Chapter 3

Ethan’s POV

I walked into my hotel building and headed for my suite. My best friend Oliver, who was sipping on a drink at the minibar, laughed when he saw me.

“You called that witch to get married out of the blue, what the fuck man!”

“That old geezer gave me no choice, Oliver. I figured if I married Luna first, my marriage to anyone else would be void since bigamy is illegal in New York.

But grandfather was literally waiting at the bureau before I got there, like he knew my plans.” And Oliver burst out laughing again.

“I’m sorry, Ethan; you know what he’s capable of, and you wouldn’t blame him; you’re quite popular with the reporters. They even recently said you’re gay.

Marrying Luna after your parents arranged someone else for you would have given them more things to gossip about if they found out.”

“Hmpf,” I scoffed. “Like I give a fuck. Well, now I just have to make that bride back out like the rest.”

“Relax, man, you just got your grandfather’s approval on Project Brazil. If you go kamikaze on this, there’s no going back.

Scarlett's POV

Ethan texted earlier and asked to see me so we could talk about the situation hanging above our heads.

“You're late.” He snapped as I sat across from him.

“I'm sorry, I had some errands to run.” I apologized, and he rolled his eyes. He brought out a paper and placed it in front of me.

“I’ll pay you five million dollars; you back out of this marriage, and the money is yours, not your family’s.”

My eyes widened as I looked at him flummoxed. Does he think I’m interested in his money?

“Scarlett, let's be realistic here; your dumb father's greed is the reason we are in this mess because he couldn't distinguish between a scam and a legit deal.

Now I'm stuck with you, just so your family doesn’t go completely poor. I think this is a good deal.”

His words stung deeply, and I struggled to maintain my composure. I took a deep breath, preparing myself mentally to express my thoughts.

“Ethan, I don't appreciate you calling my father names, and we're supposed to be figuring out how to make the marriage tolerable for both of us.”

He scoffed, his posture displaying a lack of interest.

“Your family needs the marriage to work because you're broke. I’m offering you a rare opportunity; take it and flee to where no one knows you and start a new life.”

I felt anger rise within me, but I knew that getting into a heated argument would only make matters worse. Instead, I fought to keep my voice calm and composed.

“I don’t want your money, I just—“

“You just want to get married to me.” He cut me off. “Of course you want the direct source of the wealth like many others.

Look, if you don’t accept it, this marriage would be hell for you.” He picked up his keys and left.

After Ethan left the restaurant, dad's call rang through. His words hit me like a rock on the head. The wedding was to take place on Saturday, which is just two days away.

The rush overwhelmed me, and anger flared within me. How could they not give me a chance to prepare for my wedding? The dress, the shoes, the venue... everything had been chosen and arranged without my contribution.

Saturday arrived with alarming speed. I examined my reflection in the mirror, a vision of beauty devoid of any trace of happiness.

I had always found weddings to be enchanting, but now that I am getting married, it doesn't feel as lovely as I had thought. Life had twisted this moment I had once dreamed about, reminding me that I can’t decide my fate.

“We don’t have all day, Scarlett!” Mom peeped into my room. After she walked out, she left me trembling. She wasn’t even trying to make things better, she was making everything worse.

At that moment, a thought ran through my head. Should I just escape? The toilet window would fit me in.

I briskly walked into the toilet holding up my dress with one hand and tried to open up the window with another hand. But it was stuck, it wasn’t opening.

“Scarlett!” I heard my mother’s voice, and I jumped out of fear, almost falling.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, walking into the toilet.

“I just really needed to use the toilet.”

“You’ve wasted enough time, let’s go.” She dragged me out of the room and to our garden, where the ceremony was supposed to take place.

When everyone noticed me, the instruments went off, and Dad came over to walk me to the altar. The guests whispered as we walked.

“Her family sold her to save themselves; the bride looks a little too thin, don't you think? Does she even know the man she's even getting married to?”

Every step I took felt like a countdown to the new life I was about to embark on. It felt like I was walking to be executed, one from which I could not escape.

I stood at the altar, my heart heavy with sorrow. The vibrant decorations and smiling faces of both families were nothing but a cruel mockery of my true emotions.

Ethan stood beside me, showing little to no emotion. How could he be in a situation like this and still maintain composure? After all the fuss he threw about not wanting to marry.

“We are gathered here today to join in holy matrimony, Mr Ethan Donovan and Miss Scarlett Morgan,” announced the officiant, his voice blending with the heavy silence that enveloped the room and the sound of my heart beating so rapidly.

As the ceremony began, my emotions waged a chaotic battle within me. The minister went on and on about the value of love, how important it is to a relationship, and the usual. If only he knew this marriage was based on deceit.

“Miss Morgan, do you take Mr Ethan Donovan as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish until death do you apart?”

The priest asked, and this question only just placed me in a tough corner. I turned around, looking at my parents, and my mother had a frightening look on her face, which said, don't you dare.

“Yes….I do.” My voice broke.

“Mr. Donovan, do you take Miss Scarlett to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish until death do you apart?”

Ethan's hesitation stretched the seconds into an eternity, his eyes flickering with an unreadable intensity. The silence weighed heavily upon us, and for a moment, it seemed as if time itself held its breath, all eyes were on him, eager to hear his response………