The Arranged Affair

Avery's POV“I'm sorry Avery," I barely spared my husband… sorry, ex-husband a glance as I brushed past him as I pulled the last language I had out of the apartment we had shared for the past few years as a married couple.I tuned out his endless ranting and almost laughed mocking at myself as I stepped into the elevator, still ignoring him. I don't know why he was still following and begging me, right after serving me a very messy divorce.I almost couldn't believe that he had cheated on me until I saw his assistant’s baby bump. She had strutted into my apartment flaunting it to me as she detailed how long their affair had been going on and how stupid and ignorant I had been. She had even paid news outlets to publish their affair.The elevator dinged and I dragged my luggage bag with me as I walked out of the elevator. Immediately I stepped out, I felt his clammy hands grab my arm and I had to push down the urge to vomit. I wonder how I used to love his hands on me.“Let go of me," I

Avery's POV"Who is it? Who is the man you want me to get married to, Father?" I asked, pursing my lips, as I thought about what my father had just said.“Aiden Backwoods, CEO of Backwoods Steel Making Company, you've seen him several times during public events that we attend. It's a marriage of convenience and the deal is already signed,” I opened my mouth to say something, but he continued without letting me to, “The wedding date is already set, you would be getting married to him next weekend, but before that I already set a meeting for both of you and you'll be there, no complaints.”After saying his piece, he got up and left, but I could feel the anger radiating off him. He's angry? I should be the one angry!I've almost never seen him loose his composure before. I wonder what Aiden Backwoods must have done to cause this though. I also wonder why he wants to get married to me. Although I've seen him at the events we attend, I've never really had any conversation with him, but I'v

Avery's POV I am getting married again tomorrow.The night before my first marriage, I was excited and couldn't fall asleep. I had my bachelorette party three days before my wedding, because I didn't want to have a bad headache from all the alcohol I was going to be forced to drink on my wedding day. However, today I was going to get my wedding dress fitted for tomorrow and to buy some jewellery. The stark contrast between the wedding I did for my failed marriage and this contract bound marriage was so glaring, that I don't even know the people who were going to be in attendance for the wedding.I was ushered into the dressing room by an attendant, as I walked in I saw a beautiful floor length white wedding gown that was embroidered with delicate silver and gold threads in floral patterns. It was an off-the-shoulder gown that looked elegant with a timeless, elegant design.I was too stunned to speak or move as I stared at the dress. I thought I loved the first wedding dress I wore,

Avery’s POVThe days after Aiden’s note blurred into a whirlwind of work and strange emotions I couldn’t quite label. Living under the same roof with Aiden felt like balancing on a tightrope, where one small misstep could send everything crashing. His promise to give me freedom and happiness, to protect me, lingered in my thoughts, yet I couldn’t ignore that I was still a pawn in this game our families had built around us.Aiden was, in many ways, a mystery wrapped in professionalism and cool restraint. He kept his distance physically and emotionally, despite his occasional gestures of friendliness. We could be standing in the same room, sharing polite words, but there was always an unspoken boundary—a mutual understanding that neither of us would cross unless forced. Maybe that was for the best.It was early on a Monday morning when my father summoned me to his office again. His voice had held its usual brisk tone over the phone, but there was something else—an urgency. The merger wa