Chapter 6

Celestine’s POV

Th-this can't be happening!

My future husband! It's Rhys!

I felt my mom nudge me with her elbow. I looked at her, and she gestured at Rhys’s outstretched hand.

Hesitantly, I took it and almost winced at how tight he squeezed it.

“It's Celestine, actually. Nice to meet you.” I whispered.

“The pleasure’s all mine.” He said smiling.

But I swear, I felt something more sinister behind that smile.

I immediately pulled my hand away from his and gave my mom a big smile when she was staring at me with worry.

She noticed our exchange.

“So now that you've met my daughter, Why don't we discuss how we proceed further from here?” My dad said it with a wide grin.

Rhys turned to my dad with a tight grin and said, “Of course.”

I didn't dare raise my eyes throughout the meeting, but I could feel every single glare that Rhys sent my way.

He must hate me now.

He must think that I knew this before hand, before we met.

“I'd like the wedding to happen this weekend.”

My head snapped up at that, and my eyes met with his.

He smirked, “You finally looked at me.”

“You want the wedding this weekend? Isn't that too soon?” I asked, looking around, expecting my parents to back me up.

“Not really. Apparently, this wedding was years in the making. It'll be foolish to stall it any further.” He replied, glancing at my dad, not for his approval but to make sure he understood that Rhys had the final say.

“But we haven't gotten to know each other yet; you don't even-”

“I beg to differ.” He said, his smile wiped away, leaving only unbridled anger in its place.

Of course, we knew each other more intimately than we could admit in public.

“The wedding is happening this weekend. You should plan yourself accordingly.” He stood up, and everyone stood up with him. “Excuse me, I have some matters to attend to. If there's anything you need at all, you can just ring it through my secretary. Good-”

I held his suit with my fingers. “Wait, please, can I speak to you in private?”

His eyebrows raised, and he glanced at my hand, clutching his suit.

“Please, it won't take long, I promise.” The minute I saw his face relax, I didn't wait for him to agree, I held his palm in mine and tugged him upstairs, all the way to my bedroom.

“I don't think your parents will approve of...”

“I didn't know.” I cut him off.

He cocked his head to the side, which made him look more devilishly handsome.

“Didn't know what?”

“I didn't know you would be my husband.” I replied.

“But you knew who I was?” He said accusingly.

“No!” I said, desperately trying to make him believe me. “I swear, that night at the club was the first time I ever saw you. I swear, Rhys, please believe me.”

Tears were already brimming in my eyes.

Why? I could see the disappointment in his eyes.

Getting married to Rhys will be the biggest gift the universe could ever give me.

And I wouldn't allow any misunderstanding to get in the way.

I could see myself finally becoming genuinely happy, finally having the kind of love my parents had—the one I'd been worried I would never find.

Please, please, believe me.

He raised one hand and cupped my cheeks, his thumb wiping away a tear that had escaped.

“I'm trying to believe you love, but this is too much of a coincidence.”

“Do you trust me? Even if it's just for a little bit.” I asked.

When he didn't say anything, my heart cracked, on the verge of breaking.

So I did the one thing I could do.

My mom always told me that sometimes, words couldn't cut it.

So I grabbed the lapels of his jacket and tugged him hard, his lips slamming on mine.

All the words I couldn't say—words I refused to say that night—I poured them out through my kiss.

My heart jumped for joy when he didn't push me away.

Instead, he wrapped around my back and waist and pulled me closer to him.

It didn't take long for him to control the kiss, and I willingly surrendered my all to him.

He was the only man I'd ever stepped down from my control button for.

He groaned against my lips and bit my lower lip harshly, but not enough to break the skin, before sucking it carefully to ease the pain.

“You have a unique way of trying to convince me.” He said when we pulled away.

“Do-does that mean you believe me now?” I asked, hope filling my heart.

“My Moon.”

I gasped, and the tears finally spilled as I buried my face in his arms.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.” I cried.

I pulled away and saw that soft emotion that danced in his eyes the night we met.

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He understood, and he forgave me.

I'm sure he forgave me.

But if he did, why was he saying our wedding vows with such contempt?

“To trust, to honor, and to love.”

These three words...

They didn't give me the shivers I thought I'd have.

The minute I walked into the church and met Rhys’s eyes, fear was all I felt.

Something was wrong! I could feel it, but I didn't know what it was.

“Whatever it is, Celestine, the minute you realize that there's a problem in your marriage, don't you dare wait to fix it.”

The words of my mom rang in my ears.

I stared at Rhys and there was no doubt, he was angry.

Did something happen within the space of the past two days that I wasn't aware of?

“You may kiss the bride.” The pastor announced.

He leaned down to kiss me and the usual sparks and arousal flames within me with a stronger intensity.

He pulled away and pecked my cheeks, his wet lips grazing my earlobes.

He bit it softly and whispered, “Welcome to hell, my dear. Now no one can save you.”