MasukShare
Chapter 2 (The Wedding)
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-02 18:31:51Diane and Nina were standing, holding flowers and gifts behind the door.
“We flew in a day early to be with you before your big day.”
“Yeah, we know mum will be stressing you out, so we came as soon as we received the invite.” Diane said. She was a taller, more tanned version of me. Her black hair was two shades darker than mine and that was because fashion trends these days were jet black hair with no trace of blond.
Nina on the other hand had a short brown bob with fringes. She has clearly fit into the French streetwear style.
“So, who is the man, and how is he?”
I slouched and slumped into my bed immediately I got into my room. “It’s Don Raymond. Don’t tell me mother forgot to put that in the invitation card.”
“Isn’t he like that self absorbed, fancy billionaire with the tv station and the rugby club, and the many many real estate houses?”
“And the construction company, and the wicked law firm-” Nina squealed, in addition.
“Okay guys, I get it. He is very rich. But very cold towards me,” I groaned.
“Well, maybe he will come around,” Diane put in. “How did you guys meet anyway?”
I looked up at her with beady eyes. My sister and best friend instantly got the message and joined me in bed.
“Oh no.”
“Don’t tell me.”
I nodded, unable to speak.
“Did mum really arrange a marriage with you and a billionaire just to get our family out of debt?”
I could not stop the tears from pouting out.
“What about your father?”
“He is aware. He will be there for the wedding. Mother pushed his hand, he has no say either.”
“Eleanor Monroe must always get what she wants,” Diane said, touching my wet cheek with a silk cloth.
The wedding day arrived faster than I could comprehend. I barely slept the night before.
The house buzzed with activity from dawn. Maids flitted around like frantic bees, adjusting decorations for the afterparty and running last-minute errands.
Mother oversaw everything, her voice cutting through the morning air with commands.
“Cassie, sit still!”
The makeup artist dabbed powder on my cheek. I clenched my fingers together, trying to keep my breathing even. My stomach was in knots and it was my mother’s best advice not to eat anything on the day of your wedding for the dress.
Nina sat beside me, offering a reassuring squeeze on my knee. Diane stood near the mirror, adjusting her earrings.
“You look beautiful, Cassie,” Nina whispered.
I swallowed. The reflection staring back at me didn’t feel like mine. A white gown with delicate lace hugged my figure, and a diamond tiara sparkled in my curled hair.
I was a bride, but I didn’t feel like one. Not truly.
“Time to go,” Mother announced, clapping her hands.
The drive to the cathedral was silent. I sat in the back of the limousine, my heart hammering. My dad waited at the front door and took my hand, offering a trembling smile. He was ashamed that he could not do anything to stop his wife from the madness. Don Raymond was waiting at the altar.
I stepped into the hall, inhaling sharply.
Cameras flashed. Guests turned to watch as I walked up the grand steps, my father strode beside me. He looked exhausted. Older. Weaker. But he still forced a smile.
“This is the best for us,” he whispered.
I nodded, but I wasn’t sure if I believed him.
The grand cathedral was breathtaking. Golden chandeliers, marble floors, and towering stained-glass windows cast rainbow colors across the aisle.
At the end of that aisle stood Don Raymond. His dark suit was impeccable, his expression unreadable. He watched me approach, his posture stiff. Every step I took felt heavier.
Then, we stood face to face. Dad had stopped at the steps and handed me over to my soon-to-be husband. The priest cleared his throat.
“We are gathered here today...”
My mind blurred through the words.
Vows. Rings. Promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.
“Do you, Cassandra Monroe, take Donovan Raymond to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Silence. The weight of the moment crashed over me. I felt every pair of eyes on me. Arthur was seated on the first row, and as promised, his second son was missing in action. We kept his chair empty just in case he wanted to show up last minute. Behind me, I could feel my mother’s eys on me, holding her breath. She shifted loudly in her seat.
Don’s gaze bore into mine.
Nina offered me a back-to-earth pat on my back. My lips parted. “I do.”
The words barely made a sound. Don slid the ring onto my trembling finger. Then, he offered his hand.I hesitated because it was the first time he would ever accept us holding hands and something told me that it would be the last. I placed my palm in his still. His grip was firm. Possessive.
“You may kiss the bride.”
He didn’t hesitate.
His lips pressed against mine, firm but distant.
A kiss for the crowd, not for me.
Applause erupted.
The wedding day arrived faster than I could comprehend.
I barely slept the night before. The house buzzed with activity from dawn. Maids flitted around like frantic bees, adjusting decorations and running last-minute errands.
Mother oversaw everything, her voice cutting through the morning air with commands. “Cassie, sit still!”
The makeup artist dabbed powder on my cheek. I clenched my fingers together, trying to keep my breathing even. My stomach was in knots.
Nina sat beside me, offering a reassuring squeeze on my knee. Diane stood near the mirror, adjusting her earrings.
“You look beautiful, Cassie,” Nina whispered.
I swallowed. The reflection staring back at me didn’t feel like mine. A white gown with delicate lace hugged my figure, and a diamond tiara sparkled in my curled hair. I was a bride, but I didn’t feel like one.
Not truly.
“Time to go,” Mother announced, clapping her hands.
The drive to the cathedral was silent. I sat in the back of the limousine, my heart hammering. Don Raymond was waiting at the altar. Theo opened the door, offering a hand. I stepped out, inhaling sharply.
Cameras flashed. Guests turned to watch as I walked up the grand steps, my father beside me. He looked exhausted. Older. Weaker. But he still forced a smile.
“This is the best for us,” he whispered.
I nodded, but I wasn’t sure if I believed him.
Inside, the grand cathedral was breathtaking. Golden chandeliers, marble floors, and towering stained-glass windows cast rainbow colors across the aisle. At the end of that aisle stood Don Raymond. His dark suit was impeccable, his expression unreadable. He watched me approach, his posture stiff.
Every step I took felt heavier.
Then, we stood face to face. The priest cleared his throat.
“We are gathered here today..."
My mind blurred through the words. Vows. Rings. Promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.
“Do you, Cassandra Monroe, take Donovan Raymond to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Silence.
The weight of the moment crashed over me. I felt every pair of eyes on me. Mother shifted in her seat. Don’s gaze bore into mine.
My lips parted. “I do.”
The words barely made a sound. Don slid the ring onto my trembling finger. Then, he offered his hand. I hesitated, then placed my palm in his. His grip was firm. Possessive.
“You may kiss the bride.”
He didn’t hesitate. His lips pressed against mine, firm but distant. A kiss for the crowd, not for me. Applause erupted.
After the wedding, Don led me to the waiting car. A limo of course. The moment the door shut, the warmth vanished. Silence filled the space between us. His jaw was tight. His hands rested on his lap, fingers tapping an impatient rhythm. No words. No tenderness.
The ride to his estate stretched endlessly with Theo on the wheel. I wanted to lean in and say I was excited for our marriage but it felt unnatural.
When we arrived, I barely had time to take in the towering mansion before he stepped out, walking ahead without a glance back. I followed, my chest tight. Inside, the house was cold. Dark. Too perfect, too lifeless, just like Arthur described it. He turned to me, his eyes sharp.
“There are rules, Cassandra.”
His voice was quiet, but it landed with a thud.
I swallowed. “Rules?”
“You don’t question me.” His gaze pinned me in place. “You don’t disobey me. And you don’t make a fool of me in public.”
A lump formed in my throat. “Is that all?”
His lips curled slightly, almost amused. “No. I cannot java a phone for the next few weeks until you prove that you can be trusted.” He stretched his arm in front of me.
“You are seizing my phone?”
He didn't say anything and I just handed him the device, slapping it into his big hands.
“You are not married to a big family around here and you must not do anything to stain my image.”
My fingers trembled as I clutched the folds of my gown. “And if I do?”
His expression darkened. “Don’t.”
The weight of his words settled over me. I felt trapped. My eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall. He turned away, dismissing me like an afterthought.
A maid appeared, bowing slightly. “Mrs. Raymond, I’ll show you to your room.”
My room. Not ours.
“The boss has prepared a separate room for you to sleep in.”
My body followed the small courteous woman but my eyes never left Don’s back.
I followed her up the grand staircase, my steps unsteady. The room was massive, pristine, impersonal. Heavy curtains shut out the night. A four-poster bed stood in the center, but I felt no comfort in it.
As the door closed behind after the maid left, reality set in. I was alone. No calls. No messages. No escape. I pressed a hand over my mouth, stifling a sob. This was my life now,I thought.
Bab terkait
His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 3 (Our First Encounter)
The first weeks of our marriage passed in a cold, unspoken routine.Don kissed me only when cameras were flashing. Paparazzi lingered outside the estate, eager for a glimpse of the perfect couple. But the moment the lenses turned away, so did he.At night, I lay in the vast bedroom alone, staring at the ceiling, listening for any sign that he was in the house. I never saw him after dinner. I never heard him come to bed. He existed in his own world, and I was a ghost haunting the periphery.I learned quickly that there were rules even concerning the houseworkers.The maids were to tend to my every need. I was not to work. I was not to cook. I was to remain in my room unless summoned. But I refused to be a prisoner in my own home.The first time I defied him, I waited until I was certain he had left for the day. Then I padded down to the kitchen, my silk robe trailing behind me. The chefs froze when they saw me."Mrs. Raymond—""Cassie," I corrected. "And I want to make my own breakfast
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 4 (Aftermath)
I waited in my room the next day for Elsie. I needed someone to talk to. Not about the kiss. Good heavens, I could never bring that up. That was the kind of thing Don would never want a house staff to know. OMG Don!I felt sorry for him. He was my husband after all. I clutched my chest, hoping the waiter did not see anything last night. Were the house staff already talking about the kiss?“Good morning, Cassie,” Elsie knocked on the door and opened it, not waiting for me to call her in.I studied her. “Hey.”She strode to the windows and pulled up the shutters humming all the way there.“Someone is in a good mood this morning.”“Of course. The boss was so impressed by everyone’s work yesterday that he has agreed to add a bonus to our salaries this month.”“Oh.”“He said you looked ravishing and he told the kitchen staff that the meals were spot on.”“He said that?”“Yes, didn’t you like the herb crusted salmon?”“Not that,” I said. “Did Don really say I looked ravishing?”She scratch
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-15His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 5 (Promises and Silence )
Elsie told me that Jay was single, didn't she? Or was it that he had no wife yet? Maybe this woman was a girlfriend, a coworker, a fiancée. I forced myself to look away. My glass felt too small to hide behind, and the wine tasted like sour jealousy on my tongue.Was it a diversion? Holding the woman? Did Jay want to send a message so he came with arm-candy just to keep me away?Or was I just reading too much into this? I felt worse for what I did. No, it wasn't my fault. Jay kissed me! But I asked for it.I didn’t realize how stiff I had gone until Arthur’s voice rang behind me. “Cassandra, my dear!”He always called me by my full name. I smiled and turned to face him, letting the polite daughter-in-law mask slip into place.“Arthur, you look dashing today.” It was true. He had on a cotton green suit and silk paisley tie. He held both my hands, warm and familiar, and planted a kiss on my cheek. “And you look like a gem in a treasure chest. Where is that son of mine? Didn’t you two c
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-17His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 6 (Another Visit)
I stayed curled on the edge of the bed. Don hadn’t left the house that morning. He was working from his home office, which, in simpler terms, meant I was locked down indoors. Specifically my room.Elsie came in the third time that afternoon."You haven’t eaten much today," she said, placing a small tray by the dresser. Lunch.“I’m not hungry,” I murmured.I did not need to look to know that her eyes were on my untouched breakfast still sitting cold on the tray beside it. It had stayed since morning and she had finally come to clear it. Her gaze lingered on my fingers twisting the hem of my dress, on the way I had my hand to my chest, lost in another world she wasn’t invited into. She didn’t say anything, but I knew she noticed.A moment later, the sound of a car pulling into our compound cut through the stillness. Both our eyes carted to the window. Don was finally leaving?I shot to my feet, crossed to the window, and peeked through the curtain. It was not a car going out but one dri
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-17His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 7(Don and I)
Watching Jay leave through my bedroom window and not being able to follow was like being chained behind bars in a notorious prison cell. I reminded myself that I did the right thing by not letting Jay kiss me. I was someone else’s wife.A knock came on the door. I thought it was Elsie so I mindlessly told the person to come in.But it was Don. for a second, i thought he had heard me running up the stairs to my room. I checked his eyes for confirmation. There were no flames in them. Rather, they were ocean blue currents. “Cassandra, here is your phone.”Was it Wednesday already? I had been so distracted with Jay that I hadn't remembered my weekly internet access and call allowances. I took the phone from Don courteously and stepped back. He still stood there, all 6’3 imposing builds of a man. His eyes were set on me. If he was a more present husband, he would have seen the hitch in my composure.“Won’t you give me some privacy?”Don did not step back. He did not move an inch. “You are
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-19His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 8 (Behind the Rose Hedge)
I stayed in the bathroom long after I had cleaned myself, sitting on the floor, hugging my knees. The water in the sink had long stopped running, and the silence tortured me like a plague. I thought I would feel different. Changed. Maybe even stronger for doing it with Don. But all I felt was guilt.Guilt that I had used Don’s body to try to erase Jay’s name from my mind. Guilt that it hadn’t worked.Don had touched me. Taken me. And all I could think of was someone else.I rose, wrapped a towel around myself, and walked back into the room. My phone blinked once. A message.Nina: You okay? Do you want me to come over?I didn’t reply. I just stared at the screen like it might give me the answer I Knew that I needed. She didn’t know about the restrictions. I only told her that the service in Don’s mansion was very bad so I could only speak to her when I was out. I did not know if she believed me.Nina was on break from school and like any best friend, wanted to spend some time with her
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-19His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 9 (Undone)
kissed me like he’d waited a lifetime for it. Like everything in him was burning and I was the water to put it out.My back hit the tree behind the fountain, his hands on either side of me, holding me like something precious. I couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe.Then he lifted me effortlessly. I was a feather in his arms. My legs wrapped around him without a thought. He carried me and walked, slowly, reverently, back toward the oak bench beneath the twisted vines, our place. The one where his lips had first found mine.The world blurred around us. The wind ruffled the When he sat, I stayed on him, straddling his lap, our foreheads pressed together. My heart felt wild in my chest, galloping like an excited horse. His hands cupped the back of my neck, allowing his thumbs to brush my jaw. His breath was shaky, and I felt it, all of him, underneath me.“I have waited for this,” I whispered.“I can tell,” he murmured back, his voice like smoke in my ear. “So have I.”I closed my eyes. “It
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-22His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 10(Bed and Roses)
on sat at the head of the table like one of the carved stone statues in the garden. His wine glass was half full and of course he had his eyes locked on me.“You seem to enjoy the garden,” he said. His voice was calm, but not casual.I gave a small, nervous laugh and lowered myself into the chair across from him. “It’s peaceful.”He didn’t smile. “Or maybe you’re considering taking it up as a hobby?”I said nothing and took a seat on my usual spot. The food arrived, perfectly plated and steaming but I still had no appetite. I reached for my fork, just to give my hands something to do.“What were you doing there just now?” Don asked, not touching his food either.“Fresh air,” I said, after clearing my throat, hoping I sounded convincing enough.His eyes remained hard on me, boring into my skin. I felt the heat. Not like when Jay looked at me. This one felt like a hot knife smoldering my flesh. “The window in your room is big enough to let fresh air in,” he said, still watching me. “And
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-07
Bab terbaru
His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 12(Resentment)
The rest of the days went by in a haze. There was nothing to do or think about. Don made sure of the former and for some reason, Jay was not responding to my messages, hence the latter. The door to my room creaked open, and I didn’t need to look up to know it was Don. He approached my bed with slow footsteps.His hand brushed over my shoulder as he leaned down to kiss my forehead. His hand brushed my cleavage and I almost thought that he would squeeze one breast until his touch disappeared but I did not hear him leave the room. “I’m leaving for two weeks,” he said “I’ve packed already. I just want to know if there is anything you’ll need while I’m gone?”I watched his dark eyes scan me on the bed, waiting for a response. Could he tell that I resented him? I did not want to feel bad for him but I did. No matter what Don said or did, he could never make me feel better when I was hot by another person who should have n
His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 11(The Morning After )
My sleep was shallow and restless. My dreams were filled with pictures of him. When the morning light seeped into my room, I turned groggily away from the window. Then my senses came to me and I immediately reached under my pillow.I blinked against the screen’s harsh glow and found a message waiting for me.Jay: Good morning, Beautiful.Gosh, even his texts made me feel warm all over. My fingers hovered over the keyboard. What was I supposed to say back? Good morning?You too? God, I sounded like a teenager.I typed: Good morning.Paused. Deleted it.Finally, I just sent a little heart emoji. The phone almost slipped from my hands when I heard Don’s voice. And it wasn’t my imagination. He was angry and he was making that clear to whoever it was he was talking to.Then I heard a ding from my phone. Jay had replied.Jay: I am surprised you have a phoneI was surprised that even his brother knew of
His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 10(Bed and Roses)
on sat at the head of the table like one of the carved stone statues in the garden. His wine glass was half full and of course he had his eyes locked on me.“You seem to enjoy the garden,” he said. His voice was calm, but not casual.I gave a small, nervous laugh and lowered myself into the chair across from him. “It’s peaceful.”He didn’t smile. “Or maybe you’re considering taking it up as a hobby?”I said nothing and took a seat on my usual spot. The food arrived, perfectly plated and steaming but I still had no appetite. I reached for my fork, just to give my hands something to do.“What were you doing there just now?” Don asked, not touching his food either.“Fresh air,” I said, after clearing my throat, hoping I sounded convincing enough.His eyes remained hard on me, boring into my skin. I felt the heat. Not like when Jay looked at me. This one felt like a hot knife smoldering my flesh. “The window in your room is big enough to let fresh air in,” he said, still watching me. “And
His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 9 (Undone)
kissed me like he’d waited a lifetime for it. Like everything in him was burning and I was the water to put it out.My back hit the tree behind the fountain, his hands on either side of me, holding me like something precious. I couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe.Then he lifted me effortlessly. I was a feather in his arms. My legs wrapped around him without a thought. He carried me and walked, slowly, reverently, back toward the oak bench beneath the twisted vines, our place. The one where his lips had first found mine.The world blurred around us. The wind ruffled the When he sat, I stayed on him, straddling his lap, our foreheads pressed together. My heart felt wild in my chest, galloping like an excited horse. His hands cupped the back of my neck, allowing his thumbs to brush my jaw. His breath was shaky, and I felt it, all of him, underneath me.“I have waited for this,” I whispered.“I can tell,” he murmured back, his voice like smoke in my ear. “So have I.”I closed my eyes. “It
His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 8 (Behind the Rose Hedge)
I stayed in the bathroom long after I had cleaned myself, sitting on the floor, hugging my knees. The water in the sink had long stopped running, and the silence tortured me like a plague. I thought I would feel different. Changed. Maybe even stronger for doing it with Don. But all I felt was guilt.Guilt that I had used Don’s body to try to erase Jay’s name from my mind. Guilt that it hadn’t worked.Don had touched me. Taken me. And all I could think of was someone else.I rose, wrapped a towel around myself, and walked back into the room. My phone blinked once. A message.Nina: You okay? Do you want me to come over?I didn’t reply. I just stared at the screen like it might give me the answer I Knew that I needed. She didn’t know about the restrictions. I only told her that the service in Don’s mansion was very bad so I could only speak to her when I was out. I did not know if she believed me.Nina was on break from school and like any best friend, wanted to spend some time with her
His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 7(Don and I)
Watching Jay leave through my bedroom window and not being able to follow was like being chained behind bars in a notorious prison cell. I reminded myself that I did the right thing by not letting Jay kiss me. I was someone else’s wife.A knock came on the door. I thought it was Elsie so I mindlessly told the person to come in.But it was Don. for a second, i thought he had heard me running up the stairs to my room. I checked his eyes for confirmation. There were no flames in them. Rather, they were ocean blue currents. “Cassandra, here is your phone.”Was it Wednesday already? I had been so distracted with Jay that I hadn't remembered my weekly internet access and call allowances. I took the phone from Don courteously and stepped back. He still stood there, all 6’3 imposing builds of a man. His eyes were set on me. If he was a more present husband, he would have seen the hitch in my composure.“Won’t you give me some privacy?”Don did not step back. He did not move an inch. “You are
His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 6 (Another Visit)
I stayed curled on the edge of the bed. Don hadn’t left the house that morning. He was working from his home office, which, in simpler terms, meant I was locked down indoors. Specifically my room.Elsie came in the third time that afternoon."You haven’t eaten much today," she said, placing a small tray by the dresser. Lunch.“I’m not hungry,” I murmured.I did not need to look to know that her eyes were on my untouched breakfast still sitting cold on the tray beside it. It had stayed since morning and she had finally come to clear it. Her gaze lingered on my fingers twisting the hem of my dress, on the way I had my hand to my chest, lost in another world she wasn’t invited into. She didn’t say anything, but I knew she noticed.A moment later, the sound of a car pulling into our compound cut through the stillness. Both our eyes carted to the window. Don was finally leaving?I shot to my feet, crossed to the window, and peeked through the curtain. It was not a car going out but one dri
His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 5 (Promises and Silence )
Elsie told me that Jay was single, didn't she? Or was it that he had no wife yet? Maybe this woman was a girlfriend, a coworker, a fiancée. I forced myself to look away. My glass felt too small to hide behind, and the wine tasted like sour jealousy on my tongue.Was it a diversion? Holding the woman? Did Jay want to send a message so he came with arm-candy just to keep me away?Or was I just reading too much into this? I felt worse for what I did. No, it wasn't my fault. Jay kissed me! But I asked for it.I didn’t realize how stiff I had gone until Arthur’s voice rang behind me. “Cassandra, my dear!”He always called me by my full name. I smiled and turned to face him, letting the polite daughter-in-law mask slip into place.“Arthur, you look dashing today.” It was true. He had on a cotton green suit and silk paisley tie. He held both my hands, warm and familiar, and planted a kiss on my cheek. “And you look like a gem in a treasure chest. Where is that son of mine? Didn’t you two c
His Riveting Stepbrother Chapter 4 (Aftermath)
I waited in my room the next day for Elsie. I needed someone to talk to. Not about the kiss. Good heavens, I could never bring that up. That was the kind of thing Don would never want a house staff to know. OMG Don!I felt sorry for him. He was my husband after all. I clutched my chest, hoping the waiter did not see anything last night. Were the house staff already talking about the kiss?“Good morning, Cassie,” Elsie knocked on the door and opened it, not waiting for me to call her in.I studied her. “Hey.”She strode to the windows and pulled up the shutters humming all the way there.“Someone is in a good mood this morning.”“Of course. The boss was so impressed by everyone’s work yesterday that he has agreed to add a bonus to our salaries this month.”“Oh.”“He said you looked ravishing and he told the kitchen staff that the meals were spot on.”“He said that?”“Yes, didn’t you like the herb crusted salmon?”“Not that,” I said. “Did Don really say I looked ravishing?”She scratch
