The Husband I Hate

Episode 2

DAPHNE

I enter the house with anger oozing through me, along with the disappointment, and I don’t think I can even control it as I open the door leading to my parents’ bedroom, not caring if they are already asleep or not.

Fortunately they are awake. My dad is sitting on the couch in the center of the room while my mom is on the bed, and with the way they both stop and turn to me, it's like I interrupted something.

I close the door behind me.

“Daphne,” my mom calls. I hear the softness in her voice but I ignore it.

“I met with Kane,” I say, and they both look at me as if waiting for me to continue.

“And I got told that you were the ones who initiated the f*****g marriage. Why?? Why are you doing this to me?? You know Kane and I never got along. You know all that s**t he did to me when we were young… he hates me, Dad, Mom, and I hate him too,” I say, pleading with my eyes.

“But… why??” I ask, looking between them.

My parents both exchange glances until my dad speaks up.

“I’m sorry, Daphne,” he mutters, and I can even hear the nervousness in his voice.

Something is definitely going on.

“What….”

“The company… I’m in trouble, a serious one that can lead to bankruptcy,” he stutters, and I almost lose my balance.

“Wh….at??” My eyes widen as I look at my mom and see her looking at me with sadness in her eyes.

“I’ve tried all I could but I keep covering old debts with new ones. The Ambroses are the only ones I could turn to. Trust me, I didn’t just bring the marriage up, it’s just…..”

“You’re trying to maintain a longer relationship with them,” I cut in, nodding with a sad smile playing on my lips.

“So, if I get married to Kane, what’s going to happen?” I ask.

“The Ambroses are ready to invest, and aside from that we get a longer partnership since we are going to be in-laws,” Dad explains.

I swallow hard, my hands sweating behind me.

“I will think about it,” I mutter and walk out of the room without waiting for them to say anything else.

I enter my own room, throw my bag somewhere, and begin pacing around.

I don’t know what to do. Kane is bad news and a complete no for me. But seeing my parents looking so vulnerable is messing with my head.

After thinking for a while, I get rid of my clothes and walk into the bathroom. Maybe after cooling down I will be able to think of the next step, but not right now.

***

Next Morning*

“This way, ma’am.”

I roll my eyes as I follow the guy who leads me into the elevator. Before I finally decided in my head to actually come over to this company to speak with Kane, it took me the whole night and I only slept for two hours.

After about five minutes, the elevator doors open and he walks in front of me while I follow.

Until we get to an entrance and I can see the title on it: ‘CEO’s Office.’

I almost scoff.

The door opens and I follow the guy inside.

Kane is sitting at his desk looking busy but he raises his head when we enter. Our eyes lock and I expect his usual stupid grin or smirk but I get none.

“You can excuse us, Lucas,” he says plainly.

“Yes, boss.” The guy bows and walks out of the office right away.

“What are you doing here?” Kane asks, resting his chin on his hand while his gaze never leaves mine.

“You know why I’m here,” I frown.

“You’ve succeeded in canceling the so-called engagement?” he asks before returning his focus back to the computer screen.

“I’ve agreed to it,” I say, and he looks at me with confusion on his face.

“For what reason?? I don’t remember agreeing to it,” he frowns.

“You know I’m not interested either, but like you said… my parents….”

“So now you want it because it’s going to benefit your parents?? Such a joke,” he cracks.

“No, it’s not just going to benefit my parents. Your dad wouldn’t have agreed to invest if he didn’t have any plan. He’s a businessman, right??” I snap.

He chuckles dryly.

“So what’s your point now? You want to get married to me??” He raises his brows.

“On one condition,” I say.

He raises his brows again.

“We are going to get a divorce maybe after two years. Everything should have settled by then.”

“And we are not going to do anything like we are couples,” I add.

“Anything like what??” he asks.

“Kissing, touching, not to talk of s*x. It irritates me even now that I’m saying it,” I scoff.

Kane chuckles and instead of speaking, he returns his focus to the screen.

“I need your answer for me to agree to this marriage,” I snap.

“Do whatever you want, Daphne. I’m not interested either,” he says plainly.

“Cool, then,” I roll my eyes and walk out of the office.

I sigh as I get back into my car. This is going to be over soon. As soon as my parents get back on their feet, we will divorce and go our different ways.

I just hope we both survive under one roof before two years is over without killing each other.

I step on the accelerator and drive off toward school.