I Faked My Death—Now He’s Lost His Mind

Three years ago, when Jameson Hawke and I tied the knot, the media went wild with coverage. The gossip columns dubbed me the "Cinderella marrying into a wealthy family." I became the envy and aspiration of every young girl in town.

In fairy tales, Cinderella marrying the prince marks the perfect ending.

But in real life, Cinderella still has to go on living after the wedding.

No one cares about what her life looks like post-marriage.

...

On the way back from the banquet, Jameson and I sat side by side in the back seat, with almost an entire person's space between us. The ride was silent, with Jameson surrounded by a tension that made me uneasy. I knew he was upset.

As we were nearing Hawke's villa, I finally summoned the courage to speak.

"Jameson, can you please ask Grandmother Sophia Huxley not to make me go to those banquets anymore?"

"Enough!" Jameson snapped, his patience finally giving way.

"Freya Calloway, why do you always manage to stir up trouble whenever we go out?"

"I'm not asking you to do much for me, just to quietly endure a banquet. Is that so difficult?"

"You couldn't even drink a beverage without spilling it all over yourself. Do you realize how embarrassing you looked?"

"Mrs. Hawke should be graceful and dignified in public, but you lack that entirely and disgraced us!"

I earnestly explained, "The waiter bumped into me on purpose, but when I looked up, he was already gone!"

"If you had checked the surveillance footage at that moment, you would have seen how deliberate his actions were!"

"That was the Northrop family's banquet. We've caused enough trouble without looking at the tapes in somebody else's home."

"It was their banquet. As hosts, shouldn't they give me an explanation for the mishap?"

"You embarrassed yourself. Why would anyone owe you an explanation? Do you want to make the situation worse?"

Feeling utterly aggrieved, tears streamed down my cheeks. My voice choked with emotion:

"Even if it wasn't intentional, even if I did accidentally spill the drink on myself, is that such an unforgivable sin?"

Jameson pressed his hand against his forehead and sighed in frustration. "Freya, Hawke Group isn't just any small company. Every family member represents more than themselves—they represent the Hawke Group's reputation. As the mistress of Hawke Group, your public image is crucial, especially with how pervasive the media is now—"

I bit my lip. "Haven't I told you repeatedly that I don't want to attend those banquets? I don't hold any position at Hawke Group. My presence is irrelevant."

"How can it be irrelevant? Do you think your role is to do nothing, to sit at home and be Mrs. Hawke every day?"

Jameson massaged his temples, attempting to maintain his composure. "A husband and wife are one unit. You need to consider my position too. Sophia insists on bringing you to the banquets because she values you. She is willing to teach you; you should show gratitude."

"She never taught me anything!" I defended myself loudly. "Every time she takes me to a banquet, she abandons me. I can't even find her in the crowd."

"Facing unfamiliar environments, unfamiliar faces, and the intimidating figures, I get scared too, you know?"

"Freya, those social events and etiquette aren't that difficult. Why won't you invest a bit of effort to learn them?"

"Jameson, haven't I learned enough already? I've tried hard. What more do you want from me?"

"You've tried hard?" Jameson scoffed. "If you had tried hard, you wouldn't still be an outsider in this circle after three years."

"I'm an outsider because they don't want to accept me, they don't want me to fit in."

"They? Who are they?" Jameson asked.

"Everyone!" I answered emphatically.