Tied by Vows, Torn by Secrets

Chapter4

Anne practically dragged me into the sitting room, but the moment I stepped inside, everything else faded into the background.

Because I saw him.

I didn’t even know how I just knew.

My eyes locked onto a dark brown haired guy sitting across the room, and just like that, I couldn’t look away. It was like my brain had shut down every other function except staring at him.

Even when his mum started talking, I didn’t hear a word.

“Cassandra darling, meet my son David Richardson. David, this is Cassandra Matthews—your future wife.”

Future wife.

The words echoed in my head.

And then he turned.

Our eyes met.

And I froze.

Completely.

It felt like someone had nailed my feet to the ground. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe properly. I couldn’t even form a single coherent thought.

All I could do was look at him.

His eyes were the first thing I noticed bright, intense blue, the kind that made you feel like he could see right through you. Then his jawline sharp, defined. His posture confident, controlled.

And his suit?

Perfect.

Like it had been tailored specifically to show off every part of him.

My thoughts derailed for a second as I wondered very briefly what he looked like without it.

Oh my God.

He was beautiful.

I didn’t even care how weird that sounded.

He stood up and walked toward me, each step deliberate, like he knew exactly what effect he had.

“Hello,” he said.

His smile looked polite… but something about it felt off. Fake.

But then.

A dimple.

And just like that, my brain stopped working again.

I was a complete sucker for dimples.

And his voice?

Deep. Smooth.

Dangerous.

I was in serious trouble.

I became vaguely aware that everyone was staring at us, waiting for me to say something—and I hadn’t.

Of course.

“H-hi,” I stuttered, immediately cringing internally.

Great. First impression ruined.

“Nice to meet you,” he said, taking my hand before I could react.

Then he lifted it.

And pressed his lips against my skin.

My breath hitched.

A strange tingling sensation spread through my arm, and I instinctively pulled my hand back like I had been burned.

He smirked.

Like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.

“Nice to meet you too, David,” I said quickly, forcing confidence into my voice.

His smirk deepened.

God, what was it with him and that stupid smirk?

I had the sudden urge to wipe it off his face.

Violently.

Before I could dwell on that thought, his mum’s voice cut in, announcing dinner.

Everyone started moving, leaving the two of us behind.

“Let’s go, future wife,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery.

I frowned, confused, but then I saw it.

The tension in his jaw.

The tightness in his expression.

And suddenly, it clicked.

He didn’t want this either.

Well.

That made two of us.

Great.

Dinner was… painful.

Everyone else laughed, talked, and acted like this was some kind of celebration.

Meanwhile, I sat there, hyper aware of David’s constant glares.

I didn’t even know what I had done.

If he hated this arrangement as much as I did, the least he could do was not take it out on me.

When dinner finally ended, I thought I’d be free.

I was wrong.

“Why don’t you two go get to know each other?” someone suggested.

And just like that, we were sent to the balcony.

Alone.

The night air was cool, and the view was breathtaking. The city lights stretched endlessly, glowing beautifully in the darkness.

For a moment, I forgot everything.

Until—

“You’re drooling.”

I blinked, snapping out of it. “Huh?”

He was already glaring at me.

Of course.

“Don’t blame me for looking at something beautiful,” I shot back, rolling my eyes. “Maybe you should stop glaring before your eyes fall out.”

His expression darkened instantly.

“Are you telling me what to do?” he asked.

“What I’m saying,” I replied calmly, “is that someone needs to teach you some manners.”

Big mistake.

“Excuse me?” His eyes turned colder.

“Are your ears clogged?” I muttered, just loud enough for him to hear.

That did it.

“How dare you talk to me like that? Do you even know who I am?” he snapped.

I shrugged. “Not exactly. And honestly? I don’t care.”

That seemed to hit a nerve.

“I am your future husband—”

“Oh, please,” I cut him off. “I’d rather die than marry someone like you.”

Silence.

Dangerous silence.

“Well then, why don’t you?” he said quietly, his voice low but filled with anger.

Something inside me snapped.

“I actually have a life,” I shot back. “And even if it’s not perfect, I’m not going to let you treat me like I’m beneath you.”

I turned to leave.

But he grabbed my arm.

My breath caught.

“And where do you think you’re going?” he asked, stepping closer.

“Anywhere far away from you,” I said.

“You can’t.”

“And why not?”

“Because they expect us to be ‘getting to know each other,’” he said, his voice tightening. “And I’m not in the mood to answer their questions tonight.”

Then—

“Your choice, Hazel.”

I blinked.

Hazel?

“What did you just call me?”

He didn’t answer.

Of course he didn’t.

“Why Hazel?” I pressed.

Silence.

I scoffed, looking away.

“I can’t believe this is my life,” I muttered under my breath.

My chest tightened.

I wanted to cry.

But I refused to let him see that.

For the next hour, he completely ignored me, scrolling through his phone like I didn’t exist.

And honestly?

That hurt more than the arguing.

So I did the only thing I could.

I stared out at the city.

And tried not to fall apart.