The Unwanted Bride: Claimed by the Billionaire - Chapter 76: Chapter 76

Cassie’s POV
Shawn continued to stare at me as though he was clueless as to how to start explaining.
“Please don’t tell me this is one of the topics you can’t address until the near future.”
He shook his head. “Just wondering what to say to you because I never expected you to question me on it this soon.”
“I called you to the stage for three reasons. Maybe 4.”
“Okayyyyy!” I urged my husband to continue, curious as to where this conversation was headed.
“I came back from the meeting with Travuous and the others to people gawking at you. Even your gender. I had to mark my territory and the only way I could do that was to show them that you are mine. Even at that, I was shy.”
“So what triggered you?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“My eyes landed on your stepmom and sister. Their presence made me muster up the courage. I don’t know how they got there but I foresaw that they were going to cause some trouble so I needed to be steps ahead of them.”
“But I wanted you to be on the stage with me because there was nowhere else I would rather have you be. Your space is by my side. Always.”
I ignored the butterflies in my stomach as Shawn spoke. Well, I hate to admit it but sometimes, he sure does have his way with words.
“Yeah, and I was very proud to have you by my side. You were the most beautiful in that room. People were looking at you and that made me get some attention too.”
“And my partners reminded me of how much of a lucky bastard I was.”
“For having me?” I pointed at my chest, staring in confusion.
Shawn nodded.
“But they don’t even know me,” I explained.
He chuckled. “Because how stubborn you can be, hun?”
I pouted. “I’m not stubborn. You are the crazy one!”
“I’m not going to deny that part but you are one hell of a woman too! The first one to disobey me all the time.”
I rolled my eyes at the grown-up man before me who was literally acting like a kid.
“I’m not the one with issues. You are!”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, and don’t you dare deny it! You are saying all of these because I refuse to let you bully me and be your puppet!”
“Puppet?” He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Yup! We fight a lot but that doesn’t confirm that you are my match!”
“You look ridiculous when you deny the obvious,” Shawn said to me.
“Whatever makes you sleep at night!” I responded, stylishly glaring at him.
“There you go, proving me right! And why would you think I was making up stories about presenting a property to Travous?”
“I literally own nothing. You feed me, you clothe me. What the hell am I even saying, I’m practically yours until I’m able to clear off my Dad’s debt.”
Shawn sighed softly and massaged his temple. For a second he seemed nervous, making me wonder if I said anything to trigger him.
“We cannot give what we don’t have.” He mumbled.
I scoffed. “So the presentation was all false?”
“No. Didn’t you see the documents?”
“I didn't pay any attention,” I responded. But the truth was that I took a glance but I didn’t understand anything written there. Well, so much was happening around that time maybe because I didn’t really pay any attention.
“Well, you own properties.”
“How?” I arched a confused brow, ignoring my racing heart.
“You are not doing all of this to impress me or tie me down to you, right?”
Shawn shook his head. “That would be fruitless. You don’t seem like someone that could be easily impressed or swayed away by material items.”
“Why?” I asked since that was the only question that was going through my mind.
Shawn shrugged. “It’s just properties.”
“Properties???? There’s more than one?”
“How’s that even possible when I didn’t consent to anything.”
“You are my wife, so it’s easy to work things out.”
I continued to stare at my husband in disbelief. “Are you insane? Why would you even….” I was saying, then stopped.
“Yeah! I knew you were going to freak out, that’s why I didn’t say anything.”
“Of course, I’m going to freak out.” I continued to glare at my husband. “Who the hell does that? Your money, your hard work, years of sweat, and you decided to toss them away as though they mean nothing to you?”
“Are you talking about the portion of the property we gave Don Travous?” Shawn asked.
“No! You’ve known Travous for long. You all are business partners so even if you gave him something, I’m sure he deserves it. But me?” I pointed against my chest.
Shawn sighed. He rose to his feet and took steps towards the other side of the bed. He opened the drawer by the nightstand and took out a tab along with a wallet. Then he came back to my side and sat where he was previously seated.
Shawn placed the tab by his side and opened the wallet before me. He brought out a black card, along with another credit card. They both had my name on it. Cassie Elias.
Cassie Elias? That sounds so fucking weird. Maybe because I still wasn’t used to the fact that I was married to Shawn and besides, no one really called me my husband’s name.
“I gave you my card but you refused to use it so I contacted the bank to arrange yours. This should make you more comfortable.” He gestured the cards to me but of course, I didn’t accept it.
“You clothe me, you feed me, what more do I need money for?”
Shawn shrugged. “Girl stuff.”
I scoffed, not knowing what to say.
Since I didn’t accept the cards, Shawn put them back in the wallet and placed them on my nightstand. Then he picked up the tab he placed on his lap earlier. “I guess I should hold on to this since I do not want to scare you away. I wanted to show you all that’s in your name but you don’t seem convinced about it.”
“Aren’t you scared that I’m going to dupe you?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Perhaps murder you and go away with all that you’ve put in place for me.”
“Didn’t nobody advise you against it? Kelvin? Kay? Your Dad?” I said and at the same time, tried to stop my eyes from itching with tears.
“You are sounding as though I did something really illegal.”
“I’ve worked hard all my life and I don’t think it’s a terrible idea to share with you and our future children.”
“The debt?” I interrupted.
“I still don’t know why you haven’t forgotten about that. It has been cleared by my family so you are free.” At this point, a tear rolled down my left cheek. This couldn’t be my life. I was probably still dreaming.
“You are letting go of millions of dollars?”
“That is not even up to half of what is in one of the cards.”
“We may have gotten married in a rush, in an ugly way, but I meant every vow I said to you that day. Part of which I said I was going to take care of you and made sure that you lack nothing.”
“I was giving you time to get used to me and my family before I asked you what you wanted to do in terms of career. If you would like to join the company, work with Kay, set up something for yourself, or go back to school. I’m glad I’ve let this off my chest now so please let me know when you’ve decided what you want.”
“Sincerely, I didn’t think twice while making all the transfers to your name. And no, I don't see you as a gold digger or any sort. I’m just playing the role of a husband who cares for his wife so much.”
“They are not only properties but stocks and other investments. I can put you through when you are ready because you are going to have to handle your stuff yourself at some point. Look after them, and make whatever decisions that you want.”
“I would also introduce you to some necessary persons that would assist you in overseeing everything.” Shawn leaned close to me and wiped away the tear on my cheek with his thumb.
“I don’t know what’s going on in your head but I would love for you to snap out of it and just know that you deserve it.”
“My best friend scolded me right outside before I came in.”
“You have a friend?” My voice came out hoarse.
My husband chuckled. “Am I that horrible?”
“It’s just surprising to know that.”
“Well, I do. Though, he is not in town right now and he wasn’t aware that I got married. But that doesn’t matter. I meant everything I said to Travous. We only had a civil wedding. Let me know if it is your desire to have a Real wedding party. Anything for you, Mrs Elias.”
I continued to stare at Shawn in shock. Was this really my life?
“A….are you sure?” I stammered.
Shawn was about to respond when his phone buzzed and we both stared at my lap where the device was. The phone was facing up so we could both see the caller ID.
Kelvin’s name flashed across the screen.
I passed the phone to Shawn. He answered it and put the phone on speaker.
“Brooooo, I wished you listened and didn’t go attack her,” Kev said at a go, and by the tone of his voice, I could tell that something was not right.
“What are you talking about?” Shawn asked, taking a glance at me.
“Stella has called you out in a terrible way. Check your phone.”