Happily Married To An Asshole

PROLOGUE

"MIRABEL COLLINS!"

His voice boomed through the house, sharp and laced with irritation. He didn't need to announce himself—I already knew it was him. My so-called husband.

I ignored him, my fingers tightening around my phone.

After marriage, a wife usually takes her husband's last name. But in my case, my husband thinks I'm not worthy of his.

Not that I want it.

But I don't want my father's name either. Not after what he's done.

I took a slow breath, trying to shake off the thoughts clawing at my mind, focusing on my screen instead. I could feel him behind me, radiating frustration, but I refused to acknowledge him.

"Mirabel." His voice was lower now, but no less commanding.

No—he wasn't calling. He was barking.

Oh God, if there's any sense left in him, let him find it now.

I barely had time to finish the thought before he was standing in front of me, his furious gaze drilling into my head.

"Mirabel, have you gone deaf?" he snapped. "Why the hell did you go around telling people about this marriage after I told you not to?"

My grip on my phone tightened.

How many times do I have to tell him I didn't? He never listens. Never stops looking for reasons to blame me. Normally, I'd argue—but today, I didn't have the energy. I simply kept scrolling, pretending he wasn't there.

That was my mistake.

"A simple thing, and you can't get it through your thick skull, Collins."

His fingers clamped around my chin, tilting my face up to meet his. His light brown eyes—beautiful, infuriating—burned with barely restrained anger.

And that was it.

I don't care if he trusts me or not. I don't care about this farce of a marriage. But he has no right to call me by that name.

Before I could stop myself, the words flew out.

"Shut up, you arrogant bastard!" My voice trembled with rage as I slapped his hand away. "You have no right to call me that. I don't care if this marriage is real or just ink on paper, but on that same paper, I have your last name. Call me whatever the hell you want—but not Collins. I don't want your name, but I sure as hell don't want his either. Do you understand?"

My chest heaved as I glared at him, my nails digging into my palms. Without waiting for his response, I shoved past him and stormed toward my room.

The door slammed behind me, rattling on its hinges.

It had taken every ounce of courage I had to stand up to him—and I didn't regret a damn thing.

But that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

I sank onto my bed, swallowing down the lump in my throat, but it was useless. The weight pressing against my chest was too much, and before I knew it, hot tears spilled down my cheeks.

I was angry. I was exhausted. I was breaking.

If not for that man—

I squeezed my eyes shut. No. I wouldn't think about him.

But the memories didn't care. They came anyway.

The only person who ever truly loved me was gone.

I slid onto the floor, hugging my knees to my chest as my mother's voice whispered in my head.

"You are strong, my love. You are a fighter, not a quitter. Don't let the world break you down. Be resilient. No matter how hard life gets, stand tall. Wherever you go, follow your heart—but take your brain along. Mama will always be with you."

I reached for my bag with trembling hands, pulling out the worn-out picture I kept of her.

"Mum, where are you?" My voice cracked as I hugged the photo to my chest. "You told me to be strong, but I'm so tired. I can't do this anymore. How hard would it be to just... be with you again?"

The tears came harder, soaking the fabric of my shirt as I rocked back and forth.

The pain never lessened.

Even after ten years, it was still as fresh as the day it happened.

Like an invisible wound—deep, unhealed, unseen.

And impossible to forget.

So, here we are. Page one.-hoho

If you've made it this far, first of all—thank you. Starting a new book is always a gamble, and I don't take it for granted that you decided to give this one a shot.

This story is messy, and The characters? Even messier. There will be tension, frustration, and probably a few moments where you want to throw your phone across the room (please don't, I can't afford to replace it). But there will also be growth, unexpected bonds, and maybe—just maybe—a little hope in the chaos.

I won't promise perfection, but I can promise honesty. These characters are flawed, stubborn, and sometimes downright insufferable. But that's what makes their journey worth it.

So, buckle up. We're just getting started.

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