Chapter 2 - I do
1207 Words
"I do," Nathan said smoothly, a smirk curling on his lips as he slid the ring onto my finger.
I felt sick.
I was marrying the man I hated, the man who had abandoned me and our son like we were nothing. The same man I had spent nearly two years begging to come back, until I finally gave up. I had cried, prayed, and pleaded into silence. And now here he was, standing beside me at the altar, acting like nothing had happened.
He looked at me like this was some happy ending.
I looked down at the white dress hugging my body and felt a quiet rage.
Not the kind that screamed or threw things. This rage sat in my chest, bitter and sharp, slowly poisoning me from the inside out.
I could run. I could leave right now.
But I wouldn’t.
Because if I did, my family would lose everything. And I would also lose my son. That was the deal. His help came with one price. That price was me.
One of the conditions in his twisted offer was that I marry him. In return, he would save my family’s dying company, pay off their debts, and keep 40 percent of the business. They said yes before I even had the chance to say no.
The makeup artist and stylist had stepped back earlier, admiring their work like I was some doll being dressed for sale. I stared into the mirror and saw a stranger.
She was beautiful, at least on the outside. But inside, she was empty.
I thought of Noah.
He had smiled when I told him I was marrying his father. His eyes had lit up like Christmas morning.
“Will he tuck me in now?” he had asked, wide-eyed and hopeful.
I couldn’t even answer. I just nodded and hugged him tight. He didn’t know. He didn’t understand what I was giving up to make that happen.
Nathan didn’t come back for us out of love. This wasn’t about second chances. This was control. He had left without warning, without answers. And now he was back, not with flowers or apologies, but with lawyers and contracts.
I repeated my vows in a daze, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I do."
And just like that, my freedom was gone.
I slid the ring onto his finger, my hands cold and stiff. The priest smiled.
"You may now kiss the bride."
I froze.
Nathan leaned in slowly, watching my expression like he was waiting for me to flinch, fight, or do anything at all. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. So I stood still, cold and unmoving, as his lips touched mine.
It was quick. Empty. But it still made my skin crawl. I wanted to vomit.
The crowd erupted in applause.
I turned to see my family clapping proudly, as if they hadn’t sold me off to the same man who once left me broken. They smiled at me like I should be grateful.
I hated them for it.
My father looked relieved. My mother dabbed her eyes with a tissue. I looked at my son who sat with his grandparents. He eyes were as bright as Christmas lights as he waved at me smiling brightly. I smiled at him not wanting him to think anything was wrong.
"You look stunning," Nathan murmured beside me as we turned to leave the altar.
I ignored him.
He leaned closer. "You’re my wife now. Whether you like it or not."
I ignored him again. I was in no mood to talk to him.
We were escorted from the chapel by our family and friends. It was a small ceremony held in another city to avoid the media. For someone who had been so eager to marry me, Nathan didn't want the news of this wedding spreading.
Someone approached us just as we were ushered into a car. He looked just like Nathan. Same piercing blue eyes. Same sharp jawline. But where Nathan’s expression was often unreadable and cold, this man was open and kind.
His smile was warm, but his eyes held something unreadable. Maybe curiosity, or maybe sympathy. He reached for my hand and shook it gently.
"Brother," he said with a smirk.
Nathan’s lips lifted slightly. "Elias."
I almost burst out laughing. Of course Nathan had a brother. I wondered what other secrets he was keeping from me.
Elias turned to me and smiled again. His smile was warm, but his eyes studied me.
He looked at me like I was a puzzle he would love to solve.
"You must be Elaine."
I nodded as I watched him watch me. He looked at me like I was a wonder.
"You’re not what I expected," Elias said, smiling faintly.
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that a good thing?"
His grin widened. "Definitely."
I didn’t know what to say to that. He let go of my hand and looked between Nathan and me, his expression unreadable.
"I’m glad you’re here," he added more softly, almost like he meant it just for me.
I nodded slowly, unsure how to respond. He was the first person all day who made me feel even remotely like a person instead of a possession.
Then, out of nowhere, Elias said, "The others will be excited to meet her too."
Nathan stiffened.
There was a low, almost inaudible sound. A growl, deep in his throat. My eyes snapped to him in shock.
"What was that?" I asked, my voice sharp.
Nathan didn’t look at me. His eyes were locked on Elias.
Elias, for his part, held up both hands, backing off playfully. "Easy, brother. Just saying she deserves to know what she’s walking into eventually."
Nathan's voice was low and hard. "Not now."
Elias gave a low whistle. "Alright. Message received." He turned to me again. "It was nice meeting you, Elaine. We’ll talk more soon." Then he winked. "When your husband is in a better mood."
He walked off with a casual wave, disappearing around the corner like he hadn’t just shaken the ground beneath my feet.
I looked back at Nathan, who opened the car door for me without saying a word.
I got in, and as soon as we were both inside, I started asking questions.
"What did he mean?" I asked quietly. "Who are the others? What exactly am I getting into?"
Nathan’s jaw flexed. "It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it."
But I couldn’t stop worrying. I couldn’t stop hearing that sound. That growl. It wasn’t normal. It wasn’t human. I had heard it the day I came to the office, but it hadn't been as clear.
I sat stiffly, hands folded in my lap. My heart was pounding.
A driver got in, and we drove off. Family and friends behind us.
As we moved through the quiet streets, I stared out the window, trying to make sense of what I had just heard. What I had just seen.
Because if I wasn’t entirely sure before, I was now.
Something was very wrong.
"I have to tell you something," Nathan said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I turned to him.
Then he dropped the biggest bombshell of my life.
- Writer
