Chapter 3

“Uhn…” my eyes widened with my eyebrows raised. I froze momentarily reflecting what I've just heard. It was just like an order from him, his voice was domineering.

“Bu...t… B… I stammered, unable to find the right words.

I don't even know this man and he wants me to marry him. Isn't that crazy?

“Relax, I'm not attracted to you, it's just a contract marriage. I need a wife to avoid an arranged marriage with someone I do not love and you wanna get back at them, yeah? I will let you make use of my resources to have your revenge and we can get divorced after then. So it's a win-win.” He explained.

“You are so calculative, who do you think you are?” I scoffed, regaining some of my composure.

“I'm Brandon Ford.” He replied.

“Brandon Ford? Isn't that the name of the Ford's group CEO?” I mumbled.

“Yes, and you are?” He asked coldly.

“M…Madison” I stammered.

“Madison? I was sure I heard them call you Addison.” Brandon Ford said calmly.

“Oh, yeah! Addison Smith was what I meant, Madison is my nickname.” My heart raced as I trembled.

The aura around this man was so powerful that I dare not play mind games with him.

“So miss Addison, what do you think about my proposal?” He asked, his gaze softened.

“Uhm…uhm, Okay.” I replied softly.

Brandon Ford walked to his car and returned with some papers. “Sign this.” He instructed.

Was it so fast? I only replied to quickly get away from the awkward situation and return home. Who knows that the contract would be signed immediately.

I hesitated for a moment, then quickly signed the papers when I remembered I had nothing to lose. I'd do anything to get my revenge on Annie and Daniel.

I breathed a sigh of relief after signing the papers and I turned around to take my leave.

“Going home?” he asked.

“Of course.” I replied to him.

Brandon Ford giggled “Miss Addison Smith, have you forgotten you are now my wife? You will live in my house from now on, get into the car and let's go.”

What have I gotten myself into? I wondered, my heart pounding. This man will not be an easy one to live with. How can I cope with such a domineering man?

The chauffeur came out of the car and opened the car door for me. My heart raced as I slipped into the car reluctantly and the chauffeur drove us away after Brandon slipped into the car too.

Brandon was sitting beside me in the car but we were both silent till the driver stopped at a mansion, then the chauffeur opened the door for us.

I stepped out trying to steady my nerves.

It was a very huge mansion, but I wasn't very surprised. After all, it was normal for Brandon, the CEO of the Ford's group, to have a mansion as huge as this.

We went into the mansion and we were welcomed by some servants.

“Wendy, this is my wife. Take her to her room and let her take a look around the mansion later.” Brandon ordered.

“Okay Sir, Mrs Ford, please come with me”, Wendy led me to my room upstairs.

My room was next to his bedroom. The room was spacious with a large comfortable bed and luxurious furnishings. It was filled with natural light and the window offered a stunning view. The color palette was regal and elegant, with rich jewel tones and luxurious fabrics.

The room wasn't bad at all, I thought to myself. I opened a drawer and saw that everything that I would be needing has been made available in the room. I was really surprised by this arrangement.

“Take a rest ma'am, you can call me if you need anything ma'am. I'll take my leave now.” Wendy bowed as she took her leave.

“Thank you”, I said softly.

****

At the Smith's castle, Annie already got home and told her mother about what happened when she met me.

“Mum, could you believe that bitch said she will never give up her part of the company as if she was entitled to it? She had even gotten engaged so soon” Annie said angrily to her mum.

She was so furious that I got a man barely a few weeks after Daniel ended things with me. And the man wasn't even an ordinary man. He seemed to be a great man. She wondered if I was cheating while I was engaged to Daniel.

“Call her and tell her that she must show up at my birthday banquet coming up in a few days.” I need to talk sense into her head or else she might not be so lucky this time.” Lara Smith thundered.

At the same time in Brandon’s mansion, Brandon Ford picked up his phone and called his personal assistant, Leo.

“Hey, listen to me. I just got myself a wife and her name is Annie Smith, I need you to look up everything you can about her and get back to me.”

“Okay Sir”, the latter replied.

Brandon Ford really wished I was her, the woman he had been in search of for ten years. I looked so much like her and that was why he chose to marry me, he hoped I was truly the one.

He was lost in his thoughts when his phone rang, it was Leo calling him.

“Hello sir! Annie Smith was adopted by the Smith's family fifteen years ago. She was engaged to Daniel Wilson and was supposed to be married to him but a few days before their marriage, she was caught sleeping with a man in a hotel which was why her marriage with Daniel Wilson was called off.” Rumor had it that she was set up by her foster sister but there was no evidence.” Leo reported to Brandon Ford in detail.

Brandon Ford sighed disappointedly. He really wished I was her so badly, but I wasn't, so he felt disappointed again.

“But why does she look so much like her?” He asked himself.

In my room, I had just taken my bath and I opened the wardrobe to look for something to wear. I saw different sets and designs of nightwear. I picked a pink nightshirt. It was loose fitting reaching down below my knees leaving some part of my legs uncovered.

I sat in front of the mirror in the room and brought out a note from my bag.

“Dear sister, Annie Smith framed me and ruined my reputation. Daniel Wilson, the one I've loved all my life, betrayed me. I'm sorry, I can't carry on. Please live the life I couldn't live. I love you so much my dear sister.” I felt like a knife had been thrusted into my chest as I read out the note, my eyes welled up with tears.

“Sister, I'll avenge your death and make those who made life difficult for you pay for their sins.” I promise, I said as I let my tears flow down freely.