Tied by Vows, Torn by Secrets

Chapter3

The car ride felt suffocating.

No one said anything at least, I didn’t. I stared out the window, watching buildings blur past, pretending I wasn’t sitting in a car on my way to meet the man I was apparently going to marry.

My mum, on the other hand, wouldn’t stop talking.

“Oh, Cassandra, you look absolutely stunning,” she gushed. “You’re going to blow him away.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes… and failed.

“Thank you,” I muttered dryly.

Blow him away?

I didn’t even know his name.

That alone was enough to make my blood boil. How was I supposed to marry someone I had never met? Someone I knew absolutely nothing about?

The fact that they were still keeping it from me made it worse.

I deserved to know.

At the very least.

Before I could spiral further, my dad’s voice cut through my thoughts.

“We’re here.”

I blinked and turned toward the window and froze.

My mouth literally fell open.

The house in front of us wasn’t just big.

It was massive.

No massive didn’t even cover it.

It was the kind of house you only saw in movies. Tall, elegant, intimidating. The kind of place that screamed power and wealth.

I stepped out of the car slowly, barely registering the chauffeur taking the keys from my dad.

My eyes were glued to the building.

Four enormous pillars stood at the entrance, with wide staircases leading up to a huge door decorated with gold accents. Everything about it felt… unreal.

Like I didn’t belong there.

I was still staring when the front door opened.

A woman stepped out.

She looked to be in her sixties, with soft grey hair and the kindest smile I had ever seen. And for some reason, the moment I saw her, a small part of my tension eased.

“Hello, you must be the Matthews,” she said warmly. “I’m Octavia. The Richardsons have been expecting you.”

Her voice was gentle welcoming.

My mum immediately stepped forward, greeting her politely, while my dad gave a small nod.

When it was my turn, I hesitated for a second before stepping forward.

“Hi… I’m Cassandra,” I said softly.

“And you must be David’s wife-to-be,” she said with a smile. “You’re very beautiful.”

David.

The name echoed in my head.

So that was him.

At least now he had a name.

Inside, things only got more overwhelming.

The house was even more stunning on the inside everything polished, elegant, expensive.

Then I met his parents.

“Ryan, Eva—this is our daughter, Cassandra Megan Matthews,” my dad said proudly.

I winced internally at the full name.

“I’m Eva,” the woman said, pulling me into a warm hug. “David’s mum.”

“And I’m Ryan Richardson,” the man beside her added, extending his hand.

I shook it, offering a polite smile.

But the moment he smiled back, something clicked.

Recognition hit me.

Hard.

He wasn’t just any wealthy man.

He was the wealthy man.

The richest man in our society.

My stomach dropped.

Holy s**t.

My parents weren’t just marrying me off…

They were marrying me into the richest family in town.

And I had only just realized it.

My thoughts started racing, panic bubbling under the surface. I needed air. Space. A moment to breathe.

“Sorry… may I use the restroom?” I asked quietly.

“Of course, dear. Third door on your left,” Eva said kindly.

I nodded quickly and walked out, my heart pounding.

As I made my way down the hallway, I tried desperately to picture David.

But nothing came.

No face.

No memory.

Nothing.

After a few minutes, I stepped out of the restroom, trying to steady myself.

Then suddenly

A scream.

I froze.

My head snapped up, and before I could react, I found myself face to face with a girl around my age.

She had jet black hair with streaks of green and bright, lively eyes.

“Oh my gosh!” she squealed. “You must be Cassandra!”

Before I could even respond, she pulled me into a tight hug.

I stiffened in surprise… then slowly relaxed.

It felt… nice.

Unexpected, but nice.

“Anne, right?” I asked once she pulled back.

“Yep!” she grinned. “I’m the little sister of the douchebag you’re about to marry.”

I blinked.

Then laughed.

I couldn’t help it.

“Douchebag?” I repeated, amused.

“Oh yeah,” she said confidently. “Davy is a huge one.”

“Davy?” I said, trying not to laugh again. “I don’t think a grown man would appreciate that.”

She smirked. “That’s exactly why I say it.”

I liked her instantly.

She was real.

Unlike everything else in this house.

“You’re going to be his wife,” she continued, linking her arm with mine. “So there are things you need to know.”

“I’d appreciate that,” I said, smiling slightly.

As she started leading me back toward the sitting room, my chest tightened.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

Because this was it.

No more delays.

No more avoiding it.

I was finally going to meet him.

The man I was being forced to marry.

And for some reason…

I couldn’t shake the feeling that my life was about to change completely.