Sacred Hatred
1767 Words
Rose hid her fidgeting fingers and put on a calm face for everyone in the room. She glanced at the clock as it ticked.
“This beautiful gown really enhances your beauty,” the stylist who was helping her put on the gown praised.
“Thank you.” She forced a smile.
“Now I'll put the crown on.” The stylist placed the crown, which was attached to a long veil, on her head.
The veil gave her just enough space to close her eyes and hope for Levin’s presence.
“Please leave us alone.”
The sound of Levin’s deep voice made her turn around. She sighed with relief and smiled happily as the man walked toward her.
His piercing gaze made her happiness retreat.
“Do you accept this marriage?” Her voice returned to its calm, cold tone.
“I will destroy you.” That strong resolve weighed heavily on her chest.
A small, trembling smile accompanied the shrinking distance between them. “It would be easier if you loved me.”
Levin grabbed the back of her neck roughly, bringing her close enough that she could feel his hot breath. “Loving you will be my downfall.”
Rose could clearly see the hatred in his green eyes. “We'll see who falls first.”
His grip slowly loosened, and the man took a step back before turning and walking away.
Rose took a deep breath as the grand doors opened. Her feet began to walk steadily down the flower-lined aisle, and she could feel all eyes fixed on her. Levin’s gaze felt dark.
When she reached the altar, she stopped and released her father’s hand to take Levin’s cold, outstretched one. For the first time, their hands were intertwined.
The wedding ceremony began, and the grand ballroom grew quiet and solemn. Only the officiant’s voice was audible.
“Levin Stuart, do you take Rose Wilson to be your lawful wife, to live together in the sacred bond of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her, cherish her, and be faithful to her in good times and in bad for as long as you both shall live?”
Rose glanced sideways, her heart racing as she waited for Levin’s answer.
“I do.”
A sweet, relieved smile spread across her beautiful face.
The officiant asked her the same question.
“I do.”
The officiant asked them to exchange vows. Now, their eyes met and their hands were intertwined once again.
“I swear that as long as I'm with you, I will make the most of my time.” Levin gripped Rose’s fingers tightly. “To love you.”
She held back the pain radiating from her fingers. “I swear to love you sincerely and with all my heart.”
Her sincere gaze stood in stark contrast to the continued hatred directed at her.
The officiant presented a pair of rings that he had blessed. “These rings are a symbol of love that has no beginning and no end. May these rings remind you of the vows you have made today.”
The symbol of their vows now rested on each of their ring fingers.
“Now that you have committed yourselves to one another through sacred vows and the exchange of rings, I declare you husband and wife. You may now kiss your wife.”
“I refuse to kiss her.”
This startled everyone and caused a murmur to ripple through the crowd.
Rose clenched her trembling hands and gave the officiant her sweetest smile. “We'll do it in our private room.”
Her reply eased the tension, but the voices continued.
*****
After a long and exhausting day, their first night together finally arrived. Rose turned on the shower, hoping the warm water would wash away the heaviness she felt from the rejection she’d experienced.
Wearing her nightgown, she walked into the living room and saw her husband’s weary back. She poured two glasses of wine to accompany them.
“Have a drink.” Rose set a glass among the scattered papers.
His glance made her smile slightly. “There's no poison in it.”
His green eyes returned to the document she had given him the other day.
“Did you like the gift I gave you?” She took a sip of the wine in her hand.
Levin took off his glasses and stared at her intently. “I’ll fix the gift you gave me.”
“No need,” she said, setting her wine glass on the table. “I gave it to you so you'd know how much you mean to me.”
“What did you say?!” His deep voice began to rise.
“This hydrogen core is incredibly precious and valuable, just like you are to me.” Rose folded her arms across her chest. “I will make up for your father's failure and make it even more valuable.”
Her honesty only deepened the hatred in the man’s eyes. “I won’t fall into your trap again.”
“There are no more traps for you because you’ve sworn to love me.”
“I will love your destruction.” His sincerity wounded her heart.
She forced a smile to keep her tears from falling. “I'm glad my ruin has become your goal.”
“Drt...Drt...”
Levin's phone lit up with an incoming call from Liana.
Rose clutched her nightgown as Levin picked up the phone at the other end of the table.
“Are you going to make that smart woman your mistress?” Rose was afraid that her husband would leave her alone on their wedding night.
“I won’t let you belittle her.” Levin refused the call, staring at her.
Rose breathed a sigh of relief. That hatred was keeping her husband from leaving.
*****
Sunlight touched Rose’s sleeping face through the open window, waking her. She got out of bed and walked over to Levin, who was still asleep on the sofa.
Crouching down to be at his level, she traced every contour of his peaceful face with her brown eyes. Hugging her knees, she savored the deeply soothing atmosphere.
The hotel restaurant had set out the breakfast menu for the arriving guests, and Rose made her way to a table.
“Stop staring at the elevator. My husband isn't coming,” she said, sitting down across from Liana.
The woman gave her a sharp look. “We're not close enough to have breakfast together.”
“An angel like me doesn't eat breakfast in a place like this.” She crossed her legs arrogantly.
“Please prepare the best breakfast this restaurant has to offer for her.” Rose ordered John, who was standing behind her. “Did you sleep well?”
“That's none of your business.” Liana emphasized each word.
A small laugh escaped Rose’s lips. “You're so funny, Liana. How is this none of my business?”
Her expression changed as she leaned forward, looking down at the person she was speaking to. “You called my husband on his wedding night.”
“Wake up, Miss Wilson—he doesn’t love you.” The woman challenged her. “He rejected you on his wedding day.”
That reality left her speechless for a moment. “Then who does he love?”
“He loves me, and I won't let him go.” Liana hated seeing the smile on Rose's face.
“Really? If he loves you, why doesn’t he answer your calls?” Rose leaned back. “Or come to your room?”
Liana couldn’t respond.
“Now I know what choice you've made.” She puffed out her chest, rebuilding the confidence that had wavered. “You want to be a kept woman.”
Deliberately raising her voice to catch the attention of the people who had been watching them for a while succeeded in frightening her conversation partner.
“Why are your eyes trembling like that?” Rose leaned in closer. “Isn’t this your choice?”
A cart filled with food stopped near their table, and murmurs began to rise from the eyes fixed on them.
“This is the best breakfast for you.” Rose stood up from her seat. “Enjoy it.”
Rose left the restaurant without looking back even once.
*****
As they made their way to the executive lounge for breakfast with Hendrick Wilson, the sun shone brighter and brighter.
Before the door opened, Rose wrapped her arm around Levin’s to give herself the strength to face her father.
“No matter what happens, you must stay silent and nod. Don’t provoke his anger.”
Before her husband could respond, the door swung open and the tension in the room engulfed them immediately. Rose sat between Hendrick and Levin.
“Did you have a good first night?” Hendrick asked the waiter to serve his meal.
“We spent—”
“I wasn’t asking you.” Hendrick's firm tone cut her off.
She could feel Levin’s gaze fixed on her. “We had a good night.”
“Really?” Hendrick moved his knife to cut a slice of beef on his plate. “Then why didn’t you play your part properly at the altar?”
Rose was terrified by the question, she clutched her trembling hands under the table.
“Is he too ugly for you? So much so that you don't want to kiss him?” The question took Levin by surprise.
He was at a bit of a loss for words. “We aren't close enough to do that.”
“Why is your life so miserable, Rose?” Hendrick put away his utensils and looked back at his daughter. "You love a man who doesn't appreciate you—who even hates you.”
For the first time, Levin saw the usually strong Rose fall silent. “I’ll make up for my mistakes,” Levin said.
“You married her because you were afraid of falling into poverty.” Hendrick raised his dinner knife toward Levin. “You’re using this foolish woman to save your company.”
“I’m not like that.” Rose’s trembling hand held him back.
“Then what are you like?” The knife returned to its place. “What was your purpose in marrying her?”
“He entered into this marriage to love me, Father.” Rose raised her gaze. “His purpose was to love me.”
To Be Continued~~~
- Writer
