Married To The Blind CEO
“Harold, please... you don’t have to leave.”
Harley begged as she held onto his sleeve, her voice trembling.
Dressed in a long, flowing white gown that hugged all her curves, she stood in the center of the wedding hall.
Her makeup was perfect, her hair neatly styled, but her heart was slowly breaking.
“Today is our wedding… please don’t do this to us,” she whispered, her eyes searching his face, hoping he would change his mind.
But Harold didn’t even look at her. He was already halfway down the aisle, his phone in his hand, his face stern.
“Ava just had an accident, Harley,” he said coldly. “And you expect me to stand here while she’s in pain? God, you’re heartless!”
Harley shook her head, stepping in front of him.
“I’m not heartless. I care, but—Harold, this is our wedding. You can go see her after the priest joins us. Just give us ten minutes—”
“I said no!” he snapped, brushing past her. “I can’t stand here and pretend to care about this when someone I love is in danger.”
The word “love” stung in her earbuds.
"You love…her?" Harley sputtered.
Harold didn’t answer. Instead, he looked at the grand arch where the priest stood frozen and confused. Then, without another word, he walked away and left her standing alone at the altar.
The silence that followed his exit was deafening. Harley's breath caught in her throat as she turned around to face the crowd.
Dozens of guests sat frozen in their seats, clearly shocked as they pulled out their phones to record the moment.
Radio hosts, social media influencers and different bloggers were all present, already capturing the news. She was Harley Smith; a highly sought-after entertainer and one of the biggest social media influencers.
A ruined wedding meant bad headlines and a ruined reputation for her brand.
Her knees buckled as she tried hard to control the tears which clung to her lashes from falling down.
She couldn't believe this was happening to her on her wedding day.
However, this wasn’t the first time Harold had chosen Ava over her.
She remembered a day at the swimming pool. It was supposed to be a fun hangout between her and Harold, but he had insisted he invite Ava, over which she obliged.
And then, Ava had “accidentally” pushed her into the deep end of the pool.
She was drowning, and she couldn't breathe any longer.
She remembered screaming for help, but Harold hadn’t come for her.
Instead, he dove in to save Ava, saying she had thalassophobia—a fear of deep waters. As if that justified leaving her to die.
If not for the quick help of two strangers who pulled her out and resuscitated her, she wouldn’t be alive today.
And now on the most important day of her life, Harold had done it again.
He had chosen Ava over her.
That was the last straw.
Almost immediately, her phone buzzed in her hand.
She didn’t want to answer, but when she looked down and saw it was Ava calling, she had to swipe up.
"Awwn!… how’s the wedding going, Harley ?" Ava’s voice oozed with mockery.
Harley was silent.
"I hope you’re enjoying the spotlight."
"Oh wait—Harold left you, didn’t he?" Ava giggled.
"You’re always his second-best, Harley, or would I say his back-up plan,” she scoffed.
"Harold’s real love has always been me."
Harley's hands trembled as her heart sank deep into her stomach.
Ava’s voice lowered to a whisper.
“You helped him rise, you know. Ever since you two got together, he has gotten more fame, more brand endorsement deals and multiple PR packages.”
“And you know what that means?” She mocked.
“It means more wealth for us…I mean me and our unborn children.”
Harley felt her knees weaken.
She was so stunned to say a word.
"Don’t act surprised," Ava continued. "Harold has always chosen me. You were just the face he needed to boost his brand. Poor little pawn." She snorted.
Harley swallowed hard.
She hated the fact that Ava was saying the truth.
Since she started dating Harold, his company had grown overnight. Big names had started to reach out to him and his face was everywhere.
It was her name that gave him power.
A sudden shift in Ava's voice startled her.
Her voice shifted from being mocking and cold to being soft and broken.
"Harold…please stop …"
“It hurts,” Ava whispered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Harley's eyes narrowed in confusion.
At the other end of the phone, she had heard the door open, and then she heard Harold’s voice, low and gentle.
"I’ve got you, baby."
"I’m so sorry…" he said between kisses and soft sounds.
Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as Harley raised the phone to her mouth.
"Ava," she said calmly.
"Tell Harold… I’m having my wedding today."
There was a pause at the other end.
And then Ava snapped back.
“You can't do without him…can you…?
"But he won’t be the groom." Harley cut her off and with that, she ended the call.
Harley stood still for a moment, gathering her strength. Then she pulled up the long folds of her wedding gown, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and adjusted her lipstick with a trembling hand.
She wasn't going to break.
Not in front of the whole world.
She had a reputation to protect, and she needed to find a groom fast.
It was only twenty minutes left for the priest to cancel her wedding and wed the next set of couples.
She turned on her heels and walked toward the exit, ignoring the flashes from the cameras and the murmurs behind her.
As she stepped outside into the warm sunlight, a broad masculine voice caught her attention.
“She isn't here yet?” the man asked, his voice commanding as he addressed the men who stood before him.
Dressed in a black suit that clung perfectly to his tall, lean frame, he was the very definition of an aristocratic Greek god.
A pair of dark sunglasses covered his eyes, and in one hand, he held a sleek black walking cane. He was obviously blind, but the commanding tone in his voice made it clear he was not someone to mess with.
“We’ve searched everywhere, sir,” one of the bodyguards replied.
“But Clara is nowhere to be found.”
The man’s jaw tightened. His grip on the cane grew stronger. “She ran away?”
“Exactly, Sir.”
He let out a cold breath.
“Both of you have to find her, now,” he commanded.
“If this wedding doesn’t happen…” his tone was now firm.
“The board will strip me of everything. The company, the contracts—all of these would be gone.”
He turned his head slightly and Harley caught a full glance at him.
She opened her mouth wide in shock.
Damn!
This man was so handsome.
Even with his blindness, his presence could silence a room.
“Find her now!” he ordered.
“We promise you, Mr Damian.”
“We will find her.” the guards nodded, about to turn when Harley cut in immediately.
“Don't worry about finding Clara,” she announced as they turned towards her in surprise.
She had been listening to them all the while and this was the perfect time to shoot her shot.
“Let's get married, Mr Damian.”
“I will be your wife.”Let's Get Married
