Chapter 9: A Cruel Twist Of Fate

The more Sebastian looked at Kourtney, the more he believed he was doing the right thing. It had been a chance encounter, but something about her captured his attention.

He didn't know her that much, but he was willing to take the risk because, for the first time in years, he felt truly alive. He felt things he hadn't felt for so long, making them seem so new and foreign. And all he could think of was taking the bull by the horn.

He had been working damn hard for the past few years and had single-handedly transformed his family's company into a global powerhouse. The weight of his responsibilities as the CEO of Woods Corporations bore down on him. The never-ending streams of meetings, negotiations, and strategic decisions consumed his time and energy. 

He knew he certainly wouldn't have time for dating her even if he wanted to.

And also, memories of the mounting pressure from his family flooded his mind. The Woods family elders, with their annoying traditional values and deep-rooted expectations, had been nagging him incessantly to settle down and marry. 

As the eldest young master of the household, they saw his approaching thirties as a ticking clock, not minding his unusual allergy to the opposite gender. They pestered him to find a way to get cured, which he had been trying his best.

In recent months, the pressure had intensified, reaching an almost unbearable level, but he stood his ground. He had lost all hope all these years in regards to ever getting married and raising a family of his own as he couldn't help but get irritated by females. It wasn’t something he could control!

But now, he met this woman who didn’t seem to trigger his allergy for some reason. It was a baffling mystery that intrigued him. And, in a moment of desperation, Sebastian had made the impulsive decision to marry Kourtney on the spot. And there was no going back now...

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One hour later, two marriage certificates were handed to Kourtney and Sebastian, respectively. Kourtney sniffed in frustration as she held hers, not bothering to spare a glance at it.

This wasn't the kind of wedding Kourtney envisioned for herself. She had always wanted a grand ceremony where she would exchange vows with her prince charming in a magnificent cathedral with the most elaborate architecture.

A fairytale-like wedding, where she’d be floating down the aisle like a pageant queen, wearing a graceful white ball-like gown.

The decorations would be lavish, with cascading flowers and sparkling chandeliers. The guests would be seated in elegant chairs, witnessing their love story unfold. The music would play softly, creating a romantic atmosphere.

She dreamed of a reception in a lavish ballroom with sparkling chandeliers and a live orchestra playing her favorite melodies. The tables would be decorated with classy floral centerpieces and the guests would enjoy delectable cuisine. The celebration would climax in a breathtaking fireworks display, illuminating the night sky with gushes of vibrant colors.

It was this type of wedding she'd been planning with her now ex-fiancé, Brandon during the past few months.

As an event planner herself, Kourtney was very keen on every fancy detail being perfect, from the placement of the name cards to the arrangement of the dessert table. She had spent countless hours selecting the best color palette, from the bridesmaids' dresses to the linens and decorations.

She had hoped for a wedding that would awe and inspire everyone in attendance, creating an enchanting atmosphere that would linger in their memories for years to come. It has always been one of her deepest fantasies, but surely now, it wasn't likely to happen anymore.

Presently, she was getting married at the empty city hall, wearing a green-colored knee-length cocktail dress that hugged her figure perfectly. The dress was stunning, no doubt, but it couldn't compare to the elegance and grandeur of a traditional wedding gown. It looked nothing like what she imagined wearing on her D-day.

‘This is surely not what I thought it would be,’ she thought.

What's worse? Not a single member of her family nor friends was even here, only strangers! How would she even explain to them that she got married to some guy they’d never met before?

She glared at the man who stood beside her, the arrogant and egotistic man who now held the title of her ‘husband.’ His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, carried a coldness that sent shivers down her spine.

Kourtney couldn't help but wonder what she had done to deserve such a cruel fate. She had been hoping for love, companionship, and a partner who would cherish her. Instead, she found herself bound to a man she barely knew as a means to pay for his expensive custom-made car.

She was so full of hope and excitement for her upcoming grand wedding and her beautiful future with Brandon just this morning. However, not only does she end up being betrayed by her fiancé, her sister, and her parents, but she also gets into a loveless and clueless marriage with a total jerk on the same day!

Kourtney still couldn’t believe she was thrust into this union against her will. It felt like a cruel twist of fate. How could her almost perfect life have taken such a drastic turn?

Meanwhile, the big office room was filled with an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the murmurs of the officials present. Kourtney noticed that even they seemed to be under duress, forced to come back and work after their working hours were over. No wonder! They performed their duties mechanically, lacking any warmth and sincerity.

She glanced down at her empty fingers, the absence of a wedding ring a constant reminder of the absurdity and hollowness of the situation. In her mind, a wedding ring symbolized love, commitment, and a lifelong bond. Its absence only brought out the lack of emotional connection she shared with her new so-called husband. 

There were also no vows exchanged and promises made between them, just the cold ink of their signatures on the marriage documents. Without the proper exchange of vows or a wedding ring, the ceremony felt devoid of any meaning or significance to Kourtney.

‘There was literally no point in this.’ A new wave of frustration welled up within her, threatening to spill over. She took a deep breath, gathering the courage to express her thoughts to the aloof man standing beside her.

"This isn't what I wanted," she said softly, her voice quivering with disappointment.

Sebastian turned to face her, his icy gaze locking with hers. His voice was laced with a hint of annoyance as he responded with one word.

“So?” he scoffed.

Kourtney's heart sank even more as the man’s dismissive remark worsened her already wounded emotions. She had hoped for a glimmer of understanding or even a shred of empathy from him, but all she received was his heartlessness and arrogant attitude. This man was simply ruthless.

“Why would you force me into a marriage that means nothing to both of us? It's not fair."

Sebastian’s lips twisted into a smirk as he eyed his adorable new wife. "Fair? Life isn't fair, my dear. Count yourself lucky that your debt has been settled. Not everyone gets a second chance from me. Better still, you should feel honored that I chose you as my wife.”

“You really are a sick person. A sicko, that's what you are!” Kourtney exclaimed as she felt her anger reaching new heights.

‘What an arrogant jerk,’ she thought. ‘I should feel honored. Really?’

Sebastian's eyes narrowed, his voice growing colder. "It seems like you don't know ‘the proper way’ to talk to your HUSBAND!”

A cruel smirk crept back onto his lips as he stepped closer to her invading her personal space. He leaned in, his hot breath fanning against her ear and cheek, his voice seething with dominance and superiority.

“You’re my wife now, so you belong to me, Kourtney Allen! And I suggest you learn your place before you start regretting the consequences of your defiance." 

Kourtney clenched her fists and stared blankly at the man for a moment. She couldn’t believe he was threatening her. Refusing to back down or be intimidated by his words, she straightened her posture and looked Sebastian square in the eyes.

"I may not have control over the circumstances that led us here, but I refuse to be a prisoner to your twisted games. You may think you hold power over me, but mark my words: I will NEVER belong to you. I will find a way to break free."

Sebastian's expression darkened even more as he heard her, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "We shall see, Wife. But know this: resistance will only bring you pain. You're no match for me, so choose your battles wisely."

Kourtney mocked, ”Ha ha! If you think I'll ever consider you as my husband, dream on!!! This doesn't even feel like a real marriage. No exchange of vows or even wedding rings, just some ‘BOOORRINNG...’ paper works. So, for starters, I will never accept you as my real husband.”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering across his attractive face and good-looking features. His piercing blue eyes studied her intently for a moment, considering her words. Finally, he nodded, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes while his lips raised in a cool smirk.

"Hmmmm. Very well, then," he replied with a hint of intrigue. "Since you said it's boring. Why don't we make this more interesting?”