Chapter 3: Blood, Breakfast, and Boundaries

Ignoring the ruckus outside, I lay back down.

Marcus came back and sat by the bed, silent. I could hear his heavy breathing.

"Natalie..."

His voice was very soft. I answered quietly, "Mm."

"Are you alright?"

"A bit sore."

Marcus got up to turn on the bedside lamp.

When the light was near me, he exclaimed, "Why are you bleeding?"

By the soft light, I touched my mouth and nose—my hand was covered in blood.

I quickly grabbed the pillowcase to cover it.

"I’ll get the doctor," Marcus said, about to leave.

I quickly pulled him back: "It’s fine, no need for a doctor. Just bring me some water."

Calling a doctor on the second day of marriage would be the talk of the whole town.

"Oh, alright..."

Marcus left for a while, then returned with water, followed by two others.

"Third sister-in-law..."

"Oh my God, third sister-in-law, why are you bleeding? Did Marcus hit you?" Aubrey asked, horrified.

"If you can’t talk, hush," Marcus snapped.

I quickly said it wasn’t so.

But Aubrey didn’t believe it, nor did the fourth brother’s wife, who came with her.

But seeing Marcus carefully wipe the blood from my face, they were puzzled again.

The nosebleed soon stopped.

Marcus left the room.

Aubrey whispered, "Third sister-in-law, really not third brother who hit you?"

"No, I was startled by the knocking and accidentally bumped into his chest."

I couldn’t tell if Aubrey was relieved or disappointed. She moved closer and said, "Third sister-in-law, if Marcus hits you, don’t spare him—call your brothers from your mom’s side and give him a piece of your mind. Don’t worry, our family’s fair. No one would take his side."

...

This was just a farce, no need to call my brothers to fight for me.

After a while, Marcus brought a bowl of chicken noodle soup, telling me to drink it to recover.

He told me to sleep more.

After the wedding, I was tired, nervous, and didn’t sleep well. The morning drama made me angry.

I also wanted to see what Marcus’s status in the Taylor family was, whether people listened to him.

So I obediently lay down.

Marcus also lay beside me.

The thick curtains blocked the light, the window was closed, and outside was quiet. I didn’t know how long I slept.

When I woke and moved, Marcus asked, "Awake?"

"Mm."

I wasn’t familiar with him and didn’t know what to say to break the ice.

"Then let’s get up."

I dawdled getting up. Marcus quickly tidied himself and left the room.

Enduring the soreness, I found a mirror and brush, sat on the stool, and combed my hair. Marcus came in carrying water.

"Here’s water, wash up."

"Are we eating in here or in the kitchen?"

It wasn’t proper to eat in the bedroom after sleeping in.

"Go to the kitchen."

Seeing the Taylor family, I was embarrassed because I wasn’t familiar with them. After Marcus’s scene in the morning, they were embarrassed too.

But the kids giggled, full of curiosity.

During the meal, they whispered and then burst out laughing. My face burned, but I tried to act as if nothing was out of place.