Divorced, Disgraced and Disowned

Lily's POV

My hands were sweating so badly while I was waiting for the giant doors to open. The white dress I’m wearing was too elegant. The veil was too long. Every bead on the dress adds to its elegance and the pearl necklace around my neck is very expensive. It's my wedding day. I am nervous, but this is different from the nervousness of the woman who's about to marry the man she loves so much. Yes, I am in love with the man I’m going to marry today, but I’m only marrying him because of his ill grandfather's request.

It would be easy for me to refuse the fixed marriage if I don't have a huge debt to their family and if I don't need their help for my mother's hospital bills and medication. They are willing to help for free, but I don't think I can repay them easily, so I agreed to this. I bargained to somehow lessen the debt I’m carrying on my shoulders.

“Are you thinking of running away?”

I immediately turned around only to see a handsome man sitting on a wheelchair. He was smiling from ear to ear and even with the wrinkles and all, his eyes were happy. The smile on his lips is genuine and I could tell that he's excited.

Don Rogue Harrison, the first, was sitting on his wheelchair in front of me and today I’m marrying his grandson, Rogue Harrison the third.

“Grandpa…” I whispered and gave him a sweet smile. “What are you doing here?”

I want to go near him, but the gown I’m wearing is stopping me.

He chuckled. “I came here to walk you down the aisle. I promised your grandfather that I will see you getting married. I am fulfilling an old friend's wish.”

I felt tears in the corner of my eyes as I nodded. “Thank you, grandpa…”

He smiled and then his butler appeared behind him to help him with the wheelchair.

He held my hand, squeezing them as he looked at me softly. “Don't think that I’m forcing you to marry my grandson because I don't like his ex-girlfriend. I like you for my grandson, but this is more than that. I had a deal with your grandfather. We promised to marry our childrens with one another, but my son can't marry your father.”

I laughed at his last sentence. “Grandpa!”

He chuckled. “You and Rogue will continue the legacy of mine and your grandfather's. Rogue will help you rebuild your grandfather's company.”

My lips parted in shock. “W-What do you mean, grandpa?”

He smiled again. “You will understand soon…”

The door suddenly swung open and I didn't have time to ask grandpa.

My heart raced when I saw a handsome man standing at the end of the aisle. His expression on the race was hardened. His jaws were clenched. His lips were pressed into a grim line. I know what he's thinking. He's killing me in his head right now.

He came back to the country a month ago with his girlfriend. He was planning to introduce his girlfriend to his family, but he was surprised by an engagement party with me.

Rogue's father is a politician, and because of that, Rogue couldn't do anything but keep his mouth shut.

I remember how he looked at me with spite the night of the engagement. We used to be friends, but he can't even look at me now without hatred.

“Rogue Harrison, do you take Lily Torrealba as your wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, cherish her, and stay faithful to her?”

The rebellion in my heart intensified as the priest asked Rogue. My heartbeat was so loud and I could barely hear the priest.

If Rogue decide to run away today, I won't blame him—

“I do.”

I turned to him after his sharp and hard answer. My lips parted as I kept my eyes fixed on him while he stood there enveloped by a dark aura. I suddenly felt scared. What will happen to our marriage? I know he's just doing this for his grandfather and because his father threatened him.

“Lily?”

I jumped in shock when the priest called my name.

“You seemed very distracted. I will repeat my question, Lily. Do you take Rogue Harrison as your wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, cherish him, and stay faithful to him?”

“I-I do…” I answered nervously and looked at Rogue again.

He didn't look at me. He never gave me a single glance throughout the ceremony, and when we went to the hotel for the celebration, I could no longer find him.

“Lily, where's Rogue?” Rogue's mother asked me.

I gave her a small smile and answered, giving the same answer I gave to other people who asked earlier. “He just went to the restroom, Auntie.”

She pouted. “It’s mommy, darling. You are now married to my son.”

I just smiled at her again as I roamed my eyes around. The visitors are eating and talking happily. I saw Rogue's dad talking to some close friends. This wedding is not publicized and Rogue requested it. I guess he really hates me to death that he doesn't want people to know that he's married to me.

The smiles on the people's faces are shining. Everyone was enjoying themselves and I couldn't enjoy the party.

My husband probably left right after we arrived here. He's probably with the woman he truly loves.

I know this is stupidity. I still married him knowing he's in love with someone else, but I’m desperately trying to repay the kindness of the Harrisons.

With a heavy heart, I left the hall and went to the presidential suite. I dropped my exhausted body on the bed and squeezed my eyes.

My family was once as rich as the Harrisons. When my grandfather died, my father got depressed and our company got bankrupt. My father couldn't take the pain of losing both parents. He loved my grandfather so much that his body gave up. He got sick and died eventually. Now my mother is also sick. I’m scared of losing her too. I don't wanna be an orphan.

The lids of my eyes became so heavy and closed on their own, but the loud ringing of my phone woke me up early next morning.

It was Rogue's mom, so I immediately answered the call. “Hello, mommy?”

I panicked when I heard her sobs. [L-Lily…]

My heart raced. “What's wrong, mommy? Did something happen?”

[It's the Don. He…He's back in the hospital. He’s in the ICU. He won't wake up…]

And just like that, I felt like my world crumbled. Is he…giving up? Did he just really watch me marry his grandson?

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I changed my clothes and rode a taxi to the hospital. I don't know where Rogue is and my only concern now is his grandfather. He's dying, and his situation right now made me feel that I did the right thing. I let go of my freedom for a good grandfather's wish.