A Shattered Heart

CHAPTER 4

"Take a seat." Andrew's strong voice broke the quiet of the workplace. I tried not to look anxious as I carefully slid myself into the chair across from him.

However, it was not feasible. He was scary in every way. The big office. the icy look on his face.

Everyone in his immediate vicinity moved cautiously as if they were afraid of upsetting him. He hardly gave me a proper look even now.

Rather, his gaze stayed on the papers before him. Beside me, Uncle Ben clumsily cleared his throat. "This is Amelia, my niece, Mr. Thomas."

Andrew calmly said, "I know who she is." He didn't speak loudly. However, it was inherently authoritative. On my lap, my fingers clenched together. At last, Andrew raised his head once again.

His motionless gaze lingered on me for a little period. studying. doing calculations. As if he was considering whether or not I was worth the hassle.

Then he reclined a little in his seat. "You accepted my offer?" The query sounded icy. like a business. Not like a man talking about getting married.

I gulped hard and responded in a low voice. "Yes, sir." His face remained unchanged. Not a grin. No contentment. Nothing. He just gave one nod.

"Excellent." In some way, that one word made my chest feel heavy. Uncle Ben gave a short, relieved smile. I'm grateful, Mr. Thomas.

The significance of this for our family is beyond your comprehension. Andrew paid him no attention at all.

He continued to focus on me. "There are requirements." My stomach constricted. circumstances. There were conditions, of course. I made myself nod gently.

"I am paying attention." Andrew gently closed the file in front of him. Then he spoke quietly.

“For us to proceed, there are rules involved in this marriage”

“Please, what are the rules?” Uncle Ben asked quietly.

"No affection." I gave a single blink. "What?" Without hesitation, he declared, "This marriage will not involve emotions.

"And finally, unless I grant permission, none of your family is welcome in my house."

I scowled a little. "What does that signify?" I asked. "You will do whatever I asked you to do without a second thought." His voice was harsh when he responded.

To ease the strain, I tried to giggle quietly. "You portray marriage as frightening." Andrew, however, did not grin. Not even a tiny bit.

I'm doing this for you mama, I whisper in my mind

Nevertheless, I nodded slowly. "All right." Once more, the office was silent. Andrew then grabbed a document and shoved it in my direction. "Sign it."

My gaze fell to the documents—pact for marriage. My chest constricted horribly. This was actually taking place.

Just a phone call from Andrew, my mother's doctors started getting her ready for surgery right away. It seemed surreal. As if everything had mysteriously changed overnight with just one signature.

And before I could even fully comprehend it... I was wearing a white bridal gown as I stood in a quiet hall. There was an odd emptiness in my heart.

A man gently adjusted my veil while a few employees moved about placing flowers. No celebration with the family. No thrill. No joy. Just quiet.

Uncle Ben was standing close by, looking upset. "You look gorgeous," he murmured. I forced a small smile. "Do I appear to be a bride?"

He averted his gaze momentarily. That response was sufficient. The wedding took place swiftly and discreetly. Andrew appeared composed and impenetrable as he stood next to me in a pricey black suit.

For the majority of the ceremony, he didn't even look at me. My hands, meanwhile, stayed frigid the entire time.

Everyone applauded courteously as the priest declared us to be husband and wife. Andrew just gave a single nod. Not a grin. No coziness. Nothing. And for some reason, that hurt more than I anticipated.

There was never a kiss. Rather, Andrew took my hand casually and guided me outside to the Rolls-Royce that was waiting. Light rain has begun to fall.

Not even a good bye to my mother or my little brother

The Rolls-Royce door was swiftly opened by the driver. Andrew trailed after me as I cautiously went in first. Silently, the door closed behind us.

The car was instantly silent. Soft music was playing in the background as the city lights passed outside the window. I gently glanced down at my wedding ring. married. In reality, I was married.

To a man who didn't feel like a spouse at all. I gave Andrew a sidelong glance. He was already engrossed on his phone. working. even right now.

I took a deep breath and started talking. "So..." He did not raise his head. "So?" I attempted a small smile. "We recently tied the knot."

"And?" I gazed at him. "You don't sound enthusiastic." At last, he raised his gaze to me. "There's no cause for excitement." Oh no. Once more, I turned my head away from the window.

All of a sudden, the rain outside seemed more fascinating. I gave it another go after a little while. "You know, after getting married, most couples talk." "We are conversing."

I nearly burst out laughing. Just barely. Silently, I folded my hands. "You're not at all romantic." I was surprised to see a small movement at the corner of his mouth.

Not quite a grin. However, it was close. "Romance is not necessary."

"That is depressing." "I don't agree." I looked closely at his face. He appeared composed. under control. As if nothing could emotionally disturb him. In the meantime, I was experiencing a range of feelings.

I reclined a little in the plush chair. "You know, I thought billionaires were supposed to be charming," I said. Andrew gave me a quick glance.

"Who informed you of that?" "Films." "They told falsehoods." Before I could stop myself, I let out a little laugh. That, surprisingly, appeared to lighten the mood a little.

Neither of us said anything for a short while.

Then I cautiously took a small step closer. Not excessively. Just enough so that my shoulder barely touches his arm. His body froze in an instant. It's interesting.

I gave a small smile. "So cold," I whispered in jest. Andrew turned his head gently in my direction. I could see the tiny tightness in his jaw, but his face was still unreadable.

"You ought to give up trying so hard." I was instantly mortified by the words. "I wasn't making a lot of effort." "You were." My face flushed with heat.

I instantly averted my gaze. "Perhaps I simply don't want my spouse to act as though I don't exist."

Quiet. Then, out of the blue, Andrew slowly reached up and fixed a stray hair behind my ear. Just two seconds passed during the touch.

But in some way... My heart skipped a beat. He had warm fingers. Kind. In stark contrast to the icy tone of his speech. I gave him a startled look.

His eyes softened a little for the first time. Just a little bit. Enough to cause an odd tightness in my chest. Then the softness abruptly vanished once more.

As if it had never existed. Andrew slowly leaned back. Before I knew it, he brought out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and started smoking.

“Jesus what is this? So, you smoke?” I was surprised.

“Do you care to have a drag?”

I didn't respond. I was quiet for a moment. What have I gotten myself into? I think I'm beginning to see his other side.

Smoking is one thing I don't like about men. I started having different thoughts, and before I knew it, Andrew spoke again before I had a chance to consider it further.

He speaks in a composed tone

. Direct, without looking at me. “ Do you have a boyfriend?" My heart skipped a moment and I looked at him.