Shoving her into the small balcony, he stood firmly in front of her, watching her regain her stance.

"Tell me why you married Ryker!" He demanded almost immediately.

"Your lips are bruised..," she cried, trying to touch his bruised lips.

He shoved her hands away and she retreated slowly, seeing his indignation.

"I wanna know, why did you do all of this?! Why did you marry my brother? Why did you trick the family?!" He raged, his charming blue eyes seething with anger.

"How.. can..can I answer all of it?" She stammered, her lips trembling as she stood before his intimidating stature.

"I want you to answer me as soon as you're done eating!" He said and walked out.

Her hands trembled on the balcony as she watched him return with a tray of food which he placed on the wooden table.

"Eat," he ordered and took his seat on the armchair beside the table.

She took her seat and devoured the food almost immediately.

"You've been starved!" He said angrily.

She didn't respond and continued eating.

"Of all the men in the world, you choose Ryker?!" He slammed.

"I..I never knew about him," she managed to speak as she looked up at his face.

"Then why marry him?" He scoffed. "Oh, I guess you found the offer online," he added.

She nodded and continued eating hungrily.

"You didn't bother to know why you were the only one who applied?" He smirked.

She gulped and paused for a moment.

"Oh, now you know. Even the gullible ladies had refrained from being Ryker's bride, especially with the rumors flying around," he said.

"What rumors?" She asked immediately.

"You heard about his first wife?" He asked.

"No.. I don't know anything about the Clyde's family," she replied curiously.

He looked at her thoughtfully and nodded.

"Nevermind," he said.

"I wanna know, I wanna know what shit I've gotten myself into," she said fearfully.

"Were you that desperate to get married, that you didn't run a background research?" He asked, looking at her face deeply.

"I..I never knew the wedding would be this fast, I..I never even knew I stood a chance to be chosen. I only gave it a try," she explained innocently.

"And you thought you were the lucky one?" He asked with a mocking tone.

She kept silent and wiped the tears that escaped her eyes.

"Don't cry," he said with a smile.

She sniffed and buried her gaze on the floor.

"You don't have a family?" He asked.

"Even if I do, they can't rescue me now, I'm like a prisoner here," she said sadly.

"I can get you out," he promised and reclined back on his chair.

"I don't want more troubles for you, I've caused you a lot already," she said with guilt written all over her face.

"You betrayed me, Sam. After what we shared that night. But I won't hold grudges, I just want you to be free from this chain," he said thoughtfully.

She swallowed hard and looked away from his handsome face which sent her heart melting at once.

"Just promise me you won't reveal what happened between us to your family," she said.

"I still haven't forgotten that night with you, it's the reason I stayed back, I wanted to go in search of you. And then..and then I found out the next day, you were marrying my brother," he said with devastation.

" Please let bygones be bygones. I'm your brother's wife, and what happened between us that night was a mistake," she said.

"It wasn't a mistake, I felt a connection, and..I want you, Sam. I can get you away from this mansion, I want us to go far away from here and build a life together," he said with emotion.

"Stop it! I don't feel anything for you, it was a one time mistake and you shouldn't take advantage of the situation. I don't even know you, and I don't want anything to do with you, I'm married to your brother!" she snapped and stood up immediately.

He tightened his fist as he watched her stand on her feet.

"Sam," he called, but she was gone.

"Is he sick? What's wrong with him? He wants me? Gosh, how did I end up in bed with him?" She soliloquized as she walked along the passageway back to the kitchen.

**

"What was Doctor Steve's response?" Ryker asked his mother as she applied a dark shade of lipstick on her lips.

"Oh, he's out of the country, but he's sending his colleague to come do the test," Mrs Clyde replied, smacking her dark lips.

Ryker nodded slowly.

"I can't wait to get this done once and for all. Once found infertile, I don't think I can stand her presence anymore," he said, his face as hard as a stone.

"So, what are you gonna do about it?" She asked, walking elegantly away from the mirror, beautifully donned in a black blazer jacket and black pants.

"I think she needs to leave the same way Vanessa left," he said sinisterly.

"Ryker," she cried worriedly.

"Mom, I can't stand her presence, I believe there is something she shares with Ryan which I'm not comfortable with," he expressed.

"Are you after Ryan? Or after your inheritance?" She asked, walking closer to him.

"I'm after both," he gruntled.

"I didn't teach you to hate your brother," she scolded.

He sighed in frustration and looked away from her.

"The only reason I'm against Ryan is because of your inheritance, I want Clyde's wealth to be in your name," she explained calmly.

"If Dad wasn't so stupid to find out so soon that I wasn't his biological son, everything would have been in my name already," he voiced out with disappointment.

"Oh, yes, and since he tried to prove smart by changing the will, I'll show him I'm smarter," she said with a smirk and patted his shoulders.

"Come on, the representative from Otech is here, we can't keep such a dignitary waiting," she said and adjusted her jacket before walking out.

Walking into the palatial living room, she found the charming, broad, blonde haired man sitting majestically on the sofa, handsomely dressed in black suit. She could see her daughters already engaging the man in a conversation and she smiled broadly, knowing too well what her girls wanted.

"Oh, mother, Mr Ken has been waiting," Sophia said with a smile as she watched her mother walking into the living room.

"Hi, Mr Ken, welcome to our beautiful home," Mrs Clyde greeted as the young man stood up and they both shook hands.

"It's a pleasure meeting you," Mr Ken said with a smile.

"It's an honor on my part, meeting a representative of the third leading tech company in Europe," Mrs Clyde said with pleasure as she took her seat.

"Mom, Mr Ken is not just a representative, but a comedian too," Claris said and they all laughed.

"Oh, it seems my girls like you already," Mrs Clyde remarked.

"I like them too, they're so funny," Mr Ken acknowledged with a charming smile and the girls giggled sheepishly.

"Um..permit me to ask, are you single?" Mrs Clyde asked.

"Oh," he muttered as his eyes bulged while the women laughed.

"For now, I am," he said and Mrs Clyde gave a signal to her girls and they both smiled sheepishly.

"Um, can I meet Mr Ryker, the acting CEO?" He asked, and just then, Ryker marched in, elegantly clad in a long black suit jacket that suited him perfectly.

He exchanged greetings with Mr Ken and he took his seat beside his mother.

"Congrats, Mr Ryker, for your wedding," Mr Ken remarked.

Ryker nodded slowly.

"Thank you, I never knew the news of my wedding went far abroad," he said with surprise.

"Your family is well renowned all over the continent, it shouldn't be a thing of surprise," Mr Ken said with a smile and Ryker nodded.

"Where is your wife? So I can also say hi and congrats to her?" Mr Ken continued.

Ryker's face pulled into a frown and he took a quick glance at his mom.

"Oh, Mr Ken, our new bride is taking a nap. We'll send your greetings when she wakes up," Mr Clyde put in immediately.

They were still speaking when Samantha walked in, looking so tattered, her frail hands trembling with the tray of drinks she was holding. Madam Kate could be seen running after her and all eyes were turned in their direction.

"What are you doing here?!!" Ryker flared and sprang up from his seat.

"Ser..serving drinks..," she muttered with fear.

"I tried to stop her!" Madam Kate cried behind her.

"Oh, no! Go back now!!" Mrs Clyde yelled as she rushed towards her.

"Is..is that Mr Ryker's new wife?" Mr Ken asked, taking a good look at Samantha who was being shielded by Mrs Clyde and Ryker.

"No..no!! She's just one of the maids," Sophia and Claris put in immediately.

"Go back now!!" Ryker thundered at Samantha whose hands were trembling greatly.

The tray fell off her hands and wine glasses shattered all over the floor.

"Oh shit!!" Everyone exclaimed.

Ryker, losing his cool already, sent Samantha a hard slap that landed her on the floor immediately.

Mr Ken stood up quickly and rushed towards them.

"You shouldn't treat your maid in that manner!" He yelled and brought up Samantha from the floor.

"I'm so sorry.. I'm so sorry," she cried and tried to clean up the floor.

"Get out! Kate, clean up!!" Mrs Clyde yelled at once.

Samantha tried to run away but immediately bumped into Ryan who was heading to the living room in rage. He had watched the whole drama unfold from the stairs and he quickly grabbed hold of Samantha with his raging eyes, looking at his family who were watching anxiously.

"Oh..no, Ryan, not again!!" Mrs Clyde cried.

"Mom, Ryker, how dare you?!" Ryan thundered, storming towards them.

"Who is he? Mr Clyde has another son?" Mr Ken asked with surprise as his eyes fell on Ryan.

"No..not..yeah..!!" Mrs Clyde panicked and everywhere became tensed.

Mr Ken didn't take his eyes off Ryan for a second as Mrs Clyde battled for words.

"Um, I'll take my leave for now, the atmosphere isn't business friendly at the moment," he said and turned to walk away.

"No.. don't leave!" Mrs Clyde called while trying to go after him.

He paid no attention and walked out immediately.

"You girls, go after him! And make sure we secure the deal!!" She yelled at her girls who were befuddled at the moment. They both nodded and ran out at once.

Ryker shut his eyes bitterly and then he threw a baleful glance at Samantha and growled, "How dare you show your face?!".

Samantha tried to speak but Ryan grabbed hold of her hands and hushed her.

"Enough of your nuisance, Ryan!! How dare you step out?!! You and this filthy bitch!" Mrs Clyde yelled, walking towards Samantha and Ryan.

"Oh, really? I am a legal son of this family and I deserve to be recognized," Ryan defended.

Ryker scoffed and walked towards him.

"Just hear yourself," he chuckled, taking a firm stand in front of him. " You're not welcome here, don't you get it?" He asked impolitely.

Their eyes locked fiercely and Mrs Clyde tried to pull Ryker away.

"The moment you choose drugs over this family, the moment you choose to humiliate and betray this family, the moment you killed father, you stopped being a Clyde!!" Ryker bellowed in his face.

"I didn't kill father, I didn't betray the family, how long am I going to explain my innocence?!" Ryan cried, his blue eyes filled with emotions as he felt subdued by his brother's words.

"You don't have to explain. I've told you countlessly, the only way to redeem yourself is to return to rehab and come back clean. Return to rehab, Ryan, return and clean up the mess you've made with your life; And when you return, everyone will be willing to welcome you back, and you can reclaim your rightful position in this family.

Aren't you tired of being treated like an outcast? Hmm?" Mrs Clyde asked, touching his chin.

His eyes became filled with tears as he felt his mother's palm caressing his face.

"Go back, redeem yourself," she coarsed.

He paused and took a glance at Samantha who was watching him with tears streaming down her cheek. He walked away immediately and Samantha's knees became feeble, he was her only defender against these people, if he leaves, she's dead, she thought and broke into tears immediately.

Mrs Clyde's lips broke into a smugly smile as she turned to Ryker who was watching Ryan walk up the stairs.

"Now you!" She called, grabbing hold of Samantha's hair. "Haven't you done enough?!" She yelled and landed a blistering slap on her cheek.

Samantha knelt on the floor and began to weep.

"Were you sent to destroy me, hmm? How dare you show your face without being called up! Do you know what you've caused this family?!" She bawled at the weeping Samantha.

"I'm sorry, mother, I never knew!!" Samantha pleaded with tears.

"If I lose this multi million deal, you're dead!!" She threatened.

"Enough, mother. Send her to the dungeon," Ryker ordered from where he stood, his grey eyes watching the whole scene in dissatisfaction.

"Great, that'll be the nicest place for you at the moment," Mrs Clyde nodded.

Just then, Claris walked in, looking dejected.

"Where is your sister?" Her mother asked.

"She went off with Mr Ken, he chose her over me!!" She cried, springing her feet on the floor angrily.

"It doesn't matter, dear, anything to secure the deal," she said with a smirk and Claris pouted her lips and turned to Samantha.

"You!" She called and walked towards her.

"You ruined my chances of being with Mr Ken!" She yelled and kicked Samantha with her silver heels.

Samantha began to cry again and just then, two bodyguards walked in.

"Take her away, to the dungeon," Ryker ordered.

"Mother, please!!" She cried as she was pulled up from the floor and the guards dragged her away.

"I still want Mr Ken!! I want him, ahhh..ahhh!!" Claris cried and ran up the stairs angrily.

"Son, I believe Mr Ken suspects a thing about Samantha," Mrs Clyde said to Ryker as soon as Claris was out.

"No, he doesn't. He believes she's a maid," Ryker affirmed.

"We can't trust anybody, rumors might fly tomorrow. The public's eyes are already on us, and we don't wanna give them another chance of doubt, it's ruining our reputation. Look how hard it was to find a bride," she said thoughtfully as she walked closer to him.

"So what are you suggesting?" Ryker asked curiously.

"Tomorrow, you'll step out with your wife. Yes, we need to give them the impression that we're treating your new bride right, in contrast to whatever rumors might fly," she said.

"But..there are no rumors yet," he scoffed.

"You don't wait to get caught before you run," she gestured with her index finger moving back and forth at his face.

"I can't stand her," he said coldly.

"It's all for the cam," she said with a smirk as she turned with her back facing him.

"When is the doctor coming for the test?" He asked after her.

"We haven't heard from doctor Steve yet, but he's promised to send in the doctor soon," she replied.

"We're running out of time, mother," he said worriedly.

"I know," she said and turned to look at him. "But we're getting there, starting from your brother leaving the mansion," she smiled sinisterly and walked away.

**

He stood beside the large mirror, looking at the white substance wrapped in a small plastic bag. He swallowed hard, and the veins on his neck became visible.

He placed the substance in his pocket and sighed heavily.

"It's time to return, I'm sorry Samantha," he said to himself as he grabbed his black jacket on the bed and walked out of the room.

Walking through the passageway, his heart became heavy at the thought of leaving Samantha behind. He knew what awaited her here in the mansion, but she had proved adamant to receive his help. She chose this life and he had decided to choose his.

He needed to return to rehab so as to redeem himself before his family for a crime he committed years ago. He just hopes she'll be alive to witness his glorious return, he thought and let out a sigh.

He stopped for a moment, hearing voices from the other side of the passageway.

"She's at the dungeon already, without food and water. I hope she doesn't die of starvation, it's quite unfair how the family is treating such a poor innocent soul," he heard the voice of a maid.

His heart began to thump and his eyes bulged. He couldn't believe they had thrown her into the dungeon and his blood grew hot immediately.

He barged into the maids who were gossiping in low tones and they quickly threw a greeting and walked past him.

Without thinking twice, he headed backwards and zoomed off to his mother's chambers.

"Ok doc, we'll be expecting you soon," Mrs Clyde ended her call as soon as she saw Ryan walking into the chamber.

"I thought you're gone!" She barked.

"So desperate to see me leave, uh? So you can murder her like you did to Vanessa?" He blurted out with a scoff.

"How dare you accuse me of Vanessa's murder!!" Mrs Clyde yelled and stood up from her seat.

She gave him a heavy slap and he licked his lips and chuckled.

"You got nothing on me, mother. I want you to free Samantha from the dungeon right away," he warned confidently.

"And if I don't?" She asked with a smirk.

"You'll hear from the media soon," he threatened and turned, his back facing her.

"Really?" She smirked and placed her arms akimbo.

"And so you should know, I changed my mind. I'm staying," he said, turning to look at her.

"No..you can't stay here," she countered, walking to meet him.

"Why? Afraid of something?" He smirked.

"No,. your presence causes humiliation, more reasons your father never included you in his affairs," she smirked. "You're nothing but a mistake," she cursed.

He swallowed hard and wiped his lips.

"I've heard that countlessly. Free Samantha and escape my wrath," he warned and stormed out immediately.

She remained silent, watching him walk away.

"You still won't go away? We shall see," she said with a smirk and turned back to the couch.

WARNING: MIGHT CONTAIN TRIGGERS.

She wiped the tears off her cheek as she heard movements outside the dungeon. It was quite dark and only the lights in front of the dungeon gates lit up the passageway.

Standing up from the cold rough floor, she walked to the metal gates, roving her eyes around the passageway.

Just then, his broad figure appeared in front of her, wearing a black hoodie and black shorts.

"Ryan," she cried almost immediately as he took the hood off his head.

"Sam," he called sympathetically as he touched the metal gate.

"I..I thought you left," she burst out emotionally.

"I tried to, but I couldn't leave you here. Sam, I need to break you out of here. You need to be free, I can help you escape out of here," he offered with enthusiasm.

"It would pose a big risk to you and I. I have nowhere to go, no family of my own. If I escape, your family will come after me, they'll find me with their last breath," she panicked as she looked deep into his eyes.

"I'll protect you.. I'll keep you safe away from them. We'll go somewhere far away from this place," he emphasized.

"I..I can't," she cried and wiped the tears that escaped her cheek.

He slammed his fist angrily on the gate.

"Why are you proving obstinate, uhh? Or is there something keeping you here?!" He voiced out angrily.

She moved backwards as she saw his eyes filled with aggression.

"Sam, is there something I need to know about you?" He asked curiously as he looked into her eyes deeply.

Just then, movements were heard and he dashed away immediately. She hurried back into the room and sat on the floor, turning her back to the metal gate.

"Hey," she heard the masculine voice of one of the guards.

She remained silent and tucked her rough hair behind her ears.

"Your attention is needed," he said as he opened the gate.

She stood up from the floor immediately and walked out of the room. Two guards were waiting beside the dungeon gate and she walked alongside them as they led her out of the dungeon.

Ryan hid behind the dungeon walls, watching them lead Samantha back into the building. He followed behind slowly, curious of what would happen next.

**

She was led into Ryker's bedroom where she could see Mrs Clyde, sitting beside Ryker on the long black couch.

She was made to stand in the middle of the room and the bodyguards left.

"A doctor will be here soon, I want you to take your bath and dress up properly. He'll be here to run a test on your infection, let's see what we can do about it," Mrs Clyde said.

Samantha knelt immediately and her face broke into a smile.

"Thank you ma'am, thank you so much," she said with joy.

"Do as she had said," Ryker ordered with a stern voice.

She stood up immediately and Mrs Clyde sent in a maid who aided in helping her bath.

She was offered a good meal, after which, she dressed up in a white silky nightie and sat on the bed. She could see Ryker and his mom discussing in low tone, after which, the doctor came in.

He was a fair skinned middle-aged man, dressed in a doctor's coat. He had a brief discussion with Mrs Clyde and Ryker before turning his attention to Samantha who was sitting on the bed.

"Shall we?" He asked with a warm smile on his face as he walked to the bed.

She nodded and laid her back flat on the bed.

"You can leave, we'll send for you when we need you," Mrs Clyde said to Samantha as soon as the doctor was through.

She stood up and walked out of the room while adjusting her dress. As she stepped out, she bumped into Ryan who was eavesdropping at the door.

She tried to exclaim but he hushed her and pulled her away from the door. He dragged her into a quiet passage and pushed her to the wall.

"What did the doctor do with you?" He asked, his face only a few inches away from her.

"He..he did a test. Mother says it was about my infection, I think I'm getting a cure soon," she said with a smile.

"Come off it, nothing good ever comes out of these people. I know my family too well," he said.

She kept silent and stared at him in stupefaction.

"What do you think is going on?" She asked seriously.

"I believe they're using you, my family is up to something and I believe it's of no good," he said anxiously as he paced to and fro in front of her.

"You're overthinking," she said, staring at the side of his face.

"I need to find out, I believe there is something I need to know," he said thoughtfully as he turned to look at her.

For a moment, he got lost, seeing how beautiful she looked in her nightie. She had freshened up and smells so good tonight. Her hazel eyes hit up at his eyes and they both stared at each other for a moment. Memories of the other night filled his brain and he gulped, racing his eyes to her red lips.

Seeing how he gawked over her body, she looked away awkwardly and turned her back towards him.

"Are..are you leaving?" He managed to ask.

"They might send for me at any moment," she said. "And besides, I..I don't wanna be seen around you too much. It might upset my husband, and I don't wanna flare him up anymore," she lamented.

He stood still as he tried to digest her words. He looked away from her in disappointment and rubbed his hand over his brown hair.

"It's.. it's fine..," he said and walked away immediately.

Watching him walk away, she gulped and tucked her hair behind her ears. What was he thinking? That she would fall for him because of a single mistake? She thought. There is no way she was gonna keep having an affair with Ryan right under Ryker's nose. No matter how mean Ryker was to her, she was determined to be faithful and possibly win his heart, she said to herself and walked out of the passageway.

**

"From what I can see, she has every possibility to conceive," Doctor Jean said as he placed his instruments back in his briefcase.

"Really?!" Mrs Clyde's eyes glowed with joy.

"Yes, the infection didn't affect her womb. We should wait for the test result before concluding, though. But trust my assessment, she's fertile," he confirmed and Mrs Clyde turned to Ryker whose hand was resting under his chin.

"Thank you, doctor. Just the news I wanted to hear. We'll keep in touch," she said and shook his hands firmly.

As soon as the doctor left, she gave Ryker a warm hug.

"We're getting there, Samantha will bear your child," she said with a smile.

"But I can't sleep with her from the look of her vagina. It disgusts me," he lamented.

"Son, there is no time to cure that infection. You need to start right away," she said and he shoved her hands off his shoulders.

"You want me to share in her disease??!" He barked and stood up angrily.

"No..no..I don't mean it that way," she explained calmly as she walked towards him and placed her hands on his shoulders again.

"Look at me," she ordered.

He gruntled and looked at her hesitantly.

"We'll use the insemination method," she suggested.

"If we inseminate her, she'll suspect what we're up to. She isn't supposed to suspect that we're using her to achieve an aim," he said thoughtfully.

"I'll sort that out, first of all, you need to prepare for your first outing with her tomorrow. Don't forget, Ryan laid a threat, and he might carry it out. Before he strikes, we should be a step ahead of him," she said with a smile as she stroked his cheeks.

He nodded and she kissed his lips lightly.

"You know I hate sharing you with any woman. More reasons I hated Vanessa, because she seemed to have stolen you away from me," she continued with a smirk as she placed her hands around his shoulder.

"No woman can separate us, mother. I love you so much," he said and kissed her lips deeply.