More than just his Substitute

The contract

RAYNE

As Nolan's lips brushed against mine, I felt a shiver run down my spine. It wasn't passion or excitement, but rather a sense of unease. This was it. I was married. To a man who didn't want me.

I pulled back, trying to compose myself. Nolan's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of disdain. My heart sank.

The crowd's applause was deafening, but I felt like I was drowning in a sea of expectations. I forced a smile, trying to play the part of the happy bride.

As we turned to face the crowd, Nolan's hand wrapped around mine, his grip firm but cold. I felt like a prop, a mere substitute for the woman he truly loved.

I scanned the crowd, searching for a friendly face. Ellie, my sister's friend, caught my eye, and I smiled weakly. She smiled back, her eyes filled with concern.

I knew I had to get through this. For my family's sake, for the sake of our reputation. But as I stood there, trapped in this loveless marriage, I couldn't help but wonder: what had I gotten myself into?

“Show her to her room.”

It was the second time I had heard his voice since we exchanged our wedding vows. He hadn’t said a word to me, even when we had taken the same vehicle to his house.

“Yes sir.” The maid bowed her head slightly in response. I couldn’t help but notice the way she shivered while talking to him. Nolan Fletcher instilled fear in almost everyone —everyone but me.

He took off his tuxedo as I stood still in the living room, still clad in my wedding gown. My eyes scanned the whole place, and I couldn’t find the right or perfect words to describe how amazing it looked.

“Let me show you to your room, ma’am.” She rushed over to me, taking the tiny pink luggage I had walked in with. My mother had insisted I bring no clothes at all, saying that I was married to one of the richest men who could pay for another full wardrobe.

“My room?” I asked in surprise, wondering if we were going to have separate rooms. “Aren’t we staying together?”

I watched his shoulders stiffen at my question, although I hadn’t asked him directly. He turned to look at me, his eyes giving no emotions as I stared him right back in the eye.

“Anna,” I guessed it was the maid’s name, because she answered without hesitation, “Please tell your new mistress that I won’t be sharing any room with her.”

I scoffed at his behavior. So, this was how we were going to be living? Talking to ourselves through a maid? Did he really hate me that much? Fine. I was ready to reciprocate the energy.

Anna tried to tell me the exact words he said, but I halted her with my hand gesture, my eyes shooting Nolan a cold smile.

“I heard him perfectly.” I gritted my teeth, watching him smirk at my reaction, “Please tell your boss that I would appreciate it if he actually talked to me with his own mouth, rather than going through someone else.”

Anna swallowed hard in confusion, and I could tell she was already regretting being the one in the middle of our feud. She tried delivering my words to him, but he halted her just as well.

“Anna, please tell her that she’s just an occupant of this house. And that she actually holds no place here. Don’t forget to remind her that she’s nothing but an impostor who’s living under the identity and shadow of someone else.”

I felt broken at his words. They went directly into my heart, stabbing it repeatedly. He had referred to me as an impostor, and didn’t fail to remind me, just like everyone else, that I was living in my sister’s shadow like I’ve always done.

I watched his satisfied smile at my fallen spirit. He had got me, —quick and easy. But, I wasn’t willing to let it go without giving him a piece of my mind.

I stepped forward, my eyes burning with an intensity that could murder him.

“I never wanted to get married to you.” I spat in his face, ignoring all my mother’s warnings about keeping my true feelings hidden, “I was forced to do this.”

“And so was I.” He retorted plainly, his legs moving closer to stand in front of me. Aside from his intimidating height, nothing else could make me falter.

“You’re in my house now, Rayne.” There was something about the way he called my name, it made my defenses crumble a bit, “I call the shots here, and you’ll do nothing but listen to me.”

A controlling man? Never. I always hated them. But, here I was, already married to a man who couldn’t wait to show his controlling side after being married for barely an hour.

“You will not control me.” I gritted out, sounding as stern as I could, “I am Rayne, and I do not allow any man to control me.”

I saw a flicker of embarrassment in his eyes as he moved backwards slowly. I could tell what had happened, — I had deflated his ego.

“I guess we could end this marriage right now.” He said, his tone sounded too serious to just be a joke. “If you don’t abide by my rules, then you'll have to leave, right now.”

I baited my eyelashes. What did he mean by leave? How could the marriage end even before it started?

If I walked out of that door, I could never go back to my parents' house, they would never welcome me back. Also, my family’s reputation would be ruined, especially my sister’s. Not to talk about the fact that my father’s company depended on this marriage to survive.

I was torn between two options, —my happiness, and my family’s well-being. Whatever choice I made, it would leave me with another broken heart to mend.

Nolan stared at me with a mischievous smile at the corners of his lips. He could definitely see the dilemma I was in. But, I wasn’t the only one who had something to lose if the marriage ended.

He could lose something too. I had no idea what it was. But, since he admitted to being forced into the marriage also, then it meant that he had something to gain if he did.

I matched his glare, a grin spreading across my lips. My plan was simple: propose a contract to him. After all, this was a loveless marriage.