Chapter 01
1328 Words
“Would you, Amelia Bolton, take Jefferson Reynolds as your lawfully wedded husband?”
I froze.
I couldn't believe it. This was probably a nightmare.
Unfortunately, it wasn't. Jefferson stood beside me, smiling like it was the best day of his life.
But I knew it was all fake.
This wasn't how I had dreamed my wedding would be.
I should have been standing here with Xavier, the man who promised me an escape.
The man who left me alone at the bus station, without so much as a goodbye.
“Amelia?” The priest called to me.
My father's eyes warned me from the front row.
You have no choice.
I forced the words from my lips. “I do”
The priests nodded before turning to the man beside me.
“And would you, Jefferson Reynolds, take Amelia Bolton as your lawfully wedded wife?”
I swallowed hard. Waiting… praying… hoping that somehow, somehow, he would say no. Then he will end this nightmare before it starts.
But Jefferson didn't hesitate.
“I do.”
“You may now kiss the bride.”
I barely had time to react before Jefferson wrapped his hand around my waist.
His lips brushed against mine and the audience applauded.
Oh, only if they knew the truth.
That this wedding had just collapsed my world.
We went straight for the wedding reception.
People approached us with polite smiles, offering their congratulations as if this was a real marriage. As if I didn’t just sign away my life.
Jefferson played his part well. He nods, shakes hands, keeping his responses short and formal.
I couldn't eat. My stomach churned as I gripped my untouched champagne glass.
I glanced at Jefferson, who sat relaxed yet radiating confidence. He was the picture of effortless power, exuding confidence like a man who knows he always wins.
I should say something. Maybe ask something.
But what could I possibly ask?
"Do you enjoy ruining lives?"
Instead, I keep my silence.
Because no matter how much I loathe him, I know one thing for certain.
Jefferson Reynolds always gets what he wants.
And tonight, what he wanted… was me.
The drive was silent.
Jefferson sat beside me, his posture still relaxed, as if this entire night hadn’t just shattered my world.
I glanced at him. He doesn’t even look at me.
Of course, he doesn't.
Why would he?
The car came to a stop in front of the Reynolds estate.
The rain had stopped but the air still felt chilly.
As we pulled up, the mansion's front doors swung open and the staff formed a neat line, awaiting our arrival. Jefferson exited the car first, barely acknowledging me before striding towards the entrance.
I hesitated, clutching my dress, tempted to stay hidden in the car forever.
"Mrs. Reynold." One of the staff members spoke, their voice polite and expectant.
Mrs. Reynold.
He said it like the name belonged to me.
It didn’t.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to move.
The moment I stepped inside, I felt like I'd walked into one of those mansions that you'd see in Mafia movies.
I had lived in luxury but this…. this was nothing like I'd seen before.
Though it didn’t feel like home.
I only wondered if I just stepped into a prison.
The doors shut behind me with a quiet click, locking me inside.
Jefferson walked ahead, leading the way through the grand foyer. I hesitated for a moment before following behind him.
When we reached the staircase, he stopped.
I crossed my arms, breaking the silence first.
"I’m guessing this is the part where you lock me in a tower?" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Jefferson turned slightly to face me.
"You give me too much credit. If I wanted to lock you away, I wouldn’t have given you a key."
He reaches into his pocket and tosses a small gold key onto the table beside me.
I stared at it but didn’t touch it.
"A key to what?" I asked, my voice colder than I intended.
"Your room. Or the entire mansion. Do whatever you want, Amelia." He shrugged. "Just don’t expect me to care."
His indifference stinged more than I expected.
I tightened my grip on my dress, feeling irritated. "Oh, so I’m free to leave?"
Jefferson took a slow step toward me, his sharp green eyes locking onto mine.
"You’re free to do as you wish." His voice was unexpectedly calm. "But if you run…"
He paused, leaning in closer then dropping his voice, just enough to make the hairs on my arms rise.
"I will find you.”
I clenched my fists, refusing to let him see my fear. "You’re insane."
Jefferson chuckled "And you’re stuck with me, darling."
The word ‘darling’ dripped with mockery.
I lifted my chin, my pulse hammering in my ears. "You don’t have to pretend with me, Jefferson. I know I’m just another business deal to you."
Jefferson studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he nods. "Good. Then we don’t have any misunderstandings."
He turned, already dismissing me like I was irrelevant.
A fresh wave of anger rolls through me.
"Why me?"
He stopped at the top of the staircase but didn’t turn around.
A beat of silence
"Because you were available."
His tone was cold, indifferent.
But something about it felt like a lie.
I stood there, watching as he disappeared up the stairs, leaving me alone in my cage.
***
Dark clouds gathered in the sky. Rain poured heavily against the windows while th bee wind howled, rattling the trees that surrounded the estate.
It was my third day in the Reynolds Estate
I sat curled up on a couch with a book open on my lap.
But I wasn't reading. I couldn't
Something felt wrong.
Jefferson was supposed to have returned hours ago.
Not that I was waiting for him.
I was only playing the role of a perfect wife.
Just when I thought about giving him a call.
My phone rang, shattering through the sound of the pouring rain.
I jolted, my pulse spiking as I picked it. The number was unfamiliar.
“Mrs Reynolds?” a deep voice asks.
I hesitate. “Yes?”
“I’m calling from the Reynolds Security team. There's been an accident.”
The book slipped from my hand.
“What… what do you mean?”
“Mr. Reynolds' car crashed on the highway. He's alive but unconscious. They're moving him to Stormbridge General Hospital.”
The world tilted. My breath hitched.
Jefferson. In an accident.
I didn’t know what to feel.
Fear? Panic? Relief?
There was no time to process it. I grabbed my coat and rushed toward the door.
But when I opened it, I felt my heart almost jump to my throat.
A figure stood outside, his clothing dripping wet.
Lightning flashes, illuminating his face for just a second.
And my heart stopped.
Xavier.
I couldn’t breathe.
What was he doing here?
He stood there, hands in his pockets, rain dripping from his suit. His expression was calm… too calm.
Like he was waiting for me.
"Hello, Amelia."
His voice was smooth, familiar, yet laced with something I didn’t recognize.
"What the hell are you doing here?" My voice shaked, barely audible over the storm.
His gaze sweeps over me, lingering just long enough to send a shiver down my spine.
Then he smirked.
"I came to check on my cousin."
Cousin? Jefferson was his cousin?
The word slammed into me like a wrecking ball.
Xavier. My ex-boyfriend. The man who swore we’d run away together. The man who abandoned me without a word.
Was Jefferson Reynolds’ blood.
I stumbled back, my stomach twisting in horror.
Xavier’s smirk widened, dark amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Did you miss me?"
I gripped the doorframe, my knuckles turning white.
I didn’t know whether to run… or scream.
- Writer
