MARRIED TO THE FREAKING DEVIL

Signed Away

Aurora stared at Joseline, unable to believe what she had just heard. Of all the things she had expected from her aunt, marriage had never crossed her mind.

"Xavier Williams?" she repeated.

Joseline nodded. "Yes."

Aurora shook her head. "You can't be serious."

"I am."

She looked toward the door Xavier had just walked through. It sounded completely insane.

"I said I could do anything to save my brother. I didn't mean marry a stranger."

Joseline's expression remained unchanged. "Then perhaps you don't need the money after all."

Aurora's heart sank.

"You know I need it."

"Then you know what you have to do."

Aurora looked down at her hands. She had no money, no job and no one else to turn to. George was lying in a hospital bed waiting for treatment that could save his life. She could spend the rest of the night searching for another solution, but she already knew she wouldn't find one.

"Forever?" she asked.

"No. Six months."

Aurora looked up. "Six months?"

"After that, the marriage ends."

Six months. She could survive six months with Xavier Williams. At least, that was what she told herself. If marrying him meant George would live, she couldn't let her fear stop her.

"You're doing this because you want something too," Aurora said.

Joseline smiled slightly. "Of course."

Aurora didn't care anymore. "Fine. I'll marry him."

Joseline leaned back, satisfied. "Good decision."

"I need the money transferred to the hospital immediately."

"Give me the details."

Aurora took out her phone and opened the hospital's payment information. Joseline transferred the money while she waited. When the confirmation appeared, Aurora stared at the screen in relief.

George could get his treatment.

That was all that mattered.

She stood up at once. "I'm going to the hospital."

Joseline looked at her. "No, you're not."

Aurora frowned. "Why?"

"The marriage agreement will arrive tomorrow. You're staying here tonight and signing it in the morning."

"But I need to see George."

"His treatment has already started."

Aurora opened her mouth to argue, but Joseline had already turned away. There was nothing more she could say without risking the deal.

A maid eventually showed Aurora to a bedroom upstairs. The room was larger and more expensive than anything she was used to, but she hardly noticed. She sat on the edge of the bed and stared at her phone, thinking about the strange turn her life had taken.

A few hours ago, she had been standing on a rooftop, ready to give up.

Now she was going to marry Xavier Williams.

The thought alone made her uneasy. She layed on the bed staring at the ceiling till she slept off.

The next morning, Aurora woke to a knock at the door. Before she could answer, a maid walked in carrying a wedding dress.

Aurora stared at it.

"What's that?"

"Your wedding dress."

She sat up. "Wedding dress?"

"Madam Joseline said you have thirty minutes to get ready. The wedding is today."

Aurora couldn't believe it. "Today? She said I was going to sign an agreement."

Joseline entered the room before the maid could answer.

"You said I had six months," Aurora said angrily. "You never said I would be getting married today."

Joseline's face hardened.

The slap came before Aurora could say anything else.

Her cheek stung as she stood there, too shocked to react.

"Is that how your mother raised you?" Joseline asked. "You see your elder and don't even greet her?"

Aurora's hands tightened at her sides. She wanted to tell Joseline exactly what she thought of her, but then Joseline reminded her of the hospital money.

"Apologize."

Aurora looked at her.

"If you don't, I'll have the hospital return the money."

That changed everything.

Aurora lowered her head. "I'm sorry."

Joseline nodded. "Good. Now get dressed."

She walked out, leaving Aurora standing there with the maid.

Aurora touched her cheek and took a deep breath. She hated that she had apologized, but George was worth swallowing her pride for.

The maid helped her into the wedding dress and fixed her hair and makeup. When Aurora finally looked into the mirror, she barely recognized herself. The dress was beautiful, but she didn't feel like a bride. She felt like someone being pushed into a life she had never asked for.

She picked up the bouquet and reminded herself why she was doing this.

George.

Nothing else mattered.

Downstairs, Joseline was waiting with Mr. Smith. She looked Aurora over before turning toward the maid.

"Good job, Naomi."

"It's a private ceremony," Joseline told Aurora. "There won't be many people."

A black car was waiting outside. Aurora got in beside Joseline and Mr. Smith, and the three of them drove away from the mansion.

Aurora spent most of the journey looking through the window. She kept wondering what Xavier was like. She had heard plenty about him, but rumors were different from meeting someone face to face.

The car eventually stopped at Xavier's mansion.

Aurora looked outside and saw the large estate beyond the gates. Xavier was standing near the entrance with a few guests. He was dressed in black, and when he turned toward the car, his blue eyes met hers.

Aurora quickly looked away.

The ceremony started soon after they arrived. She barely listened to the officiant because her mind was still trying to accept what was happening. She was actually getting married to a man she hardly knew.

When the marriage certificate was placed in front of her, Aurora reached for it.

"I want to read it first."

Joseline immediately covered the paper with her hand. "Just sign."

Aurora frowned. "But..."

"We don't have time."

Joseline's grip tightened around her arm.

Aurora knew what would happen if she refused. She picked up the pen and signed.

Xavier signed after her.

A few minutes later, the officiant pronounced them husband and wife.

Aurora stared at the certificate.

She was married.

It happened so quickly that she didn't even know how to feel about it.

The guests began leaving soon after the ceremony. Mr. Smith went somewhere with Xavier, while Aurora remained outside until a guard approached her with some papers.

"Master asked me to give these to you."

Aurora took them and began reading.

The first few rules were already enough to make her uncomfortable. She wasn't allowed to leave the mansion without permission and was expected to follow Xavier's instructions while she lived there. Then she reached the section concerning their private marriage arrangement.

Her eyes widened.

She looked at the guard. "I didn't agree to this."

The guard didn't react. "Mr. Williams is waiting for you."

Aurora didn't want to go, but she had nowhere else to turn. She followed him into the mansion and through several quiet hallways until they stopped outside a large bedroom.

The guard opened the door.

Xavier was inside.

Aurora walked in and stopped a few feet away from him.

"I didn't agree to have s*x with you."

Xavier looked at her without saying anything.

"I agreed to marry you because my brother needs the money," she continued. "I never agreed to everything written in that contract."

"You signed it."

"I didn't read it."

"That's your mistake."

Aurora's anger rose. "So you expect me to accept everything because I signed a paper I wasn't allowed to read?"

"You should have read it before signing."

She stared at him, frustrated by how calm he was.

"I… I'm not going to do it," she stuttered.

Xavier slowly approached, bringing him closer until he stood inches away, his tall frame towering over her. Aurora lowered her gaze, unable to withstand the intensity of his blue eyes.

A finger slipped beneath her chin, lifting her head and forcing her to meet his stare.

"Too late," he said, his voice dropping into a dangerous cold tone.

His thumb brushed lightly over her jaw.

"You signed. You're mine, little dove."