The Wife He Never Loved

The hall glowed with golden chandeliers, their light reflecting off the polished marble floor. Flowers were arranged in perfect symmetry, their fragrance heavy in the air, mingling with the laughter of guests and the clinking of champagne glasses. Everyone’s eyes were on me. “The bride is stunning.” “She’s so lucky, marrying Ethan Hayes.” “They look perfect together.” Perfect. That word rang in my ears like a curse. I held my bouquet tightly, my knuckles turning white beneath the silk gloves. My lips curved into the practiced smile I had worn since morning, the kind that made everyone believe I was the happiest bride alive. But inside, I was trembling. My gaze drifted across the room, searching for him. Ethan. My husband. He stood at the far end of the hall, tall and broad in his tailored tuxedo, black hair perfectly styled. His sharp jawline and icy eyes made him look like he belonged in a magazine cover. Every woman who saw him sighed, every man envied him. And he was mine. At least, that’s what everyone thought. But when his eyes met mine, the world stopped. No warmth. No pride. No joy. Just coldness. He looked at me the way one would look at a stranger. The wedding continued, laughter echoing around us. My parents beamed with pride, shaking hands with his family, talking about business expansions and bright futures. His parents clapped his back, congratulating him as if he had signed a successful deal. That’s all this was to them—a deal. By the time the last guest left, the mansion was silent. Too silent. The maids cleared the tables, the musicians packed their instruments, and suddenly it was just me and him. Husband and wife. Bride and groom. I followed him into the bedroom, my gown rustling against the carpet. My heart raced, hope flickering weakly inside me. Maybe now, away from everyone, he would smile. Maybe he would whisper something gentle. “Ethan…” I said softly, my voice trembling. “We’re married now. Can we at least—” He loosened his tie and spoke without looking at me. “Don’t expect anything from me.” My breath caught. “W-What do you mean?” He turned then, his dark eyes pinning me in place. “I didn’t marry you out of love, June. I married you because I had no choice. Don’t mistake this for something it isn’t.” My bouquet slipped from my hand, landing on the floor with a dull thud. “But… I love you. I’ve always—” “Stop.” His tone was sharp. “Love? Don’t waste that word on me.” Tears stung my eyes, but I forced them back, biting my lip until I tasted blood. I wanted to scream, to ask him why, to demand answers. But the look on his face—the wall in his eyes—froze me. That night, I lay on the massive bed still in my wedding dress, staring at the ceiling, while Ethan stretched out on the couch, his back to me. No touch. No kiss. No promise. It was supposed to be the happiest night of my life. Instead, it was the night I realized I may have become Ethan Hayes’ wife, but I had lost him forever and become The Wife He Never Loved To Be Continued…