th's

pped as Killi

n't eve

sank deep into my chest like thorns. Tears slipped quietly down my ch

ed up

hated me with every part of him. And deep down, I knew he was goin

to face t

ins, their cheers, their pretty clothes and glassy toasts. They weren't happy for me. They were happ

I was now somebody's wife. Killian's wife. The

i

the sound echoing into the open air, mixing with the music and the clinks of wine glasses. The reception was held outside too, beneath stri

nging area. I slipped into something simpler. A silky, cre

, discussing business like today was just another power move. My mother was bouncing

alone in the mi

ly. I didn't smile. I couldn't. W

eant to marry me. They knew wh

tight to even try. All I could think about was

breathe just th

*

final

ave with m

y parents waiting. My mother rushed to me the moment she saw

"So you're now a wife. Make me proud. Do not disobey

en get a word out

ouble. There won't be any need for

e or comforting me. He looked serious as always,

your husba

odd

dded

f affection. I had lea

er arms around me without hesitation. I clung

e whispered. "I'll come visit you e

ve that. At least I'll have some

a month from now and you still want to go ahead with the plan..

eep down, I kne

se I wasn

than they already were. There was enough tens

, "just promise me you'll be g

I

be good to me," a

ll

ke a shadow. My mother turned t

take car

reach his eyes. It m

"She'll take care of me

allo

. I'll take

whisper, so soft I wa

ing some quick, low-toned conversation I

, Killian turn

," he sai

ance back to check if I was fol

I looked at my parents, my mother was blinking b

ft with

eyes lowered. Killian was already inside, seated, starin

tly and closed th

were ex

ure si

*

me was pain

on his phone like I didn't exist. H

ch me staring. I wasn't even sure why I was looking at him. May

wasn't even tight, but it felt like it was choking me. Like it was

car slo

It opened smoothly, as if welcoming a king and his queen.

nd silence. I pressed my fingers to the window, trying to take in the details. B

breat

But instead of awe, I felt a pang in my chest. Thi

ar st

He didn't wait. He just o

I that disgusting to him? Wa

d out. The night air was cool, brushin

ted unloading the bags. I didn't even look

sh polish and soft flowers. Expensive and di

he stoppe

probably in his fifties, and a woman a li

t respond. No

t walk

one. With strangers. In a plac

my dress, unsure of what to do. My voi

n steppe

nd a soft smile. "I'm Rose," she sa

r r

our

my throat. Of course, he wouldn't

tung, even though

ow much my husband hates me. And I would