CHAPTER FOUR

ARIANNA

"It was good to see you step up to your Dad today, Rihanna." Evan commended and I just swallowed as I stared around his mansion.

"So when do I get to leave? We can annul the marriage down the street, I think. I already have my passport and papers ready because I'll be leaving the country tomorrow." I stated but Evan didn't look like he was paying any attention to me as he loosened his tie and yawned.

"We can all agree that today has been a long day, right? Get some sleep and I'll listen to what you're saying tomorrow." He said and I swallowed. He was right, everyone needed a lot of sleep because the end of the wedding was something that drained another type of energy.

"Alright." He began walking away and I wondered how I was supposed to ask him where I was supposed to sleep but I couldn't.

I know he married me out of convenience to save and help me but the least he can do is to at least show me where I'm supposed to sleep.

"The maids would show you to the guest room." He finally said as he was halfway up the stairs and I instinctively placed my hands over my mouth. Did I say any of those words out loud?

"Thank you." I mouthed feeling small by his presence that filled the entire room.

I wasn't able to sleep peacefully that night as my phone kept beeping, messages from everyone kept flooding in but I for one knew that I wasn't mentally prepared to attend to any of those messages so I just listened to the beeping sound.

I felt compelled to call my mum and explain things to her but my guess is she would be somewhere trying to appease her husband so its better I let her be for tonight.

Despite the large size of room, I had never felt more alone in my entire life. Not even after I found out that Landon was cheating on me. Tonight it seemed like everything was replaying and tears just flowed out of my eyes peacefully.

I have to stop crying, its all over now. From tomorrow, I was going to put the past behind me and forge ahead anew.

The night was too long for some weird reason and I entered up tossing and turning till the break of dawn.

Thankfully, the room and the toilet wasn't too complicated so I was able to take my bath and change into more decent clothes that I could wear to go for an annulment of marriage.

*Knock* *Knock*

My eyes went to the door instinctively and I smiled.

"Who is it?" I questioned walking towards the door.

"Mr Evan said to call you down for breakfast." The maid informed as soon as I opened up the door with her heads slightly bowed.

"Alright I'll be there in a minute." I smiled and she nodded. giving a half blw, she left the arena immediately.

I took another kook at my reflection in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction while I smiled to myself before going downstairs. I expected to see Evan fully dressed and probably unable to wait to get rid of me bit to my surprise, he was still dressed quite homely and his hair was a mess.

"We're going to be late because of you." I sat with him at the table that the maid had free out for me and he just shrugged before stuffing his mouth with food.

"So what do you think, you know that—" I had leaned in so we could converse better but Evan wasn't having it as he dropped his fork onto the table and sighed staring daggers at me.

"The rule, don't talk while eating wasn't made for fancy, you know?" He reprimanded and I felt like a little child that was caught stealing.

"I'm sorry. Its just that I feel so pumped by everything and I literally can't wait to leave the country. Its going to be so—" He banged the table a bit and glared at me.

"That I helped you get out of a marriage that would have been filled with cheating and catastrophe doesn't mean we're friends. Especially when I'm trying to eat." He warned and my lips pursed into a thin line. I shouldn't say anything else until he's done eating, he seems to be particularly strict about it.

I tried my best to stay quiet and the entire room felt like solitude, the perfect kind of solitude.

"Thanks for the meal, can we go now? Although I think you might nerd some extra minutes to freshen up and look presentable.

"Where are we going? You've been talking about us going out the streets, where exactly is this place you're talking about." I stared at him in disbelief before sighing.

"Are you being serious? Our marriage annulment." I said with a tone of finality and he raised a brow.

"We're getting their marriage annuled? Your friend?" He asked staring at me like he was really unaware of what I was talking about.

"I'm talking of myself, you and I. You've helped me, the media are more focused on you getting married to me and Landon cheating on me. So thank you very much but I'll have to leave." He stared at me like he was contemplating something before shrugging.

"NO we're not getting an annulment.' Evan stated and time literally just paused for that particular moment. I can't even process the words that are coming out of his mouth now.

"What do you mean? Do you think a divorce would be better than an annulment? Because if that's what you're talking about then I suggest that you think again. Divorce is literally a long process that would—" He slurred his cup of coffee so slowly yet loudly.

"Who's getting a divorce? What the hell are you talking about because if you're talking about you and I, I would recommend that you go back and reread the contract you signed." Before I would say another word, he dropped a copy of the signed document onto the table as the maid returned the briefcase he ordered her to bring.

"I don't understand." I said as he gestured for me to sit down and I did. I began reread the contract slowly and raising my head up to look at him occasionally.

"Everything here states that we would annul once the wedding is done." I stated and he just shrugged.

"Continue reading." He instructed and I did so.

"I don't need all this waste of time. The more we stay here to talk about a contract that says literally the same thing that I'm saying, the more time is been wasted and my flight has already been scheduled.

"Which country are planning on going to?" Evan questioned and I took in a deep breath trying my best to remain sane and answer as nice as I can.

"Germany. Evan, I won't want to miss my flight." I stated firmly.

"Then instead of missing your flight, just cancel the flight and take back your money or the ticket." He suggested and I just gritted my teeth.

"Honestly, can we go for the annulment already?" At this point, I'm just really fed up and I wish he can see or hear that in the way my face is scrunched up and with the way my tone sounds so frustrated.

"Give me that." He pointed to the copy of the contract in my hands and I handed it over as he began flipping through the pages.

"What are you searching for?" I tilted my head to a side and he pointed to a particular part of the document.

"Can we read this together?" He queries and I nodded immediately.

"Of course." I leaned in closer and we began reading.

"...all the contents of this contract is considered invalid as Party A labeled Ariana Rane and Party B, Evan Gates wouldn't get or request an annulment unless Party A provides Party B an heir." My eyes widened as the realization of what he meant began to dawn on me.

I tried to chuckle but the expression eluded me as shock, fear and all undescribable emotion ran through me.

"So what you're saying," I gulped hoping that he tells me he's joking soon enough, "What this is saying is that I can't file for divorce if I don't give you a child first?" The words sounded like a bucket of vinegar in my mouth as he stared at me poker faced before nodding slightly.

The room began swirling and I held the edge of the table trying not to fall. What exactly is my fate in men?

"Why?" I whispered and my hand mistakenly hit a glass cup on the top of the table shattering it to pieces.