Husband (Sample)

Chapter 2- Marriage

Present

Ava

"Oh my God, you look incredibly stunning, darling." Mom gasped when I walked out of the closet. I wore a body-hugging white gown with an open neckline and low scoop back. It fitted my hips and flared at my knees into a beautiful train. It was a beautiful gown sent by my future husband.

"T-Thanks." I smiled sadly and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My blonde hair waved down over my shoulder naturally and my face was makeup-free.

When I walked further, I stumbled into the mirror.

"God, Ava..." Mom came to my side and grabbed my forearm, helping me stand properly. "How much have you drunk, darling?" She stared into my eyes, worried. "Today is your wedding day."

I curled my fingers into fists as anger rolled through me. "I'm fine, Mom. I know how to handle it."

She cupped my face. "I fear your father, Ava. I am afraid of your brother. I fear everyone but you..." She swallowed hard, staring into my eyes. "But you're the only person who understands me, who supports me, who cares for me. Don't do this to yourself. Don't punish yourself..."

I grabbed her hands, my eyes wet, seeing my mother in tears. I love her so much. I could do anything for her. And I would marry a stranger because I wanted to see her happy. I sacrificed my life for her. I agreed to an arranged marriage so my father would not divorce her.

I shook my head and didn't cry in front of her. "I'm so happy today you know. I've wanted to be a bride since childhood." I smiled at those memories when I dreamed of becoming Henry's wife. Henry Robinson, the most popular fashion designer in the country, and my ex-boyfriend. He was my first love and childhood sweetheart. I loved that man with all my heart, but he never felt the same. He never fell for me. He hardly loved me back. He broke my heart completely. And when he left me, I started to crave alcohol, smoke, and drugs. My other world. "You know my habits, Mom. I can't live without alcohol." I forced a smile. "And I'm sober." It was half a lie.

********

I walked down the aisle with my father. I couldn't see anything clearly because of the veil over my face, but despite that, I could figure out what was going on. The church buzzed with excited chatter, but once I stepped in it fell into dead silence. "You told me they would do a small ceremony but here I could feel hundreds of people," I murmured to my father.

He squeezed my arm in warning. "Just keep your mouth shut and do what you said." He gritted his teeth out.

After that, I kept my mouth shut and did what he asked me to do. After all, I had no rights. He sold me like cattle to a stranger. He was selfish, heartless, and a vicious old man. He just wanted to save his company, so he used his daughter to take back his company's share. I was just a pawn in his plan. Anyway, he had never taken me as his daughter; he had never loved me once. I was just a girl who was a burden on him. Now he would get rid of me and get his company back.

I would marry a man I had never seen; he was a stranger to me. He was the man who won over me at the auction. Auction? My father auctioned me. Disgusting.

"Ava," Father whispered in my ear. "Be a good wife."

I didn't reply to him keeping quiet because I wasn't sure if I would ever be a good wife.

When we reached the altar, he lifted my veil, revealing the man I was going to marry, and I was shocked for a moment. I stared at the tall and muscular man in a dark suit, he stared back at me with his stunning grey eyes. He had dark hair that was thick and lustrous. His facial features were hard, slender nose, prominent jawline, and sharp cheekbones. He was the man of dreams. Why did he want to marry me? Why did he win over me? Why did he spend millions of dollars on me? He would get any beautiful woman.