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Chapter 1

Jane's POV 

"Tomorrow you would become my wife." Fernando whispered into my ear with joy as we watched the sun receding to the sea's horizon and all I could do was fake a happy smile.

As he left me, I rubbed my temple, ruining a portion of the frontals of my done hair. It was a day to my wedding yet I was filled with so much sorrow and frustration. Maybe it's because I was about to get married to the man I hated most in the world.

"Come on, Jane, let's go! It's getting late!" Fernando called me and I followed him like the slave I had agreed to be since five days ago that he engaged me officially.

"Listen." He drew nearer to me from his driver's seat. "Tomorrow is going to be our wedding... "

"I haven't forgotten, Fernando!" I almost screamed.

"Let me finish!" He raised a finger, his gray eyes lighting up. "Tomorrow is our wedding and I expect you to be of proper behavior. I don't expect you to go on with that face with which you're always with whenever I'm talking to you... You will cooperate because tomorrow is our big day." He leans back and a contended grin indents his face.

"Your big day." I whispered.

"What did you say."

I turn my face to meet his gaze. "It's your big day. You know I don't want this, Fernando!"

"Well the way I see it, you had options and you chose to marry me. Or did you not?"

My lips tightened and I'm unable to say a word. "Or you can cancel out and we'll call off the wedding. But I'm sure you know what will happen."

I avert my gaze from his and stare down at my hands. "I'm sorry."

"Of course, you know." He grabs the wheel and and starts the car. 

As soon as I step into my house, I begin gathering my things. He was going to send his driver to pick me up later and take me to his sister's house for the wedding preparation.

"Come in!" I yelled as soon as I heard the knock.

The next thing, I hear the door shutting loudly and then my friend Tim's footsteps across the living room untill he nears my door and barges in.

"You're not seriously considering this, Jane!"

"I'm not considering it... I'm doing it!" I throw a bottled water into the bag before zipping it.

"You can't do this!"

"Well what choice do I have?" I look at him for the first time.

"You're selling yourself to this crazy man who doesn't even care about you! Your entire life and your happiness!"

"Tim. I have to do this." I draw nearer to him. "If I don't, you know what would happen to me... To my mum!"

"You have sacrificed enough, Jane. I can't just imagine you doing this for a woman who doesn't even care about you!"

"That woman is still my mother, Tim. I can't watch her die when I can stop it..."

"By selling yourself to Fernando."

"This is my decision and I'm taking it. That's final." I turn from him and grab my bag.

The silence thickens and I'm holding myself from cracking up with tears.

"I wish you a happy married life." He mumbled and l listened to his footsteps as he left. My heart shattered once again as he slammed the door. 

I had known Fernando for five years. I used to be just a casual bartender at his bar. I had always been very uncomfortable with the way he stared at me. Despite him being my employer, I didn''t take any nonsense from him and made it clear to him that I wasn't going to be a part of the young girls that he toyed and played with. 

I had previously lost my dad so it was pretty difficult surviving with my mum alone.

Fernando accepted her job request as his cashier. I wasn't very happy about it then because my mother was a habitual drinker. Her monthly payment may not even be enough for her to get all the bottles she needed. And she had a no good boyfriend Julio who was feeding off of her. I guess I had foreseen what would happen.

But I hadn't imagined that it would be as bad as she letting Julio trick her into borrowing so much money from her for his gambles. In the end, she lost six million dollars to Julio- Fernando's money. 

And the worst of it, when Julio realized that he had taken that much and had lost it all to his gamble, he ran away and left my mother to face the consequences alone.

Fernando didn't take it lightly. He had my mum locked up and he promised to charge her if she didn't provide his money within a year.

I began to work my ass off and beg relatives to pay the debt. Fernando was only being nicer with my mum's punishment because of his interest in me. But it still didn't stop him from taking my salary month after month because of the debt.

After four months, I could only pay back, three hundred and fifty dollars. 

"Are you sure you would be able to pay back my money before the year ends?" Fernando had asked me.

"I could spare your mother and overlook her debt. All you'll have to do is to marry me."

I almost spat in his face. I refused plainly. But when my mother heard, she spoke to me from behind her bars, blaming me for refusing the offer.

"I don't love, Fernando!" I had told her.

"Would you rather he kills me?"

Despite everything, I loved my mum dearly.

I had to be the responsible daughter that I have always been. 

"But if you can return my money today, you're free to walk away. You and your mum." Fernando told me because he knew that even if he gave me another year, I wouldn't be able to get his money back.

I had no choice. 

I grab my bag when I hear the car honking outside.

When I got outside, the driver spoke patiently.

"Your husband- to- be asked me to bring you home."

I draw in a deep breath. "I'm ready."