"Please, Alex. Stop acting like an innocent guy. I know what your reputation was before marriage. But I thought you had changed. But no, I was wrong and very stupid to believe in you. You cannot change. You are still the same," I uttered with a mix of anger and disappointment. My heart was heavy, but I knew I couldn't continue living a lie. Summoning every ounce of courage, I tossed my wedding ring at him, a symbolic gesture of ending our charade."I will send you a signed divorce paper. Please sign the papers and end this false marriage. After that, you will be free to live as your heart wishes. Nobody is going to blame you or stop you from doing anything," I taunted, raising my chin defiantly. My emotions were a whirlwind, but I was determined not to falter.I stood before him, tall and resolute, ready to defend my decision. Initially, he seemed taken aback by my strong stance, and I couldn't help but feel a flicker of confusion at the sight."You are mistaken, Sarah. I am telling y
Ryder's POV.At 9:00 a.m. on a lazy Sunday morning, my peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone. I groggily reached for it, wondering who could possibly be disturbing me at this ungodly hour. To my delight, Bella stirred in my arms, her tiny meows adding a touch of charm to the waking chaos.I carefully placed Bella on the pillow, ensuring her continued comfort, before reluctantly sitting up to answer the call. The screen displayed my mother's face, which meant it was likely to be something important. I swiped the answer button and, slipping my feet into slippers, made my way to the balcony, hoping to maintain some tranquility around Bella's sleeping form."Hey mum! What's up? Why did you have to call so early on a Sunday morning?" I questioned, attempting to sound both concerned and slightly annoyed."Ryder, I've sent some pictures of the daughters from reputable families to your number. Take a look and choose one of them. I'll set up a date for
I could feel anger and frustration bubbling up inside me. "Do you really not care if my mother wants me to marry a girl of her choice? It doesn't bother you," I asked, my voice trembling with suppressed anger.Her response shocked me, as she remained calm and matter-of-fact. "Why should it bother me? We are not committed. We are not in a relationship. You should get married, and your family wants it too," she stated, causing my frustration to escalate.Feeling a mix of desperation and vulnerability, I couldn't hold back any longer. "Bella, I want to settle down with you," I confessed shamelessly, my heart laid bare before her. I knew she might not fully understand, given her age, but I had to take the chance. I was willing to set aside my pride and beg her to marry me.Her response was not what I had hoped for, and it hit me like a heavy blow. "Are you mad? Ryder, I am still in school. I want to complete my studies. I want to make my career first. I can't think about settling down in
Ryder's POV.My futile attempts to incite jealousy in Bella by meeting other girls left me feeling disheartened. No matter who I interacted with, she remained composed and collected, as if her emotions were impervious to my antics. Undeterred, I had to switch to plan B.I smirked as I thought about it because it was foolproof, and Ryder never failed to get what he wanted."Bella, I have planned a vacation for us," I called her while she was in school.I smiled as I could imagine her eyes widened in surprise."What? No, Ryder, I can't go on vacation, and, most of all, I have some assignments to complete," she replied, her voice tinged with reluctance."Come on, Bella. Mum is persistent about my marriage, so it will be our last vacation together. I am sending my secretary. Give her your passport. We are going to Switzerland for a week. Just me and you. I want to spend some time with you alone," I insisted, hoping she would agree."Abroad trip? You will get clicked by the media, and I do
Bella's POV.The sound of my phone jolted me awake from my slumber, disturbing the peaceful moment I had been sharing with Ryder. Gently, I disentangled myself from his embrace, aware that I was still unclothed, and hurriedly pulled the sheet to cover myself before answering the call."Mum!" I greeted cheerfully, my heart still elated from Ryder's heartfelt confession of love."Bella, what is going on?" Her voice carried a tone of anger.Confused by her question, I asked, "What do you mean, mum?""You and Ryder are all over the news, and your father is furious," she complained.My mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation. "What? I don't understand, mum. What's happening?""Where are you right now, Bella?" Her concern was evident."I am... I am..." I hesitated, unable to come up with a lie."Are you with Ryder?" She guessed, and I fell silent, confirming her suspicion."Why did you do this, Bella?" Her disappointment in me was palpable.Suddenly, the phone was snatched from my ha
I gave myself a gentle slap on the head to snap back to reality as Ryder approached. My father released my hand as Ryder stepped forward, and he kindly helped me up onto the small platform where he stood. He leaned in to plant a sweet kiss on my cheek."You look absolutely stunning," he whispered in my ear, his eyes traversing down my form before locking onto mine once more, filled with adoration.The wedding officiant, a tall and amiable man, commenced the ceremony. As he gracefully greeted everyone and eloquently explained the significance of this union, I couldn't help but steal glances at Ryder, wanting to savor every detail of his appearance.He stood there, a picture of confidence and poise. His eyes gleamed with joy and adoration, reflecting the love that bound us together. Clad in an impeccably tailored black suit that hugged his form exquisitely, he looked every bit the dashing groom. His short, dark hair was slicked back to perfection, accentuating his handsome features. He
Alex's POV.We all gathered at Ryder's wedding, witnessing the heartfelt exchange of vows between Ryder and Bella. Their hurried marriage brought back memories of my own wedding day, where I had first laid eyes on Sarah. But after she left, things took a painful turn. I tried countless times to meet her, to explain myself, but she refused to hear me out. Her parents, adamant in their disapproval, forbade me from entering their home. It was absurd - I was her husband, not some boyfriend they could simply cast aside. I pleaded with them, insisting that I had changed, that I wanted to be with her, but they turned a deaf ear.Unbeknownst to me, Ryder had invited Sarah to the wedding as well. My heart filled with both hope and trepidation, praying that she would show up so I could finally talk to her. And then, there she was, entering the venue in a stunning peach-colored gown. Something about her appearance was different, and it left me bewildered. Her face was radiant, and I couldn't hel
Logan's POV.Amidst the busy preparations for my upcoming wedding, I couldn't shake off the lingering unease in my heart. Mia's sudden resignation from my company had left me bewildered and bruised my ego. I had made it clear to her that our relationship would remain strictly professional, yet she chose to leave."Why does it bother me so much?" I wondered aloud as I paced in my luxurious penthouse.Alex, who had been helping me with the wedding arrangements, noticed my distress."Hey, man, what's bothering you? You should be on cloud nine with your marriage just around the corner," Alex said, concern evident in his voice."I don't know, Alex. It's just that Mia's resignation hit me harder than I expected," I admitted with a sigh. "Even though I told myself I didn't care about her rejecting me, there's this nagging feeling inside me.""Why do you bother? It is not like you feel something for her, do you?" Alex inquired. "Remember, you have a stunning fiancée, a glamorous wedding ahead
Ryder's POV.The club was alive with energy as the weekend reached its peak. The neon lights danced across the crowded dance floor, casting a kaleidoscope of colors on the revelers. The pulsating music thumped in my chest, creating an electric atmosphere that fueled the excitement in the air. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, mingling with the overpowering aroma of perfume and cologne.Sitting at a reserved booth in a dimly lit corner, I was joined by my close friend, Alex. He exuded impatience, his foot tapping restlessly against the floor as he scanned the entrance of the club. We were regulars at this place, but tonight, our excitement was tinged with a hint of unease. We were waiting for Logan, our once dependable comrade, who seemed to have changed since his marriage to Mia."Ryder, when is Logan coming?" Alex asked, his voice edged with irritation.I understood his frustration; Logan used to be the first one to arrive, always ready to embrace the nightlife.
Logan's POV.As I slowly opened my eyes, the harsh, sterile lights of the hospital room greeted me. Disoriented and weak, I blinked several times until the blurry figures around me came into focus. There was Mia, her eyes filled with worry and relief, and my family standing by her side, their faces etched with concern."Mia..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.Her eyes lit up with tears of joy as she took my hand in hers. "Thank goodness you're awake," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.My family wore expressions of both happiness and concern. My mother's eyes were red from crying, while my father's stern facade tried to hide his fear. It was then that I knew I had to be honest with them about how I felt."I can't go through with the marriage," I admitted, my voice stronger now. "I love Mia, and I can't marry someone else."My father's face turned stern, and he scolded me, "You're being impractical! You have responsibilities, and this is no time for childish whims!"Befo
Logan's POV.Amidst the busy preparations for my upcoming wedding, I couldn't shake off the lingering unease in my heart. Mia's sudden resignation from my company had left me bewildered and bruised my ego. I had made it clear to her that our relationship would remain strictly professional, yet she chose to leave."Why does it bother me so much?" I wondered aloud as I paced in my luxurious penthouse.Alex, who had been helping me with the wedding arrangements, noticed my distress."Hey, man, what's bothering you? You should be on cloud nine with your marriage just around the corner," Alex said, concern evident in his voice."I don't know, Alex. It's just that Mia's resignation hit me harder than I expected," I admitted with a sigh. "Even though I told myself I didn't care about her rejecting me, there's this nagging feeling inside me.""Why do you bother? It is not like you feel something for her, do you?" Alex inquired. "Remember, you have a stunning fiancée, a glamorous wedding ahead
Alex's POV.We all gathered at Ryder's wedding, witnessing the heartfelt exchange of vows between Ryder and Bella. Their hurried marriage brought back memories of my own wedding day, where I had first laid eyes on Sarah. But after she left, things took a painful turn. I tried countless times to meet her, to explain myself, but she refused to hear me out. Her parents, adamant in their disapproval, forbade me from entering their home. It was absurd - I was her husband, not some boyfriend they could simply cast aside. I pleaded with them, insisting that I had changed, that I wanted to be with her, but they turned a deaf ear.Unbeknownst to me, Ryder had invited Sarah to the wedding as well. My heart filled with both hope and trepidation, praying that she would show up so I could finally talk to her. And then, there she was, entering the venue in a stunning peach-colored gown. Something about her appearance was different, and it left me bewildered. Her face was radiant, and I couldn't hel
I gave myself a gentle slap on the head to snap back to reality as Ryder approached. My father released my hand as Ryder stepped forward, and he kindly helped me up onto the small platform where he stood. He leaned in to plant a sweet kiss on my cheek."You look absolutely stunning," he whispered in my ear, his eyes traversing down my form before locking onto mine once more, filled with adoration.The wedding officiant, a tall and amiable man, commenced the ceremony. As he gracefully greeted everyone and eloquently explained the significance of this union, I couldn't help but steal glances at Ryder, wanting to savor every detail of his appearance.He stood there, a picture of confidence and poise. His eyes gleamed with joy and adoration, reflecting the love that bound us together. Clad in an impeccably tailored black suit that hugged his form exquisitely, he looked every bit the dashing groom. His short, dark hair was slicked back to perfection, accentuating his handsome features. He
Bella's POV.The sound of my phone jolted me awake from my slumber, disturbing the peaceful moment I had been sharing with Ryder. Gently, I disentangled myself from his embrace, aware that I was still unclothed, and hurriedly pulled the sheet to cover myself before answering the call."Mum!" I greeted cheerfully, my heart still elated from Ryder's heartfelt confession of love."Bella, what is going on?" Her voice carried a tone of anger.Confused by her question, I asked, "What do you mean, mum?""You and Ryder are all over the news, and your father is furious," she complained.My mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation. "What? I don't understand, mum. What's happening?""Where are you right now, Bella?" Her concern was evident."I am... I am..." I hesitated, unable to come up with a lie."Are you with Ryder?" She guessed, and I fell silent, confirming her suspicion."Why did you do this, Bella?" Her disappointment in me was palpable.Suddenly, the phone was snatched from my ha
Ryder's POV.My futile attempts to incite jealousy in Bella by meeting other girls left me feeling disheartened. No matter who I interacted with, she remained composed and collected, as if her emotions were impervious to my antics. Undeterred, I had to switch to plan B.I smirked as I thought about it because it was foolproof, and Ryder never failed to get what he wanted."Bella, I have planned a vacation for us," I called her while she was in school.I smiled as I could imagine her eyes widened in surprise."What? No, Ryder, I can't go on vacation, and, most of all, I have some assignments to complete," she replied, her voice tinged with reluctance."Come on, Bella. Mum is persistent about my marriage, so it will be our last vacation together. I am sending my secretary. Give her your passport. We are going to Switzerland for a week. Just me and you. I want to spend some time with you alone," I insisted, hoping she would agree."Abroad trip? You will get clicked by the media, and I do
I could feel anger and frustration bubbling up inside me. "Do you really not care if my mother wants me to marry a girl of her choice? It doesn't bother you," I asked, my voice trembling with suppressed anger.Her response shocked me, as she remained calm and matter-of-fact. "Why should it bother me? We are not committed. We are not in a relationship. You should get married, and your family wants it too," she stated, causing my frustration to escalate.Feeling a mix of desperation and vulnerability, I couldn't hold back any longer. "Bella, I want to settle down with you," I confessed shamelessly, my heart laid bare before her. I knew she might not fully understand, given her age, but I had to take the chance. I was willing to set aside my pride and beg her to marry me.Her response was not what I had hoped for, and it hit me like a heavy blow. "Are you mad? Ryder, I am still in school. I want to complete my studies. I want to make my career first. I can't think about settling down in
Ryder's POV.At 9:00 a.m. on a lazy Sunday morning, my peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone. I groggily reached for it, wondering who could possibly be disturbing me at this ungodly hour. To my delight, Bella stirred in my arms, her tiny meows adding a touch of charm to the waking chaos.I carefully placed Bella on the pillow, ensuring her continued comfort, before reluctantly sitting up to answer the call. The screen displayed my mother's face, which meant it was likely to be something important. I swiped the answer button and, slipping my feet into slippers, made my way to the balcony, hoping to maintain some tranquility around Bella's sleeping form."Hey mum! What's up? Why did you have to call so early on a Sunday morning?" I questioned, attempting to sound both concerned and slightly annoyed."Ryder, I've sent some pictures of the daughters from reputable families to your number. Take a look and choose one of them. I'll set up a date for