Micah's POV
I immediately grabbed his hand and said sweetly, “Don’t worry, honey. From now on, I’ll be on my best behavior. If you tell me to go east, I won’t even glance west!”
Gavin froze for a second, clearly surprised. Then he waved his assistant over. “Get her everything she needs. As my wife, she shouldn’t look so plain.”
And just like that, I suddenly owned an entire wardrobe full of luxury brands. Even the diamond watches came by the shelf, not by the piece.
During the day, while Gavin was busy with his business affairs, I stayed home and cooked for him, three meals a day, plus dessert after dinner. Everything was made by hand, and I made sure each dish was his favorite.
At night, I’d transform into a sweet, obedient, and affectionate wife, then pamper him until he was utterly satisfied.
Gradually, his attitude toward me began to change. He wasn’t as distant or formal anymore, and he even started taking me with him to public events.
Then one day, I got a call from my mother. She said my father was gravely ill and wanted to see me.
But the moment I walked through the door, I saw my “sick” father lying sprawled on the couch, picking his teeth. In front of him sat the stripped bones of a pork knuckle he’d clearly just devoured.
“Dad, you’re not sick?” I asked, my voice flat.
“If I hadn’t told your mother to lie, would you have come home?” he barked.
Mom jabbed her finger at my temple. “You ungrateful girl! Living in luxury at the Roarke estate, eating and drinking like royalty, while your parents suffer!”
“Mom, Dad,” I said calmly, “I remember clearly that on the day I married into the Roarkes, you both texted me, saying from that moment on, no matter what happened to me, good or bad, I was no longer part of our family. You even told me not to contact you again, even if it was a matter of life and death.”
I smiled faintly and added, “I still have that message saved, you know.”
Mom glared at me furiously. “We said that so we wouldn’t drag you down! Now that you’re living comfortably, you think you can just abandon your family?”
“Didn’t Gavin give you money?” I asked, my patience thinning. “As far as I know, he’s been sending you a hefty allowance every month. And this villa you’re living in, wasn’t it also bought by him? What more do you want?”
Her face twisted with anger. “You think you can talk to me like that? Did you forget you still have a sister?”
My expression hardened. “Watch your words, Mom. I don’t have a sister. I only had a twin, and she drowned years ago.”
Mom slammed her hand on the table. “Don't boss us around, you're in our house! But let me get straight to the point. Give your sister one hundred million, and we’ll never bother you again.”
“One hundred million?” I laughed coldly. “Where do you expect me to get that kind of money?”
Dad’s voice boomed across the room. “Gavin’s worth billions! We’re only asking for a small portion. If you can’t even manage that, you don’t deserve to be his wife!”
I sneered. “You won’t be getting a dime from me. And whether I deserve to be his wife or not, that’s not for you to decide.”
With that, we parted on bad terms.
But a month later, my mother called again.
“Micah,” she said softly, “I’ve been thinking. I went too far last time. I’m sorry. Do you have time this weekend? I’ll cook a few of your favorite dishes. Come home for dinner, okay?”
It was the first time in two years she’d ever invited me back.
Before I could even reply, her voice broke with tears. “Sweetheart, your mom’s getting old. Your dad and I aren’t in good health. Who knows how many more times we’ll get to see you?”
I hesitated but eventually gave in. “Alright. I’ll come home this weekend.”
When I arrived, Mom greeted me with unusual warmth. She pulled me into the house, where the dining table was already covered with all my favorite foods.
I had barely taken my seat when the bedroom door opened and someone stepped out.
My heart froze.
“Sis? What are you doing here?”
The sight of Mallory’s face made my pulse race.
We'd agreed that she shouldn’t have come back for another eight years.
