chapter four
773 Words
A Wife He Never Chose
The applause slowly faded.
Guests gathered around the newlyweds, smiling as cameras flashed from every direction.
"Congratulations!"
"You both look wonderful together!"
"What a beautiful couple!"
Maya forced a smile, though every word felt like a stab to her heart.
She wasn't the bride they were congratulating.
She was living someone else's life.
Beside her, Ethan remained composed, thanking each guest politely. But his sharp eyes kept drifting toward Maya.
Something about her wasn't right.
Every movement seemed... careful.
Almost rehearsed.
As if she were afraid of making a mistake.
---
The wedding reception was held in the Carter family's luxurious ballroom.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.
A live orchestra played soft music while waiters served expensive dishes.
Maya had never seen anything so extravagant.
She quietly admired the decorations.
"You've changed."
A deep voice beside her made her jump.
She turned to find Ethan looking at her.
"I... what do you mean?"
"You've attended dozens of luxury events."
He studied her face.
"But today, you're looking around like you've never seen a place like this."
Maya quickly looked away.
"I guess..."
"I've just been overwhelmed."
Ethan didn't respond.
He simply took a sip of his champagne.
He didn't believe her.
---
A few minutes later...
The master of ceremonies smiled brightly.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"It's time for the bride and groom's first dance!"
The crowd erupted into applause.
Maya's heart nearly stopped.
She didn't know how Sophia danced with Ethan.
What if he noticed?
Ethan walked toward her and extended his hand.
"Shall we?"
She hesitated before placing her trembling hand in his.
His fingers were warm.
Strong.
He led her to the center of the ballroom.
Soft music filled the air.
One hand rested gently on her waist.
The other held hers.
They began to move.
Maya tried her best to follow his lead.
She accidentally stepped on his foot.
"I'm so sorry!"
She whispered.
Ethan looked surprised.
Sophia had always been an excellent dancer.
"You've never stepped on my foot before."
Maya's face flushed.
"I..."
"My mind is somewhere else."
Instead of becoming angry...
Ethan simply pulled her a little closer.
"Then let me do the thinking."
Their eyes met.
For just a second...
Everything else disappeared.
The music.
The guests.
The lies.
Maya quickly looked away, her cheeks burning.
---
Across the ballroom...
A beautiful woman wearing a fitted red evening gown watched them with narrowed eyes.
Her name was Vanessa Reed.
Elegant.
Confident.
And Ethan's former girlfriend.
She clenched her champagne glass.
"So..."
"You really married her."
A slow smile spread across her lips.
"This should be interesting."
---
After the dance, Ethan was called away by business partners.
Maya quietly slipped out onto the garden terrace.
She needed air.
The evening breeze cooled her face.
She leaned against the marble railing and closed her eyes.
"What have I done?"
A tear escaped despite her efforts to hold it back.
"I've lied to everyone."
"If Ethan discovers the truth..."
"He'll hate me."
"You look guilty."
Maya quickly turned.
Vanessa stood a few feet away, arms folded.
"I... I'm sorry?"
Vanessa smiled politely.
"Relax."
"I just came to congratulate you."
"Thank you."
Vanessa stepped closer.
"So..."
"Tell me."
"How did you convince Ethan to marry you?"
Maya frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"He never loved you."
The words struck like a slap.
"He married you because it benefited both families."
Vanessa smiled sweetly.
"But don't worry."
"Men like Ethan..."
"They always come back to what they truly want."
She walked away before Maya could answer.
Maya stared after her, her confidence crumbling.
---
Later that evening...
The guests finally began leaving.
Luxury cars disappeared one by one.
The celebration was over.
Ethan stood beside his black limousine.
He opened the rear door.
"Get in."
Maya nodded quietly.
The drive to the Carter mansion was silent.
Neither of them spoke.
The silence was almost unbearable.
After nearly thirty minutes, the car stopped before a magnificent mansion surrounded by fountains and beautifully trimmed gardens.
Maya looked up in amazement.
"This is... our home?"
Ethan noticed the wonder in her eyes.
Again.
It was another reaction that didn't fit the woman he thought he'd married.
He stepped out of the car.
Without looking back, he said,
"Welcome home..."
Then he paused.
"...Sophia."
For the first time, he deliberately emphasized her name.
Almost as if he were testing her.
Maya froze for half a second before following him inside.
Ethan noticed.
He noticed everything.
And with every passing hour...
He became more certain that the woman he had married was hiding a secret big enough to destroy them both.
- Writer
