THE HUSBAND I SHOULD HATE

The wedding was supposed to be the happiest day of Amelia Carter’s life. At least, that was what everyone kept telling her. She sat quietly in the back seat of the black Mercedes as it moved through the busy streets of Lagos, watching the city lights blur past the window. Her wedding dress felt heavier than it had that morning. Maybe it was the weight of the diamonds. Maybe it was the weight of everything that had just happened. She was married. Married to Damian Blackwood. Even thinking his name made her heart skip. For months, she had watched the most powerful man in the room walk into meetings with an expression that could silence everyone. Damian was handsome in a way that made people stare. Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair. Sharp jaw. Expensive black suits. And somehow, he had chosen her. Her. Amelia still couldn’t believe it. She looked down at the diamond ring on her finger. “Mrs. Blackwood,” she whispered. A small smile appeared on her lips. She had spent the entire day surrounded by flowers, cameras, family members and wealthy guests. Her father had cried during the ceremony. Her mother had hugged her so tightly that Amelia could barely breathe. Everyone had looked happy. Everyone except Damian. She remembered the way he had looked at her when they exchanged vows. His face had been unreadable. She had assumed he was simply nervous. Now, as the car stopped in front of Damian’s enormous mansion, that memory suddenly felt strange. The driver opened her door. “Madam.” “Thank you.” Amelia stepped out carefully, lifting her dress. The mansion stood behind enormous iron gates, glowing beneath golden lights. She had been here before. But tonight, it looked different. Tonight, it was her home too. At least, she thought it was. She walked inside. The house was silent. Too silent. “Damian?” No answer. Amelia looked around. “Damian?” A voice came from behind her. “You’re late.” She turned. Damian stood at the bottom of the staircase. He had already removed his suit jacket. His white shirt was slightly undone at the collar, and his sleeves were rolled up. He looked nothing like the smiling groom who had kissed her in front of hundreds of people. He looked cold. Almost frightening. Amelia swallowed. “I had to greet some of the guests.” “You don’t need to explain yourself to me.” She frowned. “Okay…” Damian walked toward her. His eyes moved slowly over her wedding dress. For a moment, Amelia thought he was admiring her. Then his expression hardened. “Go upstairs.” Her heart sank. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine.” “You don’t seem fine.” He stopped. “Amelia.” Something in his voice made her go quiet. “Go upstairs.” She nodded slowly. “Alright.” She turned toward the staircase. Then she heard him speak again. “Take off the ring.” Amelia froze. She slowly turned around. “What?” “The ring.” Her fingers instinctively covered the diamond. “Why?” Damian walked closer. “Because I don’t want you wearing it tonight.” Her heart began beating faster. “But… you’re my husband.” His jaw tightened. “Yes.” “So why are you acting like—” “Because you don’t know me.” The words silenced her. Damian reached for his own wedding ring. He pulled it from his finger. Then he placed it on the table beside them. Amelia stared at him. “Damian…” He looked directly into her eyes. “I think there’s something you deserve to know before this marriage goes any further.” Her stomach tightened. “What?” He took a slow breath. Then he said the words that shattered everything she believed about their wedding. “I didn’t marry you because I love you.” Amelia’s lips parted. She couldn’t speak. Damian continued. “I married you because of your father.” Her face went pale. “My father?” “Yes.” “Why?” For the first time that night, something almost like hatred appeared in his eyes. “Because your family destroyed mine.” Amelia shook her head. “I don’t understand.” “You will.” He turned away. She stared at his back, tears beginning to gather in her eyes. “Damian, what are you talking about?” He stopped at the staircase. Then he looked over his shoulder. His voice was calm. Cold. Certain. “You should have asked yourself why a man like me would ever choose a woman like you.” Amelia’s heart cracked. And before she could answer, Damian walked upstairs, leaving her standing alone in her wedding dress. She looked down at the ring on her finger. For the first time that day, she wondered if she had just married her greatest enemy. Amelia remained standing in the middle of the living room long after Damian disappeared upstairs. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t even breathe properly. The words kept replaying in her head. I didn’t marry you because I love you. I married you because of your father. Her fingers trembled as she looked at the wedding ring. Only a few hours ago, that ring had made her feel like the luckiest woman alive. Now it felt like a chain. She slowly pulled it from her finger. A tear slipped down her cheek. “What did my father do to you?” she whispered. She wanted answers. She deserved answers. But Damian was already gone. Amelia wiped her face and gathered the front of her dress before walking upstairs. The master bedroom was at the end of the hallway. She opened the door. Damian stood beside the large windows, his back facing her. The city stretched beneath him, glittering against the dark Lagos sky. He didn’t turn around. “Where am I sleeping?” “Here.” She looked around the enormous room. “And you?” “This is my room.” Amelia stared at him. “You expect me to sleep here with you after what you just said?” Damian finally turned. “You’re my wife.” “You just told me you married me for revenge!” His expression didn’t change. “You’re learning quickly.” Her eyes filled with tears again. “What did my father do?” “Ask him.” “I am asking you.” “You wouldn’t believe me.” “Try me.” Damian walked toward her. With every step, Amelia’s heart beat harder. He stopped only a few feet away. “Your father destroyed my family.” “How?” “He took everything.” “My father isn’t that kind of person.” A bitter smile touched Damian’s lips. “That’s what I used to think about mine.” Amelia frowned. “What does that even mean?” Damian said nothing. She stepped closer. “My father worked his entire life for what he has. He didn’t steal anything from anyone.” “You really know nothing.” “Then tell me!” Her voice cracked. For the first time, Damian’s expression shifted. Not anger. Something else. Pain. But it disappeared almost immediately. “You’ll learn soon enough.” He walked past her. Amelia turned. “Where are you going?” “I’m leaving.” “It’s our wedding night.” He stopped at the door. “Yes.” He looked back at her. “And that’s exactly why I’m leaving.” Then he walked out. The door closed. Amelia stood there alone. A few seconds later, she heard the sound of his car leaving the compound. She slowly sat on the edge of the bed. Her wedding day was over. Her marriage had barely begun. And already, she was terrified of her husband. The following morning, Amelia woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. She reached for it lazily. “Mum.” She answered. “Good morning, sweetheart!” Amelia forced a smile. “Good morning, Mum.” “How was your first night?” Amelia froze. She looked around the empty bedroom. “Fine.” Her mother laughed. “I knew it! Your father and I were so happy for you yesterday.” Amelia swallowed. “Where’s Dad?” “He’s in the study. He’s been waiting to speak with you.” Her stomach tightened. “About what?” There was a pause. “Your father didn’t tell you?” “No.” Another pause. “Amelia, I think you should come home today.” Her heart started racing. “Why?” “I don’t know how to explain it over the phone.” “Please, Mum.” “Just come home.” The call ended. Amelia stared at her phone. Something was wrong. Very wrong. She quickly got out of bed. She had barely finished changing when the bedroom door opened. A woman in a black uniform entered. “Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood.” Amelia turned. “Who are you?” “I’m Mrs. Grace. Mr. Blackwood’s housekeeper.” “Oh.” The woman placed a breakfast tray on the table. “Mr. Blackwood asked me to make sure you had breakfast before leaving.” Amelia frowned. “He knew I was leaving?” “Yes.” “Where is he?” Mrs. Grace hesitated. “Mr. Blackwood left early this morning.” Of course he did. Amelia looked at the tray. “Did he say anything?” Mrs. Grace’s expression became uncomfortable. “He said you should not worry.” “About what?” The woman lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I don’t know.” Amelia sighed. She picked up her handbag. “I won’t be long.” As she walked toward the door, Mrs. Grace spoke again. “Mrs. Blackwood?” Amelia turned. “Yes?” The older woman looked genuinely worried. “Please be careful.” Amelia’s heart skipped. “Careful of what?” But Mrs. Grace said nothing. Amelia left the room. She had barely reached the staircase when her phone vibrated. UNKNOWN NUMBER She answered. “Hello?” Silence. “Hello?” A man’s voice finally came through. “Amelia Carter.” Her body stiffened. “Who is this?” “You just married Damian Blackwood.” Her grip tightened around the phone. “Yes.” “You shouldn’t have.” Amelia’s heart dropped. “What do you mean?” “You don’t know what you’ve married into.” “Who are you?” The man chuckled softly. Then he said something that made the blood drain from her face. “Ask your father what happened to the Blackwood family twelve years ago.” The call ended. Amelia stood completely still. Twelve years ago. The same period Damian had mentioned. Her father’s secrets. Damian’s revenge. And now a stranger warning her about her own husband. For the first time, Amelia realized something terrifying. Maybe Damian wasn’t the only person hiding the truth from her. Maybe her entire life had been a lie. She immediately called her father. He answered after the second ring. “Amelia?” “Dad.” Her voice shook. “I need to ask you something.” Silence. “What is it?” “Do you know the Blackwood family?” There was a long pause. Too long. Amelia closed her eyes. “Dad?” When he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. “Where did you hear that name?” Amelia’s heart sank. Because suddenly, she knew. Her father knew exactly who Damian Blackwood was. And whatever had happened twelve years ago… her father had been there.