His Contract Wife: Her Billionaire's Revenge

CHAPTER 5

HAZEL

“Please, ma'am, you have to cooperate with me… I don't want to be rough on you.”

Here I was, arms-grabbed and being dragged in a way that reminded me that there was no escape from this even when I had tried to abscond.

“You can't do this to me, please, try and understand the kind of…”

But he cut me short. "I apologize ma'am, but I'm only doing my job,” he said in a sober voice but his grip tightened on my wrist still.

I understood, he was only acting as instructed. And going contrary to it might cost him more than he could afford.

My mind reeled, as everything that happened earlier replayed in my head as I followed after the guard reluctantly.

As I shook hands with the stranger– the man I was to marry, and the realization of everything hit me, a subtle voice rang in my head.

‘There’s opportunity in everything, you should make use of this.’

And just like that, before I could battle the thought, I had taken to my heels, running with every fibre of my being. But I was caught almost immediately.

Getting back in there, my heart skipped a beat when my eyes met with his again. But for him, his gaze on me was intent and deliberate, making me dread just at the mere thought of getting married to him.

“I'm sorry for what happened, Mr Raymond. I take the blame for it and I promise it won't repeat itself," my father apologized to Mr Raymond, while he sent me hateful glare as the guard pushed me back into the room.

“It's okay," the man responded unbothered, “we should pick the wedding date now since we have… our beautiful bride back amongst us. I want everything fast and immediate."

My heart sank at his words. How could these people not realize the impact this wedding was going to make on me? Why was my happiness not a thing of concern to them?

***

A FEW DAYS LATER

Quickly, the wedding day came. Unlike Mira's wedding, mine was filled with loneliness and emotional trauma.

“It's okay, Hazel. Sometimes life takes a crazy twist which later turns out interesting," Nora patted me, wiping my tears with her handkerchief.

My stomach turned, Nora couldn't understand. Damien didn't appear anything near an interesting twist. His looks alone made me shiver uncontrollably and thinking of an interesting twist with him was nothing but illusions.

Besides Nora, the only company I got was my suffocating dress, which constantly reminded me that we were in trouble together.

At the church, I stood facing Damien with my racing heart as the priest joined us in holy matrimony.

We exchanged the vows and the crowd roared in joy but my stomach twisted in devastation, and yet my family wanted me to smile. To act like everything was fine and I was doing this happily.

“Congratulations, dear sister. I'm happy you found a man who chooses you at last…despite you know,” Mira came to say once the ceremony was over. Her face glinted with hatred as she took my hands and gave me a pretentious hug.

“Thank you,” I answered, refraining from the hug and showcasing a fake smile.

Outside, there was a long queue of cars, important people of substance and affluence trooped in and out of the venue. My chest tightened as realization dawned on me again. I was getting married to a stranger, but not only that, one I had a regretful past with.

“Remember to be a good wife, don't tarnish the image of our family," my mother advised once the wedding was over and we were about to leave the venue.

I nodded, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. My life in the past had been a total mess, but I was more convinced that the future would come with more trauma.

“Also remember that the family company relies solely on this marriage for now. Behave yourself, don't compel me to do a regrettable action," my father added, his tone stern and giving no room for my opinion.

My ears itched as their words pierced into my soul like a sword. Mira stood beside my mother, their hands clenched together in a way that made my heart sink deeper.

“I'm sorry Mr and Mrs Johnson, but we have to leave now," Damien emerged from nowhere, pulling me by the hand and away.

I was torn between gratitude and hate. Grateful that he came at that moment, a minute more in their presence would have made my tears roll out without control. But I hated how his grip was firm on my hand, pulling me towards his car like he owned me.

Ouch! I forgot he did now.

“Welcome, ma,” a man bowed as he opened the door to a Lamborghini Huracan. Damien let go of me, and without shifting his gaze, he said, “Get into the car.”

Reluctantly, I slid into the backseat. My throat tightened when he took a seat beside me. My fingers trembled but I managed to keep a straight face.

The ride was quiet, I pressed my head against the window, suppressing my tears from flowing. A short memory of how my life had turned out played in my head.

I had always dreamt of my wedding day, hoping it would be the happiest day of my life- the day I would get married to Ethan and be free from the cruelty of my family.

If only I knew my dreams were nothing but fantasies.

Here I was, married to and seated beside a stranger. The look on his face spoke volume- he wasn't a bit interested in me. He had only agreed to the marriage to please his father.

“And guess who is seeing you again,” Damien said with a taunting smirk, startling me off my thoughts. His husky voice rang in my ears like a church bell.

A wave of embarrassment washed over me as his words slapped me across the face.

His gaze lingered on me, making regret course through my veins. I bit my lower lips, hoping that would ease the burden of my regret, but it didn't.

Besides his appearance, everything about him had changed compared to that night. His softened expression, his mesmerizing smile, and his friendly nature seemed to have vanished, leaving behind a man with a stoic expression and a terrorizing gaze.

“Don't die in regret okay? I may be anything but not a man who judges people based on their past,” he whispered as if he read my mind.

Surprisingly, his words brought some relief to my troubled mind. Was this the same man who had dragged me like nothing some minutes ago?

The car took a side turn, then the gate opened to a magnificent house. No it was an understatement to call it a house. The building was tall, magnificent and breath- taking. It was bigger and more beautiful than any other building I had ever seen. Maybe we could say it was a mansion.

The car finally pulled to a halt among several other cars. The driver opened the door for me, while Damien stormed into the house without a second glance at me, leaving me to chase after his pace.

Once inside, I couldn't stop admiring the beautiful aesthetics of the house. From the marble floor, to the crisp walls, and the ceilings, which were high and expensively designed.

“She is your new mistress and her name is Hazel,” Damien announced to the lady who approached us as we entered the house.

“Show her around the house and make sure she has everything she needs okay?”

“Yes sir,” she nodded.

With that he stormed further into the house, leaving me stunned and at the mercy of his maid.

The maid led me to the room, a perfect blend of beauty, fashion and extravagance. Everything I could ever need was in the room. Tired and frustrated, I slumped onto the bed, recalling the events from earlier once again.

“I'll be here if you need anything ma,” she said walking out of the room.

A few minutes of silence lingered in the room before the door opened again. He walked in, his eyes searching mine in a desperate manner.

“What do you want?” I wanted to say but words failed me. It was his house.

“Well, I just think I've been a bit harsh. And maybe a brief introduction won't hurt, will it?”

I sat up on the bed, crossing my arms beneath my breasts, my brows raised in anticipation.

“Does that mean I'm welcomed?” He asked, striding majestically.

I shrugged, too confused to utter a word.

He stepped forward, his steps calculated and deliberate. My heart pounded against my chest as he took calculated steps forward.

He didn't stop moving until he was so close that I could hear his heartbeat, then he placed one leg on the bed beside me.

Our gaze locked in a ferocious manner, then his husky voice tore through the thick silence in the room.

“First my name is... Damien,” he beamed with pride. “And I guess you're still…Hazel?”

He took two steps backward, his eyes resting on mine with hands in his pocket.

"I know you're worried about what happened the other night. But trust me, it's okay. You don't have to die in regret.’

My brows furrowed in confusion. Was he trying to care all of a sudden?

He leaned closer again, as if he wanted to whisper something to my ears.

“But there's one thing you might need to worry about.”

My eyes shot up in surprise and words slipped out of my mouth. "What is that?”

"This marriage will be very different from what you expected.”

My mind froze at his words, but before I could say anything, the door opened.