Chapter 7 - Bound Before Knowing
1002 Words
The car rolled to a stop, but Arianne was too caught up in her own storm of thoughts to notice.
Her fingers trembled as she reluctantly handed her ID to Damien.
Without a word, he slipped his wallet from his pocket, drew out his own identification card, and passed both to the driver.
Confused, she finally glanced around.
Her heart jolted violently in her chest.
They weren’t moving anymore.
Her eyes widened. The Civil Affairs Bureau?
Her pulse spiked, panic clawing at her throat. Slowly, she turned toward him.
“Why… why are we here, Damien?”
He didn’t even look at her. His voice was steady, calm, almost indifferent. “Let’s wait a little.”
Her heart hammered louder, so loud it was deafening.
She gripped her dress tightly in her lap, whispering silently to herself, No. No, he can’t do this…
Her gaze drifted desperately to the building outside, but a small wave of relief washed through her. It’s Saturday.
They’re closed. She exhaled shakily, a momentary calm seeping into her chest.
Then his deep voice cut through her thoughts, sharp and unsettling.
“You seem nervous. You should relax a little.”She said nothing.
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she turned her face toward the window, pretending to watch the passing people who weren’t really there.
Minutes later, the car door opened.
The driver returned, stepping inside with an envelope in hand.
Without a word, he offered it to Damien.
Damien accepted it, his lips curving upward into a satisfied, almost victorious smile.
He slid the envelope onto his lap with deliberate ease.
Then, turning, he handed her ID back to her as though nothing had happened.
She snatched it quickly, shoving it deep into her purse, her hands shaking.
Something inside her screamed that her life was no longer in her control.
The drive was long and silent until the car finally slowed before a grand estate, sprawling like a palace.
Arianne’s eyes widened, puzzled.
Where is this place… and why are we here? she wondered, but remained quiet, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.
The towering gates opened, revealing a mansion with doors so gigantic they looked as though they guarded a kingdom.
The car rolled to a stop.
To her surprise, Damien stepped out first, walked to her side, and opened the door himself.
His gesture was both gentlemanly and unsettling.
“Come,” he said simply, his deep voice steady.
Arianne hesitated for a moment, then stepped out.
Immediately, a line of maids stood at attention by the entrance, bowing slightly in greeting.
Their synchronized welcome made her heart skip a beat, this was no ordinary home.
Inside, the air was filled with the subtle fragrance of roses and polished wood.
Damien motioned for her to sit on the lavish sofa.
She was just about to lower herself onto the cushion when a voice interrupted.
“Oh, sweetheart!”
An elderly woman emerged from the inner hall, her steps graceful despite her age.
With a warm smile, she walked straight to Arianne and wrapped her in a tight embrace.
Shock rippled through Arianne—she froze, uncertain how to respond.
“How are you, my dear?” the old woman asked tenderly, her voice trembling with affection. “At last, you are here. Sit down, sweetheart.”
Still dazed, Arianne let herself be guided to the sofa.
The woman sat beside her, gently patting the back of her hand with warmth that felt almost… familial.
Arianne’s confusion grew. She darted her eyes toward Damien, searching for answers.
Damien, however, only smiled, his presence steady as ever.
“This is my grandmother,” he said evenly.
Then his gaze locked onto hers, his tone firm yet calm.
“She is your grandmother from now on.”
Arianne’s breath hitched. She looked between him and the woman, her mind spinning. T
he grandmother gave Damien an approving nod before turning her attention back to Arianne, her expression filled with quiet joy—as though she had been waiting for this very moment.
Arianne swallowed hard. Nothing made sense anymore.
The grandmother smiled warmly and leaned closer. “Call me… Grandmother,” she said gently.
Arianne hesitated for a moment, then nodded politely. I don’t want to be rude, she thought, and addressed her as instructed.
Immediately, the old lady began chatting with her as if they had known each other for years. Her laughter was soft, her questions kind, and Arianne couldn’t help but feel a strange warmth she had never experienced with her own family. Damien sat nearby, watching her quietly, his dark eyes unreadable.
After a while, the grandmother’s tone grew protective.
“Arianne, if he ever bothers you or bullies you, just come to me. I will seek justice for you,” she said firmly.
Damien chuckled, his lips curling in amusement.
“Really? Since we’re married, I have every right to ‘bully’ her,” he teased, his voice low and teasing.
The grandmother waved a hand, smiling indulgently.
Then Damien turned to her grandmother, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Oh, I almost forgot. We just got married. Aren’t you going to congratulate us, Grandma?”
Arianne froze, her heart thudding violently. What? Since when? Married? she thought, staring at him in disbelief.
Damien stood, his movements deliberate and confident.
“You already wanted to deny me, wifey,” he said softly, then reached into his jacket and pulled out two wedding certificates.
Handing them to his grandmother, he said nothing else.
The old lady’s eyes widened in joy. “I can now die in peace,” she exclaimed, tears of happiness brimming.
She grabbed Arianne’s hand gently, squeezing it with affection.
But Arianne couldn’t hear a single word.
Her mind was spinning, caught between shock and disbelief. How… how could this be? No… no, it cannot be…
She stared at Damien, her hands frozen in her lap, trying to make sense of the impossible truth.
- Writer
