Chapter 5

Marlowe's POV 

What was meant to be a night of pleasure, turned out as a night in which my woes began. 

If I was told that I was going to meet Callum after our one time meeting, I wouldn't have believed. 

It was a one night thing where both of us would go out separate ways after all. This had been the partners with others, why is it that my turn was different. 

Why was it hard for me to do something and go scot free with it? 

All through dinner, I kept casting Callum side glances as my heart rammed against my chest in a quick succession. 

Father must have heard my heavy breathing since he was seated next to me but he chose to remain mute.

Shutting my eyes, I took in a deep breath as I couldn't wait for dinner time to be over. 

My plan was to run off from all these.

I wanted to run off to a place where no one knows me and so it would be easy for me to start a new life there without anyone judging me. 

Unfortunately for me, after dinner, they all left the table like it was planned beforehand, leaving me with Callum who was fuming with anger. 

My breath was already hitched and the moment he grabbed my wrist, I felt life seeping out of me with a great speed. 

Now outside, away from the prying ears of others, Callum didn't hesitate to lash me. He kept saying hateful words to me, making me feel less of myself. 

He made it seem like I was the one who forced him into it when in the real sense it was a consensual agreement. 

His words came out as harsh and no matter how the direction I tried to view it from, it was the same.

“I can explain.” I said under my breath but I was audible enough for him to hear me but he chose to ignore me like I didn't say a word. 

Thanks to the timely intervention of his mother, I was already imagining his heavy hands making contact with my face. 

With the way the woman had spoken to me, no doubt she accepted me wholeheartedly. 

This made me remember the reception I got from the other family members who all acted like we have met before now. 

They were so warm to me, only Callum was cold and I knew the reason why he acted that way.

After chiding her son and urging us to go in and settle our differences, Callum stormed in, leaving me with his mother. 

Unsure of what to do, I took a step forward only to turn to face his mother who was smiling at me. “Go ahead.” She coaxed.

Gulping, I pushed my hand into my hair and then began to tug on it with my eyes slightly shut. 

Now in front of his room after following the directives of his mom, I connected my fists to the door but he didn't respond. I repeated my action thrice, yet I didn't get a response from him. 

Pressing my lips into a thin line, I grabbed the handle of the door and then pushed it in, only to lock eyes with Callum who was glaring at the door. 

Sliding into the room cautiously, I made my way in with my head buried, his heavy gaze still grazing my skin. 

“You think you will go scot free.” He yelled, wielding his fingers at me. 

With an apologetic look on my face, I said, “This wasn't my decision. If I had known we were going to cross paths as couples…” 

“You wouldn't have accepted to share my bed with me but you would go ahead and do so with other men.” He cut in. 

“You took my virginity, Callum.” I whispered, my heart breaking. 

If anything, for the single fact that he was the man I gave my virginity to and not Derek, he was supposed to treat me with some level of respect. 

“Don't get me started whore.” He huffed. 

“That was one of your ploys to deceive me but I was too smart for your little games.” He added, his tone dripping with mockery. 

“I'm sorry but please hear me out.” I cried, rubbing my palms together. “It wasn't my intention, you have to believe me.” 

“My ex…” 

“I'm not interested in listening to your lies, you should give up already.” He smirked and with his hands tucked into his pockets, he made his way towards the window. 

Scared that he might hurt me, I lay on the hard floor, crying my eyes out. 

Callum on the other hand didn't spare me a bit as he kept saying hateful words to me. He called me a whole lot of despicable name that the only thought ringing in my head at the moment was suicide. 

The next morning, with swollen eyes, I accompanied Callum to the court so we would make our marriage official. 

While all these were going on, I had zoned out completely and couldn't wait for everything to wrap up so I would come up with a plan. 

Running off was the only thing on my mind but for that to happen, I needed a lot of money so I could start afresh. 

When it was time to take pictures, I held my breath all through the shot and at the same time, forcing a smile so I wouldn't become the center of attention. 

“You both are a perfect fit.” It was Callum’s mum who was speaking. Her smile was genuine, making my heart flutter. 

Returning her smile, I tried to speak only for Callum's cold voice to cut in, “I need to be somewhere important, I have no time to waste.” 

He didn't wait for a second before he began to walk in the opposite direction. 

“He has such a temper.” His mother commented. Holding my shoulder, she said, “Go ahead dear, I will see you around.” 

At her words I ran off to join Callum only to halt when he swirled around to face me suddenly.