HEAVENLY PAIN MARRIAGE

01. The Marriage Agreement

The front door creaks open, and I sprint from my room, heart pounding after waiting for him for hours. I know it’s Jax—he always comes back at this ungodly hour after vanishing all night. “Jaxon Harper!” I shout as I reach the door, my fingers clutching the paper I found in his room last night.

There he is, standing in the doorway. His dark hair is disheveled, and his skin has that sickly pale tint. Probably another night of drinking and partying. He stumbles in, not even glancing my way, like this is just another morning in his chaotic routine.

I shove the paper in his face. "What the hell is this, Jaxon Harper?" My voice cracks with sheer disbelief. "An agreement? A marriage? Did you just sell me off to some random billionaire?

Jax barely glances at me, tossing his jacket onto the couch like it's just another Tuesday. "I didn’t expect you to find out this way," he mutters, fiddling with his phone and avoiding my gaze.

I stare, disbelief boiling inside me. "That’s it? So you’ve been planning this? What’s the endgame, Jax? I marry Maximilian Leander Milton, sign my life away—and you pocket the money?"

His jaw tightens, but he stays unfazed, strolling to the kitchen. He grabs a water bottle from the fridge and twists the cap like we’re discussing the weather.

"I’m not selling you off," he says, taking a long sip. "It’s for your sake."

My heart pounds, fury igniting every nerve. "For my sake? Are you serious? You think forcing me into an arranged marriage with a bunch of rules is some kind of a fucking favor?"

"He's rich, fine, and a gentleman. He will treats you better than I ever do."

"I don’t need a man!" My voice cracks, but I don’t care. "I can treat myself better—better than you ever did! I can’t believe you did this to me. I’m your sister. You loved me... you used to love me."

He sighs like I’m the unreasonable one, leaning back lazily in his chair. "This is how I love you."

The words hit like a slap. Without thinking, I slam my fist on the table. Plates rattle, and the dull thud echoes through the kitchen. "This isn’t love! This is control! Did you even read the contract?" I shake the paper in his face, hands trembling with rage. "It’s a cage, Jax—a goddamn cage, and he holds the key!"

His indifferent expression stays in place, like this whole conversation is beneath him.

Fury burns through me, hot and unforgiving. "I thought we only needed each other! After what happened, I thought you would be more taking a good care of me. But now I see... You’ve been desperate for money all along. Is that it? You’re so desperate so you’d sell me off?" My voice wavers under the weight of it all.

Tears blur my vision as the dam finally breaks. "I worked so hard—for us. I got that scholarship, not just for me. I wanted an education, a good job, a better life... for both of us." I look at him, my heart shattering with every word. "You didn’t have to do anything, Jax. You just need to wait—just wait!."

"I can’t wait," he says, his voice soft but firm. There’s something behind it, but I don’t care. Maybe he thinks he can tame me with his gentleness, but not this time. Not anymore.

Jax’s face hardens into that cold, indifferent mask when I don’t respond the way he expected. "Dress up. He’s coming to take you," he says.

His words knock the air from my lungs. I stare at him, stunned. "No! I’m not going anywhere!"

Without thinking, I tear the contract to pieces, the sound of ripping paper cutting through the silence. I toss the shreds at his feet, gasping for breath. "Watch me!"