Chapter Three
1205 Words
Ariana’s POV
I tried pulling away from his grip, but Ethan only stared at me with those dark, drunken eyes that made my chest tighten painfully.
Then suddenly, he released my wrist... only to grab my waist instead.
A loud gasp escaped my lips.
He pulled me against him, and I could smell the whiskey heavily in his breath.
The warmth of his body against mine was unexpected and confusing in a way I didn't want to think about.
"Isn't this what you wanted, huh?" he muttered bitterly.
Before I could answer, his lips crashed against mine.
The kiss was rough. Forceful. Nothing about it felt romantic.
And yet my traitorous heart slammed hard against my ribs like it hadn't gotten the message.
One of his hands moved behind me, fumbling with the zipper of my wedding gown. His other hand pressed flat against the small of my back, pulling me closer, and I hated how warm it felt. How steady.
Like my body was already responding to something my mind was desperately trying to refuse.
"Ethan, stop," I whispered breathlessly.
He pulled back just slightly. Just enough to look at me. His ice blue eyes were darker now... unfocused from the alcohol, but still sharp enough to cut straight through me. His chest rose and fell slowly against mine.
For one terrible second, neither of us moved.
"Stay away from me," I begged, pushing against his chest.
But he only tightened his grip.
"Aren't you my wife now?" he said harshly. "Isn't that why you're here? To prove I'm a man?"
The words hit harder than the kiss itself.
Anger rushed through me immediately.
Using all the strength I had, I shoved him hard.
Ethan fell backwards onto the bed laughing. He looked directly into my eyes, amusement dancing across his face. His tie was loose. His shirt was slightly disheveled. Infuriatingly attractive, and I despised myself for noticing.
"Oh?" he mocked. "You want to take charge?"
"Bad girl."
My face burned.
I grabbed the front of my dress before it slipped lower and rushed to the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.
I locked it.
My breathing shook violently as I held the sink for support. I stared at my reflection. Flushed cheeks. Lips slightly swollen. Hair coming loose.
And before I could stop myself, I started crying.
I didn't even know what I was crying for anymore.
That was when I noticed the Jacuzzi had already been prepared for the so called newlyweds. Soft lighting. Rose petals floating on the surface. Everything was too perfect for a night that felt anything but.
A bitter laugh slipped out of me.
I stepped out of my dress and sank into the warm water. I closed my eyes and just breathed. Trying to separate my thoughts from the feeling of his hands still lingering on my skin. I stayed in longer than I needed to.
When I finally stepped out and wrapped myself up, the bedroom was quiet.
Ethan was already in bed.
Asleep.
For a moment, I just stood there watching him. No anger. No harsh words. Just calm. Almost peaceful. His face relaxed in a way it never seemed to be when he was awake.
Almost human.
I let out a small breath.
Carefully, I walked over and removed his shoes and loosened his tie. He didn't stir. I pulled the blanket up slightly and stepped back before I could do something ridiculous like feel sorry for him.
I lay down on my side.
Staring at the ceiling.
The room was dark and quiet and full of everything that hadn't been said between us.
And somewhere between exhaustion and the warmth of his body still radiating from the other side of that bed, I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning came too quietly.
I blinked as light filtered through the curtains, soft and unfamiliar. For a few seconds, I just lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to remember where I was.
Then it hit me.
The wedding. The night. Everything.
I turned slowly beside me.
Empty.
I sat up slowly. His side of the bed was empty and already cold. I pushed that thought away immediately.
This was his house. And after everything last night, if anyone should be avoiding someone, it should be him.
I went downstairs.
The house was already awake but quiet in that controlled way. Servants moving carefully. Voices low.
"Good morning, ma," one greeted passing by.
"Is Ethan around?"
She hesitated. "Sir Ethan has left for work."
Already.
"Breakfast is ready, ma," she added.
I let out a slow breath. How was everything normal after last night?
"I can make my own meals," I said.
She shook her head gently.
"That's not allowed, ma."
Not allowed.
The words lingered longer than they should have.
I looked around the house. How large it was. How every corner belonged to someone else's life and I was just standing in the middle of it, trying to figure out where I fit.
By the time Ethan came home, it was already dark.
He walked in, loosened his tie and passed me without a single glance.
That annoyed me more than it should have.
I followed him upstairs.
He walked into the bedroom, removing his watch casually like I wasn't standing right there.
"Don't you think you owe me an apology Ethan?"
His movements paused. He turned slowly.
"Don't start," he said flatly.
"You were drunk last night."
"And?"
"You insulted me."
He walked closer, irritation clear across his face. Close enough that I could smell the same cologne from the night before, and I hated what I noticed.
"This marriage means nothing," he said.
"It's an arrangement. Play your role well and stay out of my way."
"You can't expect me to pretend last night didn't happen."
"You shouldn't expect anything from me." His voice dropped lower. "Not affection. No explanations. Nothing."
Silence filled the room.
He felt it too. I could tell by the way his jaw tightened.
He looked away at first.
"Don't ever think you have the right to question me in this house." He tossed his watch on the table and turned his back like that settled everything.
I walked toward the door.
But just as my hand touched the handle…
"Ariana."
I stopped.
It was the first time he had said my name willingly. Not coldly. Not as a dismissal.
Just my name. In that low quiet voice that had no business sounding the way it did.
I didn't turn around.
"What?" I said quietly.
A pause.
"Don't overdo it," he said. "Your family's company has been invested in it already. It's getting the spotlight it needs."
Another pause.
"You can relax a bit."
I stood there for a moment longer than I needed to.
I didn't know what to do with that either.
Then I walked out and pulled the door shut behind me.
In the empty hallway, I pressed my back against the wall and closed my eyes.
Because somehow those words from a man who had spent the entire evening made me feel like nothing...Felt like the last thing I expected.
And I had absolutely no idea what to do with that.
- Writer
