She walked down the aisle with her father by her side; so many thoughts roamed her mind. She was getting nervous and unsure of who her husband was, as she had a lot of stories about men who had abused their wives or even worse, a stranger she knew nothing about on whom her life was sold.
She was going to spend her entire life bearing kids and serving him. Her father had sold her off for a business deal and there was nothing she could do about it. Her opinions didn't matter she was a girl. Her father gave her a slight push and she snapped back to reality.
She climbed the altar and stood next to her groom, keeping her head down. She was afraid to look at him. She could feel his intense, burning gaze on her. She hated being watched, it made her feel restless. It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Though, for some people but unfortunately for her it turned out to be what she didn't hope for.
Would he treat her well? Would he love her? She had heard stories of men who had abused their wives and how some of them didn't survive to tell their stories. Her father was one of them; though he appeared calm on the surface, deep down he was really cruel. Thinking of all she and her mum went through at his hands made her shudder.
"Do you take her as your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest finally spoke interrupting her thoughts. If he refused it would be the end of her. Thinking of what her dad had said to her back home made her extremely nervous: "I'll send you along with your mum to hell." Those words echoed in her mind; she couldn't afford to disappoint him. Muttering a silent prayer she couldn't help feeling nervous about what her fate would be if he rejected her or if he married her. Her dad had sold her off; she was just a tool and a pawn used by her dad in the business world. It was the cold reality that she had to embrace. At least she wasn't married to someone old enough to be her father. The reason her dad hated her was something she could never understand. Her mum had always reassured her that everything would be fine, but now she wouldn't see her anymore. No one to rely on when she felt down; she only had one person: herself.
Memories of her childhood days rushed back; no happy ones only bitter memories. Her dad's hatred for her was something she couldn't quite understand. He never treated her like his own daughter. She couldn't bear to pass through those memories again.
"Do you Mr.Sinclair take her as your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest spoke again. She could feel him staring at her, as if he could see her soul. Her father's words echoed in her head, the effort her father put into the wedding. All this was the reason why she had dressed so carefully this time. If he refused... she couldn't bear having those thoughts.
Five agonizing minutes had passed yet no response. Paparazzi lenses clicked; if he refused it would make headlines tomorrow, the guests whispered. Finally, he spoke. His voice rich, deep, and magnetic sent warmth through her dread. A voice that could make any woman weak in the knees.
She glanced up, her eyes meeting his. He was like a Greek god carved to perfection. He was way better than those film actors she was once obsessed over. A blush warmed her cheeks despite herself.
Snapping back to reality, she looked away embarrassed keeping her head down. Noticing her reaction, he smirked; He knew his own beauty so it was normal. He would have a lot of time to taunt her, he thought.
They exchanged vows, the deal was sealed and the ceremony ended in cheers and flashes. But when he answered a phone call and walked away without a backward glance, her heart splintered. She knew everything would fall through.
Five years passed like a cruel joke; the news of his betrayal flashed across every news headline. Her reputation shredded, her hope a fragile shard. She had waited during those five years thinking he would love her even though she reportedly got news of his scandal? she stood by his side but what did he do. He went ahead and had a child out of wedlock. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out.
Their relationship couldn't stay the same. Filled with rage she threw her phone at the mirror. She caught sight of her reflection; the reflection that stared back at her was broken just like her fate. Angrily, she packed her bags determined to end this relationship. A lone tear slipped from her eye. She was tired, extremely tired. She had waited enough for him; it was of no use to wait for something that was lost. Opening the drawer, she brought out the divorce papers she had been saving; she knew they would come in handy so she signed her name and kept them on the desk. Having nothing else to do with him, she didn't ask for a penny.
Gripping her bag, she quietly slipped into the night, drifting further into the dark streets. Tired, she collapsed against a cold wall. The night was very cold, but suddenly a gang surrounded her; she knew their motives and quickly tried to defend herself but was struck down. Her vision blurred until a figure moved through the shadows dispatching the thugs with surgical precision. When he glanced at her, he could see the pain on her face but his face was devoid of any emotions. In his heart, there was darkness and revenge, a thirst for blood. "It was just the beginning," he muttered to himself while lifting up her limp body; he carried her into the car and vanished into the night.
At dawn, she awoke in a stranger's mansion. Feeling a sharp pain in her head she tried to take note of her surroundings and found out she was in an unfamiliar place. Rubbing her aching head, she started recalling memories of what happened last night. She stood up in fright and checked to see if she was in any pain. But she was okay. Looking around, she knew she had to leave; she didn't want to owe anyone favours. Perhaps she would thank him later. As she walked down the stairs and was about to reach for the door handle, she heard a voice behind her: 'Mrs. Sinclair you're really something leaving without saying goodbye.' She turned around; there he was at the threshold, tall and composed, his gray suit as precise as his rescue. 'You're safe here,' he said. 'I can help you', but she knew within her that she couldn't stay; she had to leave and go far away.
Seeing she was being reluctant, he offered to bring her mum to her. He knew that he hit her sore spot. Though she was clever and strong he knew she had a weak spot and that was her mum.
Thinking of the offer, she agreed. She had no one; she was being treated as an outcast at home. She had siblings but they didn't care about her if she were to die now. They weren't from the same mother so it was a bit clear to her why they kept their distance. Though her mum was her dad's legal wife he treated her like dirt and had many relationships with other women, so when he offered to find her mum and promised her sanctuary she clung to this offer, her last hope. At least she had to live for her mum; without her she had no one.
But she had a lot of questions bothering her. No one had ever thought of helping her; she was looking down upon by many and her social status was crumbling, so it was really confusing why someone would want to help her. She didn't know this stranger offering to help her. What were his motives. She had never heard of him before but she had to agree. Feeling deeply grateful, she offered to pay him back but the man only scoffed. Though she had nothing, she played a major role in his plan. Hearing her offer to repay him he smirked. It was the perfect opportunity but he had to wait; if he told her of his intention now. She would turn his proposal down. With every step he took he felt himself drawing closer to his success.
Meanwhile, her husband stormed through the mansion furious at her disappearance and his faltering empire. He ordered his men to find her within 24 hours. That damn woman he cursed; none of her belongings were found in her room. It was like she never lived there. It felt as if all memories of her existence had been completely erased. But then he caught sight of some documents on the table. Moving closer to them he found out they were divorce papers. Angry he picked them up and tore them into shreds.
He would never let her go, not in this life or the next. She would continue to be his wife, if he did she would go with him to hell. He was like a beast looking for whom to devour. Even the servants and his assistant were afraid to go near him. They feared their lives; they knew he was a very ruthless man. Picking up his phone he dialed an unknown number, the call connected immediately and he only uttered two words: "Find her."