Loving the Unloving

Prologue He grabbed my shoulders roughly, his dark eyes fixed on me with a terrifying glare. My lips trembled as I endured the hatred burning in his gaze. What shocked me was when he suddenly crashed his lips against mine. There was no tenderness in it, no affection—only anger and resentment. I struggled against him, trying to pry his hands off my shoulders and turn my face away from him. The harder I resisted, the more furious he became. I gasped when he shoved me onto the bed. Pain shot through my body, and I could feel my face and lips throbbing from the force. "Take it off," he ordered coldly. "P-please..." "Isn't this what you wanted?" he snapped. "Isn't this what you've been after all along?" "N-No! Please... I want to leave." Tears streamed down my cheeks as fear tightened around my chest. I never asked him to love me. I never even asked him to treat me kindly. But I never asked to be humiliated either. A bitter laugh escaped his lips. "Don't pretend to be innocent now. This is exactly what you wanted. What your father wanted, too, wasn't it?" His words struck harder than any physical pain. "Your family pushed me into this marriage. You and your father got exactly what you wanted. So stop acting like the victim." My ears rang as his accusations echoed through the room, each word tearing through me like a blade. I wanted to defend myself, but no words would come out. Only tears. CHAPTER 1 Not every marriage begins with love. Some marriages are born from the whims of fate. Others are built upon promises made long ago. In most weddings, both the bride and groom are filled with excitement. The groom usually arrives at the church first, eagerly waiting for the woman he loves. Laughter echoes through the venue, smiles are everywhere, and everyone shares in the joy of the occasion. It is a day meant to be celebrated—a day filled with happiness, hope, and the promise of a beautiful future together. But as for me, my wedding day was nothing like that. I waited five long hours for the groom. Five hours of standing at the altar, dressed in a wedding gown that grew heavier with every passing minute. Five hours of forcing a smile while my stomach ached from hunger and sweat dampened my skin beneath the layers of fabric. With every tick of the clock, the whispers of the guests grew louder, and the humiliation became harder to bear. Yet despite everything, I stayed. Waiting for the man who clearly didn't want to be there. It was one of those moments that would forever remain etched in my memory—not because it was beautiful, but because of the pain it carried. I knew I had no right to complain. After all, this was my choice. More importantly, it was my father's wish. FLASHBACK “Dad, tell me your wishes," I said with a smile as I sat beside him on the hospital bed. The moment I looked at him, my chest tightened. He was getting weaker every day, and no matter how much I tried to deny it, the truth was painfully obvious. The man who had once seemed invincible was slowly slipping away before my eyes. "M-my days are numbered, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice trembling with exhaustion. The familiar ache returned, squeezing my heart until it hurt to breathe. I hated hearing those words. Hated the reminder that time was running out. "Please don't say that," I pleaded, forcing back the tears threatening to spill. "You're going to get better. You'll see." A faint smile appeared on his pale face. One that carried both love and sadness. "Even if I don't," he said softly, reaching for my hand, "I want to leave this world knowing you'll be okay." My throat tightened. No matter how many times I prepared myself for this moment, I could never accept it. Because how was I supposed to live in a world without the man who had been my home my entire life? I lowered my head, afraid that if I looked into his eyes any longer, I would break. And perhaps that was the moment everything changed. The moment I became willing to sacrifice my own happiness for his final wish. 💔 ....... Arieza's father and Mr. Veylan had been best friends for many years. Their friendship was living proof that social status meant nothing when genuine bonds were involved. While Mr. Veylan belonged to one of the wealthiest families in the country, Arieza's father worked as the gardener of the Veylan estate. Yet despite the vast difference in their lives, they treated each other like brothers. The Veylan family owed him more than they could ever repay. Years ago, when Mr. Veylan's life hung by a thread, it was Arieza's father who saved him. Without hesitation, he donated one of his kidneys, giving the man a second chance at life. From that day forward, the Veylans carried a debt of gratitude that no amount of money could ever settle. As his health continued to deteriorate, Arieza's father paid Mr. Veylan one final visit. There, the two old friends made an agreement. "If something happens to me," he said weakly, "please take care of my daughter. She has no one else in this world." His eyes filled with worry as he spoke of the only person he would leave behind. "If possible, adopt her... or perhaps marry her to your son, Link." He had always seen kindness and integrity in the young man. Deep in his heart, he believed that Link would give Arieza the safe and happy life he could no longer provide. Unable to refuse the dying wish of the man who had once saved his life, Mr. Veylan agreed. A few days later, he brought up the matter to his son. "Dad! I'm not doing what you're asking!" Link shouted, his voice echoing throughout the room. "Link," Mr. Veylan replied calmly, "I'm the one making this decision. Arieza is a good woman. You'll be happy with her." Link laughed bitterly. "Arranged marriages don't exist anymore, Dad. Just because you owe her father your life doesn't mean you can use me as payment for that debt." Pain flashed across Mr. Veylan's face. "I'm not forcing you," he said quietly. "I'm asking you for a favor." "I can give you anything you want, but not marriage." "She has nothing, Link. No family. No one to rely on." His father's voice trembled. "The only reason I'm still alive today is because of her father. I want to fulfill his final wish." "There are plenty of ways to repay that debt," Link argued. "Give her money. Buy her a house. Support her financially." "You don't understand." Mr. Veylan looked at his son with sadness in his eyes. "He chose you." Link fell silent. "He trusted you enough to leave his daughter's future in your hands. That means something." "But that doesn't mean I have to marry her," Link replied through clenched teeth. The room fell silent. Neither of them was willing to back down. One was a father determined to honor a dying man's final wish. The other was a son unwilling to sacrifice his freedom for a marriage he never asked for. Neither of them realized that the decision they were fighting over would soon change not only their lives—but Arieza's as well. ......... Recent time: “I’m exhausted!” Giselle complained. We were currently on break, yet we had only finished two subjects. It already felt as if we had gone through five. “You can say that again,” Nari agreed. The two of them were my closest friends. We were all the same age—nineteen years old—and classmates as well. As for me, I was taking up a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. I’ve always been fascinated by medicines, especially their origins and how they’re developed. Perhaps I inherited that interest from my father, who had always believed in herbal remedies. One day, I want to create herbal medicines of my own. We were already in the second semester of our second year. Time really flies. It’s been almost two years. “Ari, why do you look so deep in thought?” Nari asked curiously. Hanari Damian Fuka—better known as Nari—was half Japanese and half Filipino. Giselle Feyten Isabelle Wood was half British and half Filipino. And me? I’m Arieza Felipe. A pure Filipina. No foreign blood mixed in. No joke. My father didn’t come from a wealthy family. He used to work as a simple gardener. I still don’t know how everything changed so quickly. It’s been more than two years since he passed away. And it’s been over a year since I started living under the care of the Veylan family. It’s also been a year since that traumatizing wedding. Even now, I still can’t forget it. “Hey!” I snapped back to reality when Nari suddenly waved a hand in front of my face. “You okay?” she asked, concern evident in her voice. “Y-Yeah,” I replied, forcing a small smile. “I was just thinking about something.” Only then did I realize that we were sitting in the cafeteria. “Are you really Russell Link’s wife?” I nearly choked when Nari blurted out the question out of nowhere. My eyes immediately darted around the cafeteria, making sure no one had overheard her. “Shhh!” I hissed before reluctantly nodding. Nari and Giselle exchanged looks. “Don’t get offended,” Giselle began. “And this has nothing to do with your looks because you’re gorgeous. But a Link? Russell Link, of all people? The guy who looks like he was raised at the North Pole because of how cold his aura is?” She shook her head in disbelief. “I seriously don’t understand.” “It’s a long story,” I murmured. “I’ll tell you when we have time.” Our voices were barely above a whisper. The secret had stayed buried for an entire year. No one in school knew. No one was supposed to know. “You’re Russell Link’s wife?” The three of us froze. Every muscle in my body stiffened. That voice… It hadn’t come from Nari. Or Giselle. Slowly, we turned toward the source. A tall figure stood behind our table. His expression was unreadable. But judging from the shock in his eyes… He had heard everything. My heart dropped. Oh no. Of all people… Why did it have to be him?