Secret Wife, Real Billionaire

Chapter 35 Visiting Jessica

Catherine's career had been soaring even if she was significantly talentless.

Thanks to her father, Rocco's influence, her talent agency provided her with top-tier resources, positioning her

alongside the company’s most prominent stars. Prestigious fashion brands were reaching out to her one after

another overlooking the fact that she had no talents.

Shortly after she signed onto a leading variety show, Catherine encountered Celine.

“Catherine, you won't believe who | saw today at KM Group's studios. | was there for a magazine shoot.”

“Who?” Catherine disliked the suspense.

“It was Renee!“Celine, knowing Catherine's animosity towards Renee, didn’t hesitate to divulge the information.

“I asked around. She’s in the running to be KM Group’s new quarterly collaborative stylist and has made it to the

final round!”

Catherine had thwarted Renee’s prospects multiple times, but this opportunity with KM Group was on another

level.

Becoming the collaborative stylist for KM Group would undoubtedly elevate Renee’s status tically.

“What did you say? She's in the final?“Catherine couldn't believe it, her grip tightening around the fashion

magazine until it crumpled in her hand.

How could Renee, of all people, be deemed worthy of such a prestigious opportunity?

Struggling to contain her shock and rage, Catherine took a deep breath and remembered a crucial detail.

STAR, a high-end jewelry brand under the KM Group umbrella, had recently shown interest in making her their

spokesperson. The discussions, however, had stalled over pricing disagreements. This, Catherine realized, could

be a perfect bargaining chip to use against Renee.

She had to ruin this for Renee!

ok

*MARCELO*

| arrived hand saw no signs of Renee.

Did she leave the house again?

| called Chad and inquired about her whereabouts.

“Mrs. King is reading in her room, “Chad informed me.She seems deeply engrossed in preparation for an

important interview in a few days.”

At the mention of the interview, my mind instantly conjured an image of Renee teetering around in her high

heels, causingto frown at her perceived recklessness.

“Mr. King, the sanatorium has contacted us again, “Chad interjected, bringingback from my thoughts. “It

seems Madam had another distressing episode last night.”

| swallowed hard. “Inform Renee that I'll take her out tomorrow. And make sure the sanatorium is ready for our

visit.”

“Understood, sir.”

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*RENEE*

| was somewhat surprised to learn from Chad that | was to accompany Marcelo the following day. We were to

visit a venerable elder, and | understood the importance of making a good impression...

| chose my outfit thoughtfully: light, flowing wide-leg pants paired with a simple camisole and a loose-knit

sweater draped over as a refined outer layer. The ensemble was designed to convey a sense of gentle elegance,

something | hoped the elder would find pleasing.

As | was about to slip into her high heels, my wrist was suddenly caught.

“Choose another pair,” Marcelo instructed, nodding towards a different pair of shoes.

| glanced at the flat Gucci leather slippers he indicated.

Shaking my head, | protested, “These don’t match my outfit today.”

Marcelo’s raised eyebrows and silent stare conveyed an unspoken authority.

“Mr. King, why are you so concerned about this minor wound?” | sighed, feeling the scabbed-over injury was

hardly a concern.

“I am being concerned about my savior,” Marcelo stated flatly, his expression unreadable.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

On hearing him refer toas his “savior,” | couldn’t help but sense a hint of sarcasm.

| internally chastised myself for my impulse to help him that day. Why had | bothered with the well-being of

someone so ungrateful?

“Fine, | will do as you wish. After all, I'm about to meet someone important to you. Just so you know, appearing in

mismatched attire will not only reflect poorly on me!” | complained, my voice was tinged with frustration as |

reluctantly slipped on the flat shoes.

Although the slippers were a decent match for my outfit in color, they clashed stylistically.

For most, this might not be an issue, but for me, whose profession revolved around image design, it was a slight

to my expertise.

Today, Marcelo opted for a Bentley, which was parked under the main building's portico.

As | settled into the car with a sullen expression, | turned away to gaze out the window, presenting Marcelo with

nothing but the back of my head.

I had no desire to face him.

Renee's hair was neatly tied into a bun today, and the sight made Marcelo’s fingers twitch with the urge to touch

i)

Was she really so perturbed over a pair of shoes?

The Maybach smoothly exited his house, heading towards a private shopping mall's VIP parking.

Luke and his team, having received Marcelo’s instructions earlier, were already waiting with an array of women’s

flat shoes displayed on a five-tier rack.

Renee's eyes widened in surprise as she pieced together Marcelo’s intentions. He had prepared these shoes for

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“Mrs. King, to ensure a selection, Mr. King asked us to bring various styles, “Luke said, gesturing towards the

display.

“Do any of them suit your outfit?” Marcelo asked, his tone laced with a teasing challenge, as if to mock Renee's

emphasis on appearances.

Renee, choosing not to engage with his jibe, selected a pair of Dior lace ballet flats. Their black-and-white

design, adorned with the Dior logo, was simple yet sophisticated.

Before they left, Renee turned to Marcelo, seeking validation. “Now, do these match better than the previous

ones?

11

Marcelo’s expression, frustratingly indifferent, seemed to question whether there was any difference at all.

Renee felt a surge of irritation. Why bother discussing fashion with someone so indifferent?

“What should we do with the remaining shoes?“Luke inquired.

“Take them to the house.“Marcelo directed.

ork

Arriving at their destination, they were greeted by a premier private sanatorium known for its exceptional staff

and exclusive clientele.

“Madam dressed up early this morning, claiming she’d meet her daughter-in-law,” a caregiver shared as they

walked. “She was initially upset and throwing things but when we told her of your visit with your wife,she calmed

down.”

Marcelo nodded in comprehension.His mother seemed to really like the fact that Renee was his wife.

By the artificial lake stood a woman, looking no more than in her early forties, draped in an elegantly handmade

absinthe-green traditional dress. Her features bore a striking resemblance to Marcelo’s.

“Mom,” Marcelo greeted, his voice as cool as ever.

Renee, taken aback, glanced at Marcelo. “That's your mother?” she asked in disbelief, her voice trailing off. “But

she...how?”

Renee had seen Jessica on the magazines a few times and she also saw her briefly when she signed the

marriage

certificate in court.

Jessica was a gorgeous woman with dazzling beauty.

But this woman right here looked different...granted, they looked alike but she looked worn out.

“What?She looks different?Sick?“Marcelo’s response was calm, almost indifferent.

Renee, caught in uncertainty, didn’t know how to react.

To the world, Jessica was a perfect woman, Renee admired her so much so what happened to her?

Jessica, sensing the arrival of guests, turned and greeted Renee with a genuine, warm smile, beckoning her

closer. “Renee, ccloser.”

Hesitantly, Renee-glanced at Marcelo. “What should | do...”

“Go on.” Marcelo gestured, urging her forward.

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Renee recalled the few times she'd met Jessica as a child. Back then, Jessica exuded elegance and gentleness,

but her eyes always carried a touch of sadness and burden.

Now, Jessica’s gaze had becdarker.

“Mrs. King, hello..."Rence began.

Marcelo didn’t explain things clearly to her.

What was she supposed to do?

Should she introduce herself to Jessica again?

Before she could continue, Jessica took her hand gently, correcting her with a tender smile. “Renee, you

shouldn't callMrs. King now.”

Renee paused as she stared at Jessica.

She suddenly felt sad.She knew Jessica was a kind person, different from the rest of the Kings.

What happened to her?

Jessica's eyes twinkled with satisfaction as she affectionately instructed, “Now that you and Marcelo are married,

you should callMom!”

Jessica didn’t wait for Renee’s response; instead, she led her to the chairs, expressing her joy. “Renee, you are

now my daughter-in-law. You don’t know how happy that makes me! It’s Marcelo’s luck that someone like you

has affection for him, despite him being a jerk!”

Renee was momentarily speechless, unsure whether to be stunned by Jessica's enthusiasm or to agree with her

assessment of Marcelo.

“Is he treating you well?“Jessica inquired softly.“| warned him to.”

As memories of Marcelo’s difficult behavior cto mind,Renee hesitated to respond. Sensing the hesitation,

Jessica’s smile dimmed.

“Marcelo, chere!” she called out sternly.

Marcelo, who had been observing from a short distance, approached Jessica in his wheelchair, his face a mask of

impassivity.

“Wives should be cherished, Marcelo. Renee is a catch, and many are vying for her attention. If you don’t value

her, you'll regret it, “Jessica chastised with a stern tone, emphasizing the importance of cherishing a partner like

Renee.

Marcelo responded with a noncommittal grunt, seemingly unfazed by Jessica's lecture.

After her brief scolding session, Jessica's attention shifted to Renee. “Renee dear, is Kaiden treating you well? If

he’s ever unkind, just tell me. I'll teach him a lesson!”

It appeared Jessica had momentarily forgotten her previous sermon.

Renee, sensing an oddity in Jessica's fluctuating mood, glanced at Marcelo, searching for ssign of

understanding.

Marcelo, however, remained stoic, giving nothing away.

“He’s...good to me,” Renee lied, masking her true feelings. He just has a bit of a temper.”

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“The upset look on your face upon arrival appeared to contradict your words, “Jessica probed, not entirely

convinced by Renee's reassurance.

Renee's forced smile wavered as she scrambled for a believable excuse. “Oh, | am just exhausted from last

night. It’s not that I'm unhappy. Sorry for any confusion.”

Marcelo, observing the exchange, couldn't help but let a smirk flicker across his face as Renee struggled to

maintain her facade.

“You are exhausted?” Jessica echoed, her tone suddenly changing, adopting a knowing look. “That's

understandable for young couples. Physical closeness is good for the relationship.”

“Huh?” Renee blurted out, flustered. “No, that’s not what meant...”

“Renee dear, there's no need to be shy with me,” Jessica interrupted with a wink, dismissing her attempts at

clarification.

Renee, at a loss for words, felt trapped in a misunderstanding she couldn't escape.

She glanced desperately at Marcelo, hoping for his intervention. However, Marcelo, with an air of detachment,

closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

Renee realized she was on her own with this one.

Jessica,seemingly forgetful of the previous conversation, repeated her question after a while. At that moment, a

nurse approached, noting it was tfor Jessica's medication.

“I don’t want it. It's so bitter!“Jessica protested childishly as the nurse attempted to persuade her.

Renee, observing the scene, felt a growing concern. Jessica's behavior was far from typical for an adult.

Quietly, she edged closer to Marcelo and whispered, “Your mother, is she...”

Before she could finish, Jessica erupted in a fit of distress, knocking over her medicine and water.

Clutching her hair, she sobbed inconsolably.

“Where is Sebastian? Where is Wyatt? Why won't they cto see me?It’s been long since | last saw them?Why

won't they cto see me?!”

Renee swallowed.

She knew that Sebastian was Marcelo’s older brother and Wyatt was his father.

Both were late.

With Jessica's condition, she keeps forgetting that they had both passed.

Renee felt so sad.

Jessica, who just moments ago had exuded elegance, turned into a figure of distress and confusion. Only a

tranquilizer could bring her back to a state of calm.

Renee stood frozen in shock, her mind reeling as the medical staff escorted Jessica away. It was only after they

had disappeared that she found her voice. “Marcelo, your mother...”

“She suffers from a mental disorder,” Marcelo interjected, finishing her sentence.“The few times you might have

seen her was when she was mentally stable.Her condition goes and comes but she’s barely sane for a few days.”

Renee blinked in comprehension and shock.She must have quickly arranged her marriage to Marcelo when she

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was sane.

His demeanor remained detached, even as he witnessed his mother’s episode. This lack of reaction seemed to

confirm the rumors about his ruthless, cold-hearted nature

But what had transpired to render him so impassive, especially towards his own mother?

What had caused Jessica, once a paragon of grace and beauty in Critport, to deteriorate into such a state?

A subtle, nagging discomfort began to ghaw at Renee, a blend of sorrow and confusion fermenting within her.

A doctor chalf an hour later and reassured Marcelo, “Mr. King, Madam’s condition is stable for now. You're

familiar with her emotional swings; they're quite unpredictable.”

Marcelo acknowledged this with a nod, then turned to Renee, his voice devoid of warmth. “Let's leave.”

Exiting the sanatorium, Renee couldn't shake off a creeping sense of dread.

The King family has so many secrets.

She stayed silent until they were back in the car. Then, after a moment's hesitation, she ventured, “Marcelo,

about your mother...”

“Don’t delve into matters that don’t concern you,” he interrupted sharply.