Bound by Circumstance, Freed by Love

Chapter 3

Myrcella's POV

I opened my room to see Olivia standing right in front of me with her arms folded. "Going somewhere?" She asked sarcastically.

"Errr…. errmmmmm….n-no…..not really," I stuttered. I hadn't anticipated to see anyone so I didn't think about an excuse yet.

She walked into my room with Chloe following in her steps. I frowned immediately I saw her. "Hey trashy," she said. It was one of her mean names to me which implied that I was trash.

I dropped my bag and folded my arms, wondering what the two of them wanted from me. They went over and sat on my bed and crossed their legs.

"We just came over to have a little …..chat," began Olivia.

"Yea, it seems we had a bit of a misunderstanding a couple nights ago when you so rudely interrupted my quality time with my boyfriend." Chloe made sure to stress the words "my boyfriend" as she spoke.

"You see, you were definitely not good enough for Dylan, and he deserved much much more than the likes of you." Olivia said, always finding the right words to hurt me.

"All he needed was some lies and doctored pictures of you, and he was looking for a shoulder to lean on," Olivia mused.

"Or rather, pu*sy to c*m on," Chloe chipped in and they laughed aloud.

At that point, I didn't really care. I was just waiting for them to finish and leave so I could sneak out and get away from this house.

"Hey, is that a travel bag?" Olivia finally noticed the bag I had dropped at my feet.

"Are you planning to run away?" She sounded shocked and slightly annoyed.

"You want to run away and leave me here to get married in your place!" Olivia's voice is raised now.

She storms out of the room calling out to Irene. "Mummmmm……come quickly."

Irene came upstairs and Olivia told her I was planning to run away.

"You are confined to this room for the next two weeks until the wedding!" Irene barks.

"NO! You can't keep me here against my will! I'll be sure to talk to the police the moment I get out!" I screamed atop my voice.

"And tell them what?" Irene suddenly turns and faces me, staring at me in the eyes.

"You can't prove anything. And by then, it'll be your wedding day. Moreover, you wouldn't want my beloved husband to withdraw his promise to foot the bills for your wretched mother's treatment, would you?"

I hadn't thought about what would happen to my mother if I left. I looked down and sighed a sigh of defeat.

Irene knew she had me there. "If you don't marry Mr. Harrington's son, your mother will definitely die. And you'll finally be truly all alone in this world. So make you pick!" She spoke calmly this time.

I give up. I'll do what I have to, to secure my mother's treatment.

"You don't have to lock me in. I'll do it," I said with my head down, resigning to my fate.

"Good girl." Irene said, smiling wickedly. "Now there are dirty dishes in the sink that need washing and I think I'll like to have meatloaf for dinner tonight. Better get started." She ordered me around as usual.

The night before the wedding, Irene came to my room with a box full of clothes. "Here," she said, tossing the bag on the floor. "I got you some clothes, so they wouldn't think we are poor when you go over there with those ….rags you wear." She said rolling her eyes at the end.

"Thank you," I replied and she waved her hand at me and walked out. I opened the bag and saw different types of dresses. Dinner gowns, cute casual dresses, designer jeans and even shoes.

"Wow, this merger must really be important," Emily said after I finished telling her over the phone what just happened.

"I guess so. She has never bought me clothes. And I mean neverrr," I emphasized the word never.

"Durrrrhh! You're telling me like I've got no clue," she replies sarcastically.

"Well, on the bright side, you'll be out of that house for good. No more falls down the stairs, and the bullying might stop entirely." Emily adds.

"I guess you're right. I never thought of it that way honestly. I never told you this, but I refused to leave this house because I overheard Irene convincing my dad to cut me out of his Will. Which means that when my dad dies, I'll get nothing, just like my mum." I started to get emotional.

"They have succeeded in getting rid of me by selling me off for some business deal," my voice broke, and a tear fell down my cheek.

"Like I said my dearest best friend, look only on the bright side and forget about all the sadness and pain you endured to get here. Now stop crying and get some shut eye. You have a big day tomorrow." Emily always has a way of cheering me up.

"Alright." I said, wiping the tears from my eyes. "Thank you Emily, for everything. I would have gone crazy by now if not for you."

"Stop thanking me, and you're welcome. Now go to bed you dork." She said playfully.

We ended the call and I tried to sleep. But uncertainty for my future kept me awake. What if he is abusive, what if he hates me, what if he stops me from going to school? I need to graduate as a lawyer so I can fight for my right and get my inheritance from these evil imposters in my father's house. These thoughts kept me awake, but I kept on telling myself I was doing it for my mother, and with that I slept off.

Morning came and I got dressed in the silk white dress Irene got for me last week. She didn't want me to embarrass her by dressing shabby for the occasion. The wedding was going to be a small gathering in Walter Harrington's yard. Getting there, I stared wide-eyed at the long expanse of land which was just the driveway up to the main house. When the house came into view, It looked like a castle. Realizing that the driver was shocked at my expressions as he was watching me through the rear view mirror, I quickly composed myself.

"Cut it out Myrcella! You're supposed to be rich too!" I say inwardly to myself. But I lived my whole life like a maid. I never saw or visited houses such as this one.

We drove past the main house and continued to a smaller house in which I was to stay and wait for the ceremony to begin. My maid of honor, Emily soon arrived too, dressed ever so elegantly in a lavender off shoulder dress.

Someone brought a document and a pen and asked me to sign on the dotted line. The first thing I noticed was the heading which said "PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT".

"Of course it is." I said, bowing my head in sadness.

"What is it?" Emily asked, walking over to take a look.

"Just like my mother." I said in a low tone as I picked up the pen and appended my signature.

"No no no, don't do that today," Emily began to say as my eyes filled with tears. "Remember I said positive thoughts only. Think of your mother, how she's recovering. Your dad has already paid for the next stage of her treatment. That's all you need to think of, okay?"

"Yes……yea you're right. Positive thoughts only."

Just then, a lady walked in. "Ma"am, they're ready for you."

That was our cue. I wiped my eyes and walked out of the room with Emily.

Walking down the aisle in the beautiful garden of the Harrington Estate, I felt like I was in a dream. How could I be getting married so suddenly? Why the hell did I agree to this? I wanted to turn back and run. Run as fast as my little feet could carry me. I was snapped back into reality when I got to the end of the isle and saw the handsome man standing before me.

"I thought she said he was older and probably ugly in real life?" I said inwardly to myself. How can this man be mistaken for ugly by anyone with eyes? He was at least six feet tall, with dark brown hair, a chiseled jaw and a body that looks like he goes to the gym daily. I could definitely see that through his three piece tuxedo that was tailored to perfection. I was lost in admiration of this man who was to be my husband when the priest tapped me and repeated the words I obviously didn't hear the first time.

"I do," I replied.

Moments later, we exchanged rings and for some reason, I was looking forward to the kiss. He flashed me a warm smile that reached his eyes and I imagined the marriage was a blessing in disguise. I closed my eyes as he cupped my face in his soft yet firm manly hands. I felt safe in those hands as he pulled me close by my waist and locked my lips in his. It was slow, sensual and passionate and I felt my heart rate increase and butterflies in my belly.

I spent the rest of the evening by his side, being introduced to all manner and caliber of business associates and politicians as his wife. "Mrs. Myrcella Harrington" I said to myself. That sounded very nice. We were yet to have an actual conversation but I couldn't wait to go home with him. It's been over three months I last had s*x and my body was very ready to be taken.

I spent the ride home fantasizing what our first night would be like. The ride home was silent but I was too lost in my fantasy to realize that his dashing smile and welcoming aura had been replaced with a straight face and withdrawn demeanor. We got to the house and I could care less about what it looked like. I just wanted this man to take me to bed.

My joy was cut short when he called my name. "Myrcella," he began as soon as we stepped into the front door.

"Let me be perfectly clear to you. This, is a marriage of circumstance. The only reason I agreed to this, is because I'm a second son who must proove himself worthy of his father's loyalty. I have no room for feelings for you because I in fact, have a girlfriend who is waiting for me right now. We will work out the details of this marriage later because I have to go. Make yourself at home, do whatever you want. Your things have already been sent over by your family. The maids will show you to your room." He finished and was out the door before I could utter a word.

I collapsed on the floor and called Emily on the phone as the tears welled up yet again. "I should have known better…"