Married.
609 Words
Chapter 3
Nathalie’s POV
Everything happened so quickly.
One moment, I was sitting in a hospital room, terrified about my future.
The next, I was standing before a civil registrar, staring at the red ink on the marriage certificate.
I was officially married to Zachary.
My hands trembled as I looked at the paper.
I was his wife.
But why didn’t I feel happy?
Maybe because I knew the truth.
This marriage wasn’t born from love.
It was born from circumstances.
I turned toward my parents.
“Mom… Dad… I’m sorry.”
I could see the disappointment in their eyes, even though they tried to hide it.
My mother walked toward me and gently held my hand.
“It’s okay, Nathalie. Your siblings will be coming home on Thursday. Today is Tuesday, so you have two days to prepare yourself.”
I nodded.
Darius, Zachary’s father, stepped forward.
“Nath, if Zachary ever bullies you or makes you feel uncomfortable, call me immediately. Don’t keep it to yourself.”
I managed a small smile.
“Thank you.”
My mother had already sent most of my belongings to Zachary’s house.
There was no going back now.
Our parents exchanged a few words before finally leaving us alone.
The moment the door closed, silence filled the room.
Zachary didn’t even look at me.
Then he spoke.
“Nathalie, don’t expect anything from me.”
I looked at him.
He finally turned toward me.
“I didn’t choose this marriage. And I want you to understand something from the beginning.”
His voice was cold.
“I love Ivanka.”
My heart sank.
“She is the only woman I’ve ever loved, and she is the only woman I will ever love.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
Why did those words hurt so much?
I nodded quietly.
“Okay.”
That was all I could say.
⸻
The drive to his house was completely silent.
I stared out of the window, trying not to cry.
When we finally arrived, I immediately went upstairs to the room that had been prepared for me.
Aunt Mina, one of the housekeepers, saw me.
“Nathalie, are you okay?”
I forced a smile.
“I’m fine, Aunt Mina.”
But I wasn’t.
I closed the bedroom door behind me and sat on the edge of the bed.
Then I placed my hand gently over my stomach.
“Baby…”
My voice cracked.
“Do you think Daddy will ever love us?”
A tear slipped down my cheek.
“I’m sorry if you don’t get the perfect family I dreamed of giving you.”
I slowly stroked my stomach.
“But I’ll be strong for you.”
I didn’t even realize when exhaustion finally took over.
Bzzzz! Bzzzz!
I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing.
I groaned and reached for it.
Daniella.
I answered.
“Good morning, Ella.”
“Oh my God, Nath!” she screamed.
I pulled the phone away from my ear.
“You’re married!”
I laughed weakly.
“Good morning to you too.”
“It’s all over the news! When were you planning to tell me?”
“Right now.”
There was a brief silence.
Then she lowered her voice.
“Nath…”
“What?”
“Ivanka and Zachary were seen together last night.”
My smile disappeared.
I stared at the ceiling.
Of course they were.
I closed my eyes and placed my hand over my stomach.
I had a baby to protect.
I couldn’t fall apart.
Not now.
Not when my little one needed me to be strong
- Writer
