More than just his Substitute

The deal

RAYNE.

How dare he?

First, it was my sister, and now he was going to do the same to me?

I wished there was something I could do, but, no matter how hard I tried to find a way out, — there was nothing.

My tears wouldn’t stop flowing, and the thoughts of my sister flooded through my mind. Was this the reason she had run off? Did she know about Nolan’s infidelity? Or had they done something to her? Nothing seemed impossible to me anymore, especially after seeing Kayla.

I heard footsteps and noises outside. Nolan and I weren’t sleeping in the same room, but it was next to mine, and I could hear almost everything he did inside, and I was sure he could hear mine too.

With my tears still streaming down my cheeks, I moved closer and pressed my ears against the wall, trying to get a clearer sound that was coming from his room. I didn’t want to open the door to come out, nor did I want to see his face, — I hated him.

Moans… that was what I heard. I swallowed hard in anger, gritting my teeth as I sniffed my nostrils. I had run off in tears, trying to find a way out of the situation my family had thrown me into. But, on the other hand, Nolan was in the other room feeling nothing, but making love to another woman just after two days of being married to me.

It was hard for me to admit, — but it hurt. I know our union was a loveless one, but still— I was a woman, and I had feelings too. It was my life, and I was supposed to be happy, yet I was throwing it all away to the very same people who never looked once in my direction.

I deserved to be loved and treated with respect, but at the same time I knew it was an impossible thing, because Nolan would never give me all the things I needed.

Kayla’s voice got louder, and I could hear his heavy grunts as they both moaned in ecstasy. I slumped my shoulders down in despair, the realization hitting me hard in the face. She was the only one who was ever going to feel his warmth and love, and I was just an intruder, —a replica of a woman who had escaped the living hell that I was currently dealing with.

I walked away from the wall in tears, my eyes feeling sore from all the tears I had shed. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. This wasn’t a time to cry like a loser, — it was time for me to step up and do something.

But what could I do?

Nolan already had a lover. Was I supposed to have one as well?

What about his grandfather? And the gain he was receiving from him? Was I supposed to remain quiet or try to reach an agreement with him?

But, what if he declines? What if he called off the wedding for good? What would happen to my father’s company? My family’s and sister’s reputation? But, the most important question was, who was going to ever marry a woman who had divorced just two days after being married?

I battled with my feelings and the burning questions I had, pacing around the room as I thought of a way out. I couldn’t continue like this, something had to be done. Nolan wasn’t the only one who was free to do as he pleased, — I was going to show him how the game was played.

After debating for hours, I finally got an idea. Wiping off the tears I had on my face with the back of my palms, I walked straight to my door, taking in a deep breath before proceeding.

I was going to meet him, and tell him a piece of my mind. I was going to make him realize that I was worth more than just his substitute bride.

But, the moment I held the doorknob and twisted it open, I saw him, he was standing right in front of me, his sea-blue eyes piercing directly into mine as I struggled to breathe, — Nolan.

NOLAN.

For the first time since I could remember, making love to Kayla didn’t interest me. I was trying so hard to live in the moment and enjoy every bit of the pleasure, but for some reason, I found my mind wandering far away and with the thoughts of her, — Rayne.

Not trying to put out anything there, but, it wasn’t something real, romantic, or serious. I only felt for her, — pity, and the fact that she had run off in tears after hearing those words from Kayla. And no matter how hard I tried to ignore the thought, I kept feeling guilty that I had done something despicable that needed to be corrected.

After hours of trying to figure out what to do, I finally decided to meet her, Rayne. It was the only thing I could think of after searching my mind.

I got to her just as she tried to open the door to her room. I watched her eyes twitch as she stared at me, her breath suddenly sounding unstable. I didn’t say anything, — neither did she. We kept staring at each other, like we were waiting for the other to speak up first.

I noticed her eyes were red and bulgy, and I didn’t stop staring at them. She noticed my face and must have felt awkward and uncomfortable, because she rushed her hands up to her face, trying to hide the sight.

“What are you doing here?”

Her tone wasn’t as calm as I had always heard. She turned her face away from me, turning to her sides. I bit down my lips, trying not to sound cold, yet just as stern so she wouldn’t get the wrong impression.

“I came over to talk to you.”

“Are you done making love to your mistress?”

If I didn’t know better, I would have mistaken her tone for jealousy, but there was absolutely no way it could be true.

I didn’t reply, rather, I ushered myself in, slightly brushing her shoulders as she staggered.

“I don’t remember telling you to come in.”

“And I don’t remember asking for your permission.” I retorted, turning to face her squarely as I gave her a cold stare. She twisted her lips, and I saw them quivering as she muttered under her breath.

Watching her get annoyed but trying to control it made me think of her sister, River. She always did the same thing, — but would always throw a fit just after a few minutes.

“I came to see you, Rayne.”

She raised her head up to me, and I saw her eyes darkening. It made me flinch a bit, — but I held it in.

“I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Well you don’t have any choice, but to do so.” I was trying to provoke her further. I wanted to see if her anger was the same as River’s, and how scary she could get, but— she hid it perfectly.

I watched her take a few steps closer to me, not batting her eyes, and for a moment, I wondered what she was up to.

“Go on.”

“You don’t tell me when to speak.”

“And I don’t want to hear you speak either, so it’s either you say whatever you want to say to me, or you get the hell out of my face.”

Woah…

She was terrifying when angry, — but it wasn’t something I couldn’t handle.

“I only came here because I have a deal for you.” I said, ignoring her backlash, “Well, you brought the idea earlier, but— I’ve only just agreed to it.”

I watched her arch her eyebrows, like she didn’t understand what I was talking about.

“I’m ready to give in to the contract you proposed earlier.” I confirmed her curiosity, swallowing hard as I said the words, “It’s already bad enough that it’s an arranged marriage, but you already know that I’ll never love you or have anything to do with you as long as you’re not River.”

I watched her eyes switch to another look for a minute, it was a look of sadness that was quickly replaced by a glimmer of defiance. She must have felt offended, but she needed to be reminded.

“I don’t wish to be loved or touched by you.” I heard her utter with a cracked voice, but it sounded stern and clear enough.

I nodded my head, agreeing to her words as I continued. “We’re only going to be married for six months, — and during this time, we must act happily married in front of our families. I have every right to be with any woman I desire, and you— I doubt if any man would actually want you, but you’re free to have a lover.”

She scoffed, but it was true,— my words. Rayne was beautiful, no doubt, but she wasn’t appealing to the eyes. Her clothes were always long, baggy, and covered every bit of her skin, and I couldn’t believe she was the twin of River, who was the exact opposite of her in every way.

Rayne didn’t say a word for a while, but I knew what her answer was already going to be. It was definitely going to be a —-

“No.”

Wait, what? I wasn’t sure I had heard correctly.

I returned my gaze to her, watching her with wide eyes, but she didn’t falter, rather, her lips parted again to yell in my face, her words echoing through my ears and mind.

“No.”