Not the Wife He Wants

CHAPTER 2. Angela

Angela's POV

Nothing in life is perfect, but at least there should be one thing that keeps you motivated to get through tough days, to embrace every perfectly carved scar, to let go of the pain, even if it torments you. But what if my days are already bad every day, and I don't have anything that makes me want to keep breathing?

My name is Angela, I almost ended my life twice before meeting a little angel who wanted to live longer because she had terminal leukemia. On the day she took her last breath because the doctors could no longer save her, I finally found it. The reason I want to keep living.

That's why I'm here now, in a classroom where a professor is explaining Uropoetics. One of the courses in the medical faculty that I'm pursuing. That's right! I want to be a doctor because if others are useless to me due to their hatred, then let me be useful to others.

"Angela!" Someone shouted my name, making me turn immediately and stop my quick steps toward the cafeteria. "Heading to the cafeteria, huh?" Asked the guy who called me earlier. His name is Aaron, he's my senior on campus, the kind of handsome guy that many girls, including me, dream of. His parents own a big hospital in the country.

I like him too, but I haven't dared to get close even though he also gives me signals of the same feelings. He has too many fans, and that poses a high risk of making my already chaotic life even more miserable.

"Yeah, sure," I replied simply.

"I'll join you, I have something to discuss with you." He said with a smile. The kind of smile that can captivate any girl, and I'm quite lucky to receive it often.

"Sure." I replied while continuing to walk as he walked alongside me.

We ordered the same food before we fell into silence when Aaron expressed his feelings to me. Honestly, I like him, but my situation doesn't support dating, especially with a guy who shines like a star.

"I'm not asking you to answer now, Angela, just answer later when you're ready, it's okay. And I hope whatever your answer, our friendship will never change." He said, and I nodded with a faint smile.

"Thank you, I think I really need some time." I agreed. He smiled again, and I was very sure the girls around us were very curious about our conversation. Especially seeing Fenrir, Aaron's friend, being shooed away when he approached earlier.

"What did Aaron say? Did he confess to you?" Sylvia, my friend, asked. I just smiled.

"Did he ask you to marry him right after graduation? Wow, you're so lucky, I swear." Cindy, who is also my friend, said.

"You're thinking way too far ahead, we were just talking about future plans. He recommended his father's hospital if I want to start my career later." I said, not entirely lying because Aaron did mention that before.

"That's such a lie. There's no way your cheeks would blush, and you both would look so tense if you were just talking about that." Sylvia argued, making me a bit flustered but still trying to act normal. Because if I admitted it, these two friends of mine would spread it all over campus, and I'd be in the danger zone.

"You guys watch too much drama, that's why you're delusional. Anyway, I have to head home, or my dad might kill me.” I said as I got up, inviting disappointment from the two sweet girls, and I giggled. "Bye-bye, you two chatterboxes." I teased.

"You're the bigger chatterbox." They replied almost simultaneously, making me laugh.

When I got home, I didn't expect anyone to greet me like a princess, asking how my day was at campus or even asking if I had eaten or not. Because at home, I feel like a worthless stranger. I'm always insulted, cursed, and treated like a pest. Especially by my aunt, uncle, and cousin. And what's more painful is that my father and brother never defend me.

I frowned when I saw an unfamiliar car parked in the yard. And when I entered, it seemed like Zia had a guest, someone I had seen before kissing her cheek when he dropped her off. I could certainly guess who that man was. It was certain he was Zia's boyfriend.

He was the kind of man who seemed a bit intimidating to me, quite handsome but very mature. He looked like he could play a rich, handsome mafia boss. The kind of flashy appearance I didn't like. Judging by their expressions, they seemed to be discussing something very important.

"Hello," I said, but of course, no one cared. I walked indifferently, letting out a tired sigh as I headed to my room until I heard the man respond to my greeting, making me turn around.

For the first time, our eyes met. He had a rather intimidating gaze, sharp, unyielding, and perhaps a bit stubborn. But only for a few seconds because I immediately headed to my room to shower. Too uninterested to hear my aunt and Zia badmouthing me in front of that man as if I were spoken of well, I would steal that man from Zia. In fact, I didn't have the slightest interest in him. That man was old enough to be called 'uncle' by me, so there's no way I could like him.

But when I went back down to find food in the kitchen, I overheard a very hurtful conversation from that man. He said I would be made a substitute for Zia, who couldn't marry him, and then he would divorce me when Zia was ready. My heart felt like it was being slashed hearing that.

His words made me feel worthless in his eyes, as if I were just a puppet without feelings, as if I were just a tool to achieve his goal when I was a human being just like him and could feel pain.

"There's no way I'd be involved with that little girl, besides, she's not my type." The man said without emotion.

"If I'm not your type, then don't marry me. After treating me badly all this time, now you want to sacrifice me for your interests? Mind your own business, sir, and don't involve me. Even if I die, I will never agree." I said fiercely, then immediately got up and left them.

How can such heartless people exist in this beautiful world? My tears fell, but I kept walking away.

"Why are you crying? Did you cause trouble again until Aunt Diana scolded you?" Davin, my brother who didn't comfort me at all, said instead, deepening my wound.

"Don't meddle in my business." I said while continuing to walk.

"You're such an ungrateful sibling!" He shouted, still audible, but I didn't care. Isn't this world unfair, especially to me?

My hope was simple, to finish my medical studies, then start working and leave that hellish house. Live a simple life by helping many people. I never bothered anyone, never disturbed anyone's life, and I still don't understand to this day why Dad and Davin also hate me like Zia and her parents do.

***

I kept walking without knowing where I was actually going. Then I stopped at a park where many children were playing with their friends. Their laughter slightly cheered me up, even though the pain was still intact. Then I continued my steps and stopped at the side of a large bridge where below there was a swift and deep river that could take a life if one fell into it.

Lost in thought, staring at the ripples of the water and the sound that seemed a bit frightening. Imagining that if I fell, my head might hit something hard first, erasing all my memories before the angel would take my life.

But then I opened my eyes and sighed while my hand gripped the edge of the bridge. Remembering once again the purpose of my life that I must fulfill, I climbed one of the steps under the metal I was holding to get air that might be a bit fresher until my hand was suddenly pulled back hard.

"Are you out of your mind? Ending your life over a marriage?" The man who spoke harshly earlier was staring at me, gripping my arm tightly. He was panting, having run all the way from his car, thinking I was about to end my life.

"It's none of your business whether I live or die. Are you afraid your plan won't come true if I die, so you stopped me?" I replied flatly. He paused for a moment, looking at me. I had to admit, up close, he was handsome, but definitely not the kind of handsome that would ever make me fall in love.

"Listen up, kid! You only heard a bit of my plan. Maybe if we discuss it, it could be beneficial for you too. I'm not that cruel. I will still give you benefits from this sham marriage." He said without emotion. I yanked my wrist free from his grip.

"Not interested. Go find someone else! Keep pushing, and you'll hear about my death on our wedding day." I said as I turned away, leaving him looking pensive.

Who cares? If he had any feelings, he'd stop this. But I'm a little worried that his feelings have been completely consumed by his arrogance, so what I fear will still happen. If it comes to that, I might really do what I said. End it all! Forget my life's purpose, forget Aaron, forget my chaotic family, and forget this life. My soul has been fragile for so long, and this might shatter me into pieces until there's nothing left. Or maybe just pull me straight from this earth to the afterlife. To reunite with my late mother, whom I miss so dearly.

***