Married to my Ex

chapter 1 At exactly 6:45 PM, Traeh sat stiffly at the reception table, his fingers tapping the edge of his glass. The hall glittered with chandeliers, laughter, and the constant clinking of glasses, but all of it felt suffocating. He stole a glance at Sienna across the table, her polite smile never reaching her eyes. They looked like the perfect couple to everyone else, but both of them knew it was a lie. Mace, Traeh’s cousin, is sitting nearby, grinned mischievously. She leaned in and whispered a reminder to keep his phone tucked away, before hinting that she had a little “fun” planned for them. Traeh immediately stiffened. He already hated how much of a spectacle this whole day had become. Then, with a sly glint in her eye, Mace tapped her spoon against her glass. The sharp, metallic clink echoed in the quiet of the hall, and Traeh’s stomach dropped. He knew exactly what was coming. Mace wanted them to kiss. Traeh really wanted to curse his cousin but remained his composure. He doesn’t want to look obvious that he’s really annoyed. The guests, oblivious to the tension between them, began to chant, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Their voices grew louder, and the clapping only pushed them further toward the center of attention. Traeh’s jaw tightened. He looked at Sienna, whose wide eyes reflected the same dread he felt. Neither of them wanted this, not the kiss, not the charade, not this entire forced marriage that had pinned them together. “She’s going to make us do it,” Sienna whispered, her voice tight with frustration. “I know,” Traeh muttered, barely audible. His hand clenched around his glass as he leaned closer, but it was reluctant, stiff, and almost mechanical. “For Mr. and Mrs. Ashford!” Mace raised her glass, and the guests followed suit. They made a toast and drank their wine. Mace then started clinking her glass, and soon many people joined in. Traeh clenched his jaw as he glanced at Mace. The girl had a playful smile on her face, and he did his best to act normal. Sienna exhaled slowly, a mixture of irritation and resignation. Neither of them moved freely. It was a performance, a cruel game orchestrated by their families, and Mace, at their expense. When their lips finally met, it was abrupt, cold, and forced. Traeh barely touched hers before pulling back immediately, as if repelled by the act itself. Sienna’s lips were tense, unyielding, and she didn’t meet his kiss with any warmth or familiarity, only obligation. Since their parents and the guests were all watching, Traeh had no choice but to kiss Sienna. As usual, it was a quick, awkward kiss, which prompted Mace to shout that it was boring. The crowd erupted in applause, but for Traeh and Sienna, it was deafening in a different way. Every cheer was a reminder that they were trapped, that their ex-lovers’ past was now buried under the weight of an imposed future. “A long and passionate kiss, please!” Mace demanded, and Traeh couldn’t stop cursing her mentally. “Who wants them to kiss like that? Show how much you love each other!” she added, and the people around them nodded in agreement. “Damn, this girl is getting on my nerves,” Traeh muttered under his breath, while Sienna simply looked at him, unamused. “Let’s do it. Come on, everyone’s waiting for us,” Sienna said. “You’re really taking full advantage of this marriage, huh?” Traeh teased, and Sienna just smiled at him. “Our parents are watching, so shut up and kiss me,” Sienna said, keeping her smile polite so no one would doubt their act. “All right, all right,” Traeh relented, standing up from his chair. “My wife,” he added, offering his hand. Sienna accepted it immediately. He cupped her face and moved closer, meeting her halfway. Their lips pressed together in a passionate kiss, finally granting everyone’s request. After the kiss, Traeh quickly turned away to wipe his lips and pretended to gag. Sienna pinched his back, causing him to flinch. “You’re overreacting,” Sienna said. “Now you’re telling me I’m overreacting?” Traeh asked, his eyebrows furrowing. Sienna nodded. “Be thankful that I’m being nice right now,” Traeh mumbled, gripping his glass tightly. “Thank you, baby,” Sienna said sweetly, which only made him angrier inside, though he refused to show it in front of everyone. Sienna got another idea to annoy him. She held the microphone and requested a song entitled You Are the Reason. Traeh massaged his forehead in frustration, unable to take it anymore. “Let’s dance, baby boy,” Sienna murmured, loud enough for the others to hear. She took Traeh’s hand and dragged him to the center of the dance floor. Placing her hands on his nape, she drew him close, and he reluctantly placed his hands on her waist. Everyone’s eyes were on the newlywed couple. Some guests squealed quietly at how “sweet” they looked together. There goes my heart beating ‘cause you are the reason… “You are not the reason my heart is beating,” Traeh muttered, causing Sienna to laugh. “Same, boy. My heart is beating because I’m alive,” she replied. Traeh suddenly spun her around twice, holding her hand firmly. “What if you’re still in love with me? Poor you, because I don’t have feelings for you anymore,” Traeh said. “Well… I can’t even remember everything that happened between us,” Sienna admitted. Traeh forced a smile. “You can’t remember because the truth is you cheated on me and never truly loved me,” Traeh said sharply. Sienna nodded quietly. “Let’s wait until I remember the truth. I only recall a few things about us, but the moments we shared are real enough for me to say I loved you,” Sienna said, leaning closer. They danced in the middle of the floor, appearing genuinely in love, even though they weren’t. Sienna had suffered from amnesia two years ago, and some memories were still hazy. Her parents had told her she had rolled down the stairs, hitting her head on a sharp corner, and that it was an accident. She had asked them what really happened that day, and they assured her it was just a mishap. More guests joined them on the dance floor, including their parents, who smiled proudly. Their happiness was not only for the marriage but also because their companies had finally merged, ensuring their wealth and power. “You did well, son. Congratulations,” Miguel said to his son, hugging Traeh tightly while patting his back. “Give me my money,” Traeh whispered, earning a laugh from his father. “We have a gift for the two of you,” Liana Barrington, Sienna’s mother said, taking a key from her husband’s pocket. She handed one to Sienna and the other to Traeh. “A house?” Sienna asked, and her mother nodded. Traeh examined the keys and noticed they were different. “Different keys? You mean we each have our own house? Wow, thank you so much,” Traeh said, bowing. But his mother laughed and broke the illusion. “Just one house. Front key and back key. Hahaha,” Sally and Liana giggled, while their husbands watched quietly. Their parents had been best friends since childhood and orchestrated the marriage for security and financial reasons, insisting it was for their children’s own good. “That’s our first gift. More to come, as long as your relationship grows,” Sienna’s father, Sebastian said, putting his arm around Traeh’s shoulders. “I’ve known you since you were born. Don’t ever hurt my daughter. I trust you, Traeh,” he said seriously. “Dad, don’t pressure him like that,” Sienna said, clinging to her father’s arm. “I just want him to protect you, my princess,” he said. Sienna smiled softly. Even though her parents had forced her into this marriage, she trusted them completely. She knew they only wanted the best for her.