CHAPTER 1: The Wedding

Four years later…

Lily's whole body is shaking as the two assistants are helping her dress.

It was her wedding day to someone she had never seen before. She ought to have met Drew Walton by now. However, her soon-to-be husband left the country on the day they were supposed to have a meeting with her family to discuss the marriage, giving her the impression that he wasn't interested in their arrangement.

Master Walton, his grandfather, likes her.  

It infuriated her father that evening. He stated, slamming a cane into her back, which had been giving her pain for weeks, "It was all your fault! Maybe Drew doesn't want to marry you because you're ugly!"

Her stepmother sneered, and Kenneth continued to stare at her like a shadowy demon. That unsettling smile on his face was a constant reminder of the main cause of her life's tragedy. She aspired to find strength, but how could she?

Her brother's misguided instructions had led to relentless bullying at college, ultimately preventing her from completing her degree.

"Lily, you know I care about you. If Daddy rejects you, don't worry, I'm still here to help you," Kenneth said, his fingers gently caressing her cheeks. To her, he seemed like a lunatic psychopath. She couldn't fathom his true intentions, which made him all the more cunning. He whispered terrifying things into her ear, manipulating her naive mind. He relished watching her tremble in fear.

A wedding planner handled every aspect of organizing this event. She and Drew might be her strangest customers because they didn't touch or inquire about any details. The Walton family provided everything and entirely funded this wedding. She had once come across Drew's photo online, and he had a frosty demeanor, much like her father. If that man were to abuse her, what would she do?

The moment the door opened, and her father entered, it brought Lily back to the present. She immediately wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes.

“Drew has arrived. It's good that he is still interested in your marriage," her father's expression conveyed his seriousness. “Remember that you were helpful in some way! Do your duty as my daughter!”

"Honey, don't be like that to Lily. His grandfather had already signed the agreement. He will support the expansion of our manufacturing business," said her stepmother, smiling meaningfully. She often gives her disgust. Whenever she had the chance, she would hurt Lily.

Lily bit her lip. Before the door opened, there was a knock. The wedding coordinator appeared in their sight.

"Mr. Martin, we will start in fifteen minutes," she announced.

Her father turned to face her. "If you do something horrible today, you'll be forced to live on the streets. I'm done with you!” he threatened.

Although she wanted to cry, Lily nodded. She had been adored by the man when she was younger, which was why she continued to stay by his side. Mr. Martin's emotions shifted away from her when Kenneth and his mother showed up.

His new wife gave off the impression that Lily owed the Martin Family her life in exchange for staying with them, and that she should be grateful she still had a place to live. She kept that in mind, living each day.

She stepped out of the room to go to the wedding hall where the ceremony would take place.

"Lily!" yelled Manang Puring, the only person who had shown her love, as she arrived at her side in tears. Since her mother's passing, the woman had taken care of her. “You don't have to do this! I will take you to the province if necessary!”

She embraced the older woman, who was in her sixties. She was old, and it was unfair that she should be a burden to Manang Puring. The last option she had on her list of things to accomplish was to leave this place and follow her.

"No! I'm fine," she said.

“I know you, Lily. This thing isn’t right! People talk about Drew Walton. Your life with him wouldn’t be good either! He's a womanizer!" said the lady.

"Manang Puring, please choose your words carefully. Someone might overhear," she said anxiously, glancing around. The Waltons are influential people, and negative comments about them could lead to consequences.

She passed the lady and kept walking.

"Lily!" Manang Puring cried out once more, but she didn't follow her because her decision was already made."

Goodbye, Manang Puring.

Her anxiety surged as she approached the gathering hall. What if her husband subjected her to the same physical abuse she had endured from her father?

Lily recalled Mr. Martin's words, "You will marry the Walton so that you can be of use to me!"

When she came to a halt before the white curtain, her leg trembled. Soft music filled the air. The curtain parted shortly after. She yearned to escape or find a hiding place when she realized that everyone inside was fixated on her as the main character of the event.

At the far end of the red carpet, she spotted the man in a white three-piece suit. Her heart raced more than once. He was clearly gazing at her with a darkened expression.

Lily, you can do this! Do something useful! In your home, your life is not good either!

That gave her courage, and Lily approached the groom, even though her legs trembled like gelato. She lowered her gaze to ward off fear and discouragement, continuing to steal glances at him as she moved closer.

He loomed over her by more than a foot, and she just reached his chest. With wavy brown hair, a broad chest, wide shoulders, and powerful arms, there was no hint of a smile on his lips as he extended his hand to her.

Her nervousness doubled. She couldn't help but imagine that his arms could easily crush her, and the thought of him striking her sent shivers down her spine.

I should be thankful that he was here, right?

What right does she have to complain to Drew Walton? She should be grateful for his slight interest in the gathering.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”

As the preacher conducted the ceremony before them, Lily and Drew remained silent. Lily couldn't help but steal glances in her groom's direction. Drew's undeniable good looks were the subject of gossip, with rumors of his involvement with various women and his reputation for not taking relationships seriously.

Her heart thumped even louder when Drew turned to look at her, his gaze sharpening. She tightly shut her eyes.

"Will you, Drew Walton, promise to cherish Lilian Rose Martin as your lawful wedded wife, to protect her, and to be there for her through sickness and disappointment?" asked the pastor.

There was a moment before the man answered, "I will."

“Will you, Lilian Rose Martin, cherish Drew Walton as your lawful wedded husband, protecting him, and tending to his needs through illness and disappointment?” 

Who was she to say no to that? The man accepted her marriage proposal so she should be thankful! “I-I-I will,” she stuttered.

Drew's face soured because it was as if she was forced to say yes. But her anxiety prevented her from speaking.

“Drew Walton, do you love Lilian Rose Martin willingly and completely, withholding nothing? Will you protect her, and give her your deepest consideration of her feelings, desires, and needs?” 

Love? It’s obviously out of the question, but Drew responded, “I will.” 

“Lilian Rose Martin, will you strive to keep your love flexible and adapt to changing circumstances in the marriage? And will you be Drew Walton’s counselor, helpmate, sweetheart & lover, and best friend, from this day forward?” 

"I-I will..." Lily replied.

"Do you, Drew Walton, take Lilian Rose Martin to be your lawfully wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing by her side in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forevermore?"

Drew let out a sigh, as if he were bored with the questions. "I do."

The pastor then posed the same question to Lily. There was no turning back now. “I-I do…”

A little while later, they exchanged rings. In Lily's opinion, the rings were beautiful. But she had to keep reminding herself that, no matter how lovely they were, their marriage would always feel unreal.

“I now pronounce you as husband and wife,” said the pastor, smiling. “You may now kiss the bride!” 

Drew gently lifted her face to get a better look at her, his arm wrapping around her waist. It felt as though time had come to a standstill as he leaned in for the kiss. Drew's eyes were striking, and his lips drew closer to hers.

Tension still coursed through her body, which is why, before she could even catch her breath, she lost consciousness.

***

"WHAT the fuck?!" Drew exclaimed angrily as his wife passed out in his arms.

He picked up the woman, who was as light as paper before they could attract any attention. The ceremony is thankfully over.

His best friend Finn came over. He sat in the front-row seat and witnessed everything that had occurred. "What happened to her?"

"She passed out," he whispered. "I'll take her to the room first. Please call a doctor. Kori, please entertain the guests. I have no idea what happened." His face darkened.

Kori, another of his best friends, struggled to stifle her laughter, which only further irritated him. Kori was a beautiful married woman and his first love. However, he had already moved on. It had been five years since he last confessed his feelings to her, and she had rejected him.

Finn followed him outside. He no longer cared if the guests were confused as they made their way out of the hall. Perhaps they believed the couple was heading straight to their honeymoon.

Lilian Rose? Her name was pretty, but her body was…  

Her name, as per his grandfather, is Lily. Drew’s expression changed. The old man clearly intended to reprimand him for bringing a woman who was vastly different from the women he usually dated. He's a troublemaker, and the old man obviously didn't appreciate that!

Master Walton compelled him into this marriage. Otherwise, he'd hand the entire Walton Group to someone else! Drew wrestled with the situation in his office. His life was deeply entwined with it. He absolutely wouldn't allow it to fall into the hands of his uncles, who were like wolves waiting for him and his grandfather to pass away.

"I think I've seen her before... I just can't recall where," he murmured while studying Lily's face.

"You already saw her? Maybe during your engagement?" Finn replied.

“No…” 

Upon reaching the couple's suite, he gently laid Lily on the bed and then gazed at her once more, this time with her eyes closed. Finn made a phone call for assistance. His wife appeared pale and very thin. Even her entire face was almost as small as his palm. She most likely had a petite frame, perhaps even extra-small. Her complexion was fair and white. Was she pretty? Well, she was... simple, cute! Quite different from his usual type!

Despite being twenty-four years old, it seemed as if he had married a young woman who looked more like sixteen. He was eight years older than her.

"What's wrong with her?!" he furiously exclaimed, thinking she had passed out shortly after announcing their marriage.

“Calm down!” said Finn who was done with his call. "A doctor will come.”

He shook his head and exclaimed, “Tsk! I shouldn't have consented to this marriage! Would you be glad if the woman you just kissed passed out?”

“It’s too late for that! You already said, I do!” 

“She's far from the women I’ve dated! I want big boobs, a sexy, or a woman with a curvy body! This woman is petite, innocent… Damn it! Does she even know how to suck a cock?” he continuously complained.

“The women you fuck, you mean?” Finn corrected. “Drew, she’s a wife, not some random bitch! She’s not a whore!” 

“I-I-I'm sorry…” A small voice emanated from the bed, causing both of them to turn toward her. His wife was now sobbing, clutching a pillow as she sat on the bed.

Sympathy welled up in him as he gazed at her tear-stained cheeks.

“Damn it!” He slapped his forehead. He and Finn had uttered a lot that she shouldn't have heard.