Welcome to the family

Sapphire's POV

"Do you, Miss Lauren Dennis take Mr Lance Clawson to be your lawfully wedded husband? The priest's voice came and I felt the words stuck in my throat.

I looked to Lance. He had this blank and unreadable expression in his eyes. I felt my legs quaking beneath my $1,000,000 wedding dress. I still couldn't believe I was getting married to this man. I wish I could run away. Only yesterday we arrived he had locked me out of our room and made me sleep on the balcony instead in the freezing cold. According to him he liked space and I was in the way. Was this the way I was going to live the rest of my life?

"Miss Dennis? The Priest called and I gasped gently. Lance squeezed at my hand with a raised brow and I gulped. I forced a smile.

"Ye....yes...I do"

"Do you Mr Lance Clawson take Miss Lauren Dennis to be your lawfully wedded wife?

"I do"

"You may now kiss the bride"

My heart froze. What? I looked to him as I saw him inch closer and I flushed. I closed my eyes in uncertainty. Was I going to get my first kiss? Like this? Was he really going to.... then I felt it—A slight nip on my forehead then his gentle gruff of a whisper came.

"You didn't really think I would kiss you? Are you that desperate bitch?

I felt my leg froze and my face turned red in pure embarrassment. He inched away and that pretentious smile was now plastered on his face.

"Please forgive us, my Lauren is rather shy of any displays of public affection"

Sounds of silly giggles, laughs, claps and incessant words of admiration filled the church hall.

"Oh, she's such a a shy one that girl. I could tell from our first meeting" Aunty Kathy said with a delightful clap and I saw my mother in law Elisa who sat beside her give a gentle chuckle.

"Newly weds, aren't they always like that? She must be a virgin too. You can tell"

I saw My sister in-law Peach, the only daughter of the Clawson family empire scoff as she sat besides her statue of a husband Devon who barely spoke a word or showcased any real emotions. I forced a smile despite the tears of embarrassment that wanted to flow.

I should be happy right? I was now married. A wife to a billionaire.

"Let's go darling wife" Lance's voice came. Before I could react he swept me off my feet, carrying me in both hands causing admiration and joyful acknowledgement from the congregation. I on the other hand felt like I had walked into hell.

Lance's POV

The reception followed immediately and I couldn't wait for it to all be over. The putrid stench of socialist bigots and airheaded personalities flocking all over the room was beginning to make me fall sick but of course I had to put on my good face. A majority of the invites were esteemed and valued business partners and clients of the family business along with the wealthy It was my time to build the right connections.

"Wow, if it isn't the Lance Clawson. I never thought I would see you again" A gentle purr of a voice came and I turned to see no other than Esther Marshal herself, the only daughter to the Marshal empire. The Marshal family empire competed against the Clawson empire for total dominance in the business world but of course they could never overtake. My grandfather always made sure of that but now he was old and gradually I could tell he was losing it.

Esther was someone I was familiar with. She was dressed in a low neck sleeveless blouse which showed a pretty nice portion of her cleavage and her skin tight dress accentuated her tiny waist pretty well. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulder and her eyes twinkled with delight and a hint of passion. She was a renowned model. A goddess in the world of beauty. A devious and rather impressive wretch but a tramp all the same. 

"What a pleasant surprise" I said, hands in my pocket.

"Really? Of course it should be after you disappeared that day and abandoned me at that hotel" She scoffed and I raised a brow. We had had a one night stand. I couldn't deny that she was good but nothing particularly thrilling. What more had she been expecting?

"I see you came along with your father"

"Of course. It seems someone refused to send me an invite. Why? Scared I'll make your lovely wife feel insecure? I'm sure she wouldn't mind knowing her husband had a one night stand a month to their wedding"

I smirked.

"I'm sure I sent one out to your residence. Maybe an error? In the meantime you should enjoy the party. I need to be somewhere right now"

I didn't have to waste my time on her. A pest was the last thing I needed right now. 

"Oh abandoning me so soon? She said with a purr and inched closer till her breasts were gently brushing my chest. I looked down on her and she gazed back, flickering her lashes with a sexy look. She ran her finger on my chest. Was this her pitiful attempt at seduction?

"You know, I haven't been able to sleep well since what happened between us. I just kept thinking about you. Your handsome face kept me up all night. The thought of your touch just kept driving me crazy Lance. It doesn't matter if you're married Lance, we can still......

"Lance.....?

A shrill but soft feminine voice called and I turned to see the bitch. My new wife. She had this look on her face that I couldn't read. Her eyes were.....cold.

"Oh, Mrs Lance, my apologies. I didn't see you there. I hadn't even realized anyone was there in the first place. Forgive my manners. I am Esther Marshal, a very good friend of your husband" She said with a hint of mockery as she inched back a little bit and I saw Sapphire force a smile.

"I...see...it's nice to meet you. Esther..." She turned to look at me.

"Your grandfather called for you. You should go to him, that is when you're done flirting" She snapped with that blank smile on her face and I raised a brow. Esther gave a feigned gasp and shook her head.

"Oh no, you've got it all wrong mrs Clawson. I was only talking with him. Nothing more"

"of course you were. I never said otherwise" She snapped and moved away. I furrowed my brows as I felt my annoyance creep to my throat. what the hell was that? Who the hell did she think she was to speak out of terms and to me? I pulled away from Esther as I moved away. I caught up to her and gripped tightly at her wrist, spinning her round.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? What was that?

She looked me dead in the eyes for split seconds and I was left stunned but then she looked away suddenly, her eyes to the ground.

"Even if you hate me so much......you could...you could at least have a little courtesy. What kind of man flirts openly with another woman at his own wedding reception?

I glared at her in amusement and smirked. I gripped at her wrist tighter and inched closer to her. She winced and struggled to pull her hand away.

"Let go....

"Tch. You'll be a piece of paper or a garbage bin if I say so. Don't ever get any idea or get cocky. I'll do with you, whatever I want and if you see your measly life as something of any value, then I suggest you know your place and do the fuck what I say"

She winced a little until I released my hold on her wrist. I could hear her whimper but I simply ignored it. She could shed blood for all I care.

"Wait here and do nothing. I'll be back in a few minutes" I growled as I moved away from her towards my grandfather who stood along with a few others.

Sapphire's POV

I didn't know if I was supposed to cry or scream. My wrist burned slightly at his extremely tight grip and my heart at everything else. Was I going to live like this? I couldn't remember when last I felt so completely powerless.

I was still mopping in my thoughts I didn't realize when someone approached me.

"Lauren, right?

I looked up to see Pearl, Lance's sister and my sister in-law. She was far more beautiful up close and her eyes twinkled. She looked like her mother however she had a scowl on her face.

"We couldn't officially get the chance to meet before the wedding but I'm sure you must know who I am already"

I nodded.

"Good, I must say, I was surprised when I heard my brother was getting married. Much more surprised when I saw it was someone I'd never heard of before. Miss Dennis from Hamilton University right? From the prestigious Dennis family at Hamilton? I'm friends with quite a lot of people from Hamilton. Since you're from a prestigious family, your parents must certainly be part of the Eagle's club at Hamilton for all top socialites right? How come I've never heard of your family then?

I flinched. Eagle's club? A socialite club at Hamilton? I'd never heard of it before. What would I say? Yes? If they were prestigious then they certainly would be a part of that club, right?

I made to say yes but I paused. Why did it feel like she was testing me? Her eyes....

There was this uncertain dark glare in her eyes that I couldn't pin point like the one I saw in Lance's eyes.

The Clawson family wasn't one to be messed with. I didn't know anything about Lance's history with his family or why the hell he wounded up a lie just to marry me or why he even married me but as long as I was here, I needed to be careful. I took a deep breathe and I looked at her.

"I apologize but....I've never heard of any Eagle's club at Hamilton. I grew rather isolated and I was homeschooled. My parents weren't always present in the house and kept me locked out of any sort of social activity"

I saw her twist her lips and suddenly give a smile which looked crooked.

"I see. I'm sorry for straining you. You certainly wouldn't know in that case. Please don't mind me, you should enjoy the party. It is your special day after all. If you'll excuse me" She gave a gentle curt bend, a flat smile and moved away. My heart pounded against my chest.

What was that?