His Bride by Contract, His Obsession by Fate

Three

Rory woke to a dry throat and a severe headache, forcing her to open her eyes. Her brow quickly furrowed as an unfamiliar ceiling greeted her.

“Where am I?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

As Rory looked around, she quickly bolted upright in bed. This wasn’t her room, and it certainly wasn’t a hospital. So where was she?

Clutching her head, the events of yesterday slowly rushed back to her: catching her sister and her boyfriend together, and most of all, drinking at the bar until she drowned herself in alcohol and lost consciousness.

Once she calmed down a bit, Rory noticed how incredibly spacious the room was. The structure was beautiful, and the design choices were aesthetically pleasing. There seemed to be only two colours in the room: black and white.

Looking at the pillow, she knew she couldn't be mistaken. It was a luxury brand of pillow and blanket—the kind Rory's family used back when they lived a comfortable and wealthy life.

Gulping hard, a sudden realisation hit her. “D-Did something happened?”

Rory’s entire body began to tremble. She covered her mouth, fighting back the urge to vomit. How could she let herself be taken by an old man? She couldn't even bring herself to give her body to Richard, yet she had given it to a stranger—and an old man at that? He might even be older than her dad!

Her theory deepened when she noticed she was wearing different clothes. She was dressed in silk pajamas—and just like the expensive pillows and blankets, the sleepwear was also from a luxury brand.

“Good morning, daughter-in-law!”

Rory startled as the door suddenly swung open.

She swallowed hard upon seeing the old man she had talked to last night. He was smiling as he held a tray of food. His smile was naturally gentle, reminding Rory of her late father.

It would have been nice if they shared that kind of bond, but this was all wrong... Overwhelmed by her own perceived stupidity, Rory burst into tears.

The old man immediately panicked. “Why are you crying? Did something happen?”

Rory sobbed even harder, wanting to hit her own head for being so foolish. After a few moments, she stopped crying and looked at the old man, still trembling.

“I’m so sorry. I made a mistake... P-please, let’s just forget about what happened—”

The old man frowned. “What are you talking about, child?”

“I have no intention of being your mistress. It was all a mistake—”

“Hold on…” the old man interrupted, his eyes widening as realization dawned on him. “Do you think something happened between us?”

Rory didn’t answer; she just stared at him.

“God, no!” the old man replied with a grimace. “I made it clear to you last night, child. I have no intention of messing around with girls young enough to be my daughter. And most of all, I am a married man. This is all a misunderstanding. My son was the one who picked you up last night—the one I’m trying to set you up with. Anyway, he fetched you from the bar after the bartender called the number I left. My son brought you here because he didn't know where you lived. And the reason you're wearing different clothes is because you threw up—you actually threw up all over my son. That’s why he was absolutely furious last night. That was the first time I've ever seen him angry,” the old man added, a hint of amusement in his voice that left Rory utterly confused.

“I-I’m sorry! I really can’t remember anything from last night. I’m sorry for the trouble—”

“You’re no trouble, dear. You are my daughter-in-law. You will be my daughter too once you marry my son.”

“Huh? I agreed to your offer? If so, I’m sorry, but I’m taking it all back. I only said that because I was drunk. Please, let’s just forget about it,” Rory pleaded, pressing her palms together as if in prayer.

The old man burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by his future daughter-in-law's train of thought.

“Well, I really grew to like you as a match for my son. You won't be on the losing end with him either—”

“I don’t know you. And I don’t even know your son,” Rory quickly cut in.

“But you know my lawyer. And I’ve already proven to you that I’m not a bad person, Dear. I am not your enemy.”

Rory shook her head. “I’m going home.”

“You’re going home to your house? To the sister who stole your boyfriend?”

Rory’s mouth fell open. She must have poured out all her grievances to a total stranger. How embarrassing! Rory wanted the ground to swallow her whole out of sheer shame.

Yet, she couldn’t deny the truth in the old man's words. She had been betrayed by the two people who mattered most to her—her sister and her boyfriend. She hated that he was right.

This old man wasn't her enemy; it was the people who broke her trust.

Left with no choice, Rory ate the food prepared by the old man, whose name was Niccolo. As she ate, she couldn't help but get emotional; with every bite, her heart grew heavier. She knew she had to face the brutal reality again—the betrayal of her sister and Richard.

After eating, Rory changed back into her clothes and decided to leave the room, stepping out into a wide hallway. She almost got lost trying to find her way out until she spotted the elevator.

She took it downstairs, and as she stepped out, she was greeted by a massive living area.

There sat the old man on a long, white sofa. Next to him was a man dressed in a suit. The old man looked up when he saw Rory, prompting her to quickly walk over to them.

“Thank you for taking care of me. I’ll be going home now,” Rory said upon reaching him.

“Can I really not stop you, child?”

Rory offered a small, forced smile. As much as she wanted to run away from everything, she had to face reality. Especially since her mother relied solely on her, and she still had so many debts to pay off. In short, she had no right to mourn her broken heart.

“Hello, Miss Rory. I am Mr. Mountbatten. I am Mr. Rue’s lawyer, and here’s the draft of the contract,” the man sitting next to Mr. Niccolo spoke up.

“What contract?” Rory turned to the old man. “Is this still about the marriage?”

“Yes, you can still read it over, child. Just in case you change your mind—”

“No need,” Rory interjected quickly. “I have no intention of getting married. And I’m leaving now—”

“Take the draft of the contract with you and read it. Just in case you change your mind, child. Please?” the old man insisted.

Left with no choice, Rory nodded and took it. Afterward, Mr. Niccolo’s driver escorted her home. Throughout the entire ride, Rory stared blankly ahead, clutching the envelope given to her by the lawyer.

Before long, Rory arrived at the building where they currently lived. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside. With every step she took, she prayed fervently that her sister, Alana, wouldn't be there. She didn't know how to face her sister after what she had discovered.

Rory loved Alana dearly. Even though Alana was always their parents' favorite, Rory had remained a kind and loving older sister. Despite the shocking revelation, she was still trying to be understanding, even though it hurt terribly to be betrayed by the two people she loved. Especially since her father used to remind them when he was still alive, “You two only have each other to lean on.” But how could Alana lean on her when she was the one who shattered her trust?

It didn't take long for Rory to reach her unit. Her steps were slow and cautious as she entered their home. But before she could fully walk into the living room, she heard a voice—the voice of her mother, Amanda, which made her freeze in her tracks.

“What on earth are you saying, Alana? What do you mean you're pregnant? Are you out of your mind?” her mother said, her voice laced with anger.

“Yes, Mom! I’m pregnant, and Richard is the father,” Alana fired back.

Rory’s entire body began to shake. Was her mother going to defend her? Rory wanted to hear her mother’s reaction, yet at the same time, she was terrified.

“For God’s sake, Alana! He is your sister’s boyfriend. What is this nonsense about being pregnant? Didn't I warn you? If you and Richard were going to fool around, you had to be careful! What if your sister finds out about this? Do you think she’ll still give us money? Will she still pay off your father’s debts? You are so stupid! I know you are legally his wife, but as far as everyone knows, your sister Rory is Richard’s fiancée. Our family name is already ruined, and you want to ruin it further? That’s why I told you to be discreet and be careful!”