Chapter 5 005: uñwilling Bride

It was the D-day, the day I wished would never come to pass. I was getting married to him. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the wedding dress my stepmother, Lara, had chosen for me. The fabric was luxurious, but it felt like a shroud. My dream of getting married in a good way, with the man of my dreams, had been shattered. I hadn't even gotten to choose my wedding dress. The makeup artist was applying the finishing touches, her hands moving swiftly over my face.

"Be fast and smile," Lara snapped from the corner of the room, her tone as cold as ever. "I do not want you ruining your wedding with that face. It's almost time, and they're waiting for us."

I tried to force a smile, but my reflection betrayed the truth. My eyes were hollow, my heart heavy with dread. The woman staring back at me was a stranger, trapped in a nightmare she couldn't escape.

As we reached the venue, I stepped out of the car, my legs feeling like lead. The hall was grand, decorated with flowers and shimmering lights, but it all felt like a twisted mockery of what a wedding should be. When I stepped inside, all eyes were on me, their gazes filled with a mixture of curiosity.

My eyes landed on Ryu Chen. He was standing at the altar, a dark figure in a sea of white, his expression unreadable. As I approached, his lips curled into a smirk that sent a chill down my spine. When I finally reached the altar, he leaned in and whispered into my ear, his breath warm against my skin.

"I never knew you were this pretty, wife," he said, his voice laced with something that made me shiver.

I stiffened, trying to ignore the way my heart pounded in my chest. My parents and his parents sat in the front row, their faces a mixture of pride and something else-something I couldn't quite place. I looked at my father, who smiled at me, but I turned away, unable to return his smile. The hurt was still too fresh, too raw.

The ceremony began, and I felt like I was floating outside my body, watching it all happen from a distance. The priest's voice was a dull drone in my ears as he recited the vows. When it was my turn to speak, my voice faltered.

"Do you, Amelia Petrov, accept Ryu Chen as your husband?" the priest asked, his voice clear and steady.

"I... I do," I stammered, the words barely escaping my lips.

"And do you, Ryu Chen, accept Amelia Petrov as your wife?" the priest continued.

"I do," Ryu replied without hesitation, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made my stomach churn.

I knew what was coming next, but I wasn't ready for it. "You may kiss the bride," the priest announced.

Ryu didn't hesitate. He grabbed me, his grip firm, and kissed me. The world around me seemed to fade away, leaving only the sensation of his lips on mine. It wasn't a tender kiss; it was a statement, a claim. When he finally pulled away, he leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear.

"Did you like that, wife?" he whispered, his voice dripping with dark amusement.

I didn't respond. I couldn't. My mind was reeling, trying to process everything that had just happened.

The wedding ended, and I felt like I was walking through a haze as people congratulated us. Their words felt hollow, their smiles forced. My father and Lara approached me, their expressions a mix of concern and something I couldn't decipher.

"Amelia," my father began, his voice trembling slightly. "I know what I did was wrong, but I had to do it. My business meant a lot to me. I couldn't watch what I built for years collapse. I had to ask for help... I could have gone bankrupt. Where would I have found the money to take care of you and your mother? Please, forgive me, my daughter."

"Daddy..." My voice broke as I fell into his arms, hugging him tightly and crying. Yes, what he did was wrong, but he was my father. He was the only one who had taken care of me, who had played the role of both parents.

"Take care of yourself in your husband's house," my father whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

"Yes, Amelia, take care of yourself," Lara added, but her tone lacked warmth. I knew those words didn't come from her heart.

As they walked away, I felt a deep sense of loss. The life I had known was slipping away, replaced by an uncertain future with a man I barely knew, a man who seemed more like a stranger every time I looked at him.

Ryu's hand on my back snapped me out of my thoughts. "It's time to leave, wife," he said, his tone commanding.

I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. We walked out of the hall together, our steps in sync, but our hearts worlds apart. The car waiting outside was sleek and black, much like the life I was about to enter-a life filled with shadows and secrets.

The ride to our new home was silent. I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur as we sped through the streets. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, none of them comforting. What would my life be like now? Would I ever find happiness again, or was I destined to live in the cold shadow of Ryu Chen?

We arrived at his estate, a sprawling mansion that loomed against the night sky. It was beautiful, but it felt more like a fortress-a place where I would be kept, not a home where I could live freely.

As we walked inside, the grandeur of the place overwhelmed me. The marble floors, the crystal chandeliers, the ornate furniture-it was all so different from what I was used to. Ryu led me up the grand staircase, his hand firm on my lower back, guiding me through this unfamiliar territory.

He stopped in front of a large, heavy door and pushed it open, revealing a lavish bedroom. The bed was enormous, covered in silk sheets and plush pillows, but it looked more like a stage set than a place of rest.

"This is where you'll be staying," Ryu said, his voice devoid of emotion. "You'll find everything you need here."

I looked around the room, feeling a mix of awe and dread. "Where will you be?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ryu's lips curved into a cold smile. "I'll be close, but not here. I prefer my own space."

He turned to leave, but paused at the door. "One more thing," he said, his tone turning serious. "You may not like this arrangement, but I expect you to respect it. We have a role to play, and I won't tolerate any disobedience."

I swallowed hard, nodding. "I understand."

"Good," he replied, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before he walked out, closing the door behind him.

As soon as he was gone, I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. I sank down onto the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of everything that had happened crash down on me. This was my life now, a life I hadn't chosen, with a man I didn't love.

But as I sat there, in that cold, beautiful room, I made a vow to myself. I wouldn't let this situation break me. I might be trapped in this marriage, but I would find a way to survive. I would find a way to keep a piece of myself safe, no matter what it took.

I stood up, walking over to the window. The view was breathtaking, the city lights twinkling in the distance, but it did nothing to soothe the ache in my chest. I was alone, truly alone, in a world that felt foreign and unwelcoming.

As I stared out into the night, I wondered what the future held. Would Ryu ever see me as more than just a pawn in his game? Would I ever find a way to escape this gilded cage? Or was I destined to remain a prisoner in this life, with no hope of freedom?

The questions swirled in my mind, but there were no answers. All I knew was that I had to keep going, one day at a time, until I could figure out a way to reclaim my life. And as much as I hated to admit it, a small part of me was curious about Ryu Chen-curious about the man behind the cold, calculating exterior.

I turned away from the window, feeling a strange mix of fear and determination. Whatever happened next, I would face it head-on. I would survive this marriage, and somehow, some way, I would find my own path through the darkness.

With that thought, I walked over to the bed, slipping out of my wedding dress and into something more comfortable. I climbed into the enormous bed, pulling the covers over me, and closed my eyes. Sleep was elusive, but eventually, exhaustion took over, and I drifted off, my mind still racing with thoughts of the man I had just married, and the uncertain future that awaited me.