Hurts Good (COMING SOON)

Epigraph

(A/N: please read the ending of the authors note chapter if you haven't already, so the story seems a bit more clear).

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Epigraph

"They said he only has a few months, maybe even just a few weeks to live, and its critical...", Sharon said to her eldest child, Althea. She knew how headstrong and stubborn her child could be, but what could she do? The man that took  her husband in when he was a child with no complaints was dying and he had one last request. How can she possibly say no to him? How can her husband say no? It was something they had to do.

"I understand that, but mom I'm just about to finish university, I've barely lived my life! And you want me to spend the rest of my precious life with that...", Althea paused, trying to control her impulsive tongue around her family, "with that... dumb ass?"

"Althea!", her mom scolded, "that is not how a lady talks! Besides you're too hard on the poor boy. Alexander is such a great young man, he'd make a excellent husband."

Althea's father walks up to Sharon, putting his hands on his wife's shoulder as he faced his daughter, "Your mother is right Thea. Even I have to admit, Alexander is a fine young man, perfect for you. I know you both have your differences but it's time to put those differences away and act more mature. If not for your parents, than for the man whose loved you as his own, and has let you stay in his house."

Those words hit Thea hard in her chest. She knew how important this was for her family, and even Alexander's family. She remembered how her father used to tell her all about how his parents died in the town fire and he was orphaned and left on the streets at the age of 15 till Alexander's grandfather and father saw him alone and broken, and decided to take him in as theirs. How Alexander's grandfather had fed him, clothed him, educated him to become a great businessman alongside his own son. It was a touching story truly, especially since Alexander's grandfather was also my grandfather, even if we were not blood or legally bound.

However, the thought of her freedom gone also weighed upon her. Alexander although was a good man, he was too traditional, extremely lazy, and entirely an arrogant piece of shit. Complete opposite of her, who was more modern with her thinking and style, who was passionate about her work. The marriage would never work, they were both two different people. There was a HUGE personality clash.

Thea sighed, gripping the silky, white dress that clung to her, "Lead the way then."

Her parents beamed as they opened the doors to the courthouse. Further down stood the Gray family , all of them beaming except for Alexander who was he eyeing his future wife.

'More like future nuisance', he thought to himself bitterly.

He eyed his sick grandfather, sitting in the wheelchair that was also carrying his oxygen tank and his heart sank. He had to do this, for him and his family. He watched Althea walk towards him, and for once in his entire life he let his eyes wander down her length, appreciating her beauty. It was an odd and striking thought, honestly. He had never looked nor thought of her in that way before.

He shook his head, 'It must be all the whiskey'.

Althea was now standing right in front of him in all her glory. She gave Alexander a curt smile as she glanced at the priest who began the ceremony.

"Do you Althea Andrews  take Alexander Grey as your lawful 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, to love and cherish till death do you part?"

Althea takes in a shaky breathe and her hands grip Alexanders. But what shocked her the most was Alexander squeezing her hand back in reassurance as he smiled at her, encouraging her to continue. She felt her heart beat quicken the more she stared at him and as he stared back. She never noticed how handsome he grew up to be. She always viewed him as the tall and lanky book nerd but he clearly outgrew that. But why was she suddenly thinking all this now?

"Althea?"

She snapped her head to Alexander's mother who was staring at her in concern. Evelyn gave her an encouraging smile and Althea smiled back.

'At least I'll have an amazing mother in law', she thought to herself.

She looked back to Alexander who was now watching her intensely with a blank stare as she uttered out the words that sealed both of their futures.

"I do."