Hate You, Marry Me

JADE's POV “What are you doing here Amy? Didn’t I tell you not to come?” That voice, so painfully familiar, belonged to the man who was supposed to become my fiancé. We were at the company’s New Year’s Eve party, where he believed he’d orchestrated the perfect surprise proposal—one I was supposed to know nothing about. My heart pounded as I followed that accusatory voice onto the terrace of a high-end restaurant, leaving the festive glow of fairy lights behind. The terrace was darker, quieter—a place where secrets might hide, and where I now trembled, unseen. “I can’t stand seeing you near her, James,” the woman hissed. “I had to come see for myself that you’re not close to her.” My stomach clenched. I recognized that possessive undercurrent, but not the voice itself. She was talking about me. I pressed closer, peering into the shadows. “And what exactly am I supposed to tell everyone inside?” James’s whisper was rough with irritation. “We’re so close, Amy. Once I’ve secured her fortune, give it a little more time, and then I’m all yours. Forever.” “Tell her I’m your cousin,” Amy replied with a sneer. “That silly girl believes every lie you feed her. She’s clueless... She thinks you’re head-over-heels in love. Poor, lovesick Jade…” I took another careful step forward, my nails biting into my palms. How could I have been so blind? “Amy, you know I could never lay a finger on anyone else,” James murmured, his voice growing almost tender. “Could I ever love anyone but you?” You liar. Only hours ago, he’d looked me straight in the eyes, vowing no one could mean more to him than I did. The memory sparked a hateful fire in my chest. “Let’s go back before she notices I’m gone. Besides, that damned CEO is obsessed with her—keeps threatening me, demanding I break it off. Psychopath! I have no idea what he sees in Jade…” “Don’t say her name again,” Amy warned, and in the half-light, I watched in horror as the man I was meant to marry seized the unknown woman by the waist. He pressed her against the cold terrace wall and kissed her with a savage intensity he’d never once shown me. I slipped into the shadows, fury and heartbreak roaring in my veins. Never in my life had I felt so betrayed. Despite my family’s enormous wealth, I had chosen the humble path. I’d hidden my fortune, living as an ordinary college student—dormitories instead of luxury apartments, public transportation over private cars, no brand-name clothes, and spending no more than my friends. I’d believed it allowed me to find genuine friendship and love. I’d met James at university and thought we’d fallen truly, profoundly in love. How wrong I’d been. My knees felt weak, but I managed to turn back and enter the glow of the restaurant. No sooner had I stepped inside than a familiar grip closed around my arm, pulling me away from the crowd and into a dim corner. I didn’t resist. I knew who it was. Silas Lockwood. We’d known each other since childhood, but I had never liked him. In fact, “hate” might have been too gentle a word for the malice I felt towards him. As a child, Silas had an almost unnerving possessiveness about him, warding off any boy who dared come near me. He would glower at them with an intensity far beyond his years, sometimes reducing them to tears with a sharp word or a ruined sandcastle. Even then, he had an uncanny way of making sure I was always just out of reach of anyone else, his dark eyes watching, guarding, as though I belonged to him and no one else. In high school, his silent, brooding presence hovered like a storm cloud, warning off any would-be admirers. He’d left me utterly alone, his bizarre obsession ensuring I never experienced a normal social life. He was a controlling menace, a selfish tyrant who always made me feel trapped. We’d parted ways when I went to college. I’d finally stood up to him, confessed my hatred, and begged him to stay out of my life. He’d surprised me by leaving the country and staying away for four blessedly quiet years. Then he returned, sliding into a management role at Lockwood Construction right after I began working there. I wanted to quit the moment he showed up again. Yet, strangely, he seemed calmer than before, more measured—at least until now. I saw the fury flaring in those obsidian eyes as he leaned toward me. “That clown plans to propose to you, doesn’t he? Answer me.” His voice vibrated with menace. “What right does he have to take what’s mine? Tell me you’ll refuse him, Jade, or I’ll beat that fool until he can’t form words. And I will, you know I will.” I lifted my chin. “I truly hate you, Silas,” I said, voice flat as polished glass. His nostrils flared. Slowly, his grasp loosened, as if my words had somehow deflated him. “You hate me—that much I know. But do you love that charlatan?” A bitter laugh escaped my lips, taunting fate and myself. “I hate him even more than I hate you.” Silas stared, as if trying to decode a puzzle. Perhaps he thought I’d lost my mind. In truth, I had just discovered the cruel joke fate had played on me, and I refused to lose quietly. “Would you marry me?” I asked, my voice steady, my gaze locked on his dark brown eyes. His reaction was immediate, incredulous. “What kind of question is that? Of course, I would and I will. But you think I’ll let you marry that clown somehow?” His anger spiked again. “Never, Jade.” James entered the restaurant, scanning the room for me. Soon, he’d stage his perfect proposal. I needed Silas’s help, as much as I loathed to admit it. I placed a trembling hand on Silas’s chest, feeling the controlled power there, and issued a warning: “Don’t go anywhere and don’t make a scene. If you don’t want to lose me forever, stay right here and do nothing.” His eyes narrowed dangerously. “What did he do to you? If he hurt you, I swear I’ll—” I tightened my grip on his wrist before he could storm off. “He’s about to propose,” I said. “When he does, stand directly in front of me.” Silas stiffened. “Are you punishing me? Is this your revenge?” He turned those scorching eyes on me, his gaze like wildfire. “I’m taking revenge, but not on you,” I answered softly, then stepped into the throng of guests. James spotted me at once, his face lighting up with feigned love. He took my hand, guiding me deeper into the crowd. Once, I’d have melted under that smile. Now it made my skin crawl. Behind me, I felt Silas’s presence like a hawk’s shadow. I knew he wouldn’t wait patiently forever. I had to strike before he lashed out. The music cut off. A hush fell as everyone turned to see what would happen next. James let go of my hand, still smiling like a charming fool, and took the microphone from the stage. I braced myself. “Testing… one, two. Can everyone hear me?” he asked. Laughter rippled through the guests. I played my part, offering him a loving gaze. Inside, fury seethed at how easily my supposed “love” turned to disgust. Silas drifted into position, standing right across from me as instructed. He looked coiled, ready to spring. The tension thrummed between us. “I have something very important to say,” James began. Before he could finish, I moved swiftly onto the small stage, stepping beside him. He blinked in confusion. A certain female figure hovered in a corner, watching us. It had to be Amy, the woman he’d kissed. She wanted him? Fine. She could have him. “James, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak first,” I said. He stood rooted in place until I shot him a pointed stare. Reluctantly, he stepped down. Taking a steadying breath, I faced the crowd. “I have a confession,” I began. “A new year is approaching—only a couple of minutes left, I think—and I’ve decided it’s the perfect time for a fresh start.” A sea of curious eyes turned to me. Somewhere amidst them stood Silas, poised and watchful. James lurked near the edge of the crowd, confusion twisting his features. Perfect. “I can’t tell you exactly when it began,” I said, allowing my gaze to settle on Silas. “But after spending practically our entire childhood and youth side by side, loving you felt as natural as breathing. Like you were always a part of me.” I thought I saw shock flicker in Silas’s eyes, and rage in James’s. Perfect. Let them both simmer. Inside, I replaced “loving you” with “hating you,” but my voice remained velvet-smooth. “I want to step into this new year and every year after by your side. Forever.” I paused, letting the words hang, thickening the tension. “Silas Lockwood—will you marry me?” James’s outraged “What?” cracked through the silence. I lifted my brows, feigning surprise at his reaction. “I know this comes as a shock, but please understand that we had to keep our relationship private. After all, we work in a professional environment.” I offered a light, knowing laugh. Without warning, Silas was there, vaulting onto the stage as if fate had given him wings. His powerful arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against him. The microphone clattered to the floor. His lips crashed onto mine, claiming me before our entire audience. Gasps and cheers rose like champagne bubbles, and I stood frozen, stunned by his unrestrained fervor. This was a kiss that said, “Mine,” and left no one in doubt. It set off a round of applause and wolf whistles, as confetti readied itself for the stroke of midnight. As the countdown began, Silas finally let me go. We remained on stage as everyone chanted the final seconds of the year. I caught sight of James on the sidelines, his jaw slack with disbelief. Amy, clinging to his arm now, tugged him toward the exit. He’d lost the game he thought he’d so cleverly played. The confetti showered down, and I spotted William Lockwood’s silhouette at the back of the crowd. My heart sank. Silas' father had seen everything.