"Ryan!!" Ryker's bold voice called angrily behind them.

Samantha's heart skipped at the sound of his voice and she fell on her knees immediately and began to sob.

"What do you think you're doing with my wife?!" Ryker slammed, walking towards him slowly.

"Your wife? Or your slave?" Ryan scoffed, grabbing hold of Samantha and pushing her behind him.

"She is my wife and my slave and you can't interfere!" Ryker fired.

"You think I'll let you do to her what you did to Vanessa, uh?" He scoffed again.

A punch from Ryker sent him staggering backwards and Samantha rushed towards him and helped him regain his stance.

He wiped his lips immediately and looked at Ryker who was still coming closer. Without a word, he charged at Ryker immediately and they both fell on the floor, rolling over as Samantha began to scream for help.

Mrs Clyde and her daughters showed up in the passageway at once and they all rushed towards the men who were still on the floor, exchanging blows.

The bodyguards rushed in to separate the men and Mrs Clyde charged towards Samantha immediately.

"It's not enough that you tricked us, now you want to cause a rift between my boys?!" She slammed and sent a hot slap on Samantha's cheeks.

"Mother!!" Ryan screamed as he tried to escape the men who were pulling him backwards.

"You bitch!! You need to leave this mansion!!" Claris cried and pulled Samantha's hair backwards while she let out a sharp cry, followed by heavy slaps from Mrs Clyde.

Ryan couldn't take it any longer, with all his strength, he broke free from the men and rushed towards his mother and Claris who were dealing with Samantha. His strong arms pulled Claris away and she fell, hitting her bum on the floor.

"Ouch!" She cried and some of the maids let out a quick laugh which they buried immediately as she gave them a fierce look.

"Mother, you should stop it! Don't make me go the hard way!" Ryan yelled at his mother who was still hitting Samantha on the floor.

"Or what would you do, uh? You junkie!!" Ryker fired, walking towards Ryan but Sophia pulled him back.

"Ryan, have you not done enough harm??!! Go back to rehab where you ran away from and don't ever show your face again!!" Mrs Clyde yelled in his face.

"This is my home!" Ryan defended.

"You're a junkie, and you're not welcomed here anymore. Father wasn't even proud to call you his son before you killed him!" Ryker fired.

"Yes, go back to rehab!! You don't belong to the Clyde's family anymore, you good-for-nothing son!!" Mrs Clyde slapped him on his chest.

He remained silent as he watched the whole family rain insults on him one after the other.

"And you," Mrs Clyde turned to Samantha who was still weeping on the floor.

"You caused all this! Get up and return to your duties immediately!!" She yelled.

"She won't," Ryan said calmly and walked over to Samantha.

"Are you asking her to disobey my orders?" Mrs Clyde scoffed.

He remained silent while standing in front of Samantha.

"You know what, mother, let them be. They both deserve each other," Ryker said with a smirk. "One is with a disease, and one is impotent," he added and gave an absurd laugh before turning away.

Ryan remained silent as they all laughed and walked away one after the other, leaving him alone with Samantha who was weeping heavily on the floor.