Chapter Two

Weeks had passed by and The eagerly anticipated day had finally arrived – the wedding day. A small gathering of guests sat in relaxed anticipation, surrounded by tables adorned with beautiful flowers and exotic wines, creating an air of festivity. Delicious food and drinks were served, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.

Amidst this scene, Cassie stood beside her father, visibly nervous and scared. Her hands tightly gripped the bouquet, and she struggled to maintain a façade of composure. The mixture of fear and apprehension was evident in her eyes, reflecting the emotional rollercoaster of the momentous occasion.

Attuned to Cassie's emotions, her father finally broke the silence, offering reassurance with a gentle smile. "Don't worry, Cassie. I'm sure the groom will be here soon."

Frustration etched on Cassie's face, she couldn't hold back any longer. "Just be sure that, as long as I do this, you'll give me the money, right?" Her words carried the weight of desperation, her eyes revealing the internal struggle.

Mr. Raymond, hesitating to find the right words, got cut short by Winnie's firm voice. "We'll give you the money, Cassie. Just get the wedding done with, okay?" Her expression held a commanding note, cutting through the tension, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Cassie, frustration palpable, responded with a furrowed brow, "I pray you keep your word," turning her face away to avoid meeting Winnie's gaze. The tension etched across her features revealed the depth of her concern.

Despite being the man of the house, Mr. Raymond had little influence over household decisions. Mrs. Winnie took charge and made most of the choices.

As whispers circulated among the guests, a sense of unease lingered. "I can't imagine them marrying their daughter off to Anderson Klein," one voice remarked, eyebrows furrowed in disapproval.

"I know, right? The Klein family is powerful, and Anderson is a bastard, an outcast," another voice chimed in, their lips curling slightly in disdain. "I heard a rumor that he hangs out with thugs lately, and he can't keep a decent job..." The sentence hung in the air, leaving an ominous undertone to the gossip circulating in the room, mirrored by the skeptical expressions of those exchanging the rumors.

"I also heard it's an arranged marriage; she's getting married for money, such a slut Cassie is," another gossiper in the crowd commented with a malicious sneer. Judgmental words dripped, making the tense air even worse.

Cassie, feeling lost for words, blushed with shame and bowed her head nervously upon hearing the gossip.

A familiar voice interrupted, "Excited for your wedding?" Cassie's heart skipped a beat as she raised her head, her eyes meeting the person who had abruptly blocked her front view.

A surge of anxiety gripped Cassie as Sarah's words cut through the air. "How do you feel marrying a bastard child? Not even any of his family showed up for his wedding," Sarah sneered, her sarcastic smile etching cruelty into the moment.

"He's even late for his own wedding," Sarah continued, the mockery evident in her laughter. Cassie's eyes welled up, tears blurring the once pristine makeup on her cheeks.

A mixture of shock and hurt played across Cassie's face, emotions twisting her features. "Sarah, that's enough," Cassie's voice quivered, the words escaping with a tinge of desperation.

As she finished her sentence, Mr. Anderson Klein walked in. Cassie and everyone else were momentarily lost, their gaze fixated on his striking appearance. Cassie couldn't believe her eyes;

Her mind was filled with lots of thoughts, making it hard to believe she was about to get married in this situation. She kept asking herself, "Am I really doing this right now?" Suddenly, he appeared next to her really quickly, his steps so fast it seemed like time couldn't keep up.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I'm Anderson Klein," he whispered,his charismatic presence filling the room. Cassie, lost for words, simply nodded with a dry smile.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, friends and family," the priest began, his voice resonating with confidence. "Today, we gather to witness and celebrate the deep love between this bride and groom."

Surprised by the revelation of Raymond's family having two daughters, Anderson whispered anxiously, his eyes scanning the crowd for Sarah. "I thought I'd be marrying Sarah today," he confessed, his brows furrowed in confusion.

I'm the elder daughter, she replied with a touch of sadness in her voice, "My parents divorced when I was just three." Her eyes carried the weight of past pain, reflecting the emotional journey that brought her to this moment.

A wry smile appeared on Anderson's face as he acknowledged, "So you're the black sheep too, huh?”

"That's fine," he said, looking at the crowd, his expression and tone betraying an apparent unconcern about her story. His gaze remained detached, leaving an air of mystery about his true feelings.

Interrupting their conversation, the priest wore a wide smile as he asked, "Do you, Cassie Raymond, take Anderson Klein to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Cassie's expression turned blank for minutes, a silent pause pregnant with emotion.

"In sickness and in health, till death do you part?" The priest's gaze lingered on both their faces, awaiting their commitment.

Memories flooded Cassie's mind – her dying mother in the hospital, the deep love they shared, and her mother's cherished words, "We make sacrifices for the people we love."

Taking a deep breath, Cassie turned to Anderson Klein. His expectant gaze met hers, a subtle smile on his lips. In that moment, she realized this was her new life; no turning back, no escape.

In a hushed voice barely above a whisper, Cassie took a deep breath and said, "Yes." A collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd as her husband eagerly pulled her up for a heartfelt kiss.

Exchanging rings, their union was sealed, and the marriage was blessed.

They hailed a ride together and, as the car pulled up, anticipation lingered between them. Arriving home, Anderson unlocked the door, and with a hint of excitement, he declared, "This is our home now." Cassie followed closely, her eyes wandering across the peculiar wall paintings with a touch of admiration.

"It's not much," Anderson admitted, a mix of vulnerability and hope in his voice, "but I genuinely hope it exceeds your expectations.”

"It's so cozy and tidy," she responded briefly, her appreciation evident. Brushing aside the cramped confines of the house

In the calm, chilly atmosphere, Cassie inquired, "Which room would I be staying in?" Her voice remained serene, hinting at a mixture of curiosity and acceptance.

"We'll be sharing the same room?" Anderson proposed, his tone a mix of curiosity and mischief. Leaning in with a sly smile, he continued, "There's just one bedroom in this place, and I'm rather attached to my comfort. So, you have the option of joining me or settling for the couch." His words carried a playful uncertainty, leaving the air tinged with a blend of amusement and a hint of something more.

"I don't think I'm ready to... I mean, we don't even know each other. Don't you think we should wait?" Cassie stammered out, her uncertainty palpable.

Anderson, captivated by her presence, couldn't help but stare closely. As he gazed into her eyes, "I know neither of us wanted this situation, so I thought we could be the happy couple in public and just stay out of each other's affairs,"

"This is a business arrangement, remember that," he declared, his tone cutting through the silence as she nervously stood. Anderson stated firmly, a hint of resignation in his tone.

The room grew warmer for Cassie as she grappled with understanding the person before her. Silence enveloped them for a few minutes, Cassie staring intently at Anderson, lost in her thoughts.

"And when the trust fund is released, then we could get a divorce," Anderson continued, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Anderson concluded, leaving Cassie to absorb the weight of his decision. As she watched the door shut, a mixture of emotions played across her face.

Who is the man she married, exactly? Who is he, exactly?

What is his identity?'

She asked quietly, but her eyes were cold and indifferent, as if she were not surprised to be here. However, if you closely watched her, you would notice that she was surprised.