Divorced? We won't, Darling!

"Sign this letter. Hurry up. After that, come with Mr. Landen."

Darlene, the pretty girl in simple clothes stood in the doorway, she looked confused. Her eyes rounded when her father suddenly grabbed her wrist and dragged her into the room to sign the contract.

For what?

"Dad, what does this mean?" whispered Darlene, she tried to break free and get away from her father. Her eyes shifted from her father's face to the stranger's.

Thomas approached his daughter carefully, he spoke in a soft but fake voice. "Marry Mr. Landen, darling, it's the only way to save our company."

It should not have been Darlene who married the man, but his other daughter. But she was out of the country.

And he didn't care who the middle-aged man brought along.

Darlene was in shock. "What? Ma-married? She was tongue-tied. "To a man I don't know?"

All she knew was that her father was taking her out to dinner to celebrate her 23rd birthday, he said her mother and sister were waiting at the restaurant so she didn't have to change. But there was absolutely no sign of celebration here. There was no cake at the two-seater table, just a piece of paper and a pen.

Darlene thought very hard then stared at the stranger, she tried to capture his face but all she saw was a straight back and a cold aura that made her hair stand on end.

Her heartbeat jumped without cause. There was something strange... something familiar, but...

"Dad, no, this is crazy...." Darlene shook her head, her eyes starting to get wet.

She wondered, was she really that man's daughter? Why was she always the one who had to give in at every turn? Why did every problem in her family have to be carried on her shoulders? While her sister was free to choose her path, and Darlene seemed destined to continue sacrificing.

"Dad... I-I--"

"How much longer do I have to watch this disgusting drama? My time is precious, don't you forget that!" Landen turned around, looking at the father and daughter in turn. His eyes were filled with suppressed rage.

His heavy steps accompanied the pounding of his cane on the floor, making the atmosphere even more tense.

His cane stomped on the floor once again. His gaze was sharp and piercing. Such eyes could only belong to someone who was used to commanding... or destroying. "Come with me now."

Darlene took a step back, she was terrified. But for a split second-when her eyes met the man's-she felt she had seen him before, long ago. A memory floated in her head, but that couldn't be it, right?

***

Darlene put down her pen in despair, as she looked at the marriage certificate. A few hours ago she was still with her brush and canvas. Now-she was officially the wife of someone who clearly hated her.

Even though she heard a glimpse of it, Darlene already knew that their marriage must have happened because of her father's cunning plan.

"Don't get your hopes up about this marriage," Landen whispered. "Legally you're my wife, but in my eyes you're nothing more than disgusting trash that I'm forced to pick up and put away to preserve my good name."

Darlene looked down, she was wringing her dress. The man's words had really hurt her deeply. "I'm sorry, Mr. Landen. I don't know anything about-"

"Shut your mouth!" snapped Landen. "You don't deserve any defense. You're no different from your father. Just watch what I'm going to do to you after this."

After finishing the marriage registration, Darlene was immediately taken to Landen Anderson's mansion. And as soon as the car stopped in the courtyard, ten servants immediately lined up to greet them.

"Welcome, Mr. Landen and Ms--"

"Don't bow to her," Landen cut in, his tone sounding very cold. His footsteps were steady on the marble floor, not looking back at Darlene. But before disappearing behind the main door, he turned around and added, "Her status is even lower than all of you."

Darlene's head immediately dropped, embarrassed by the insult. Landen wasn't messing around with her words. This was just the beginning, but her heart was already on the verge of breaking.

"Why is he that cruel? He's not the only one who refuses this marriage," Darlene said quietly.

"Keep walking behind me!" shouted Landen, and wordlessly Darlene followed him.

"She thinks that by framing Mr. Landen she'll end up being the mistress of this mansion, but in reality she'll be-"

Darlene could still hear some of the servants mocking her while laughing at her. But she ignored, she ran after Landen's steps.

They climbed a very long staircase and passed through a hallway until they reached the master suite-a spacious and elegant room. An aura of luxury emanated from every corner. Crystal chandeliers, classic furniture, and expensive paintings hung gracefully on the walls.

Darlene's steps halted as Landen disappeared into the walk-in-closet. She sighed softly, the man who was already her husband didn't say anything - only the cold aura that remained from the tap of his cane.

"Such a cold man has good taste," she muttered. She couldn't help but smile when she saw the painting displayed near the big bed.

"If only he knew that the painting was...."