PROLOGUE: Forced Marriage

I took a deep breath and sighed nervously. my heart was rising too fast. I couldn’t shake the feeling of uneasiness. I could feel my hands getting cold, and it was shaking as I looked at my hands that were holding flowers.

All I knew was that I didn’t want this. I hated this. If I could just run away from this... I would.

The door slowly opened in front of me. I felt my heart was about to burst as I watched it unfold. Soft instrumental music played in the background, but the loudness of my heart dominated. I was immediately welcomed by unfamiliar people on each side of the aisle.

I started walking down the aisle with a heavy heart and a messy mind. The back of my mind was telling me to just fucking turned my back and run away from all these unfamiliar gazes and fake smiles, but I knew that I couldn’t.

This is the least I can do for my family. I don’t want to disappoint them.

“You’re very beautiful, my daughter.”

I looked at my side and saw my father. I almost forgot that I was walking with him in the aisle with my arm wrapped around his.

I smiled despite the nervousness I felt, despite the feeling of betrayal from my own father. “Thank you, Dad.”

“Be a good wife, alright?”

Wife... I never wanted that. I nodded my head and kept the fake smile on my lips.

I continued walking and I saw him at the altar waiting for me. His harsh and strict features complemented his black tuxedo. I met his cold gaze, making me tremble, and my heart sank at how intense the weight of his stare at me.

My father gave me to him. My arm was now wrapped around the groom which I didn’t like. I couldn’t look at him. As much as how I hated this marriage, he also loathed this.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Cassandra Delaney and Killian Lannister in marriage. As they stand before us, they do so to affirm their love and commitment to one another.”

After we heard the priest’s words, we stated our vows that we knew that it was fake. It was full of sweet lies and fake promises. We looked into each other’s eyes and I almost flinched at how dangerous his gaze was.

“Do you, Cassandra Delaney, take Killian Lannister to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish him in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, as long as you both shall live?”

I suddenly remembered how perfect was my life before. Having a loving and almost perfect family. I even dreamed of building a family like what my parents had. I wanted to love like my mother but now... love wasn’t present anymore. It felt like everything shattered in just a snap of my finger.

I just woke up losing everything. My dreams fading slowly.

I glanced at my father, he was sitting with his new family. He looked at me with a smile on his face while his daughter and wife were looking at me annoyingly and impatiently.

I sighed deeply and looked straight into Killian’s eyes. “I d-do, Father.”

”And do you, Killian Lannister, take Cassandra Delaney to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish her in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, as long as you both shall live?"

“I do, Father.” His voice was cold and croaky. He didn’t even think twice as he said it. His eyes were fixed on me.

I still couldn't believe that I was now married. I was looking outside the window of the Lamborghini we were riding. He was busy talking to someone over the phone which was better because I didn’t know how to approach him.

We are strangers to each other.

We were now heading to the reception. It was a grand wedding, of course. I married Killian Lannister, a ruthless billionaire and CEO of Lannister Empire. Everything should be luxurious for him.

I’m pretty sure that we are now at the headline of every news.

Every woman would say that I was lucky because I married Killian Lannister, but they didn’t know how miserable this was for me.

“Act properly. You’re now a Lannister.”

I heard Killian’s voice making me look at him. He was now done talking to someone. He looked at me strictly, as if I was some kind of an employee to him that he should order around.

I nodded at him and refused to talk.

“And stop fucking doing that,” he said seriously and harshly.

I looked at him confused. “What?”

“Use your mouth and talk. Your Broca’s area is not damaged, aren’t you?” His voice was full of sarcasm and he looked at me as if he was insulting me.

Of course, I got what he said. I wanted to shout at him but I was too tired for all of this.

“I’m s-sorry.” That was the only word I could say. I was afraid that I might upset him more.

He raised his brow, looking at me in disapproval. “Second thing. Don’t fucking say sorry.”

“Ha? Why not?” My forehead creased. He was confusing me! What was this man’s problem!? “That’s a basic human decency, saying sorry if you did something wrong.”

“Sorry is just useless,” he said seriously. He looked straight into my eyes making me nervous. “If you don’t mean it, don’t fucking say it.”

What a cruel man... I couldn’t help but pouted. I didn’t know what to do anymore and what words to say because of him! I don't have a problem producing speech, but he was making it hard for me!