Fake Marriage But True Mate

I have told the story from both sides, in the beginning, in order for the reader to understand what the characters are thinking. Please be patient, I do stop repeating the chapters and just continuing where the last POV stopped.. Thanks for reading! Marie's POV "Marie! Marie! Wake up!" my soon-to-be husband yelled from the doorway. Running over to me, shanking my shoulder. I woke up dripping in sweat, my breath coming out in pants. It never fails. The dreams feel so real that I swear I feel the sting of the whip on my skin or feel the soles of the shoes being slammed into my rib cage over and over. "Baby, I've got your breakfast. Mom is doing a last minute look over on the venue, then she will be over to help you start getting ready. Ive got to go meet up with the groomsmen to start preparing.Then we can begin the rest of our lives as Mr and Mrs." He says, walking into the closet to grab some clothes. I know my mother has this marriage arranged but, but I cant help but hope this could turn into real love. You know the love where a girl meets boy. Boy asks girl on a date. The girl falls in love with the boy. The boy asks the girl to marry him. Thats the kind of love I want. The kind that sweeps a girl off her feet. Instead, my mother, Elizabeth, made a deal with Elliot's father. He would deposit a large sum of money every month into my parents' account, as long as, I was no longer physically abused and when I turned eighteen, I would marry his son. At first, I thought he only wanted to marry me because I wouldn't just jump in the sheets with him like every other woman. Heck who am I kidding, most of the male population would jump at the chance to be in his bed for the night. We have instead become close friends. His father was CEO of many businesses in Nashville and didn't want to hand down his legacy to his son before he was married. My parents were on the verge of losing their hotel, even with me working there without getting paid. I dont remember much about my birth parents. Just a few flashbacks from the accident in my nightmares. No matter how many times I see the horrible scene, I just can't see their faces. I thought the day I would get adopted would be the best day of my life. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible at the orphanage, but it was overcrowded and some kids had to sleep on the floor since they didn't have enough beds, their budget didnt have enough to feed so many mouths, the floor creaked and the ceilings leaked. But it turns out, that day would turn out to be worse then I could've possibly imagined. Mother's words echo in my head, 'You ungrateful wench! We clothe you, feed you and give you a place to live! Your lucky we don't throw your useless ass out on the streets again where you belong' as the whip landed across my back again. "Hello dear!" Cassandra walked in flashing her beautiful smile, pulling me out of my head as if she could sense the doubt creeping up. Elliot is definitely a younger version of his mom. With his light brown hair and intense blue eyes, the only thing he got from his dad was his height and build. Being 6'6" with the body of a god, I just could never understand why his dad would want him to marry someone like me. I'm only 5'4" with scars all over my body. While I don't have abs, I'm not fat. "Hey mom!" I greeted her back. She has been nothing but nice and welcoming to me since day one. Elliot says it's because she had always wanted a girl. "Get up and in the shower girlfriend! Today's your day! Why are you still sitting there? Lets go! Lets go!" She rushed me. I went ahead and got up because when this lady's on a mission, nothing is going to slow her down. "If it wasnt for you and your amazing family, I would never have known what it was to love, laugh or even smile. I never pictured a life where I was surrounded by so many loving people, but then you came barreling into my life, showing me I deserved happiness no matter what my body looked like or what people have told me for so long. I am proud to be called your wife from this moment on." I said with tears running down my face while I looked into the eyes of a man who will now be my husband. I wanted so badly to be the other half of my soul, the guy I grow old with and have kids but once he becomes CEO, we will quietly divorce and I'll be free to live my life. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Elliot kisses me and leads me towards the back of the church where I can go change into my reception dress. "Thank you for agreeing to have my business partners for the reception. I know how big that was for you. I still have no idea how dad was able to talk you into it." "Your dad loves me and would do anything for me. This is just something small I can do to thank him for making my parents leave me alone." Ever since Elliott's dad, Tyson O'connor, found out what was happening at home, he marched right over to their house. I still have yet to ask what happened. I was so terrified that my dad would loose his temper and things would get out of control. When he came back 30 minutes later smiling instead of beaten up, I was too relieved to ask. The beatings stopped. Now they just make snide comments about my body, how Elliots are just going to use me to deflower me and that they should've left me at the orphanage. "You have no idea the extent he would go through for you." He said with a hint of irritation in his voice. "Mom has a room upstairs set up for you to change and freshen up. She said your dress is in the closet and she even got a pair of flats so you wont have to worry about your feet getting sore." I try to shake off the eerie feeling I've had all day. It keeps getting worse and I can't seem to shake it. I opened the door to the room and my best friend was already there to help me with the dress, well technically my only other friend. "How does it feel to be a married woman? Are you ready for tonight?" She says while winking dramatically. "I cant believe you guys haven't done it yet!" The only people who know it's arranged are us and our parents. I hate not being able to tell my best friend the truth, but I can't risk messing anything up. This is my way out of my parents' house so that I can find what I've been missing. I just have a feeling part of me is missing and I need to find whatever that is. The feeling gets worse. Almost like I'm smothered in flames. I cant shake it no matter how hard I try. Is it because I was so nervous about the reception? Did I not eat enough this morning? "Marie, is everything OK? You look pale." Becca asked me, noticing the change in me. "I think I'm just nervous for tonight, Bec. I've never done it before. What if it's just awkward or it doesn't feel like all the books I've read? I should have just gotten over my fear and had a test drive." "Marie, listen closely to me. I may have had my doubts about Elliot before, but that man waited two and a half years for this day. He didnt even try to push back when you told him you wanted to wait for marriage. He even waited patiently for you to decide you were ready for this without pushing. That man is nothing like the monsters you live with. And after tonight, they have no reason to keep you there." I couldn't respond. It was getting too hard to breathe. "Babe, I know what this is really about. Elizabeth is wrong. You are beautiful and one of the most amazing women I have ever known. What she did to you was wrong. What she said to you was even more wrong. You are worth loving. I love you. Elliot loves you. His parents adore you. She was just an insecure woman who was too insecure about herself and projected her insecurities onto you. Now. You have a husband waiting for you in the hallway. That loves you. That cherishes you like I have never seen a man do before. Get your ass up and show your parents they can no longer control you!" I can breathe again but the fires are still there. Simmering just under the surface. Beccas right. I have to show them I'm not scared anymore. "You know what Bec, thanks for that. Lets head back out there and show them I'm no longer afraid." We walk out the door to Elliot casually leaning against the doorframe. "I almost thought you got cold feet and came to get you." "Well, what are we waiting for, husband, let's go!" Trying to calm the fire before I let it consume me again.