Ethan’s sudden calm eased the tense room. His father and aunt exhaled in relief, smiling proudly. Glasses were raised and clinked, except for Violet’s, which remained untouched. The hollow cheer echoed in her ears like a cruel joke.

Her stomach dropped. She felt powerless, trapped. Meeting his gaze, she saw his teasing wink and sweet smile — a bitter lie that cut deeper than any words.

____

Violet’s POV

A makeup artist was busy smoothing my face, but I barely noticed. The truth settled heavily on my chest: this was real. I was really getting married, to him, the person who had made my life a living nightmare.

I looked around the bustling room. Everyone seemed to accept it, caught up in their excitement. My heart pounded painfully at the thought of being bound to someone who had caused me so much pain.

Suddenly, my mother’s voice cut through the noise.

“Oh, she looks beautiful. Can you please leave us alone? I need to talk to my daughter.”

She closed the door behind everyone and sat beside me, her expression serious and a little bit soft.

“Violet, don’t think we’re doing this to hurt you. This is the best we can do for you. His family is wealthy, and they’ll take care of you. And Ethan… he seems to like you.”

I blinked, stunned.

“W-why do you say that?”

She smiled lightly.

“I’m not stupid. I see the way he looks at you. There’s something between you two, whether you realize it or not.”

My heart cracked. Who would understand the truth? The hatred, the fear, the endless torment.

“Now please, smile. Don’t look like you’re being forced into this.”

Forced. The word echoed bitterly in my mind. I wanted to scream, I am being forced! But I swallowed it all down. They raised me, they paid my debts—I had no choice. And the way she was looking at me it made me really emotional. For the first time I saw her admiring me like a daughter. But her smile wasn't genuine, I knew she was forcing her to smile but shouldn't she be happy that finally I am being used?

"Would you mind if I walk down the aisle with you instead of your dad? He is not into these kind of things. You know him well."

My heart clenched in pain. I know he is very sophisticated man and use his words like its more precious than gold. But I really thought he would at least do this as a father. He generally speak less but he never made me feel like I'm outsider. He usually show his care and love through his actions. But I guess I was expecting too much.

"Its okay mom, I understand---"

"I'll walk down the aisle with her."

"Honey, you are--"

"I have to... "

They shared intense gaze and their behaviour made me confused. They usually don't discuss things like that. They would let them do whatever they want. I looked at my dad who was well dressed as father of bride. He glanced at me and nodded as he was satisfied with my looks. He patted my head awkwardly and said in a very soft voice.

"Let's go"

Soon, I walked down the aisle beside my father. I searched for Ethan, but he wasn’t there. Panic gripped me. Had he refused to come? Was this some cruel trick?

Maybe this was a blessing in disguise. I let a small smile creep onto my lips—maybe I was saved.

But then he appeared, face shadowed in anger. My smile vanished.

The wedding was happening.

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms, crushing the bouquet. He took my hand from my father’s grip, the pressure nearly breaking my skin. The crowd applauded, but all I could see was the icy smirk on his face.

“I do,” he said smoothly.

The priest turned to me, voice gentle but expectant.

“I—”

My throat tightened. I wanted to run, to scream, to disappear.

“I d-do,” I whispered, tears blurring my vision.

Ethan’s grip tightened, a sharp pinch that made me bite my lip to hold back a scream.

“You may now kiss your wife.”

My mind froze. Kiss? Wife? I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable. But his lips never touched mine.

The crowd erupted in cheers. He pulled away, close enough to whisper.

“Do you think I would kiss you?”

He chuckled, a cruel sound that echoed in my bones.

I felt shattered. The faint hope I’d clung to was ripped away, replaced by cold reality. He didn’t marry me for love. He married me to control me. To break me.

I turned to the guests and saw my mom wiping away tears supporting my dad who looked little tired ir worried. He must be worried that I would do something to ruin the marriage, as I saw him sigh in relief. I forced a smile at them. That's why they raised me.

I was going to pay my debts.

To be continued...