Beneath The Veil Of Desire

Soon to be Husband 🎑

The realization that my father didn't love me was a painful truth I had long accepted, but the revelation that he cared only for his property, business, and money struck me like a dagger to the heart. It was as if someone had punched a hole straight through my chest. He loved his wealth, his business empire, and his reputation more than his flesh and blood.

"Be ready, Heaven, without any drama," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "Tomorrow, your soon-to-be-husband is coming to this house to meet you. If I hear a single complaint about you, I'll deal with you on the spot."

He shouted these words before abruptly leaving the room, leaving me to grapple with the harsh reality of my impending marriage to Jacob Knight.

The night stretched into agonizing silence, and the relentless march of time brought morning far too swiftly. In the soft glow of the dawn's early light, I found myself alone in the spacious, well-appointed kitchen, the weight of familial duty heavy upon my shoulders. My father, seated at the head of the dining table, his face bathed in the golden hues of the morning sun, wore an expression of unbridled happiness. However, it was a joy that seemed to dance in the periphery of my existence, having little to do with my existence.

"Congratulations, Heaven," my stepsister Rose chimed in, her voice carrying a note of disinterest as she leaned against the kitchen's elegant marble countertop. Her body language, distant and aloof, seemed to convey a desire to distance herself from the unfolding situation.

"Make yourself presentable, Heaven," my father's voice rang out, his smile forced and hollow as he looked at me. "And, I expect you to behave. Be on your best behavior," he continued, his words wrapped in the veneer of fatherly concern.

"I know, Dad, don't worry," I replied, my voice a careful blend of acquiescence and practiced grace, my lips curving into a smile that matched his, equally as false.

And so, with the dawn's light casting a glow upon my predicament, I stood alone in front of an ornate mirror, studying my reflection. I wore a gown of deep navy blue, the fabric whispering promises of elegance. I had applied just enough makeup to accentuate my features while hiding the nervousness that threatened to consume me. My heart raced within the confines of my chest, its erratic beat a testament to the turmoil within.

"Heaven, come downstairs right now," Nancy's harsh voice sliced through the air like a cold, unforgiving blade. She was my stepmother, her presence an ever-present reminder of the life I was forced to endure. "Your soon-to-be-husband has arrived," she declared with a tone that brooked no disobedience.

Drawing in a deep, steadying breath, I collected my resolve, determined to face whatever lay ahead in this unwanted marriage to Jacob Knight. The future, uncertain and shrouded in apprehension, awaited me downstairs, and there was no turning back now.

At that moment, I knew that my life was irrevocably changing and that I was stepping into a future fraught with uncertainty. But I would face it with the same determination that had carried me through the morning, concealing my nervousness beneath a veneer of strength.

I entered the lavishly decorated living room, my footsteps quiet, almost tentative as if I were a guest in my own home. My gaze remained firmly fixed upon the ground, a deliberate effort to maintain my lower gaze and adhere to the expectations that had been ingrained in me. Inside, a knot of nervousness coiled in the pit of my stomach, threatening to unravel my carefully crafted facade. I could feel the weight of everyone's expectations, their eyes upon me, waiting for the moment I might falter. But I was determined not to show them my vulnerability, to shield my emotions behind a mask of composure.

As I approached the center of the room,

"My sister-in-law is so beautiful, Jacob... isn't it?" A voice, filled with a sense of admiration, broke the chains of my thoughts. I looked up towards the source and found two men sitting on the sofa, their eyes fixed on me, their gazes unrelenting.

However, it was Jacob who captured my attention most intensely. His eyes roamed over me, starting from the top of my head, trailing down my figure, and then locking onto my eyes. His gaze was piercing, and intense, and I couldn't help but quickly avert my eyes to the safety of the ground.

Jacob Knight was undeniably the most handsome man I had ever seen. His sharp jawline and muscular physique left an indelible impression. It was no wonder Rose, had swooned over him. I couldn't help but feel pity for her, oblivious to the tension that hung in the air.

"Come, Heaven, sit here," my father beckoned me to the sofa, and I obediently complied, taking a seat. As I glanced at Jacob, I noticed a dark and dangerous gleam in his eyes that sent shivers down my spine. I broke off the eye contact, wondering why he was looking at me like this.

"Hello," a deep voice resonated in my ears, and I looked up to find Jacob Knight addressing me.

I finally allowed my gaze to lift, and I found myself face-to-face with Jacob Knight once more. His expression remained enigmatic, his eyes a stormy sea of emotions I couldn't decipher. We exchanged polite nods, acknowledging the roles fate had thrust upon us.

"Hello," I greeted, my voice tinged with nervousness.

"Meet my friend, Nick," Jacob introduced the man sitting beside him. Nick's compliment made my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"If you don't mind, Mr. Roman, can I privately talk to your daughter?" Jacob's request came in a cold, commanding tone that left me apprehensive.

"Sure, Mr. Knight. Heaven, why don't you take Jacob with yourself and show him your room," my father suggested, and I nodded in agreement.

Jacob rose from the sofa, and I followed him, showing him around the house. Throughout this time, he remained silent, and I desperately wanted to talk to him, to voice my concerns about this impending marriage that I didn't want, at least not now.

When we reached my room, I was taken aback as Jacob closed and locked the door. He approached me, and I couldn't help but feel increasingly uncomfortable, my nerves turning into anxiety. His demeanor exuded coldness and cruelty, and that dangerous gleam persisted in his eyes. I began to wonder what he wanted from me, and fear crept in.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment as his intense gaze focused on my lips as if he were searching for something there. I bit my lower lip, a nervous habit that seemed to draw his attention even more. The weight of his unwavering gaze made me acutely aware of my vulnerability, and I shivered involuntarily, feeling exposed and defenseless.

The room, once a sanctuary, now felt suffocating, its walls closing in around me as Jacob locked the door behind us. I tried to swallow the fear that was building inside me, but it remained lodged in my throat, leaving me breathless and on edge. Each of his movements seemed meticulously calculated, his coldness radiating like an icy aura.

"Why is he doing this?" I pondered, my mind a whirlwind of anxious questions. "What does he want from me? Is he dangerous?" The uncertainty surrounding his intentions gnawed at me, like a storm gathering on the horizon, threatening to unleash chaos.

His eyes, predatory and assessing, continued their relentless journey over my body. The vulnerability I felt at that moment was palpable, and it made me shiver uncontrollably. I couldn't decipher the true depths of his intentions, and the weight of the unknown pressed down on me.

As I stood there, his gaze locked onto mine, I sensed that he was concealing something, hiding his true emotions behind those piercing eyes. It was a perilous dance of secrecy and intrigue, and I had no choice but to play my part, even as the unease within me continued to grow.

Unable to endure the unrelenting intensity of his cruel stare, I kept my gaze firmly fixed on the floor. My heart pounded loudly in my chest, its rhythm erratic and tumultuous. The silence in the room was deafening, heavy with unspoken words and uncharted territory. I grappled with the looming sense that something irrevocable was about to transpire, and I was utterly powerless to stop it.