5

Kellen’s POV

“What?!”

“Please listen. My sister never agreed to this arrangement. I covered for her to sabotage the date, but for some reason, you liked me!” Henessey’s frustration was evident.

“So you have been fooling me all along? I wanted Helena!” I  growled, my jaw clenched in frustration. My hands were shaking with anger as I paced back and forth in front of her. “How could you have deceived me?”

Henessy scoffed. “You’re one to talk. You were practically forcing me into this marriage.”

I ran my fingers through my hair, struggling to keep my temper in check. “Not only did you steal your sister’s identity, but you also planned our kidnapping. How much are you gaining from all  this, huh?”

Henessy sighed deeply and met my gaze. Despite my anger, my pulse quickened from that small insignificant gesture. “If you want an apology, I’ll give it. But don’t accuse me of things I didn’t know about .”

“Oh, of course you didn’t know,” I said coldly. “Just like you didn’t know about the guy you met at my club, or how you didn’t know when you spread your legs like a freaking cheap whore-”

My words were cut short by Henessey’s sharp slap that had my ear ringing. “I warned you before. Don’t disrespect me—”

Before she could finish, I pinned her hands above her head, my eyes blazing. “This is the last time you’ll ever lay a finger on me. Do you understand?”

Henessy’s chest heaved with emotion, her fear obvious, but she managed to control it and glared back at me fiercely. “If you ever disrespect me again, I will make you bleed.”

Her unshakable confidence left me momentarily speechless.

“maybe you don’t understand your situation, Henessey. I’ll press charges against your family for deceit and ensure you face jail time for your role in my kidnapping. So you better cooperate, or you’ll face my wrath,” I warned.

Henessy looked away, weighing her options. Then she shoved me aside . she straightened her dress  then waited until the elevator chimed open before she walked , taking a seat comfortably.

I followed her inside, settling behind my desk. I kept my gaze fixed on her, though it made me uncomfortable. “First, I want an apology from your sister. Next, you’ll sign the marriage contract that I will have my lawyers prepare.”

Henessy’s eyes widened. “You must be out of your mind.”

I smirked darkly. “No, princess. You deceived me, and now you must face the consequences.”

Slamming her fist on the table, Henessey’s anger  hung in the air . “If you force me into this, I’ll make your life a living hell.”

“Oh, no you won’t,” I said with a grin. “You’re going to sign the contract.”

Henessy’s teeth were clenched as she sat back, looking like she might flip the table but then she exhaled it all out. “How about I offer you a better deal? Isn’t my sister the one you want? What if I bring her to you in my place? You get to marry the twin you like, and I get out of this mess?”

Leaning forward, I stared intently at her. “You either sign the contract or face jail time, and not just for you but for your entire family. .”

Henessy’s struggle was evident. She tried calling her twin but couldn’t get through, leaving her with no choice.

Normally, finalizing a marriage contract would take days, but with the right connections, it was prepared in an hour. My lawyers delivered it promptly.

Henessy glanced at the document and threw it back at me. “This isn’t a marriage contract; it’s a slave contract. Look at this clause.” She pointed. “It says I can’t have another relationship outside the marriage, but you can?”

I sneered. “Do you really think I want to marry you? This is a marriage of convenience, and I make the rules.”

“And if you don’t amend it, I’ll gladly take my chances in jail,” she said, crossing her arms.

“Let’s say you don’t care about your parents, but what about your twin?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Her internal conflict was clear. Her twin was clearly her weakness, and I intended to use that to my advantage.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she wiped them away before grabbing the papers and signing them. She threw them back at me. “There, I signed. But I have one request.”

“If it’s inconvenient, I won’t grant it—”

“Let’s not meet until the wedding day. I have things to handle,” she interrupted.

With her signature secured, I agreed. Three weeks without her was manageable. Henessey stormed out without another word.

I had no regrets. I sensed something was off from the beginning, but I was willing to overlook it for the illusion Henessey created. Discovering she had a twin was an unwelcome surprise, but I was satisfied with the more spirited twin who seemed a better fit for my family.

That was my belief until the wedding day. I stood at the altar, waiting for my bride. The guests were present, and the atmosphere was festive.

I forced a smile as my bride walked down the aisle in her flowing wedding dress and long veil. My smile faltered however when I lifted the veil. “You are not Henessey,” I declared, my anger mounting. Just one look and knew she wasn’t the one.

“Who?” Helena chuckled dryly. “I’m your wife-to-be, Helena.”

I lost control then. My eyes flashed with fury. “Where is Henessey?!” I grabbed Mr. Rolland, who hadn’t left, and shook him. “Where is my wife?”

“Please calm down, Kellen —”

“If you don’t tell me right now, I swear I’ll destroy everything you think you have built,” I threatened. “Where is Henessey?”

“Sh-she’s at the airport,” Mr. Rolland stammered, fear flickered in his eyes “Please, this is who you’re supposed to marry—”

“Which airport?” I demanded.

“Massles International Airport.”

That was all I needed. I tore off running, tossing aside my suffocating tuxedo jacket. At that moment, reaching the airport on time was all that mattered. I wouldn’t let her escape me… again.