Brian narrowed his eyes and walked up to her. “As far as I have heard, they call you brave. Then why are you afraid now?". "I. just want to go to college,”. Ayla stuttered, lowering her head. "If you've come here to talk about going to college, then stop where you are. Because that's not happening. Brian had never thought that Arlene would beg for his permission to go to college. He believed she was trying to fool him, so that she could hang out with her friends. Ayla was crestfallen when he denied her request. She wasn't allowed to go to college ever again? She would graduate in two years. Was she going to give up just like that? Seeing that Ayla stood there flabbergasted, Brian ignored her and walked into the. bathroom, expecting she would just leave. But when he came out, she was still stood at the door. She was indeed a stubborn woman. I When he didn't acknowledge her, her head hung low. Heartbroken, Ayla turned around to leave. "Wait!". But Brian stopped her. Ayla immediately turned around and looked at him expectantly. He was now sitting on the sofa and smoking. Their eyes met as she waited for him to say something. However, he didn't speak until he finished his cigarette. His gaze was so intimidating that it made Ayla feel scared instantly. The events of last night was like a nightmare and she didn't want that to happen again. She just wanted to run and hide from him. When she saw he wasn't going to say anything, she turned to leave. "That's all you got for your patience?" Brian mocked her slowly. His voice made her stop again. This time Ayla walked up to him and asked, "So do you agree?”. Brian arose and stood right in front of her. He lifted her chin on his fingertip and made her look into his eyes. "How many men are waiting for you outside? Why are you so eager to leave? Hmm?" he asked her in a cold and harsh tone. “What are you talking about?. I just want to go to college! I swear!". No matter how timid her response sounded, she was willing to give itatry. She knew what kind of person Arlene was. The reason why she married this man f or Arlene was to protect the Woodsen family and her foster father, Clayton. All she did until now was to repay h im for his kindness, but she wasn't going to give up her dream doing so. "You know I hate it when people lie to me," Bria n stated in a harsh way

Ayla ga ve a st iff nod. Everything exce pt her identity was not a lie. "If I ever find out that you're lying to me, you know the price you'll have to pay!" Bri an would like to see how far Arlene could go. He wanted t o catch her red- handed. "I understand. I will only go to co llege and come back home. I won't g o anywhere else. " She promised him. He gave her p ermission to go to college. But by not going anywhere else, she wouldn't be able to afford her tuition fees. "Leave no w!" Brian ordered. He didn't want someone li ke her on the first floor, in his room specifically. Ayl a bo wed. "Thank you, Mr . Clark. She didn't dare to get close to the devil and left quietly thereafter. There was no difference betwe en living in the Woodsen fami ly and living in Clark family. Her biological parents abandon ed her at birth. So, Ayla had this strong b elief that she was destined to be lonely all her life. That was why she always fo cused on fulfilling her dr eams and being independent. Brian said n othing. He just glanced at her coldly as she disappeared. Ayla was given a small room on t he ground floor. There was a small bed and a desk. Awindow was ther e to fill the ro om with daylight. It was in fact, bette r than what she had i n the Woodsen family. The only disadvan tage was she had lost her freedom. "Mr. Clark asked me to tell you that you ca nnot leave the mansion unless he gave the orders. If you need anything, you can come . and find me ," Maria po litely said. "Thank you, Maria. !'ll re member that. Standing in t he room, Ayla eyed around. She had nothin g here that be longed to her. Most of her things were stil l in her previous house, and some of them were at college. She needed to buy so me necessary items, clothes for example. But she wasn' t allow to le ave the house. After a while, Maria broug ht some daily necessities a long with some new clothes. Ayla wasn 't expect ing that. She was greatl y relieved aft er seeing them

She hoped, living he re wouldn't be as ba d as she had thought. Having nothing to do in her room, Ayla went to t he kitchen to help cook. Maria was surpr ised to see her in the kitchen. She had heard that Mr. Clark had married a spo ilt and arrogant woman. But Mrs. Clark hadn't yet shown anything that coul d match that description. Noticing that Ayla was an expert in washing and cutting vegetables, Mar ia asked, "Mrs. Clark, can you cook?" . Ayla answered with a sm ile, "Not everything, j ust some simple dishes. Ayla had learned coo king from the servan ts of Woodsen family. "Would you like to prepa re the lunch for Mr. Clar k?" Maria asked suddenly. She was wrong in perceiving tha t Mrs. Clark was just a rich and spoiled lady with a hot-temper. Maria could see no w, she was very di fferent from that. Ayla stopped washin g the vegetables and turned towards her. "Wouldn't th at make Mr. C lark angry?" . It was true th at she was very scared of him. Besides, she didn't want to lose the chance to go to college bec ause she cooked his meal for him. "No, he won't be angry. Mr. Clark doesn't talk too much and might look intimidating , but in reality, he is easy to get along . with. Besides, he is no t too picky about food . He won't even notice. Maria had been wo rking in the vill a for many years. She knew h ow Brian q uite well. Ayla consider ed Maria's wo rds carefully. She said he w as easy to ge t along with. But Ayla had to disagree. One intimidating look from him could make her tremble all over. She just knew they would never get alo ng with each other. His cold gaze always made her feel like she was in a world of ice and darkness. However, as long as he didn't deliberatel y make things difficult for her, she woul d stick to her own duties and mind her own . bus ine ss. To avoid his wrath, she wo uld listen to him no matte r what he wanted her to do. After all, she was his wife whom he bought with money