Married a Billionaire

Chapter 2

The silence in the reception hall was striking, a complete turnaround from the cheerful vibe just moments earlier. Everyone was focused on the surprise guest; her intense stare was locked onto Ethan.

Ethan was right there, standing between me and the woman, like a solid rock in all the chaos around us. “Now's not really the right moment or setting for this, Veronica,” he said, keeping his voice low but firm. “Let’s chat later.”

“Talk?” she said, her tone full of doubt. “So, you really believe this is just a mix-up?” You're tying the knot with her to save your beloved bank, Ethan! Everyone deserves to know the truth!”

My heart raced. The truth? What did she mean? I glanced around, hoping for support in the expressions of our visitors, but unfortunately found only a sea of whispers and raised eyebrows. My mother’s eyes were wide, terror engraved across her face, while my father’s expression turned from displeasure to a flash of something deeper.

“Ethan, what is she talking about?” I pressed, my voice steadier than I felt. I stepped forward, trying to reclaim control of the situation, but a part of me felt like a spectator in my own life.

“Liry, please,” Ethan continued, his brow furrowing in irritation. “Let me handle this.”

But Veronica wasn’t done. “You can’t just bury the truth under the weight of a wedding ring! This isn’t just a commercial transaction, and it shouldn’t have been for you either.”

The room buzzed with murmuring, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. I felt vulnerable, like a role in a play where everyone knew the plot but me. “Ethan,” I asked, “what is she talking about? What truth?”

His gaze met mine, a mixture of apology and resolve flashing in his blue eyes. “I’ll explain everything, I promise. But not here.”

“Why not?” I challenged, rage boiling beneath my surface. “What could be so awful that it needs to be kept a secret on our wedding day?”

“Because it involves your family, Liry,” he replied, his voice low and serious. “It’s complicated.”

Veronica drew closer, her voice softening just enough to transmit a sense of sympathy. “You deserve to know, Liry. You shouldn’t be a pawn in his game.”

“Game?” I repeated confusion, clouding my thoughts. “What are you talking about?”

Before Veronica could speak, my father interjected, his booming voice ripping through the tension. “This is ridiculous! This is a celebration, not a circus!”

“It’s a celebration built on lies!” Veronica shot back, Benson. “You’ve manipulated everyone, including your own daughter.”

“Enough!” my father yelled, his face flushed with wrath. “You will not ruin this day. Liry, come here.” He indicated for me to return to his side, but I hesitated; my gaze focused on Ethan.

“Liry,” Ethan replied, his voice genuine, “Please, let me handle this.”

But the moment felt significant. I took a step back, away from my father, away from the expectations that had been pushed upon me. “No,” I responded forcefully, my voice soaring above the murmuring. “I won’t be treated like a bargaining chip anymore.”

Ethan looked taken back, and I could see a glimmer of adoration in his eyes but also dread. “Liry, think about this. It’s not just about us.”

“Then what is it about, Ethan? Because right now, it feels like my life is unravelling in front of me, and you’re all too busy playing your parts!”

The room fell silent again, anxiety crackling like static electricity. I felt vulnerable and exposed, but also strangely empowered. It was time to reclaim my narrative.

Veronica took a breath, her expression altering slightly. “You’re right, Liry. This is about more than just you and Ethan. It’s about the Sinclair family and what they’ve kept hidden.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, and my curiosity piqued despite the anxiety tearing at my breast.

“Your father’s business isn’t just struggling—it’s involved in something far more dangerous. Ethan isn’t only marrying you to preserve his bank. He’s trying to protect you from the fallout.”

“What fallout?” I pressed urgency overpowering my denial.

Before Veronica could react, Ethan pushed forward, his voice furious. “Enough, Veronica. This isn’t your place to reveal these things. If you want to talk about this, we’ll do it privately.”

“Private?” she echoed, skepticism changing her tone. “You’ve kept too many secrets, Ethan. Liry deserves to know.”

I felt a flood of emotions—confusion, rage, fear—but one thing was clear: I was standing at a crossroads. Would I allow myself to be swept away by the currents of family devotion and obligation, or would I dare to dive into the unknown?

“Ethan,” I continued, my voice firm despite the anger growing within, “I want the truth. All of it.”

He sighed, raking a hand through his hair, plainly conflicted between protecting me and his own secrets. “Okay,” he answered finally, “but we need to leave this place first. It’s not safe to converse here.”

“Safe?” I echoed, shocked. “What have I gotten myself into?”

As he held my hand, I could sense some shakes of tension on his hands. There was no turning back now. I had chosen this route, and I would face whatever facts awaited me—no matter how disturbing they might be.

With a shared glance, we slipped out of the pandemonium of the reception hall, walking into the crisp night air. The weight of the world still pressed down on my shoulders, but I was ready to tackle the storm that awaited. I just prayed I was strong enough to withstand it.

As Ethan walked me out into the cool night air, I could feel the weight of the day pressing heavily on my chest. The noises of the reception faded, replaced by the distant hum of traffic and the rustle of leaves in the moderate breeze. We halted beneath a flickering streetlamp, the dim light throwing sweeping shadows about us.

“Liry,” he continued, his voice low and serious, “there’s a lot I need to explain. About my family, about the business, and why your father—”

“Why did my father borrow that money?” I interrupted my pulse quickening. “Why did he think marrying me off was the solution? I need to know everything, Ethan.”

He ran a hand through his hair, evidently grappling with how to approach this. “It’s not just about debt or business, Lily. There are individuals involved—dangerous people. Your father’s action put you in jeopardy.”

“Jeopardy? How? What are you talking about?” My heart raced, each word thick with urgency.

He opened his mouth to answer, but just then, a heavy crash echoed from the direction of the reception hall, followed by a scream and shout of fear by people, My blood ran cold I turned with fear.

“Stay here!” Ethan commanded, but before I could ask him what was going on, he ran back toward the scene the sound came from.

I hesitated, divided between dread and instinct. I knew I shouldn’t follow him, but I couldn’t remain there when commotion exploded behind me. My feet moved before I could think it through, running back into the reception area.

As I approached the corner, I caught sight of Ethan standing in a group of anxious people, his demeanour was stern and protective. But it was the scene behind him that froze my body with a shock, Veronica lay on the ground, her face pale, a dark person looming over her, wielding a weapon.

“No!” I screamed, my voice cracking with dread. “Ethan!”

He turned just in time, his eyes widening. The figure raised the gun, pointing it directly at him. “Step back!” the thugs shouted, their voices muted but full of authority.

I felt the world tilt beneath me. This wasn’t just about secrets anymore—it was a war for survival.

“Liry, get away!” Ethan shouted, his voice strained.

But I couldn’t move. The turmoil swirled about me, the stark reality of the situation smashing down like a tidal wave. Just then, another voice pierced through the chaos—my father’s.

“Let her go!” he yelled, his face twisted in agony.

The thug's attention moved to my father, and a moment of hesitation passed between them. I seized the opportunity to move forward, fear passed through my veins.

"Ethan!" I cried again, my heart pounding against my chest.

But in that split second, the thug's attention returned to Ethan, and everything seemed to slow down. The sword glinted in the dim light, and I knew that this moment would change everything.

As the tension rose, a gunshot rang out.

I felt my breath catch in my throat as I stood motionless, helpless, my heart racing so fast. What had I just walked into? What truth would be revealed, and would any of us survive it?

as I stood there looking I released a deep breath and I thought this is far greater than just marriage, I realized one thing: my life would never be the same again and I didn't think I was going to survive this time around the thugs was very mean and yelling so loud.