Chapter 6: Loveless Marriage

Here I am, seated at a long table in one of the city's most expensive restaurants, with Morgan Montague and Sebastian Montague, the parents of Nathaniel Montague who happens to be my soon-to-be husband.

After agreeing with Victoria that she'll cover my mother's surgery expenses and that I'll marry Nathaniel, she promptly informed me of a "meet the parents dinner" tonight. She's the only one with me in this meeting because Dad hasn't returned from his business trip yet.

My future husband is nowhere to be seen. According to them, he still has a few hours left before he can be released from prison. I wonder what law he broke? From the tone of his parents' speech, it seems like Nathaniel is accustomed to going in and out of jail.

"Ahem."

We looked at the man who faked a cough. Sebastian Montague. He's looking at me as if he's judging me by my appearance.

"Looks like your daughter has inherited something from you, Victoria. Willing to do anything to get what she wants. What a shame. Got pregnant and shirked responsibility," he said, with a hint of disdain.

I slowly let go of the fork and knife in my hand. I knew it. The Montagues aren't any different from the Evanses.

Victoria laughed awkwardly. I knew she was offended by Mr. Sebastian Montague's words, but she had to go along because she had no choice.

I lost my appetite and stared blankly at my plate, still filled with food. No matter how expensive the dish in front of me, its taste would be bland because of the people around me.

"Well, sorry. But let's just accept it. We are just doing this to unfreeze the trust fund under your son's name. And him getting married is the only way for that to happen," Victoria replied.

"Let's just get this over with, shall we?" Morgan Montague cut in.

She pulled out a brown folder and handed it to me. I hesitated before accepting it, then realized it was a contract.

"Sign that, and you'll marry my son the next day," Sebastian said.

"W-why? I thought it would happen tomorrow," I asked, immediately regretting it upon hearing Victoria's soft laughter beside me.

"Oh Paige. Don't be so eager. One day's delay won't hurt, will it?" she said.

"But what about my mother? Victoria, we had a deal--"

"I'll pay upfront later. Goddamn it, Paige. Don't ask too many questions. Sign it! A little delay won't kill her," Victoria irritably said to me.

I swallowed hard and then quickly signed. The contract says we will eventually divorce once the trust fund is unfrozen, and that we need to live in the same house to make our marriage more authentic.

I can't believe I'm selling myself out. But I can endure the embarrassment I might face, just to save my Mom.

After dinner, I went back to the Evans Mansion to get my things. I headed straight to Becca's apartment because I planned to stay there until I got married.

"Wow, Paige. I can't believe you're getting married. We all thought that Nathaniel would marry your bratty sister. What they did to you is just awful," Becca said, trying to empathize with my situation but it wasn't much of a help.

"I thought so too. But let it go. I'm only doing this for my mother, not for myself," I replied.

"I heard Nathaniel is like a mess in life. His body looks dirty because of many tattoos, and he's addicted to illegal drugs which is why he's always in jail! Oh, Paige, I hope you won't get into trouble."

Judging by Becca's words, it seems like people like Nathaniel are obviously not safe to be around. I just swallowed hard with anxiety.

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The day passed quickly, and I didn't realize that I'm already walking down the aisle, wearing a simple white dress and holding a bouquet of flowers.

This isn't the kind of wedding I dreamed of. I always imagined marrying Dominic. People are applauding, and I'm crying with happiness while he's smiling waiting at the front of the altar.

This wedding I'm in right now is the polar opposite. The people in the bleachers are full of judgmental eyes on me, and all I feel is embarrassment.

I reached the altar and I couldn't even see where my groom-to-be is.

I see some familiar faces in the bleachers. Dad is there, Victoria, Dominic, and I see Camilla with a mocking smirk. She's thrilled to see me in this situation. However, I don't see Nathaniel's parents around.

"Wow, Paige. Your own soon-to-be husband almost doesn't want to show up. Oh wait, maybe he's in jail again!" She commented, and people around her started laughing at her statement.

"I also noticed that his parents aren't here. Maybe they're ashamed of him! What parent would want to support their son in marriage if their son is a mess!" commented a random audience.

I tried to ignore and just stood there, staring at the flowers in my hand. My trance was distracted by occasional reactions from the women.

"Oh my gosh! Who is that? He looks so hot!"

"Maybe he's a brother or cousin of Nathaniel Montague. I wonder what his name is? I want to follow him on I*******m!"

I looked at the person they're gossiping about. I see a figure of a man walking towards me. Who is he? I thought he would go straight to the bleachers to join the other audiences but I got confused when he came straight to my side.

My eyes widened the moment I realized who is he. Damn  it, of all men in this world... Why him? What the hell is he doing here?

"Wait, what's happening? Where's Nathaniel?" I heard Camilla say. That's also my question to myself.

"Sorry I'm late. I'm Nathaniel Montague. You must be Paige Evans. I thought I'm marrying the other one," he casually said and smiled. I heard loud gasps from the audiences. I see Camilla's jaw dropped to the floor.

I looked away avoiding his gaze and smirk. I know he recognizes me. Or does he? He looks like someone who hooks up with different girls every night. He might not remember me. It just happened once.

My heart jumped with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Did I hear it correctly? Is Nathaniel Montague the one who looks like a demi-god in front of me? And that same guy I had sex with inside a car? Damn it. There must be some mistake. 

He looked nothing like the gossips. He looks so clean and healthy. But maybe I am too quick to judge. I also remember his tattoo that night but it's not as bad as they described it. And just because he looks clean doesn't mean he's not into illegal drugs. I still don't know him. 

I still can't be too complacent. But there's a part of me that's relieved because the man I'm going to marry is drop dead gorgeous. It's not too humiliating. 

The ceremony ended, and we headed to the reception hall for the feast. I sat at the front next to Nathaniel, who was giving nothing but smiles to the guests greeting us. Well, to him alone, it seems.

"Congratulations, Nate! Way to go!" A random man greeted.

They all congratulate Nathaniel and completely ignore my presence. But I'm not complaining at all. I'm just quite relieved because I got a text earlier saying that the hospital already performed surgery for my Mom after they received half payment from Victoria.

I am still not in good terms with her, but I still need to thank her. I stood up slowly and scanned the reception hall. I immediately spotted Victoria, elegantly laughing while chatting with other guests.

"Hey, where are you going?" I heard Nathaniel ask beside me. "Aren't you going to ask permission to your husband first? You know, some girls are hungry for my attention. How can you easily ignore me like that," he added. Wow, he's kinda arrogant.

"Uh, I'm just going to see my stepmother," I replied and quickly turned around to walk towards Victoria.

"Hey," I called.

"Oh, speaking of! Here's our black sheep!" She said, acting so surprised and laughing together with her friends.

I just rolled my eyes. I'm used to Victoria saying all sorts of bad things about me to people. I've grown used to it and learned to ignore them.

"I just have something to tell you."

"Excuse us. She might ask for another favor," she whispered, but I still heard her. I just sighed. I saw her friends rolling their eyes and avoiding eye contact with me.

She walked a bit away from her friends and faced me. "What do you need now, Paige?" She started.

"Relax, Victoria. I just want to say thank you. My mother already had her surgery. But I still expect you to pay the remaining balance at the hospital. There, you have something to brag about again. You can go back to your friends," I said and left immediately.

"Psh! Your behavior is so cheap," I just ignored her last comment.

I just wanted to say thank you to her, but I couldn't sound sincere. She has too high an opinion of herself and boasts about how much gratitude I owe her.

I walked back to our table with Nathaniel. I found Camilla beside him and she immediately rolled her eyes when she saw me. Where's Dominic?

"Bye, Nate. I'll see you around," she said with flirtatious smile.

"You're so bold, Camilla. After taking away Dominic from me, now Nathaniel? Save some for me," I joked, and I heard Nate chuckle beside me.

"You're just married by contract, Paige. You never really had anything in the first place," she said and turned away from us.

"Wow, I bet you deal with a lot of drama with your family." I heard Nathaniel said. I just ignored him.

I just sat there, faking a smile for everyone taking photos of us. God, I can't wait for this day to end. I just want to rest.