Chapter 1

Haden

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

As those words left the priest's mouth, my entire world fell apart. This couldn't be happening. It

all felt so unreal, but sadly enough, it was my reality, and I could do all but truly embrace it.

I turned and stared at the wretched woman standing opposite me. I couldn't really see her face

under the veil, and neither did I care.

This was all my father's doing. Forcing me to marry this woman in order to get the company and

inherit his wealth. The Evans Company and Vanderbilt Company were now going to be in a

lifelong partnership.

He claimed that he needed to secure my future. Therefore, I needed a wife. Strangely enough,

this woman's parents agreed. Pathetic! They were business partners, after all. I guess she needed

a husband too.

I rolled my eyes at the thought. Who does he think he is? He could at least allow me to choose

for myself.

I'm sorry Ivory. This should be you standing here not this whore. Who in their right mind would

agree to this?

"You may kiss the bride," The priest's voice broke my train of thought.

I moved her veil and barely looking at her as I planted a kiss on the side of her mouth. I barely

touched her. I didn't want to touch her. A person who would accept the request to an arranged

marriage is an absolute monster. This woman is a monster!

I was being denied of my right to choose a bride of my liking. This marriage is not going to

work. Not by a long shot.

The wedding continued and I mingled with a few guests accepting their congratulations and

blessings on my "wonderful" marriage. I resisted the urge to curse , this was anything but

wonderful. This was torture and I couldn't escape it.

The limo arrived shortly after and soon my wife and I were seated together.

So Haden, your mom told me that we should start looking at places for our honeymoon,"

Aubrey politely suggested and my anger boiled. How dare she suggest that as if we are in love!

"We are not going on any honeymoon," I stated coldly.

"But I-

"I don't care what you thought. I am not going anywhere with you," Cutting her off sharply, I

intended to dismiss the conversation but she insisted.

She reasoned gently, "Haden, we should at least give this a try."

"We are not fucking going and that's final. I have no reason to take you anywhere, it's not like we

are in love. And that's final! No more nonsense about this honeymoon bullshit."

That seemed to do the trick because she remained quiet for the entire ride home. About fifteen

minutes later we arrived at my home..

Nestled on a sprawling estate, this opulent modern mansion stands as a testament to architectural

brilliance and refined taste. Boasting ten lavishly adorned bedrooms, each with its own unique

charm, it offers unparalleled comfort and luxury. The large kitchen is a culinary enthusiast's

dream, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and ample space for grand gatherings.

Three elegantly designed bathrooms, adorned with marble accents, provide a tranquil sanctuary

for relaxation. The mansion goes above and beyond with not one, but two game rooms, perfect

for entertainment and friendly competitions. A well-stocked wine cellar showcases an extensive

collection, catering to the refined palates of connoisseurs.

The sight of the meticulously curated library, filled with rare editions and literary treasures,

sparks intellectual curiosity and invites peaceful contemplation. For visiting guests, the couple of

exquisitely appointed guest rooms offer utmost comfort and privacy.

Embodying modern sophistication, this masterpiece of architecture has graced the pages of

esteemed magazines like Morres. Its allure extends far beyond the stunning facade, as it

effortlessly embodies the epitome of a billionaire's lifestyle. This mansion is where I wanted to

Ivory to live with me. It should be her getting the life she deserves.

As I hurriedly stepped out of the car, I could hear Aubrey's footsteps close behind, and irritation

simmered inside me. I quickened my pace, hoping she would take the hint and back off, but she

persisted, trailing me all the way up the stairs.

Finally, unable to ignore her presence any longer, I stopped abruptly, causing her to bump into

my back. Her unexpected proximity only fueled my frustration. I turned to face her, my grip on

her wrist firm, and met her gaze with a cold stare that conveyed my desire for space and distance.

Her lip quivered as she looked away, tears forming in her eyes. I couldn't let myself be swayed

by her emotions. This woman was nothing to me. This was necessary, for both of us.

"Aubrey, I need some time alone to figure out this mess."

"Furthermore, let's get a few things straight. We are not sharing the same room. I don't want to

ever see you, so you better stay out of my sight. I will never love you, and I will find a way to get

out of this horrible marriage," I paused to let her understand what I was saying. "Quite frankly, I

don't care what you do. Just stay away from me."

The room fell into an eerie silence, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of satisfaction. Aubrey's

tearful expression didn't concern me at all; I had no regard for her feelings.

"Understand?" I bellowed, not caring about my tone.

She whimpered, "Haden, you're hurting my wrist." It took me a moment to realize that I had been

gripping her wrist too tightly.

Aubrey looked like she was on the verge of tears. I couldn't care less about her feelings.

I released her hand as if it were on fire. Heck, I didn't even want to touch her.

"Do you understand?" I repeated.

A soft murmur escaped her lips, "Yes."

I barged into my room and slammed the door shut. This was such a long day, and I needed to

calm down. I changed my clothes and grabbed my keys. I needed a shot. No, make that a whole bottle.

I opened my door to see Aubrey still standing there. The tears were still rolling down her face, and her cheeks were pink and puffy.

"Which room am I supposed to sleep in?" She asked, her voice trembling, and her lips quivered

with anxiety.

I couldn't help but notice her vulnerability, but I quickly suppressed any sympathy.

"Sleep wherever you want. It doesn't matter to me," I replied coldly and turned away.

I hopped into the car and drove to my favorite club, hoping to escape her presence. My heart

longed for Ivory, wishing I were married to her instead. She's the woman I truly love, and where

my heart belongs.

Feeling frustrated, I sighed heavily. Perhaps alcohol could provide some temporary relief; that's

what I needed right now.

Aubrey

I stood in silence as the door slammed behind Haden. Why does he hate me so much? I've known

him since I was a kid and to be honest, I had a huge crush on him. Haden has gotten even more

handsome since the last time I saw him.

Our parents are business partners. I saw him a lot of times when his parents brought him to

meetings. I'm sure he doesn't even remember me, though. We spoke a few times when we were

younger. He was charming and sweet. People respected and adored him.

His mansion is beautiful, I'll admit. The interior design was exceptional. Everything was color

coded and blended perfectly.

I sighed softly and strode up the stairs. I chose the room next to Haden's. It had bright blue walls

with stripes and a fluffy ocean blue carpet. There was also a beautiful king-sized bed , a dresser,

a walk-in wardrobe, and an amazing view of the terrace.

I removed my veil and began to undress. My luggage was still downstairs so I hauled it upstairs

which was a lot of work. After changing into something comfortable, I unpacked all of my

clothes.

Sitting on my bed, I couldn't shake the weight of today's events from my mind. Why couldn't

Haden at least give us a chance? Why did he treat me like I was unworthy of his affection, like I was some undesirable presence?

Despite the warning in the back of my mind, I felt compelled to go to his room, seeking some

sort of understanding or closure. As I opened the door and stepped inside, the ambiance of his

room matched the turmoil in my heart—colors ranging from somber grays to deep blacks, with

hints of brown on the bed.

Yet, it was the picture on his nightstand that caught my attention, frozen in a moment of pure

love. Haden stood with a radiant smile, his eyes fixated on a beautiful girl beside him. Their

gazes were locked, filled with an affection that I had hoped to find in his eyes when he looked at

me.

In that picture, he held her like a treasured possession, and it stung to realize that he once looked

at her the way I wished he would look at me. The sight of their love caused a knot to form in my

throat, and I felt an ache in my chest.

It was clear that their bond had been special, and a part of me wondered if I could ever compete

with that memory. My mind was a jumble of emotions as I stood there, trying to come to terms

with the reality of our situation.

With a heavy heart, I slowly turned away from the picture and left his room, closing the door

behind me. The tiny voice in my head had been right all along; confronting the truth had brought

both pain and clarity.

I quickly left his room and turned on the television downstairs, drowning myself in the movie.

My mind was fixed, I decided to wait up for Haden even though I knew he didn't want me to. My

mind replayed the events of the day, and I couldn't help but think about what my life would be

like from now on.

As I slowly stirred from my slumber, my body stretched, and I became aware of a faint rustling

sound. I must have fallen asleep without realizing it—I was clearly more exhausted than I had

thought.

Glancing at the clock, the red digits indicated 11:46 PM. Astonished, I realized I had slept for

over three hours. It was unusual for me to doze off so deeply in the evening.

Curiosity piqued, I decided to get up and head to the door. As I reached for the doorknob, the

sound of shuffling footsteps drew closer, and to my surprise, Haden stumbled into the room. The

strong odor of alcohol filled the air, and it was evident that he was struggling to maintain his

balance.

I quickly noticed that his car wasn't parked outside. He must have taken a cab home, indicating

that he had been out drinking heavily. Concern washed over me as I observed his unsteady state,

wondering what had led him to this condition.

Despite any lingering frustrations or hurt, seeing Haden in such a state evoked a sense of

empathy within me. I knew I needed to be there for him, even as I navigated my own emotions

and uncertainties.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly, trying to gauge his response and hoping that he would open up

about what had transpired.

Haden looked at me with bleary eyes, his expression a mix of confusion and vulnerability. "I... I

messed up," he slurred, his words heavy with regret.

I ran to him and helped him up the stairs, this time he allowed me to help him and I was happy

he complied. I opened his door, the majority of his weight was on me, and I almost fell. I guided

him to his bed, and he collapsed.

I attempted to pull his coverlet over him, but he began throwing a fit.

"D-Don't touch me," He slurred.

"Haden, you're drunk. Just calm down,"

The room went silent as I tried to settle him, "I want Ivory," So that's her name. I'm pretty sure

he's referring to the girl in the picture.

"Well, I'm sorry, but it's me, Aubrey, and I need you to cooperate."

I was about to adjust his blanket when he swung the vodka bottle at me. It crashed into my forehead sending shockwaves through my head. The impact left me momentarily dazed, and I could feel blood trickling from the wound. Gritting my teeth, I tried my best to push through the pain and focus on what needed to be done.

Carefully, I adjusted Haden's blanket, making sure he was comfortable, despite the discomfort I was experiencing. His eyes remained closed, seemingly unaware of what had just transpired. I hoped that he was simply asleep and not fully conscious of his actions.

With a sigh of relief, I turned my attention to the broken glass, scattered like sharp stars across

the floor. I knew it had to be cleaned up to prevent any further accidents or injuries. Despite the

throbbing pain in my head, I carefully gathered the splinters and disposed of them safely.

Haden's eyes were closed, and he seemed to be asleep. I breathed a sigh of relief and cleaned up

the broken glass.

"W-Why did you do this to m-me Aubrey?" He mumbled.

"I wish things could be different," I whispered.

Back in my room, I cleaned my wound using a first aid kit, making sure to get the pieces of glass

out of my forehead and placing a bandaid on the wound.

After I was done, I changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed.

A streak of tears rolling down my cheeks.