Sold To The Billionaire

Chapter 3

Allena

Today is my wedding day. Here I am, sitting in front of the mirror with four stylists working on me. I'm wearing my dream wedding gown—a beautiful white dress with a sweetheart neckline and a slit on the right that starts mid-thigh. My hair is styled in a front puff with loose curls cascading down, and a transparent veil covers my face, secured by a delicate tiara clip. I kept my makeup minimal, just the way I like it, preferring a natural look, and my silver stiletto heels complete my appearance.

I look beautiful, just as I dreamed, and I would be thrilled if this wedding were happening by my own choice. But, unfortunately, it isn't. To my bad luck, I barely know my groom. All I know is his name—Aaron Gray. With a sigh, I realize I have no idea what my future holds, who my husband truly is, or why he agreed to this arrangement. And it breaks me that my own mother agreed to this deal. My dadda, the man I loved most, sold me to a billionaire to save his niece’s life. Who am I to him, after all? Just someone else’s daughter. I chuckle sadly at the thought.

Tears begin to build up as I sit there, lost in my thoughts, until Mom walks in. Yes, I've started calling her "Mom" since that day. It annoys her, which is my form of revenge. She always wanted me to call her "Mumma," but she’ll never hear that word from me again. I loved her with all my heart, and yet she agreed to this deal.

"Oh, my daughter looks so beautiful," she says, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I'm not your daughter, Mom. I’m just your burden," I reply coldly.

"Don’t say that, baby. You’re always my little girl, and you always will be," she says, reaching out to touch my face. I pull back before she can.

"Well, Mom, if I were still your little girl and you were really my 'Mumma,' you never would have agreed to this. You sold me, Mom! You sold me to a billionaire!" I shout, and tears spill over. I wipe them away harshly and walk out.

As I slowly walk down the aisle, Dad holds my hand. Standing at the end of the aisle is a man in a black Armani tuxedo—tall, handsome, and intensely attractive. He has a strong build, broad shoulders, perfectly gelled black hair, thick eyebrows, ocean-blue eyes, a sharp jawline, and perfect, kissable red lips with a light beard. He looks like a Greek god. Physically, he's flawless, but I wonder about his character.

Lost in thought, I barely notice when Dad places my cold hand in his warm one. Aaron grips my hand tighter than necessary, causing me to flinch slightly.

I look up to see his face, and he's already staring at me with an expression of anger and hate—though maybe I’m imagining it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to witness the vows of Aaron Gray and Allena Wotson before Jesus Christ," the priest announces.

"First, the groom will take his vows. Please repeat after me," the priest instructs, and Aaron nods.

"I, Aaron Gray, take you, Allena Wotson, as my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, to love, respect, and honor you and your family all the days of my life, until death do us part." Aaron repeats the words, his tone emotionless.

"Now, the bride will repeat her vows," the priest says, looking at me, and I nod.

"I, Allena Wotson, take you, Aaron Gray, as my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, to love, respect, and honor you and your family all the days of my life, until death do us part." I repeat the words, but unlike him, I can’t hide the emotion in my voice.

"Exchange the rings," the priest says, and as our fingers touch, a strange electric sensation runs through me.

"You may now kiss the bride," the priest says, and I freeze. Aaron lifts my veil slightly and gives me a quick peck on the lips, which feels like a jolt of electricity. Goosebumps erupt over my skin.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest declares.

Everyone starts cheering and clapping as we head to the reception hall. Soon, people start congratulating us. Aaron stands there emotionless, while I feel awkward.

Then it’s time for the bouquet toss and garter removal. I toss the bouquet, and a girl catches it. Aaron kneels to remove the garter from my thigh, and as his fingers brush against my skin, I feel a strange sensation, like butterflies in my stomach. He quickly removes the garter and tosses it to the crowd of men.

After the toss, we have a couple and family photo shoot. Then, it’s time for our first dance as a married couple.

He holds my hand as we walk to the dance floor. He places his right hand on my waist and holds my right hand in his left, while I put my left hand on his shoulder. Just as I start enjoying the dance, he grips my waist painfully tight. I gasp, but he leans close to my ear, and I hear his voice, low and threatening.

"Welcome to my living hell, Mrs. Allena Aaron Gray. The vows I took were fake. From now on, I vow to make you regret agreeing to this marriage and to turn your life into a living hell. Now, you’ll see the real Aaron Gray," he whispers, then pulls back with an evil smirk.

Now, I can only pray to God for a better future. I don’t know what awaits me after this, but one thing I know is that it won’t be easy to win his love.

"Oh, God, please help me. Dad, please give me strength to bear the pain he inflicts. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I’m sure it’s not good," I silently pray.

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Author_sanshi