CHAPTER 004

CHAPTER 004

The reception peaked with soft chatter and clinking glasses in the room. My friends were all around me, their smiles were bright, but thin, like they were trying too hard. They congratulated one by one.

One said, her voice warm, yet strained, 'you look beautiful.'

Another added, “Congratulations.” Starting new… a new life… it must be exciting… for you… right.

I smiled, but it wavered. “Thanks,” I said.  

I could hear the pity in their words. I didn’t feel like they meant to hurt me, but I felt it all the same. This wasn’t a romantic beginning to them. This was an arranged marriage, not a marriage of love, a deal made by my family.  

I didn’t let it bother me, though. Not today. Not on my wedding day.  

Because I loved Rowan. And that love was enough.  

I held my hands to the delicate lace of my wedding dress, the soft fabric being cool under my fingers. It hugged my body just right, and it fit perfectly, and for the first time in my life I felt beautiful.  

It had been a magical ceremony. It was everything I’d ever dreamed of: the vows, the flowers, the music. And Rowan...  

The memory of him by my side at the altar, his suit knew its place, his presence, commanding. He responded in calm, steady voice as he said his vows and my heart threatened to burst with joy.  

This was the first time of a new life. I thought we would build something beautiful together.  

I looked across the room and saw my family. A glass of champagne in his hand, Dad was laughing with one of the guests. A woman I didn’t recognize was deep in conversation with Mom. Then my eyes found Lilith.  

Her arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips, she was sitting at the edge of the room.  

It twisted my stomach for some reason.  

Why was she smiling like that?  

I shook off the thought, Lilith had always been like this, petty, smug, and impossible to read. Perhaps she was just glad to see me leave. I was married off, after all, so she wouldn’t have to deal with me anymore.  

The hours went by completely in a blur of small talk and toasts. When the reception wrapped up I was tired and happy. Guests started to leave and I was left standing alone in the bridal suite.  

It was warm in the room, the flickering glow of candles lit it. The walls were filled with roses, their scent. My heart wouldn't stop pounding as I waited for Rowan and I sat on the edge of the bed.  

This was it. The start of our life together. I’d dreamt of this moment for so long, pictured what it would be like to be with him, the man I loved.  

There was a creak of the door followed shortly by Rowan walking in and my breath catching. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his suit still immaculate after a long day, but he looked calm.  

I just stared at him for a moment, tensing up, nerves and excitment in me mixing until my chest hurt.  

He said, his voice low and even, “You look beautiful.”  

I said, 'Thank you' and my cheeks flushed.  

His movements slow and deliberate, he closed the door behind him. His unreadable expression lay on him for a long moment before he looked at me.  

“Rowan, I—”  

He cut me off, saying, “Don’t.”  

I froze, my heart sinking.  

His expression changed, the warmth I thought I saw in his eyes was replaced by something cold and sharp. He said, his voice clipped, “Let’s get one thing straight.” “This is not a love story.”  

“What?” Confusion twisted in my chest and I whispered.  

He continued, his tone cruel, “You are not my wife.” “You are merchandise. Something I paid for. Nothing more.”  

His words hit me like a slap. I caught my breath and my eyes stung with unshed tears. I trembled, “Rowan, I don’t understand.”  

His gaze was hard and unyielding and he stepped closer. “Don’t play dumb, Sarah. Your family sold you to me, and you’re here. This is all just a business deal.”  

“But… The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them, 'I love you.'  

A harsh, bitter sound, he laughed, and my stomach churned. “Love? Don’t embarrass yourself. I don’t love you. I never will.”  

The air left the room, and I felt cold and hollow. I looked at him, praying I’d heard wrong. There was no kindness, no warmth in his eyes.  

His voice was low, his tone menacing, but he didn’t bother to hide the fact that you’d soon learn your place.  

He reached for me and I tried to back away, but there was nowhere to go. His grip was firm around my arm, his hand closed around it.  

I started, panic rising in my chest, “Rowan, wait—”  

But he didn’t wait. He didn’t listen.  

It was a nightmare instead of love and tenderness. His touch was cold and unmoving, his movements harsh and removed.  

I was frozen, tears streaming down my face as he tore through me. I bit down hard on my lip to keep from crying out, pain shot through my body.  

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. I had imagined this moment so many times, I had imagined this moment to be beautiful and intimate. This... this was nothing like what I’d dreamed.  

He stood when it was over, adjusting his suit as if nothing had happened.  

I was too broken to move, so I stayed where I was. The skin was clinging to my skin, because my wedding dress was wrinkled and stained.  

His expression cold and detached, Rowan looked down at me. Sarah, you’re nothing more than a contract. Don’t forget that.”  

He spun and left the room, the doors clicking softly shut behind him.  

It was deafening silence that followed. I held the sheets, my body shaking as sobs wracked my chest.  

How had it come to this? How had the man I loved, become a stranger, a monster?  

My tears blurred the soft glow of the candles as I stared at the ceiling. I couldn’t feel anything but my heart ripped out of my chest, and I knew I would never be complete again.  

What had I done?  

And how would I survive this?