Chapter 17 RICHARD’S POV Crossing her arms defiantly against her chest, she leaned back and turned her gaze away, sulking. “Bianca, please,” I motioned, attempting to soothe her. I looked around, noticing some guests giving us curious looks and whispering, their words indistinct. Her raised voice had drawn their attention. “Don’t shout at me. It’s crucial we discuss things like any civilized couple before getting married. Your parents practically begged for my hand in marriage, as if their lives depended on it. I had to give up a lot to agree, so yes!” I simmered quietly, not wanting to attract more attention. “I was forced into this, and I have the right to set conditions because I’m the one dealing with the consequences, I’m the one facing challenges here.” I held myself back, inhaling deeply, trying to keep my control. If it weren’t for Dad and Ben, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be at a club, enjoying myself. Instead, I’m here, dealing with the heavy weight of marriage and trying to j
Chapter 18RICHARD’S POV A small smile graced the corners of my lips, almost lasciviously as my interest was drawn at what she said. The night we spent together at that motel invaded my thoughts again. I pushed them aside to focus on the present.“We’re adults. We can have it whenever we feel like. But it should be purely consensual.”She sighed, as though a weight had been lifted off her jutting chest.“And babies?” She asked with intense curiosity and expectation, raising her eyebrows. “The contract talked about them several times. Are you okay with having kids?”I couldn’t believe it when she mentioned that, but I tried not to show my shock, not wanting her to think I hated the idea. But babies?! I wasn’t ready for that. Not yet. They were only mentioned in the contract for future and legal reasons.“Yes…” I stammered, feeling a little bit uncomfortable. “But not now. That’ll be after we’re well settled and ready to have them. No pressure.”After a moment, she nodded with underst
Chapter 19BIANCA’S POV Did I mess up by signing that contract and agreeing to all his terms and conditions for our wedding and marriage? A part of me worried it was the biggest mistake of my life, while another part insisted it was not. It was just a piece of paper with fancy words. A piece of paper can’t define our marriage. It can’t define our love. The love I have for him. I’m pretty sure everything in it will be forgotten once we’re married and living together. He didn’t mention where we’d stay after the wedding. Fuck! I forgot to ask him that. Maybe he forgot too or it’s at his family’s house. I hadn’t been there before, but I was sure it was huge enough to contain two families from the way Mum and Dad spoke of it. My parents want us there, but I want our own place. I don’t want his father overseeing us and discovering our marriage is based on a contract. I sighed and looked at myself in the vanity table mirror. Richard booked a presidential suite for me to get ready for the w
Chapter 20BIANCA’S POV “What has gotten over you, Nina? Are you crazy?” I stared at her in disbelief, my face grimacing with extreme shock. “How can you think of sabotaging my wedding?” Her brows furrowed in an agonized expression, and she looked at me with a blank, blinking gaze. Maybe she didn’t expect my response. What did she expect? For me to go along with her craziness? No way!! “B…I’m only trying to save you…I’m your best friend and I’m looking out for you…” “If you’re really my best friend then you’ll support me and not come up with such a crazy idea!” I interjected before forcefully freeing myself from her grasp. “Let go of me!” She looked at me, frightened and defensive, like I had taken something valuable from her. I rolled my eyes, grabbed my dress, and moved to the other side of the bed to get dressed, trying to put some space between us. I took off my robe, just in my underwear now. As I was about to get dressed, she said something that grabbed my full attention, s
Chapter 21BIANCA'S POVOn hearing the doorbell ding, I rose at a measured yet swift pace to put on my dress. “Are you expecting anyone?” She asked, her brows pulling in together. “No, not really,” I replied, searching my mind as I hastily got dressed. The only person I was expecting was David, who was on his way. If he arrived, he’d call and head straight to the rooftop; he wouldn’t come to the suite since I didn’t mention staying here to him. Nina shrugged. Seconds later, I heard the door open. Then a little scream. “It’s the delivery guy! There’s a package for you. Want me to sign on your behalf?” “Delivery?” My face scrunched up. I don’t remember ordering anything, online or offline “B?!...” Nina called again, snapping me from my thoughts. “Yes, you can!” A few moments later, she came back with a big grey box and placed it on the bed. “You didn’t tell me you had something big coming?” She asked with a mix of confusion and amusement as if it were for her. “Trust me, I didn
Chapter 22BIANCA’S POV After taking a closer look, the rooftop turned out to be a great venue, contrary to what Nina thought. Surprisingly, Richard made the right choice. He had rented it just for our wedding this evening. It had a small bar and eatery with fairy lights, giving a cosy glow. Elegant tables and chairs covered in soft linens were neatly arranged in tables, and artificial climbing ivies adorned the walls. One could enjoy their drink and food while surrounded by the open sky and cityscape. It was the perfect spot for our wedding. The venue itself was already beautifully decorated, so we didn’t need much. Still, we added delicate drapes and floral arrangements in the colour of the event; ivory, wine gold, and rose red to create a more wedding-like atmosphere for our guests to know it’s a special occasion. For inexplicable reasons, my pulse throbbed unevenly. My heart knocked against my chest and my breathing was icy, freezing. Though the heater was on, it wasn’t really h
Chapter 23RICHARD’S POV The guy was in a black suit and had round nerdy glasses. My jaw tightened. I emphasized keeping the guest list minimal, but this wasn’t minimal. And she’d never hugged or smiled at me like that – it was always nervous, secure, but hers to this guy was carefree, smooth, unguarded like they’ve known each other for long. “Richard,” her soft voice barely above a whisper as though she was surprised to see me at our wedding - What? Sad and nervous I bumped into you and ruined your blissful moment with your nerd? Her gaze scanned me like light rays. Mine returned the favour. The dress I sent her was divine. It covered her from neck to toe, hugging her figure perfectly, accentuating her slender shoulders, firm high-perched breasts and dainty waist. Looking down a bit, I can already see the toi et moi ring sparkling on her finger. “Bianca.” Her brows furrowed. I could tell it was probably because of the bridal bouquet I was holding. I know I said no flowers. But re
Chapter 24RICHARD’S POV “Do you, Richard Smith, take Bianca Sinclair to be your lawfully wedded wife, 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 to cherish, till death do you part?” David looked at me expectantly. I was lost in the depths of her eyes when those words echoed in my head. Inwardly, I jolted and my breath hitched a bit. Was this real? Was I really getting married? If someone had told me this day would arrive so soon, I would have thought they were ridiculous and laughed my lungs out. But the day has come. The day was now. Marriage was never something I envisioned for myself after Heather’s disappearance. Tales of marriages falling apart and the demands and daunting challenges made me see it in a not-so-positive light. If my father hadn’t set this up, I might have waited until I was over forty, or honestly, I’d have been content as a bachelor. That way, life would’ve been simpler,