The wedding preparations had started long before the groom and bride were even informed about it. A week later after they were told, Samantha and Ethan faced the altar, exchanging the vows neither of them meant…or maybe they did, but none of them at least wanted to admit they did.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the priest said, beaming at the newlyweds.

Samantha swallowed the lump in her throat, anxious of Ethan’s next move. Meanwhile, he felt as anxious as she was. With his hands slightly trembling, Ethan lifted her veil and bent his head down, his eyes eyeing her slightly parted lips.

“Don’t take it personally. This is part of the deal,” he whispered before claiming her lips.

Samantha was about to protest but she was second too late. Ethan’s lips already pressed against hers, and before her mind could send a signal to her body to resist, she found herself comforted by his familiar warmth.

Subconsciously, Samantha cupped Ethan’s face, deepening the kiss. She could feel it…the longing in his touch. For a moment, she thought that maybe she wasn’t the only one who missed those good old days.

But reality was cold and harsh, Ethan pulled away from the kiss, his eyes dark as he glared at her. Suddenly, Samantha felt ashamed of what she did. She didn’t wish to give herself away, but it was Ethan…the love of her life. And despite the damage he had done to her, she knew he’d always have a place in her heart… be it for affection or hatred, there was always enough space for him.

The ceremony ended with the guests applauding their ‘perfectly executed’ newlyweds’ kiss.

“Congratulations on your wedding, my darling,” George hugged his daughter, patting her back while holding a glass of red wine in one hand. “I’m so happy to see you getting married.”

Samantha was the least happy about the wedding, but seeing her father smile with tears threatening to fall from his eyes, she knew she did the right thing to go along with his wish.

A little sacrifice won’t hurt, she thought, convincing herself that what she was doing was for the best.

“Take care of my darling daughter, Ethan. You better be careful with her,” George said as he pulled away from hugging Samantha, eyeing Ethan who was standing next beside her.

Ethan put on his business smile and made a toast with his father-in-law. “I always try my best to take care of my business and people,” he said, emptying his glass.

Samantha felt offended, but she didn’t say a word and grabbed a glass of wine for herself instead. She decided to drown herself in alcohol and forget the fact that she married the man she swore she would never forgive after breaking not just her heart, but also her trust.

“Ah!” she gasped as the wine burned down her throat faster than she thought. Samantha was the type to only drink when she had to, she was never the one who craved for alcohol, not even when Ethan broke her heart.

She put down her empty glass and grabbed another.

“I guess that’s enough. A glass should be sufficient for that lousy tolerance of yours,” Ethan whispered, leaning closer to her face, making the people around them giggle at his ‘sweet’ gesture.

Samantha snickered, pushing him away. “Stop acting like you care. I’ll do what I want. Isn’t that what we’ve agreed on?”

Ethan took the glass from her. “It’s getting late. The elders should be able to handle the guests. We can take our leave now,” he said, looking around.

Samantha ignored him and tried to reach out for her glass. “Give it back,” she said, leaning forward in her tiptoe. “Ugh… Just give it back.”

She heard him hissed, holding her by the arm as he gently pushed her away.

“No means no, sweetie,” Ethan said, chugging down the remaining wine in her glass. “Now that it’s empty, let’s head to our suite.”

Samantha yanked her arm free, her eyes narrowing as heat crawled up her neck. “Don’t call me that,” she snapped, her voice low but sharp. “I’m not your ‘sweetie,’ Ethan. Not anymore.”

He tilted the glass toward her, a mocking smile flashed across his godly-like features. “You could’ve fooled me if not for the way you kissed me back at the altar.”

“That was me mentally calculating how hard your flesh would be when gnawed and ripped apart,” she snapped.

He let out a slow laugh, staring intently at her sparkling blue eyes. “Come on,” Ethan said in a quiet voice. “Why don’t you try how ‘hard’ I could get when you’re this feisty in the bedroom hm, sweetie?”

“Oh?” Samantha smirked, slurring. She took a step forward, wobbling as she leaned in toward him.

Ethan caught a whiff of her alcohol from her breath, mixed with a slight scent of her vanilla perfume.

“That’s funny, Ethan. You really think you’re still my type?” she chuckled, shaking her head. “I don’t care if you’re getting a boner just arguing with me. One thing for sure, I won’t be responsible for it.”

He arched his brow…ready to retort, but before he could answer, Samantha jabbed a finger into his chest.

“You’re lucky I had a glass…” she paused, holding her head as her vision started to blur. “I… I want to sleep.”

Ethan let out a sharp breath, catching his wife before she could fall on the floor. “This is why you shouldn’t be drinking in the first place,” he said, carrying her in his arms.

He quietly left the banquet hall and headed for the elevator with his drunk wife, muttering incoherent words to herself.

“H-Hey! Ethan Clark…” Samantha called with her eyes shut, her face buried on his chest. “Answer me if you’re there, Ethan!”

The man in question sighed. He hated to play along, but he knew her too well. Samantha wouldn’t shut up unless he replied.

“I’m here. What is it?”

Ethan frowned when she didn’t say anything for a moment. She was expecting her to ask or tell him something like she used to whenever she was intoxicated, but her silence felt new to him.

“Hey,” Samantha softly named after a while. “Why did you leave me, Ethan?”

Ethan froze, his body turned stiff at her question. “Why are you asking me that when you-” he didn’t finish his sentence when he saw…in tears.

Samantha then asked again, letting out her heart. “Why, Ethan? Why…”