FORCED INTO LOVE

Chapter Four: It's Just A Deal

As the sleek black car sped through the crowded streets of New York, Emma's brain raced with a tornado of emotions. She sneaked intermittent looks at Jason, the man seated right beside her, his gaze strong like his face was sculpted from stone, his eyes icy and proud.

Unable to hold it in any longer, Emma cleared her throat awkwardly,"Jason, may I ask you something?" she inquired, her voice slightly trembling.

Jason's gaze slipped towards her, "Yeah, go ahead," he said curtly, his tone gruff and devoid of warmth.

Emma halted, her heart hammering in her chest as she sought to find the proper words. "Why... why did you tear my blouse back there?" she eventually managed to blurt out, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jason's jaw tightened quietly, a flash of annoyance crossing his face. "Because you defied my instructions," he snarled passionately, his tone dripping with thinly disguised disgust. "I provided you with clothes, and you chose to disobey me."

Emma's thoughts raced as she tried to make sense of what he just said "But why does what I wear matter?" she replied "We're getting married for the sake of our families, not for some fashion show."

A shadow of a sneer flashed over Jason's lips, his eyes glittering with a cold, detached enjoyment. "Ah, but appearances matter, Emma," he responded, his tone dripping with derision. "Especially when it comes to marriage. And as my wife-to-be, you will represent me and the Astor family. It's vital that you portray yourself correctly."

Emma's chest clenched "So I'm just a pawn in your family's game?" she questioned "A mere accessory to boost your image?"

Jason's attitude deepened, his ice blue eyes narrowing as he observed her with a chilly detachment. "You're mistaken if you think this is going to be a real marriage, Emma," he added, his voice low and menacing. "This marriage is a commercial transaction, plain and simple. And it's in both our interests to maintain our part of the contract."

Emma's heart shattered at his words, the cold truth of their position sweeping over her like a suffocating blanket. She had assumed that there may be some form of common understanding between them, but Jason's remarks smashed that illusion with harsh precision.

“So...so this marriage is just a deal to you?” She couldn't keep back asking.

“I don't understand, what kind of question is that? Are you joking?” Jason stated as he sneered, his voice devoid of any emotion or passion “Look Emma, I want you to be crystal clear about something. I have no love for you, nor do I ever plan to. My heart belongs to someone else, and nothing will alter that. Do you get that?"

Emma felt a spark of pain at his remarks, her ambitions of a meaningful connection destroyed in an instant. She had recognized all along that their marriage was basically a bargain, but hearing Jason say it so directly still ached.

"And yet," Jason continued, his tone stern, "despite my complete indifference towards you, I have made the decision to proceed with this marriage not out of any sense of duty or obligation, but solely because I don't want to lose my inheritance."

Emma's heart plummeted at his callousness, the severity of their position coming down on her with searing intensity. She had thought, maybe stupidly, that there may be some sign of pity behind Jason's cold demeanor. But now she saw him for what he actually was: a cold and calculating individual motivated purely by self-interest.

"As for you," Jason muttered, his stare penetrating. "You have a choice. You may decline to marry me, even if the marriage has already been recorded. We can divorce, and you can go your own way. But be advised, if you want to follow down that course, you are on your own.”

Emma's thoughts raced with contradictory feelings as she assessed her alternatives. On one hand, the notion of spending her life bound to a person who cared nothing for her filled her with fear. But on the other hand, she couldn't stomach the notion of leaving her father to financial catastrophe.

With a troubled heart and a profound emotion of surrender, Emma nodded solemnly, her voice scarcely a whisper. "I understand," she murmured. "I will do what must be done."

And when the truck passed by the gates of her father's home to send her off , Emma couldn't help but feel a rush of anxiety sweep over her. She may have consented to this marriage to protect her father, but she knew deep down that she was headed for a future devoid of love or happiness. And when she took a glimpse at Jason's stony face, she couldn't resist the thought that her life was going to become a living nightmare.