Chapter 3

I stepped into the house that was supposed to be my new home. The driver that had come to get me and my belongings from my house was helping me unload my things from the car and into the house that I was going to be staying in for possibly the rest of my life.

After I had gone to see the doctor, he had been bluntly honest and explained how critical Hailey’s situation was and if something was not done to alleviate her sickness, she would most likely die. Hailey was diagnosed with leukemia, and she was at that stage where it was eating deep into her system and killing her slowly. 

She needed urgent surgery to bring her out of the pain she was experiencing, and this was the only way. I had no idea who I was married to. I knew of the CEO of XM company but I had never met with him before. They had only brought papers for me to sign, a legal binding agreement to be his wife. I could not forget the nerves that wrecked my system as I put down my signature on that paper, practically selling my future to a man I had little knowledge of.

I walked into the house to see a young man seating in a very expansive parlor, poring through some files. He raised his head immediately he noticed my presence. I was shocked to realize it was the man I had spilled coffee on. “You.” 

“Yes, me.” He gave me a disdainful once-over. “Was this your plan?”

I frowned in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

“Spilling coffee on me as a way of getting me to pay your bills for the rest of your life.” Though his voice was low, I could detect the mockery and spitefulness underlying it.

“What?!” I gasped in shock. What was he talking about? How could he think so low of me? He agreed to this too, didn’t he? If he did not want it, why then did he agree? He was truly handsome but he had an awful personality. What did I get myself into?

He stood and advanced towards me in an unfriendly manner, I took wary steps backwards. “Exactly what you heard me say, Ayla. You intentionally spilled coffee on me just to get me to notice you. You left the normal elevator and came to the VIP elevator because you knew I’d be there.”

“What?! I don’t understand what you’re talking about?” What kind of a brute was he? Was this how he was? The Almighty CEO Jaxon of XM company. The youngest billionaire in the country. Was he naturally like this or money was making him arrogant?

“Gold diggers, very meticulous, manipulative pretenders ready to do anything just to secure the life they can not work for themselves. I must commend you, Ayla. Well played.” Anger was visible in his eyes.

“W-what?!” I could not say anything else. What was he talking about? What sort of accusation was he labeling against me? I had no idea what he was talking about. I did not even know who he was until this day.

“Another thing a gold digger is well versed with, acting. They can act so perfectly that you’ll be forced to wonder why Hollywood is yet to pick them up. You are one good actress, Ayla.” The venom in his words was unmistakable.

The glare he was shooting me with caused shivers down my spine. “B-but you agreed to this, did you not?” I asked when I finally found my voice.

“Unfortunately yes.”

My mouth was left in an ‘O’ shape. I was totally dumbfounded, I had no idea what this guy was all about. This was the guy I had a crush on, why was he acting this way? “Unfortunately?”

“My grandfather is in dire need of grandchildren, and yes, a man of my status and wealth needs an heir to continue my legacy, to uphold the family's name. And though your ways are cunny, which is not surprising as it is expected of women like you, you look like you can actually give me what I want.” He moved back some steps to scrutinize me.

I felt small and insignificant. How would I cope with this? He scared me to pieces. How would I be able to live with him? “You think I am a gold digger?” That accusation stung badly, bringing tears to my eyes. In my life, I had never chased after any man for this money. I was not the kind of girl that dated a man for what he could offer.

If only my foster parents had agreed to send me to further my education in college, I would not be here, married to a man who thinks I was nothing more than a gold digger. If my real parents had not abandoned me, I would not be here. I believed my future would have been secured but here I am, insulted by this guy and he didn’t even know me.

“I don’t think you are. I know who you are.” He deadpanned.

“You don’t even know me.” I cried in frustration.

“I know your type, Ayla. I know your type. And for the time being, you have gotten what you wanted.”

Sniffling and struggling with tears, I asked. “What do you think I want?”

“You married me for my money. Tell me I’m lying.” He said confidently.

I swallowed, not sure how to answer. I was not a gold digger but I had married him for his money. It was a situation I could not help. If I had my way, I would not have agreed to this marriage.

With a cynical smirk, he came closer. “Even you know the truth. But I promise you Ayla, you will not go beyond two years in this union. Once I get the children I need for myself and my grandfather, I’m pushing you out of my life and home.” 

With that, he left me standing speechless and extremely sad in the middle of the parlor, tears welled up in my eyes as I wondered for the thousandth time what I had gotten myself into.