Married to the Cripple

“Where the hell does she think she is running off to?!” Mia Brookes, who was seated next to her father, said in a low voice. 

  

Jane dashed past them after being told that the man she was getting married to had lost both his legs in an accident. Despite not wanting to marry him, her parents forced her to. 

 “Don't worry dear, whether she likes it or not, she is getting married to that cripple this evening?” Mr Brooks assured his daughter before returning his attention to the paperwork in his hands. 

 “Don't just stand there!!! Catch her!!!”, Mrs Brooks's voice echoed loudly in the room as the guards quickly ran after Jane. They get hold of her and Jane's legs give out as she falls to the floor and sobs hard. Her pretty white-skinned face was beautifully made up for the wedding and was now looking like a runaway bride's face. 

 “Get up!!”, Mrs Brooks said with no emotions and her voice as cold as the first blast of winter air.  

 “How dare you?!”

 “Your father and I have given you everything!!! Your stupid parents abandoned you at that fucked up orphanage to die and I and my husband were nice enough to bring you to our home and this is how you want to pay us back!”, Mrs Brookes sounded off as her voice held no emotions as she looked at her adopted daughter with disgust. 

 “You even have the guts to try to run away. Are you f***ing mad or something?! He is just crippled, nothing else, besides he is rich, and you should see this as a favor and stop trying to ruin this family's name”.

 Jane finally raised her ocean-blue eyes to look into the eyes of the woman who she had called mother almost all her life and could only wonder if it was a crime to be an orphan. After the birth of Mia a year after her adoption, the Brookes have always treated her like shit and made her realize that her only crime was being an orphan. 

“You didn’t want your precious child to get married to a cripple, which is why you shipped me off, right?” Jane said to her mum with tears on the evening of the wedding.

“You think I would let my only daughter get married to a cripple? There is no way in hell I’m going to let that happen. We need Miller's family if we are going to thrive in this new business, and you seem like the perfect match for the family. Jane, we have served you through all these years since you were abandoned by your biological mother. Now is the time. We need your help. Just marry this boy and let’s get this over with”, Mrs Brookes said unremorsefully.

 “How cold can you be?!!!”, Jane roared as she could no longer hold the tears back. Tears flowed down her ocean-blue eyes like water from a fountain and her face was red like an overly-cooked lobster.  

 “You should have left me in the orphanage to die rather than giving me this shit you call a life,” Jane said. 

 “Look at me! Just take a good look at me!!! I don't have a life of my own… it is either I am doing it.... To make.. You are happy or am I doing it for your daughter!!” the more she tried to control her tears the more she sobbed. 

“I can't marry that cripple!! In fact, I will never marry him”, Jane told her adopted mother in a low but fierce voice, letting Mrs Brookes know she was not interested in sweet talk and none of her blackmails could work on Jane this time. 

 “Haha,” Mrs Brookes chuckled. 

 “Tell that to the dogs, my dear. Tell that to the dogs,” Mrs Brookes told Jane as she made a mockery of Jane’s protest speech. 

 “In case you have forgotten, let me refresh your brain,” Mrs Brookes said as she snapped her slim fingers in front of Jane’s face while she made her point known. Jane could only stare at the witch in front of her as her face held pain and suffering.

 “We are not talking of any small push-over family here, we are speaking of The Millers as in the owners of Miller Corporation! The same family that chose to marry a low life like you and also make you the young madam of the Miller home, and you dare call their heir a cripple”

 “Do you know how many girls are willing to die for this opportunity?! He is a cripple but at least he is still better than your stupid mother who abandoned you. Now, wipe those tears, dust your ass and come inside, let's get this marriage over and done with,” Mrs Brookes told Jane, not caring if they were surrounded by mere maids. After all, this wouldn't be the first time they would see her speaking to Jane in this tone. 

 “One more thing, make your mother proud and marry Justin Miller. Trust me, she will be more than proud of you,” Mrs Brookes said before instructing the maids to take Jane inside and do some touch-ups to her make-up. 

 “You can force me to marry him, but you can't force me to stay married to him!” Jane said as more tears flowed down her face and she made sure Mrs Brooke knew about her intentions not to stay married to Justin. 

 “Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! You still think that there is a way out of this marriage, right?! Haha, I dare you to try to leave him, foolish girl!” Mrs Brookes dared Jane before turning her back and entering the house. 

The maids held Jane’s hand and whispered some words of encouragement to her before proceeding to take her inside and prepare her for the wedding quickly. In less than thirty minutes, Janes stepped out of her room looking exceptionally ravishing as her wedding exposed her delicate white shoulders and was snatched from chest to waist before flowing down. The dress didn't have many layers and the satin material it was made out of made her look more stunning. Her straight black hair was tied into a bun and little hair was left at the sides of her head. She looked so pretty and all the maids kept on complimenting her. 

The only problem was her eyes, but whether she was happy, this wedding was going to take place. Jane gathered all the strength in her and let a little smile dance on her pink lips that looked a little red from all the crying. She stood there waiting for her father, Mr Brooks, to come take her downstairs. The wedding was held in the Brookes family house as both parties wanted a small wedding. The inside of the house was filled with family members while outsiders stood around the yard. 

The wedding started as soon as possible. Justin arrived looking handsome even though he was in a wheelchair. For a moment, the wheelchair didn't seem to look like a problem, as he looked so breathtaking with it. His sharp jawline made him look even more handsome. Despite all his handsome features, his cold jet-black eye sent shivers down the spine of those who had the guts to look him in the eye. Though he sat down there quietly, his silence seemed to put everyone on the edge as they silently prayed for the bride to arrive. 

Finally, the gorgeous bride came down the majestic stairs, arms hooked on her father's arm and a little smile on her lips while her eyes told a different story. At the sight of Jane, everyone gasped, if they didn't know that the Brookes family’s first daughter was such a spectacular beauty if Jane always kept a low profile. All eyes were on her as she walked past them to the altar. Jane’s father immediately gave her hand to Justin before turning to stand next to his wife and biological daughter. Mia stood behind Jane as she was the ring bearer for them both. 

The wedding soon commenced and they started taking their vows.  

 “Do you, Mr Justin Miler, take Miss Jane Brooks to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Justin looked into Jane’s ocean-blue eyes, trying to see if she was going to show any signs of resentment, but no, he didn't see anything. In annoyance, he replies, “Yes I do.”

 The priests looked at the couple for a while before proceeding to ask Jane the same question. The entire house fell silent as they waited for Jane to reply, but she stood there still as she fought back tears that threatened to fall. 

 “Sis, don’t keep your Prince charming waiting.” Mia’s voice rang like a bell or a wake-up call from behind her ears and in hesitation, Janes replied, “Yes… I do.” The people who had once been silent immediately stood up to give a standing ovation. 

 “With the power vested in me, I now proclaim you husband and wife. You may…” Before the priest could complete his sentence, Justin and Jane’s voice rang out in unison, 

“Enough!”

The claps sieved and the smile on people's faces fell, especially Justin’s mother's smile. 

 “They are just shy as the elders are around”, Justin’s mom explained to family members who didn't know of the arranged marriage. They smiled back at her in return. 

The couple immediately got down from the altar and on Justin’s instructions, they went home immediately. No photos, no after-party, only exchanging pleasantries and everyone left. Justin entered the car with the help of the chauffeur and Jane sat next to him as they drove to their new home. A cold silent ride to her matrimonial home made Jane’s palms sweat and gave her butterflies in her stomach. Justin’s cold aura and sharp gaze on her face made her sweat even more. 

 “Aren’t you going to say anything?” Jane tried to break the ice. 

 After forever, Justin looked forward and made an expression like he was thinking of what to say to her. Jane let out a sigh of relief, but she was immediately put back in a spot when his gaze returned to her face and his deep cold face warmed up her ears. 

 “What's there to talk about? If you are fine with being married to me, then let's see how long you will be willing to stay,” Justin said as the right corner of his lips lifted to a smirk. 

 Jane could read in between the lines, and she was able to understand that Justin was telling her that this marriage was going to be hell for her. She took a few breaths before turning to face the view outside the window as the sun was about to set. 

Soon they arrive at Justin Millers' amazing mansion. At the sight of the house, Jane’s eyes became wide as saucers and soon, the chauffeur drove down to the garage. Jane saw lots of luxury cars and wondered why someone whose legs weren't working would have so many cars. Justin got out of the car with the help of the chauffeur. After he was put into the wheelchair, Jane came down to help Justin into the house, but she immediately gets a chilly stare from Justin before he attacks her. 

 “Did I ask you for your help?!” 

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