Sold to the Billionaire CEO

Chapter 3

Hours later, I was surrounded by make-up artists and a huge white wedding dress. I was living a nightmare, damned to hate myself for life. My ears buzzed with the loud chatter of the people around me.

Dad had been running around for an hour or so, trying to get the cameras clicking and standing. Orion? Nowhere in sight and the man they had prepared for me was sitting with the congregation, waiting for me.

With foundation and eyeliners brushing up and all over on my face, I barely noticed when Dad walked into the room and stood by my side.

“You look beautiful” I heard him say, it had me startled for a minute. I quickly dismissed everyone, just leaving us alone in the now quiet room.

“I look beautiful because I'm doing what you want" I told him. Looking directly at the large wall mirror, I could see how quickly the smile on his lips waned.

That's the man I knew as a father. Heartless, cruel and selfish. Even to his own kids, he cared less.

“I brought you out of your shame! You should be grateful to me” he thundered, almost slamming his fists on the table. I chuckled to the sight of his desperation.

“I was so fine living with my shame, at least my shame didn't make me feel like I wasn't doing enough. Max is an adorable child yet you rejected him like he was a child from the gutter!” My voice echoed throughout the room.

Dad's jaw tightened as he clenched the chair, he was trying to suppress his rage but I could already see it. He was burning. He pulled me up from the chair and stared deep into my eyes.

“You will marry Garrett and that's final. That illegitimate son can remain yours for all I care but you must marry Garrett Mario!” my skin crawled at the weight of his words.

My heart ached, instantly I felt sick. I was worried about my baby and I had to do anything to keep him safe from Dad's clutches. But right now, I had to deal with a fake wedding.

“You don't have to show your miserable self before everyone. Smile even if it's fake,” he urged as he took my hand and slipped into his. I hated him for this. For making my life this way.

Putting my act together and a fake smile to accompany it, I let him walk to the altar. As we made our way inside the church, we were greeted with smiles, fake and real ones.

A sea of people that fitted nowhere in my life. Both old and new. It was clear that these people were here to witness me being given away to a monster.

"My dear daughter, Camille," my father , his voice booming through the crowded church. "I present you to Garrett, the man who will be your husband."

Standing at the end of the altar was Garrett who was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed happier than the man that was walking me to him. I was beyond disgusted by the sight of it.

A surge of resentment washed over me as my father placed my hand in Garrett's. I didn't want to marry this man. But I had no choice, I would end up causing a scene that could end my life and my baby's.

The ceremony was long and miserable, with Garrett's eyes never leaving mine as he recited his vows. I was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape in sight.

As we exchanged rings and sealed our union with a kiss, I pulled away slightly, not letting his lips get to mine. He noticed this and kissed my cheeks. I was in a hurry to run off the altar and throw that stupid wedding dress into a trashcan.

"I hate you," I whispered after we finally got to sit down, my voice barely audible over the sound of the music but Garrett heard every word and it had him smiling. That psychopath.

Garrett's eyes narrowed, his grip on my waist tightening.

"You don't have a choice," he hissed back.

"You're mine now, Camille. And you'll do what I say."

I was even pissed at his words, but I knew I had to keep my cool. I couldn't let Garrett see how much he was getting to me. No, he wouldn't have me like that.

The wedding was over and we were asked to move to the reception hall to finish off. I reluctantly dragged my dress behind me as I followed Garrett to the hall.

The make-up artists took me back inside the dress up room to clean me up and change my dress. I wasn't thrilled but I was so glad that the white burden was out of my skin.

Dressed in a killer short black dress, I was led outside when I was escorted to the reception hall.

As we reached the reception hall, I was greeted by a sea of faces, all of them smiling and congratulating me on my marriage. Most of them were people I didn't know. And a few of Dad's business partners.

As the night wore on, I found myself growing more and more miserable. I didn't want to be here. And I kept thinking about Max, I was so worried about him.

Dad's rage was something I would gladly step on but when it had to do with my baby, I could kill for him.

But for now, I had no choice. I needed to keep calm and let things flow smoothly. Garrett had disappeared to God-knew-where, leaving me to get eaten up by the swamp of strangers hovering over me.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I excused myself from the reception and went in search of Garrett.

I found him standing by the bar, a drink in his hand as he watched me approach. He was always drinking.

"You look lovely tonight, Camille," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I'm so glad you're enjoying our special day." I mocked him. The smile on his face only widened and it irritated me.

Garrett raised an eyebrow, a look of amusement on his face. "Oh? You don't have to sound so mean" he laughed as he sipped his drink.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my cool. "Like you care if I'm happy about it."

Garrett's expression turned serious, he gulped his drink and turned his attention to me.

"I see," he said. "Well, let me make one thing clear; I don't care about your feelings or your desires” he leaned unto me.

“I only care about one thing; getting what I want. And what I want is you."

I felt a shiver run down my spine at his words, and I knew that I had to be careful. Garrett was a ruthless and cunning man, and I couldn't let my guard down around him.

"You think I care?" I said, my voice cold. "You better watch yourself around me, I'm not the naive girl you think I am."

Garrett smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I think I should be the one saying that. So much confidence in yourself could get you ruined for life" he said.

My face was beginning to turn red. If I had stayed around a little more, I'd burst into something dirty. I turned and walked away, leaving Garrett standing alone by the bar.

I knew that I had to be careful around him, that I couldn't risk letting him see how much he was getting to me.

The reception party went on for long night hours, I excused myself to the hotel room that Garrett had gotten for the both of us. As I got inside, I sat on the bed, trying to calm my racing thoughts about Max.

Then I remembered Orion. I could trust him to take care of Max for me, he loved Max as much as I did.

I picked up my phone and dialed Orion's number, my heart racing with anxiety as I waited for him to answer.

"Hey, Camille," Orion said, answering on the first ring.

"I didn't see you at the reception party?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "I had to bail, I got too tired" I muttered.

"I just got married to Garrett, that's enough to make me sick"

Orion's tone turned serious. "I know, sis. I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help you."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought about my situation. "There is something you can do," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need you to take care of Max for me."

Orion's tone turned determined. "Of course, Camille. I'll do whatever it takes to keep Max safe. Where is he now?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But I knew I could trust Orion. "He's with a nanny," I said. "But I need you to take him and keep him safe. Garrett can't find out about him."

Orion's tone turned deadly serious. "Don't worry, Camille. I'll take care of Max. Garrett will never lay a hand on him."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I heard Orion's words. I knew that I could trust him, that he would do whatever it took to keep Max safe.

"Thank you, Orion," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Orion's tone turned soft. "You'll never have to find out, sis," he said. "I'll always be here for you."

I smiled, feeling a huge wave of comfort wash over me. I knew that I could trust Orion, that he would always be there to protect me and Max.

As I hung up the phone, I felt determined. I would do whatever it took to keep Max safe, to protect him from Garrett's hideous face and Dad's dark rage.

And I knew that I could count on Orion to help me. I braced myself for an eventful ride to the Mario’s estate..