FORCED TO LOVE THE SICK BILLONAIRE

CHAPTER 4.

AVA'S POV.

The wedding was a court wedding, and it took place three days after my talk with the Edwards. Dad and James were there as witnesses, but we kept it a secret that James and I were engaged.

Mr and Mrs Edwards were also present along with their family lawyer and a judge. The only person missing was the groom himself, Noah Edwards, but the marriage certificate already had his signature on it, so it wasn't really necessary for him to be present.

Nevertheless, his attitude still irked me. Yeah, I know he is against the marriage, but he should at least have the decency to show up. I, however, created some excuse for him. Maybe his illness won't let him, and moreover his parent already told me that he hates the spotlight.

The wedding took place without much stress. All I had to do was sign a piece of paper with everyone around as a witness, and just like that, I had officially become Mrs Ava Edwards.

I spent my wedding night at my father's house, saying my last goodbyes to my love James. He made sure to assure me that he would wait for me and to remind me of the plan we made to make Noah fall in love with me so we could have his property.

The next morning, I was taken to the Edward's ranch. My Dad shamelessly cried his eyes out, reluctant to let me go and, of course, I was reluctant to go too. It was hard for me to leave behind everything I knew and loved, but I comforted myself that it wouldn't be forever.

We arrived at the Edward ranch, and I was amazed at how huge and amazing the whole place was. It was covered with green trees and surrounded by nature. Some men dressed in cowboy outfits rode on horses leading a herd of cattles around the place.

I watched them in amazement through the window of the van I was in. I had no idea that the Edwards owned a ranch.

The van drove forward until we came to stop in front of a huge bungalow house with big windows like that in a church.

Mr Edwards glanced at me from the driver's seat and said with a smile, "welcome home Ava."

They both got down and I followed suit.

The sweet scent of nature brought a broad smile to my face. The air was refreshing, and I closed my eyes, enjoying the cool breeze on my face.

Maybe my time here won't be that bad.

"Please come in." Mrs Edwards said kindly, and I followed her into the house, while Mr Edwards stayed behind to help bring in the luggage.

The house was big and very fancy, but it didn't seem like there was any house help to help around the house. The place was as silent as a graveyard and the paintings were pure black and the windows were covered in black curtains with only the chandaliar to give light to the room. There was something depressing about the whole place.

Mrs Edwards must have noticed the unimpressed expression on my face because she spoke again. "Noah doesn't like it when the rays of the sun pour into the room. It depresses him."

I frowned in confusion at that information. Why would the sun be depressing to anyone? That guy sure is weird.

Mr Edward came in much later and led me to my room, while Mrs Edward retreated to the kitchen to begin making dinner. They were both moving about like excited little kids, and I was convinced that they were more than happy about my being there.

My room was nice and simple. There was a medium-sized bed and a bathroom. There was a wardrobe at the side and the windows had the perfect view of the trees outside.

I love it so much. I only hated the walls that were painted black.

After a bath, I got dressed in simple shorts and a shirt and I left my room to join the Edwards at the dining table.

As I walked down the gloomy corridor, I was amazed by the beautiful paintings on the wall.

Trees with birds perching on them. Wildlife, the sea, the sky and a lot more. It was everything I loved.

After having my feel of looking at the pictures, I went on to the dinning room which he showed me earlier before he showed me my room. I only found Mrs Edwards seated there when I walked in.

She smiled when she saw me and I smiled back as I awkwardly took a seat. I am still not used to them yet.

"Where is Mr Edwards?" I asked curiously, because the table was already set.

"He went to get Noah. For some reason, my son has locked himself in his room, refusing to come out." She shook her head sadly, "he doesn't want to meet you."

I couldn't help but think that his attitude was childish. Even though he already dislikes me, at least he should show some decency. I hate to be here too, but at least I am polite about it.

It was a struggle not to let my annoyance show. Even now, I've grown a dislike for the guy, though I haven't met him.

Soon, Mr Edwards strolled into the dining hall and a tall figure followed behind him, but Mr Edwards was in front, and he blocked my view of the person.

"I am glad you are here already, Ava", Mr Edwards said, as he took the empty seat beside his wife.

The face behind him was finally revealed. A tall lanky young man in a dark gray sweater and sweatpants. His short dark hair fell around his face in a pretty way and his blue eyes had some darkness in them. His face was oval-shaped, and his jawline could cut steak. There was this permanent scowl on his face that somehow read 'I am not an approachable person.'

Gruggedly, he took a seat across me, completely ignoring my presence. I was instantly annoyed by that.

"How are you feeling today, Noah?" Mrs Edwards asked gently.

He stared straight at her and smiled pleasantly. Something felt wrong about his smile, like he was faking it. "I am doing great. It should be obvious, like it always is to you guys."

I raised a brow at his words, ignoring the shiver that went through my body at the sound of his cool voice.

"Don't start Noah. Your mom was just asking because she's worried." Mr Edward scolded and sounded annoyed.

Noah shrugged uncaringly, "I'm just amazed, because she usually assumes and never asks."

He said the words like they weren't supposed to be a big deal, but I watched him carefully. There was some kind of pain in his eyes.

"Let's push that aside," Mr Edwards decided. "This is your new wife, Ava, and from now on, you two will be living together. Try to get along with her at least."

For the first time since he came in, his dark eyes found mine and, for me, it felt like the whole world stopped, and I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears. There was something intense about his gaze.

Clearing my throat, I said slowly "Hello"

His jaw clenched and he looked away from me. He bit into a bit of bread and chewed it quickly.

I frowned at his action. Why is he being weird?

"She will be here to take care of you, son." Mrs Edwards continued, "we know how much you hate outsiders, and we didn't want to leave you all alone when we left for our one-year trip to California and that's why we got a wife instead of a maid.

One year trip?

I was still taking in this new piece of information when Noah spoke, "is there a difference though?" He was referring to Mrs Edwards' earlier statement. "A maid and the wife you got me, is there really a difference? Because in the end they are both outsiders,"

"Ava is a good person. She is a good choice for you" Mr Edwards defended.

Noah stared straight at me with hate in his eyes, "I doubt that. It's obvious that she sold her freedom for money just to be here. What pathetic human would do that?"

Anger coursed me at his words, but I held myself back from snapping for the sake of his parents who were present. Who does he think he is to judge me? I am only here to save the jobs of poor innocent people.

"You will have to excuse my son Ava. He is quite rude to everyone," Mr Edwards pleaded.

"I refuse to be excused, Dad. She is going to be my wife from now on. I am only showing her what she is getting herself into. After all, she was paid for it."

"Noah!"

"I've lost my appetite Dad. It sickens me to my stomach to think that you both got me a nanny because of your stupid one-year trip. If I keep eating, I might throw up"

"You will sit down and eat Noah!!" Mr Edward raged.

"Please don't shout honey," Mrs Edward pleaded to her husband. "Remember he's not well."

I instantly noticed Noah's jaw clenched tightly at her words, and he gritted out "that reminds me. I still need to take my medication." He stood up and stomped away.

"He will never change!" Mr Edwards snapped angrily, "he's always an ingrate."

"Calm down honey, we need to be gentle with him. The doctors have already confirmed that we can't save him. Let's try to keep his months of living as long as they predicted"

Mrs Edwards was almost in tears, and I felt her pain.

That prick! Doesn't he see that his parents are affected by his situation? And he's only making things harder for them. Can't he be considerate?

Mr Edwards stared at me sadly. "He's quite difficult, but I hope you can handle him and make a better person out of him."

With some hesitation, I replied "I guess I could try." After all, I had already signed the marriage papers.

I am stuck with that jerk for six months.