Chapter 7
Chapter 7
The car was silent as Orlando drove Rome back to the Barlow mansion.
A few distances away from the fence, Rome tapped Orlando on his shoulder, and he jumped in fear.
“How can I help you, young master?” Orlando shouted, hunching his shoulders.
“Stop me here,” Rome mumbled, leaning back on his seat.
Without any hesitation, Orlando stepped on the brake and turned the car off.
When Rome got down, Orlando pushed the car door open and rushed out. Then he got down on both
knees and rested his forehead against the ground.
“Young master, forgive me. I was stupid for attacking you in the past. This humble servant needs to be
punished!” Orlando cried out loud.
“Punch me and we can call it even,” Rome said, staring down at him.
When Orlando lifted his head and saw in Rome's expression that he wasn't kidding, he felt even more
afraid.
“Young master, I can never lay a hand on you. I will lose my life if I did. Please, any other punishment
will be fine, but not this one, please!” Orlando said, trembling as sweats rolled down his face.
“This is not a punishment, but an order. I need you to hit me so hard that it will leave a cut.” Rome
intoned.
Seeing that Rome was serious, Orlando slowly got up from the ground, balled his fist, and viciously
punched him.
“Great,” Rome mumbled, gently touching the cut above his brow.
“No hard feelings, right, young master?” Orlando said, taking a step back as he stared at the smirk on
Rome's face.
But before he could get a chance to react, Rome had swung his fist at him, hitting his nose, then the
second punch slammed against his cheek.
“No hard feelings. Now we are even.” Rome mumbled.
“Tha-nk y-ou, master, for showing me mercy,” Orlando shouted, spitting his broken tooth into his palm.
Then he watched Rome walk towards the gate and enter the fence before he got into the Mercedes
and drove off.
The moment Rome arrived in the living room, the entire members of the Barlow family were waiting for
him.
“There's our good for nothing son-in-law who has brought nothing but shame onto this household.”
Madame Rosey said, scowling at Rome.
She met his calm gaze with an icy stare and then turned to her husband.
“What did you do to Mr. Ford to get on his bad side?” Mr. Balow asked, taking his sight off his wife and
placing it on Rome.
“My father and I owe him a debt.” Rome mumbled.
As he stared at the faces in the room, all he saw in their expression was anger, hate, and disgust.
“That sly old fox. Is that why he used such a dirty trick to get you into this family? That old goat and you
are nothing but leeches.” William, the third son of the Barlow family screamed.
“Why would you cause trouble with Mr. Ford and use our family as a shield? You are really disgusting!”
Andrew, the third son of the Barlow family shouted.
Inside, Rome was burning with anger, hearing them speak about Mr. Miller in such a manner, yet he
held it all in.
“Do you want to drag this family in the mud with you!” Elijah, the first son of the Barlow family
screamed.
When Rome didn't answer, an awkward silence dragged on for a while, yet Rome could tell what they
were thinking from their faces without them uttering a word.
“Honey, we can't keep Catherine married to a man who has issues with Mr. Ford.” Catherine's mother
whispered to her husband.
Then Catherine’s father took a deep breath and said, “Father, I think Catherine should divorce him, so
our family wouldn't offend Mr. Ford any further.”
It grew quiet and Rome saw it in Mr. Barlow’s expression that he might give into his son's suggestion.
“I have paid my debt with Mr. Ford.” Rome hastily said, wiping the blood rolling down his face with his
shirt sleeve.
“Why should we believe a scoundrel! First, your father lied to us and hid the truth about your debt with
Mr. Ford! So why would anyone trust your word!” Madame Rosey lashed out.
Her cold gaze was piercing that Rome had to stare at the floor to avoid her eyes.
“Also, you are a broke loser. How did you pay Mr. Ford's debt?” Elijah shouted.
“With my blood. I survived his men's attack, so I wouldn't owe him anything. Afterward, Mr. Ford told
me that my debt has been settled.” Rome mumbled.
Silence fell in the living room, and no one spoke for a while as they all focused on the wound on
Rome's head.
“Well. If that's the case, then there's no need to break my father's promise to Mr. Miller.” Mr. Barlow
said.
“But...!” Catherine's father shouted.
“My word is final! Since the situation with Mr. Ford has been settled. Catherine and Rome will remain
married.”
“Yes, father.”
Sighing, Mr. Barlow stood from the couch and walked out of the living room.
“Catherine, please keep your husband on a leash. We don't need a situation like this repeating itself.”
Madame said.
“Yes, grandmother. I'm sorry for my husband's behavior.” Catherine humbly replied.
After coldly staring at Rome, Madame Rosey got up from her seat and followed her husband.
When Rome glanced up, his gaze met Catherine's eyes and she frowned. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Then she walked up to him and said, “Follow me.”
Without saying a word, Rome walked after Catherine as she led him out of the living room and into their
bedroom.
“What did I tell you when you first came?” Catherine mumbled, approaching the dresser.
Staring at her go through the things in the drawer, Rome shut the door and walked further into the
room.
“If you can’t help me, then do not meddle in my business.’ That's what you said.” Rome said.
“Sit on the bed,” Catherine mumbled, turning away from the dresser.
A look of confusion crossed Rome's face. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed and waited on her.
“We are now husband and wife. Whatever you do affects me, so please conduct yourself properly as
my husband.” Catherine said, cleaning Rome’s wound.
Then she put a bandage on it and scowled at him before heading out of the room.
“Don't worry. From now on. I'm going to be the husband you deserve.” Rome mumbled, rubbing the
bandage with a smile on his face.