"Sign....."
My hand shakes as I lowered the pen on the paper. I know there's no way out of this.... Not without destroying my family.
With a deep breath, I signed….. sealing the deal.
"Good…." He said with a clipped tone.
He stands, leaving without another word.
The room felt colder as he walked out, the door closing behind him with a click, a mixture of dread and anger swirling in my chest.
"What have I done?" I sighed.
" You did the right thing my darling. This will save us all." Dad responded.
"But who's going to save me..." I wondered.
....
The Wedding...….
I stand at the entrance of the church, heart heavy as I prepared to walk down the isle.
My dad stood beside me as the door opens revealing the aisle but my eyes are fixed on the man at the alter.The man who showed me nothing but cold indifference."
As I walk toward him, he doesn't move, smile, his face a mask of pure detachment, eyes never mine but offering no warmth, no kindness.
My father steps away leaving me standing beside the man I'm about to marry.
"Let's get this over with.." he spoke.
The officiant turned to me smiling.
"Do you Layla Hayes, take this man Axel Knight to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
" I do…."
"And do you..."
"I do." Axel cuts in causing the officiant to blink in suprise at the urgency. He turns back to me and asked
"Vows….."
"I..... vow to stand by you for better or worse." I spoke voice as stoic as my face.
There's a flicker of something in his eyes...contempt, maybe... but it's gone as quickly as it came.
"I vow to keep this arrangement intact." He responded
My heart sinked totally, the weight of his words hitting harder than I expected.
The officiant also looked taken aback the smile on his face dropping but continued.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." He whispered.
"You may kiss the bride" he added.
He stepped forward, hand gripping my chin as he tilts my face toward his.
"You're mine now." He whispered.
He kissed me, firm, commanding, more a claim than a gesture of affection.
I stiffen but didn't pull away, pulse racing in confusion and dread.
He pulls back slowly, scanning my face with the same unsettling intensity.
"Satisfied?"
"It's not like you gave me a choice." I bit back calmly.
"Remember this Layla. You never had a choice."he whispered back.
I turned facing the few applauding guests which consisted of only my family and none of his, which made it even scarier.
But all I felt is the heavy suffocating presence of the man beside me.
His grip on my hand loosen dismissively, as if he couldn't wait to be rid of me.
I could tell whatever lays ahead isn't going to be easy.
"Smile….. it's your wedding day… not a burial ceremony." He added.
"Of course, wouldn't want them thinking this wasn't a fairytale." I bit back.
"Fairytale?"
"You're in a nightmare and I'm not the prince."
...….
Stepping out of the car my eyes widen as I take in the sight before me.
The house looked unreal.
The interior even more breath taking.
He didn't say a word, just walked.
I didn't ask where we were going….. just watched his back, trying to reconcile the man before me with the one who'd laughed with me under dim lights weeks ago.
He stopped in front of a door, opening and walking in.
I stepped in slowly, it was nothing like the rest of the house. It looked brighter, warmer.
I stood frozen, scanning every detail untill my vision blurred. I didn't even notice when he left the room.
The warmth of the room only made the cold in my chest worse.
The silence of the house swallowed me, the hatered in his eyes louder than any scream.
A single tear slipped down my cheek, I didn't bother wiping it off.
Then his voice.....
I see you're adjusting quickly to your new life.
"Why the sudden hate?" I asked, desperate to know what he's issues are.
"Hate is a strong word, but let's just say, I have no love for you." He replied
"I never asked for your love."
"Good cos you won't get it."
"From now on we'll keep our interactions to a minimum."
"You'll stay in this house, play the roles of my wife when necessary and in return your family's business will survive."
"That's all you need to understand." He added
"I won't beg warmth from a man who clearly has none to give."I thought.
"I perfectly understand." I answered with a clipped tone.
He watches me, assessing my reaction to his cruelty.
"Your things are arranged in the closet. We won't be sharing a bedroom so, make yourself comfortable." He smiled mockingly.
The door closed behind him.
"I won't let him break me..."
"No matter what."
......
After a long week of boredom, loneliness and aching silence, I was finally ready to leave the house that didn't feel like mine.
Seven days... Not a word from him. I hadn't asked the staffs where he was, I didn't want to care.
But it still stung.
This morning felt different..... I woke up with purpose. I had somewhere to be, somewhere I belonged.
The thought alone made me breathe easier....
Work...
I pulled on my scrubs with a kind of excitement i hadn't felt in weeks.
It was simple but grounding,like stepping into a second skin.
.....
The drive felt shorter than usual or maybe I was just too eager. The sight of the familiar building brought a genuine smile to my face.
My heart fluttered as I pulled into the parking lot of bright paws veterinary hospital. It felt like home.
I stepped in, immediately hit with the comforting scent of antiseptic, warm fur, and the faint sound of barking in the distance.
"Liana…. You're back!" Dr lisa screamed excitedly.
"I missed this place so much." I smiled back.
"You've only been gone for two weeks but it felt like years…" she replied
She didn't ask more and I appreciated that.
I greeted a few more colleagues, exchanged hugs and small talks and then made my way to my office.
As soon as the door closed I let out a long breath dropping my bag and flopped into my chair.
I spun once…. Then again
A small giggle escaped my lips. It felt good to feel again….. This was mine...My space...my purpose.
Grabbing a chart off the desk I headed to the recovery wing to check on my puppies.
Leo….. a tiny Doberman mix recovering from surgery was the first to notice me. He barked softly when he saw me and I raced in to stroke its head, heart swelling and then other puppies.
"Dr Hayes?" Jenna one of the vet tech standing at the door brows furrowed.
"Uh….. the manager's asking for you... said it's urgent." She added.
"Okay….."