Page 34 of The Accidental Wife

Shayla

“Shayla?”I stare at the front door to the house I grew up in, my heart beating up in my throat. “Shayla.” I blink and look over at Cole, who was standing beside me, watching me with a frown. “It’s going to be okay.” He assures me, and I inhale a deep breath to calm my nerves. He turns me so I could face him, and he brushes his hands down my arms supportively. “I’ll be right there if you need me, okay?” I nod and turn to face the door. I slide my key in the lock and hesitate until I feel Cole’s fingers lace with mine and his soft lips on my temple. I glance up at him, and he nods encouragingly. Unlocking the door, I walk into my childhood home with Cole behind me. It’s quiet, but I can hear the TV's faint sound coming from the living room.

I close the door, and I walk through the corridor toward the living room. “Mum? Sam?” I call out when I see the living room was empty, but the tv was on.

“Well, well, well,” I hear my older brother's voice behind me. I turn and see him standing in the doorway with a kitchen cloth in his hand. “Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence.” He says sardonically, his chocolate-colored eyes avert to Cole, and I see the anger flare up almost instantly. “Finally remembered you have a family, did you?”

“Sam, I—"

“You what, Shay? Were you too busy with your new life that you forgot we existed, or are you just embarrassed someone will see you associated with us poor folk now you’re married to a billionaire?” He claims snidely, and I shake my head.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Sam.” I snap, and he throws the cloth in his hand over his shoulder and walks over to me. “You know me better than that. It’s not like that at all. I’ve just had a lot going on.”

“I bet you have.” He replies smarmily and glares darkly at Cole, who stares right back. I can’t lie, I’m terrified of my brother, picture Vin Diesel but taller and more muscular. He would crush Coles head like a ripe tomato with his bicep. I was raised in a very strict, traditional, and cultural household where respect and honour mean everything.

“Let’s talk.” I feel the tension thicken in the room, and I slide my hand out of Cole's hold and step closer to my brother, and we walk into the kitchen. Cole stays back, giving us some privacy to talk. “Where’s mum?”

“Locked herself in her room,” He says, looking at me. “I haven’t seen her this devastated since Dad died. He’s probably turning in his grave too.” I shake my head and swallow the lump forming in my throat.

“Don’t say that. I didn’t mean—”

“Didn’t mean to what?! Have your pictures plastered all over the papers kissing some bloke?” He shouts angrily. “You’re supposed to be the responsible one, Shay! What the hell was going through your head, running off and marrying some fucking rich playboy who will drop you like a bad habit when he’s bored!” He exclaims. I drop my gaze to my feet and bite my lip.

“Sam, you don’t even know him. He’s not like that at all,” I argue, looking up at my brother again, who tosses the cloth in his hand on the table furiously.

“Know him? I don’t have to his reputation speaks for itself. Notorious playboy billionaire! He’s a fucking player, Shayla!”

I scowl at him, “Oh, and you’re not?! How many hearts have you broken, Sam? How many girls have walked out of this house crying over the years because you broke their heart?” I retort, and he glares at me hard. “Oh, but it’s okay for you, isn’t it, Sam? Because you’re not a billionaire, so it doesn’t matter who you’ve hurt. I’m sorry, but I don’t judge someone based on their past. Cole has been nothing but good to me.”

“Why are we only just finding out about him, then? Why did we find out you’re married from the fucking internet?!” He shouts, glowering at me. “Why didn’t you come and tell us you were seeing someone? It was only two weeks ago you were single and had no intention of seeing anyone. That’s what you said. I don’t trust any man after what Adam did to me. That’s what you stood there and said to me!”

“Sam, I was afraid to tell you. I never meant for you guys to find out like this, I swear.” I explain, and he shakes his head and rubs his hand over his scalp agitated.

He walks over to me and grabs my upper arms and looks down into my face. “Shayla, this isn’t you. You don’t do shit like this. Tell me the truth. Has he forced you or pressured you into marrying him? Is that why you were scared to tell me?” I drop my gaze, and he shakes me, squeezing my arms. “Look at me when I’m talking to you!” He bellows in my face.

“Hey, let go of her.” I hear Cole’s voice behind me, and I’m suddenly pulled from my brother's hold and shielded behind him.

Sam eyes Cole and smirks darkly. “You’ve got some balls showing up here after you disrespect my family, kid.”

“I am not a kid, and I assure you I meant no disrespect to you or your family, but Shayla’s my wife, and if you have a problem, you handle it with me. You don’t touch her,” Cole tells him bluntly, and Sam nods, taking a step toward him.

“Sam…” I warn, stepping out from behind Cole when I see that dangerous glint in my brother’s eyes.

“Oh, I have a very big problem, kid.” My brother growls.

“Well, here I am. Let’s deal with it.” Cole provokes him.

“Cole, stop it,” I plead, but he doesn’t even acknowledge me. His eyes are fixed on my brothers. “Sam, no,” I press when I see his hand fist at his side.

“Fucking lets,” Sam growls, pushing me aside when I grab his arm. He swings for Cole and punches him in the face hard.

“SAM! No! Stop it!” I yell as he leans over, pulls Cole up by the shirt, and punches him again. “STOP!” I push him away from Cole. “What are you doing?!”

“Teaching him a fucking lesson!” Sam barks down at Cole, who wipes the blood off his busted lip and shakes his head. I lean down in front of Cole and lift his head so I could see his face.

“You’re lucky you’re Shay’s brother.” He hisses gravely, and my brother snorts and takes a step toward him again.

“Richie Rich has got some big brass balls. Come on then, don’t hold back on that account, kid!” I jump up and hold Sam back.

---