Chapter 2

RYLEIGH spoke on the telephone with her best friend, Abby, who now resides in New York. She is an architect in the architecture firm owned by her uncle.

"I still find it hard to think Lucas will marry you. He has a fiancé, yet he will marry you," Abby, who appears perplexed, remarked.

Ryleigh sighed. "Yeah. Tomorrow is the wedding," she said.

"I'm sorry, girl, but I cannot attend your wedding."

"It's okay. It's only a civil ceremony. I wish to maintain secrecy as much as possible. You knew they were suffering an issue, and I don't want the media to use the situation for financial gain by publishing an article about it. My father informed me that the wedding must be private."

Abby appears to perceive something in Ryleigh's comments.

"Rye…"

"Yes?"

"Will you be honest with me? Lucas will not marry you because he loves you, right?"

Ryleigh exhaled deeply.

"Ryleigh… I want the truth. I have known you for many years. Luke will never love you or marry you if he is madly in love with Hannah."

Ryleigh's eyes began to fill with tears, but she instantly brushed them away. Since her previous encounter with Luke in the coffee shop, she had not seen him again. She was unable to sleep at night. She feels bad because of his words. She doesn’t know what to do after marriage.

"It’s because of my father. H-He… forced me to marry Luke," she stated finally.

"What? Why would he do that? Uncle Noah is not the type of a parent where he will forced his daughter, as far as I know. What if Lucas becomes enraged? What if he will make you suffer? Did you tell Lucas about it?”

“I tried—”

She heard her friend's heavy sigh on the other line. "My God, Ryleigh. Why did you let this happened? What if Luke punishes you or does something to you?"

"I know. And I will not permit it. I will try to treat him as a brother. We've been friends for years, so I know he'll treat me similarly."

"What? Are you insane? Do you believe Luke will continue to treat you kindly despite what your father done?"

Ryleigh can imagine Abby's frustration. She emitted a gentle chuckle. "I can deal with it. I promise."

"Rye… you must agree with it. True love arrives at the appropriate time. Luke was never intended for you. You should have backed him as his childhood buddy, not as someone who will steal his happy life from the person he loves—"

"I can’t disobey my father, Abigail.” If so, all my loved ones will be in danger, she thought. “The wedding will take place tomorrow. Also, maybe this is the sign to give that bitch a lesson. You knew what I mean.”

"Ryleigh, you are unaware of the opposing viewpoint. You cannot judge her based on the fact that she kissed Lucas's driver—"

"It is self-evident. Why does she plan to kiss him? In the lips?"

"Is it true that that driver was the son of Hannah's mother's best friend? They were childhood friends, according to the facts I gathered for your investigation."

"Precisely, a childhood friend. The important question is why Hannah would kiss him on the lips. In the rear of Lucas?" All of these were her excuses, just to make her friend agrees with her.

Abby exhaled. "Therefore, why not just tell Lucas the truth, but not that you're going to marry him? He should know. And it is his choice whether to believe it or not."

"No. The wedding is planned for tomorrow. I must obey."

"I oppose your marriage to Luke, Ryleigh. However, I am your friend and will always stand by you. Just let me know if Luke treats you poorly, okay? I will immediately plan a flight to hug you and help you tell the truth. I don’t want you to suffer. I understand that you’re a victim too.”

Ryleigh's eyes shed a tear as she smiled. Now, she is aware of how much she misses Abby. "I miss you, bitch."

She overheard Abby laughing. "And I miss you as well, bitch. Don't worry. I will visit you once I've completed my endeavor. Where will you stay following the wedding?"

"Dad purchased a home in Clayton's Villas."

"Oh. You will have a prime coastal residence. I cannot wait to see a beach!" Abby said.

"Yes. It will be cool, and the ocean view will be magnificent." But she will not enjoy it for sure. She felt fear every time she thinks the possibilities. Can she endure Lucas’s rage?

"However, it came at a high price, bestie."

Ryleigh laughed. "It is."

"You hired maids?"

"Dad doesn’t allow it. As a reward, my portion in my father's company will increase and be wired immediately to my bank account."

"Damn. I wish I had been born wealthy as well," Abby said.

Ryleigh sighed. "Your uncle is affluent. He is the sibling of your mother. Essentially, you are also wealthy."

"But not as affluent as your family."

"Yeah. Yeah. Okay, I'll end this call immediately, and my mother and I will go to the salon. You know, Dad wants me to look great in front of my groom."

"Honestly, my respect for your father suddenly disappeared. If she values you, she shouldn’t force you to do things that are against your will. Anyway, you are already irresistible, Ryleigh. Well, try to enjoy the day, you skank. Unfortunately, I am far away and have other obligations to attend your bachelorette party today. I will make amends once I have completed my project. You got this, girl. Fighting. I know you’re brave. So, think of a way to tell everything to Luke.”

            “Love you.”

"Love you, bitch."

Ryleigh let out a slight smile and ended the call.

LUCAS and his friend Keith entered the bar near his company together. He desired a beverage to help him temporarily forget the issues amongst the Evans family.

"Man, congratulations," remarked Keith as he sipped from his drink. "You'll be marrying Ryleigh Evans, the university queen," he continued mockingly.

Lucas, however, remained mute.

"Hannah is attractive, but Ryleigh is—admit it, buddy, she is sexier than your fiancé. Therefore, you still win. Unfortunately, you don't love her; you only love her as a sister."

Still, Lucas didn't answer.

"Have you told Hannah about your upcoming wedding?"

Lucas tightened his grasp on his glass as he stared at Keith, who gulped as he could see Luke's insanity in his eyes. A second later, the glass shattered, and some of the shards punctured Luke's palm.

"Shit! Man!" Keith exclaimed as he saw Luke's hands streaming with blood.

Luke only regarded it indolently and did not appear to experience any pain. His only emotion was rage. A fury directed against Ryleigh.

"I will make that bitch's life miserable," he said with a curse in mind.

AFTER the wedding, Ryleigh discovered that it was Lucas's decision where they should live and that her father's money was used to purchase the property, which gives her optimism that Luke intends to provide her with a comfortable lifestyle.

They proceeded to a restaurant to celebrate their wedding, and although it was not as joyous as she had hoped. Luke never disagreed with the judge during the oath and she can see anger in his eyes. 

She knew nothing else at the time except that she must obey. She desires to save their business and also strives to protect him from Hannah. She is willing to assume the role of Luke and Hannah's antagonist for the time being, despite her inability to represent her life apart from Luke. Having taken away his freedom, she is willing to accept the risk. No matter the circumstances… in exchange for the safety of her loved ones.

Noah Evans seems kind to everyone but he’s actually a manipulative monster!

The wedding ceremony was brief and straightforward. Given that the city judge was only available at four o'clock in the afternoon, they decided to eat outside. Keith then led them to their residence. Her parents, including Luke's mother and her private nurse, were present. Keith is meant to ride in Luke's car, but she prefers to ride in her parents' car for the last time because she will be living in her husband's new house, 40 miles away from her parents' home in Los Angeles.

She cannot understand why Luke chose such a remote location to reside if Carter's empire was based in Los Angeles; driving nonstop would take him 50 minutes. But it's still far.

She felt terrible that they did not employ any guards, servants, or drivers. It is her father’s choice regardless. However, her mother asked that she let a cleaner help her clean on the weekends at least once or twice weekly. Also, her mother's biggest concern is that she would do everything alone, as she is not accustomed to handling domestic tasks.

"Thanks, Dad, for not allowing the media a sneak peek at the wedding," she began to break the stillness in their car.

"I will do everything for my daughter,” Noah replied.

Fake!

Her mother firmly gripped her hand and smiled at her. "Are you really sure about this, Rye?” her mother asked.

Noah arched his brow. “Of course, she is,” he replied.

"Fine then. Call us if Luke is mistreating or assaulting you,” her mother said.

She told her father, "Luke will never do that." Why does her mother always assume that Luke will physically harm her? After granting she agreed, because she was forced to, her mother repeatedly warns her that Luke may become abusive and may hurt her. This greatly puzzles her. Since she began to destroy Luke's life, she believes she is prepared for emotional pain from Luke but is she prepared for physical pain? She doubts it. Luke has always been kind and never attempted to harm anyone, regardless of provocation. He never gives anyone a single punch. No matter how they try to provoke him, he will stare at them blankly, leaving them bewildered.

Luke once advised her, "If someone challenges you to a fight, ignore them. They will cease once they determine that you are uninterested."

"L-Luke is a wonderful person, Mom."

"That is when your father—”

“Will you stop it, Kylie?” Noah’s anger is visible.

After that, no one dared to speak, and a few minutes later, they came. She was stunned upon seeing their home. It is enormous and gorgeous.

When she exited the car, she approached Luke, to which he responded with a blank expression. Now, she hopes he will at least attempt to be nice to her in front of their parents. She reaches out to her Aunt Charlotte. She greeted her aunt and then glanced down.

Her aunt smiled and said, "You may call me Mom, Momma, or Ma, honey. We are now a family."

She pressed her aunt's hand while holding it. She responded with a grin, "I wish I could tell you that, but I'm worried Luke would give me another death gaze if he hears it." After leaving the city hall, she attempted to call her 'mom,' but Luke overheard her and shot him a look. It seems like he disagrees with it.

The elderly lady laughed. "Never mind, Luke, dear. He is exactly like this. Anyway, are you sure you were okay here without any assistance?"

She nodded, "Yes. I will. We will be okay, Ma," she muttered, causing her aunt to chuckle and shake her head.

Luke then approached them and pushed his mother's wheelchair away from her. She grimaced. She thought he was a little disrespectful.