Some weddings feel like fairy tales. Mine felt like a funeral.

Funeral, yes, that's what this is. The thought pounded in my head as I stood frozen at the top of the aisle, my hands trembling around a bouquet of too…white roses.

Every guest had their eyes fixed on me, some with pity, most with morbid curiosity because to them, Voss was getting married to the wrong daughter of the Whitmore’s.

The flash of cameras outside the church windows felt more like lightning strikes than blessings.

My sister, my parents, Voss at the altar… they were all waiting.

Waiting for me to take these final steps into a marriage I hadn’t wanted, to a man who hadn’t chosen me, to a misunderstanding that was yet to be unravelled but who was now my fate.

And even as I walked down the aisle, the only thought that was running through was this.

Who had framed me? Why had they done this? And most of all, how did they doctor the video?

And Voss?

He was watching me as I climbed up the altar, his dark gaze pinned like a predator, his jaw set so hard I thought it might crack.

There was a flicker in his eyes as they met mine, something almost like regret before it disappeared beneath a cold mask.

Of course, he had remembered it too. He knew for sure that nothing happened between us.

But this was our grand stage, this was my scandal, and this was the moment my life would never be my own again. And this was the only way to save his company from facing backlash.

“Do you, Saskia Whitmore, take Voss Caven as your lawfully wedded husband till death do you both part?” The priest asked and I opened my mouth to answer but felt a lump in my throat.

This wasn't how I thought my wedding would be. My sister was staring daggers at me, she hadn't spoken to me in 2 days. Heck I hadn't even seen her aside now at this wedding.

“I do.” I finally broke the ice.

Hildie buried her face in my mum's shoulder as Voss said his own line of vows and I swallowed hard.

I think they purposely skipped the exchange of kisses and I couldn't be more grateful for it.

In less than an hour, the ceremony was over and guests were already leaving for the reception.

I need to go home, I need to clear my head.

I excused myself from the troop of photographers and walked into the mini bridal room where I had stayed till it was time to come in.

I released a breath I was damn well sure I was holding as I shut the door and pressed my back to it only to find Hildie there.

“You hurt me, Saskia. But don't get too comfortable. He might be married to you now but he's mine. Always will be.” She sneered and pushed me out of the way while exiting the room.

“Mrs Caven, your husband is ready to take you home.” It felt like blood would stream out of my ears at the mention of that but I clasped my teeth together.

“I'll be right out.”

Sure enough, as I walked out, Voss was there to usher me into a car and the remaining guest there waved us goodbye.

“I don't understand. You clearly knew nothing happened between us, why would you keep lying to them that you don't remember when you clearly do. It's all in your expression.” I snapped as soon as the car was on it's ride to my new home and he hissed.

“I’m just the scape-goat right? Because the photos got leaked yeah?” I asked the dreaded question on the edge of my lips and he still didn't reply.

Asshole.

“You know—”

“Miss Saskia, I love my car rides silent.” He snapped but in a calm, yet composed voice.

Woah, I can't believe this man.

I looked out the windows, trying to hold back my tears as I watched buildings, cars and people disappear as the car sped to the Caven’s Mansion.

When you describe a literal heaven on earth, Caven's Mansion was definitely it.

The car came to a stop when it drove in, introducing a beautiful scenery and Voss got out of the car, slamming the door like he couldn't wait to be rid of my presence.

I took a deep breath in as I got out of the car, grabbed my boxes of clothes from the car booth and followed Voss's trail.

“Drop the boxes you're holding. A servant would get it for you.” I didn't hesitate in dropping them and chased after him.

“I don't get this. I hate being in this just as much as you do. You could have easily stopped it just by saying nothing happened yet you let the wedding happen, Voss Caven.” I yelled and he remained poker faced like he was waiting for me to finish with my rants.

“The maids would show you to your quarters, Miss Saskia. And just a little heads up, the contract I and your father signed for this marriage lasts just 6 months. Enough for my company not to get any backlash. In that time, I expect you to stay out of my space.” He stated, in a commanding voice.

Calm, too calm.

Like the entire world bowed at his damned feet.

6 foot 4 inches tall, I looked like a standing fan in front of this man with the way he towered over me. Broad shoulders, sharp jawline, eyes that looked like that of a predator. Tell me a better way of describing the devil.

“So what am I supposed to be doing in the period of that contract where you both signed away my life and saw me as the easiest escape to save your wealth?”

“Your part is simple.” He drawled, his gaze glacial as he took a few steps closer.

“You breathe, you smile when I want you to, and you disappear when I don’t. Anything beyond that is none of your concern.” I was too stunned to say a word as he left me standing in the middle of the living room.

No maids were coming to show me around as he had stated earlier and lord, my legs were burning up in these heels.

So what, I'm supposed to stand here for how long and wait? I bit my lips looking at the floor, while scooting down a bit and yanking off my heels.

I can't stand here like someone who had no purpose or some kind of statue that was merely for the living room grandeur.

And I needed to get out of this wedding dress as soon as possible, these corset was gripping my skin really tight, I could feel red blotches spreading all over my back.

Damn it! How worse can it get?

I looked straight ahead at the hallway Voss had disappeared in and a thought creeped into my head. If he wasn't going to decent enough to show me to my room, I definitely wouldn't be decent enough to stay out of his business. At least for tonight, I don't plan to face this man for longer than I have to.

Tiptoeing while trailing the path he took, I was shook when I found myself standing right in front of an open study, his fist were folded and he was glaring at something.

It looked pretty intense so I decided to eavesdrop. Bad idea though, my hands accidentally knocked over a metal instrument and it made a loud clattering sound while I clasped my mouth shut with my palm.

“Who's there?” He asked, coming out to check and I tried remain as silent and as inconspicuous as I could be.

“I said, who is there?” He was incredibly close. Too close.

And then he walked past me.

Curiosity got the better of me and as he walked to the living room, I made my way into the study, my eyes transfixed on the video he was watching.

It was me and someone, someone who had a mask on. The person was dragging me into Voss' room while I clearly looked drugged already. This was the original video that had been replaced.

Question is, why the fuck does Voss Caven have this, where did he get it? And what the fuck was going on?