Chapter Four

Marry in haste, repent at Leisure. Quote by William Congrove.

April’s heart pounded in her chest as she walked down the aisle, knowing that she was about to marry a groom who didn’t truly desire her. However, she had no choice in the matter if she wanted her beloved father to have a chance at life-saving surgery.

Reluctantly, she had given in, as her father knew she would. But once this forced marriage was over and her father had undergone his procedure, she would grant Noah his freedom, regardless of her father’s wishes. She didn’t want a man who didn’t think she was woman enough. If she ended things, walked away from their marriage. Then it wouldn’t matter what her father had promised him. He wouldn’t lose out because he didn’t have a choice in the matter.

After hearing the hurtful words spoken about her, April had little fear of Noah desiring her sexually. Obtaining an annulment should be a straightforward process. Her father would no longer have anything to hold over her once his operation took place. April regretted not calling out her father’s stubbornness and challenging his bluff. However, she recognized that further postponing the surgery would weaken him beyond the point of being able to endure the procedure.

Feeling a reassuring squeeze from her father’s hand as he walked beside her, April heard his words meant for her ears alone. “Everything will be ok.”

However, she couldn’t help but tremble with uncertainty. All eyes seemed to be on her, and she felt self-conscious in her dress. It was undeniably beautiful and elegant, but it did little to flatter her body shape. Her hair was too short to style in anything softly feminine to match the dress.

She couldn’t help but imagine that everyone was thinking why a handsome man like Noah Crawford would choose to marry someone like her, who was frumpy and inadequate. It wasn’t long ago that Noah had been living a glamorous life with Willow, a well-known supermodel. Everyone knew that. Then suddenly he was marrying her. She couldn’t hope they thought he had fallen madly in love with her. No one with an ounce of brains would believe that.

April’s gaze shifted to the front of the aisle, where her father had assured her Noah would be waiting. She couldn’t help but question whether he had appeared or sent a proxy. She wasn’t even sure if such a thing was possible.

She saw Noah’s back. He hadn’t even turned around to face her as she walked down the aisle towards him. Showing her exactly what he thought of their upcoming marriage. He didn’t want her and was most likely doing this for money.

April had made several attempts to reach out to Noah through calls and texts prior to today, with the intention of discussing matters with him. However, her efforts were in vain, as he ignored her and did not respond to any of the messages she left at his office.

She did not know why he was doing this and she had no chance to talk to him. Explaining her plan to end their marriage with a quick divorce as soon as possible.

That four weeks before her birthday, she had seen him at least two or three times a week and he had called her at least a few times a week. Then on the night of her birthday, he had left early after her father had dropped his bombshell on her and she hadn’t been able to get Noah since. The only thing she had received from him was a text to say he would see her at the church. No marriage proposal. Nothing. In some ways, April felt cheated. She knew this wasn’t a love match, but still. Even in arranged marriages, the bride was at least asked.

The speed at which the wedding had been arranged didn’t come as a surprise to her. With her father’s wealth, people were eager to do anything to get a share of it. However, knowing her father, she was certain that this had been planned for weeks, if not months.

April stared at her soon to be husband’s back, almost praying for him to turn. She needed his support more now than ever. But he didn’t. She turned her attention to the best man standing at his side, Ryan Hawkins. April had met him a few times at events that her father had insisted that she must attend. He had turned to watch her walk down the aisle and gave her a small, reassuring smile. April gave him a small smile in return that she wasn’t sure he would see through the layer of her veil over her face.

The journey to Noah’s side only took moments, but felt endless before she finally reached him. It was only then did he turn towards her to take her icy hand in his warm one, moving her to his side. He still didn’t look directly at her.

April took a deep breath and turned her attention to the altar. The cold, stone walls of the ancient cathedral seemed to close in on her, suffocating her with their oppressive presence.

As the priest began the ceremony, April’s mind raced with thoughts of escape. She imagined herself running down the aisle, her wedding gown billowing behind her like a ghostly apparition. The pounding of her heart would match the beat of her feet against the stone floor, each step propelling her further away from the fate of this loveless marriage. It was wishful thinking. The image vanished from her mind.

But she knew she couldn’t flee just yet. Not until her father had received the life-saving surgery he so desperately needed. The weight of that responsibility pressed down on her like a vise, threatening to crush her spirit. She had to endure this charade a little longer, for her father’s sake. If she didn’t love him so much, she would be crushed by his actions, but she knew deep down that he had done this out of love. Misguided love this time, but still love.

After his operation, they were going to have a talk about this need to control her life, but not now, not until she knew he was going to be ok.

Noah, hearing the intake of breath, finally turned to her with an air of arrogance. His eyes, cold as ice, swept over her with a dismissive gaze. April’s blood boiled with anger, but she refused to let it consume her. She had a plan, and she would see it through to the end. She had wanted to talk to Noah about it before the wedding, but the arrogant ass hadn’t taken her calls.

As the priest’s voice droned on, April’s mind wandered to the annulment she would seek. She would rip this marriage apart like a tornado. Noah would be happy to be rid of her. They would be both free.

The ceremony finally reached its climax, and Noah turned towards her, lifting her veil and then leaned in to seal their union with a kiss. April’s lips met his, his lips barely touched hers, his mouth was stiff and cold. It was as if his soul repelled her. This had been her first kiss, and it really sucked.

At that moment, April made a silent vow to herself. She would break free from this sham of a marriage, no matter the cost. But she would not be a burden to Noah. She would ask him for nothing. Because after today she realized that’s how he saw her. As nothing.

With a steely determination in her eyes, April pulled away from Noah. She would take nothing from him, not even his kiss.

There were photos that needed to be taken of the bride and groom before they joined their guests at the function hall in one of Noah’s hotels. The atmosphere was tense, as things had become strained between them during the ceremony. She could feel the air thick with tension, but she was unsure if anyone else was noticing it. Or perhaps, because of her love for Noah, she was simply hyper-aware of him.

Noah didn’t give a genuine smile once for the photographer, and his attitude was fraying her nerves. Wearing on her facade, she herself was trying to project.

Noah hadn’t even spoken to her and he made sure they were never alone. Even going as far as inviting Ryan and her cousin, who had been her bridesmaid, into the bridal car with them once the photos had been taken.

Porscha jumped at the chance to be close to two wealthy men, eagerly sat between Noah and Ryan, flirting and laughing as the car headed towards the hotel. It was sickening to April, causing her to turn away and gaze out the window, seeing nothing, lost in her thoughts. She just couldn’t face them any longer. Let Porscha flirt. It made no difference to her. Every action Noah took to mistreat her only killed the love she had felt for him.

She found a moment alone with him just before they entered the function room. She placed a cold hand on his arm. “Noah.”

He turned cold eyes on her but said nothing.

“I don’t want this anymore than you do. Once my father has…” she began, but he cut her off before she could finish.

Noah let out a cold, hard laugh. “Cut the crap, April. I know you wanted me. You went to your father with the husband you wanted all picked out. Should I feel lucky? Because I can tell you I don’t.”

“That’s not true.” April needed him to know it wasn’t true, but she was so shocked by his verbal attack on her. He had never spoken to her like this before.

Noah leaned in close so his face was an inch away from her. “I heard the conversation you had with your father on the night of your birthday.”

April furrowed her brows, attempting to recall the previous conversation. She really had tried to talk her father out of it? “I’m uncertain about your motives for marrying me, considering your true feelings towards me,” she mused. “However, my reason is crystal clear. I want to ensure that my father doesn’t delay having the operation, he urgently requires.”

Noah laughed in her face. “I’m the only man you want, isn’t that right, April? You told your father that. So because I have no other choice. So I’m the poor sap that gets stuck with you because you fancy me. I get stuck with a child.” He looked her up and down. “One I find very unappealing at that.”

April was shocked by the level of venom in his voice and the hateful words. Tears filled her eyes, but she held them back from falling.

Noah cast her a disgusted look, saying, “Please, spare me the waterworks. They don’t affect me one bit, especially now that I’ve discovered your true nature as a manipulative little bitch.”

The MC introduced Noah and April as husband and wife to the guests waiting for them in the room beyond.

“Show time April. This shouldn’t be an issue for you. You are a brilliant actress, after all.” Taking her hand, Noah led her towards the doors, which would take them into the function hall where their guests were waiting.