Chapter 0005

CHAPTER FIVE

SOPHIE

One moment we were in the car and the next, we were at the registry. I glance down at the thick certificate in my hands, feeling lost.

“Even if you regret it, there’s no going back now,” Dominic’s deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts and he had a sly smile on his face.

“I don’t,” I shot him a glare and glanced down at the certificate again before putting it in my bag. “And you can’t tell me what to do!”

Dominic didn’t say anything but the way he smirked told me that he could and he planned on doing so.

Just as expected, Dominic went over the rules of our marriage and made me sign a lot of contracts. That alone made me wonder what I had gotten myself into. 

“Our marriage is only for the public. Don’t get the wrong idea. I can never love you, I don’t do love,” He said.

I rolled my eyes at him, “I’d rather stick my head in a tank of water filled with electric eels than fall in love with you.” I shot back at him and he received it with a small, knowing smirk.

After our bicker, Dominic had a team of stylists get me ready. I knew I married him to take revenge on Ethan but I didn’t know it’d be so soon. I thought I’d get at least two weeks of preparation but no, the man didn’t waste time.

The team got me ready in no time, made me pretty, and I couldn’t even recognize myself, but Dominic didn’t even spare me a single glance even while we sat in his car.

I didn’t want his validation, I didn’t even need it. I just wanted to know what was going on in his mind, and possibly figure out why he hated Ethan so much, because I had a feeling that this was more than just business rivals.

“How do I look?” I angled my body to fully face him, with a wide smile on my face.

Dominic turned to look at me and his eyes roamed over my body, longer than necessary, making me feel self conscious, but then, he looked up to meet my eyes and he sneered, “Ex convict.”

“What?” 

“You look like an ex convict.” He muttered and turned away from me.

What the hell? I chuckled dryly in disbelief. He’d have easily ignored me rather than this. Was this man even real? 

We sat in silence throughout the entire ride and when the car came to a halt in front of a grand hall, he finally turned to me, “You know what to do,” 

I swallowed hard and nodded, then he got out of the car, walked over to my side, pulled the door open for me and stretched out his hand.

I forced out the best smile I could muster, took his hand and stepped out. Almost immediately, the paparazzi started going crazy, surrounding us, taking photos and asking questions.

“Mr Hayes, this is the first time you’ve ever been seen with a woman. Is this good news?”

“Mr Hayes, who’s the woman beside you?”

“Should we be expecting news about your marriage?”

Dominic led me through the red carpet, ignoring all of their questions and soon, we were seated in the main hall.

I unconsciously glanced around, searching for Ethan but he was nowhere to be seen. I forced myself to focus on the event but it was such a bore and I found myself zoning out, but then, I heard a very familiar voice. The same voice that haunted me at night.

“…And that’s how I survived a psychotic woman. So if I can do that all on my own, that should be enough proof that I’m more than capable of handling the business…” I looked up and watched as Ethan gave his speech, trying to act as the moral philanthropist businessman that he wasn’t, and the audience laughed in response to his lies.

My nostrils flared in anger and I clenched my fists so hard, it hurt. He was smiling widely, but soon, I’d smack it off his face. 

Dominic noticed my anger so he leaned in and whispered to me with a small smile, “I know you want to hurt him, but don’t worry, darling, I’ll let you do all that and more when the time comes.” 

He finished off his speech and the audience cheered loudly. He was likeable, that’s for sure and it’d make it difficult for everyone to see him for who he truly is.

I didn’t know how I managed to sit still until the event was over. I kept my eyes on Ethan who was yet to see me but Dominic suddenly stood beside our table, blocking my view, and just when I was about to protest, I saw Ethan walking towards us.

My heart raced with anger and hatred but I managed to sit still. “Mr Hayes, it’s good to see you here,” I heard Ethan say and I could hear the smile in his voice, “but you shouldn’t have come since it’s obvious you won’t win. I mean, they need a family man and you aren’t married, let alone have a child.” 

Dominic chuckled slowly, “Forgive my manners, Mr Koleman. Let me introduce you to my wife,” Dominic turned back, stretching his hand to me and I took it, smiling softly. “This is my wife, Sophie Hayes,” Dominic wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer.

Ethan’s eyes were as wide as saucers. He blinked rapidly and his confident smile faltered so hard that he couldn’t quickly regain composure and I suppressed the urge to laugh. “Hello, Mr Koleman.” I greeted him casually.