Sold to Endless Nightmares.
866 Words
Chapter 3
Sold to Endless Nightmares.
In a tense moment, Robert Rose's father pulled her aside in the reception hall, reminding her of her identity and the life he had provided for her. He warned her not to ruin the day.
The wedding reception was a whirlwind of laughter, music, and polite chatter, but for Rose Cartar, it all felt like a distant echo.
Seated next to Donald at the head table, she kept her hands neatly folded in her lap, her fingers digging into the soft silk of her dress. Her champagne glass remained untouched, and the chandelier lights above felt stifling, as if the whole room was closing in on her.
husband—sat rigidly beside her, nursing his drink without even glancing her way. Not that she expected anything different.
This marriage wasn’t about love. It wasn’t even about them. It was a transaction, a business arrangement sealed with vows neither of them truly meant.
"You’re awfully quiet," Robert Cartar’s voice sliced through her thoughts.
Rose’s jaw tightened at the sound. She turned to face her father, who was studying her with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze. Her mother, sitting beside him, wore a carefully neutral expression, but Rose could see through it.
"I’m just taking everything in," she replied, forcing a small, hollow smile.
Robert’s eyes narrowed. "Make sure you do. This isn’t a joke, Rose. You embarrassed this family enough with your protests this morning. Don’t start again."
Her fingers curled tighter in her lap. "Of course, Father. I wouldn’t dream of it."
"Good." He lifted his wine glass. "The Cartar name depends on this marriage. Don’t ruin it."
Ruin it.
Donald approached Rose, taking her hands as they walked.
As soon as they stepped onto the empty balcony, Donald turned to her, his expression hardening. “So, tell me, wife,” he snapped. “How long were you in on this scheme?”
His grip tightened around her wrist, his face unreadable.
"Explain."
Her heart raced against her ribs.
"Explain what?" she asked, feigning ignorance.
His eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "Where is Stephanie?”
There it was—the question she had been expecting, the one she had prepared for.
But what she hadn’t anticipated was how his presence seemed to fill the room, stealing the very air from her lungs.
Rose met his gaze without flinching, determined not to back down. "Stephanie ran. You needed a bride. I was available."
A muscle twitches in his jaw. "Available?" he repeated, his voice laced with amusement, yet his eyes remained icy and calculating.
She nodded. "Yes."
Silence hung in the air.
Then, he laughed.
It was low. It was dangerous.
"So that’s how little you think of yourself."
His words sliced through her composure like a knife. But she didn’t flinch.
She wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.
Instead, she lifted her chin defiantly. "What difference does it make? You got what you wanted. A Carter bride. A contract. A merger."
Donald’s expression darkened, his smirk fading away. "Don’t insult me."
Before she could respond, he closed the distance between them.
Her back hit the wall, and his hands caged her in, not touching her, but making her feel trapped.
"I don’t deal in surprises," he murmured, his voice smooth yet edged with steel. "And you, Rose Carter, are a very unexpected complication."
Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. "Then annul the marriage."
His lips curled into a smile, but it wasn’t one of amusement. It was something much more sinister.
"And let your father’s empire crumble?" he taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "That’s not how this works, sweetheart."
His breath brushed against her skin, close enough to send a shiver racing down her spine.
Rose forced herself to remain still, to mask her fear.
"What do you want, Donald?" she whispered, her voice steady despite the frantic pounding of her heart.
His gaze flickered for just a moment. A subtle shift, but it was telling.
Then, he leaned in just enough to make her breath catch. "I want to know what you’re hiding."
Panic surged in her chest.
Did he know?
No. He couldn’t.
He was fishing. Testing her.
Rose swallowed hard, keeping her expression neutral. "I have nothing to hide."
Donald scrutinized her, his dark eyes roaming over every inch of her face as if he were searching for something
Then, he stepped back, casually adjusting the cuff of his sleeve as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"We’ll see about that."
His voice was steady, but the tension hung thick in the air between them.
He turned to leave but hesitated at the door.
Without glancing back, he said, his tone smooth as silk—
"Pack your things. We’re heading to my estate tonight."
And just like that, he was gone.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Rose let out a sharp breath, pressing a hand against her racing heart.
She had managed to win this round.
But Donald Taylor was not the kind of man who let anything slip away.
And if he ever uncovered the truth about Vixin…
She wouldn’t just lose this battle.
She would lose everything.
- Writer
