Cloak Of Deception

Married To A Stranger

Esme sat on her bed on the night of her arranged marriage to Mason Wilson, a billionaire she had only heard about in the news. Esme used to be her dad's favorite daughter until an incident where she woke up in a hotel naked, having lost her virginity with no memory of how or who did it. Unable to defend herself, her father married her off to Mason in an attempt to save his reputation, even though she was still in her second year of college.

Ten years younger than Mason, Esme wasn't ready for this marriage, especially since she was in love with her boyfriend. Now she found herself in a luxurious bedroom, married to a man she didn't know or love.

Feeling lost and overwhelmed, Esme struggled to come to terms with her new reality. She longed for the familiarity of her old life, the comfort of her boyfriend's embrace, and the freedom to make her own choices. Her mind drifted to her college friends, her dreams of a career, and the life she had envisioned for herself – a life that seemed to have slipped through her fingers the moment she said "I do."

Esme's mind was overwhelmed with worry about how she would explain her situation to Chris. She knew that he would never be able to forgive her for what had happened.

Mason tossed his shirt onto the bed, causing Esme to flinch and grip the mattress tightly. She found herself staring at the man before her, taking in his muscular build and chiseled abs. His hazel eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, and his hair was still wet from his recent shower. Esme couldn't look away, as she hadn't truly taken the time to study his features until now – on this day that marked not only their first meeting but also the day they were forced into marriage, the very day she had been torn away from her old life.

"What?" Mason asked, his voice cutting through the silence. "Why aren't you getting ready for bed?"

Esme trembled as she spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "Don't you think we should get to know each other first... before we..."

Mason's cold, unwavering stare silenced her. "Don't get any ideas. This marriage is just a business deal, and we're sharing this room only to keep people from gossiping about us. I won't tolerate anyone discussing my personal life outside these walls. As my wife, your only job is to attend media events with me and keep up appearances. You're not allowed to leave this estate."

Esme took a deep breath before mustering the courage to speak. "I... I haven't finished my education yet."

Mason's eyes hardened, his tone laced with impatience. "Did you not hear me the first time? I don't like repeating myself."

Esme cowered on the bed, fear gripping her heart as she stared up at the man who stood before her like a Greek god come to life. She felt utterly alone and powerless, her life now controlled by this intimidating stranger who showed no signs of empathy or compassion.

As Esme's heart pounded in her chest, she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that washed over her. Her life had been turned upside down, and now she found herself in a lavish bedroom, trapped with a man who was both captivating and terrifying. Mason's commanding presence filled the room, and Esme struggled to find her voice.

"But... my education..." she stammered, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. "I can't just abandon my studies. It's important to me."

Mason's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching as he regarded her with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. "Your life is different now, Esme. Your priorities have changed. You have a new role to fulfill, and I expect you to comply."

Esme felt a surge of anger and frustration well up inside her, giving her the courage to challenge him. "You can't just control my life like this! I have dreams, aspirations... I had a life before all of this!"

In a flash, Mason crossed the room, his face mere inches from hers as he towered over her. "That life is over, Esme. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for both of us. You're my wife now, and I expect you to behave as such."

Esme shrank back, pressing herself against the headboard as she fought to control the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.

"Get up!" Mason commanded, clearly annoyed by Esme's reaction.

Esme stared at him, nervously biting her lower lip as she attempted to stand. Suddenly, Mason grabbed her and pulled her away from the bed. She stumbled backward, her ankle hitting the foot of the sofa, causing her to wince in pain. However, Mason seemed unaffected by her distress. He grabbed a blanket, tossed it onto the sofa, and said coldly, "Whenever you feel like sleeping, you can sleep wherever you want in this room. But make sure you don't make the mistake of waking me up, or you'll face the consequences."

With that, he climbed into bed and settled in. Esme remained standing, stunned by his harsh demeanor. She fought back tears as she thought about how her father, whom she had always looked up to, could so easily cast her aside after one mistake and force her to marry such a heartless man.

Pulling her ginger-colored hair into a bun, Esme made her way to the bathroom, still wincing from the pain in her ankle as she walked. She couldn't shake the feeling of despair that had settled upon her shoulders, wondering how she would ever survive this new, terrifying life.

As the hot water cascaded over Esme's body, she let out a shuddering breath, the steam in the bathroom mirroring the tumultuous emotions swirling within her. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear, anger, and disbelief, the reality of her forced marriage to Mason weighing heavily upon her.

Slowly, Esme washed away the day's stress, the pain in her ankle subsiding as the heat soothed her aching muscles. For a brief moment, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to be enveloped by the sensation, a welcome respite from the emotional storm raging within her.

Once the water ran cold, Esme reluctantly turned off the shower and stepped out, wrapping herself in a towel. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her green eyes appearing dull and lifeless. With a sigh, she dried herself off and slipped into a nightgown, dreading the thought of returning to the bedroom she now shared with Mason.

As she stepped back into the room, Esme noticed that Mason was already asleep, his breathing steady and even. She tiptoed towards the sofa, trying to avoid making any noise that might wake him. As she lay down, she pulled the blanket tightly around herself, feeling cold and alone in the darkness.

Esme closed her eyes, willing sleep to come, but her mind refused to quiet down. Thoughts of Chris, her father, and the life she had lost consumed her, the pain in her heart a constant reminder of all that had been taken from her.

As the night stretched on, Esme found herself unable to ignore the restless feeling in her gut. She knew that her life had been irrevocably changed, and that she would have to find a way to survive this new, uncertain world. With that thought in mind, she finally drifted off into a fitful sleep.