TWO

Jane

My head is throbbing from all the crying last night. It's unreal—everything about this, my life, this marriage—is unreal. I woke up hoping it was all just a dream, but instead, I woke up to a harsh reality. I feel lost, like I don't know what to do or where to go. I’m stuck here, drowning in my sorrows. I can’t even breathe.

My dream was always to marry an amazing man who loved me for who I am—someone I loved, someone who would make me happy. But here I am, in the worst situation imaginable, with a man who absolutely hates my guts.

I wipe away the tears starting to form in my eyes. I stand up from the floor and scan the room. It’s a little smaller than Prince’s room. Prince! Just the thought of him makes my body shiver. I’ve met many awful men, but none like him. He’s a monster in clean clothes.

I undress and head to the bathroom. After a quick shower, I make my way downstairs.

Upon reaching the living room, I see Prince seated at the table with a huge coffee cup in one hand and his phone in the other.

“Good morning,” I say softly.

He looks up at me, then back down at his phone.

“Umm… I’m sorry for waking up so late. What would you like for breakfast?”

He slams his phone on the table and storms over to me. I can feel the anger in every step. When he stops, he points his index finger in my face.

“Listen to me, Cheiska—”

“It’s Cheska,” I correct him.

That only makes him angrier.

“You’ll do as I say, whore.” He kicks off his shoes, drops onto the sofa, and tilts his head back. “Give me a foot massage.”

I step back, reluctant.

“Shall I go get the contract and reread those terms for you, my beautiful wife? Did you forget that you signed to show me the utmost respect—and do as I say? Should I contact your mom?”

I shake my head quickly. “No, don’t call her. Please.”

I walk to his side, kneel down, and start massaging his feet. I feel disgusted.

“Rub my toes, servant,” he says with an evil grin.

My hands move to his toes. It’s not like I can do anything about it. He’s my husband, after all. I can’t just slit his throat and get away with it—I’d be the first suspect. Maybe I should start watching How to Get Away with Murder. I shake my head at the dark thought. I feel so stupid doing this. I’ve always read about arranged marriages, but I never thought I’d end up in one.

After finishing the massage, I head to the kitchen where Hannah is.

“Mrs. Crivelli, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were awake. I’ll prepare something for you.”

“No, I’m okay. I’m here to help with the cleaning.”

“No, ma’am. Mr. Crivelli would be furious if he found out—”

“There’s no need to be formal. Just call me Cheska. And don’t pretend you don’t know that Prince hates me. It’s okay. I just want to help.”

“But—”

“Please.”

After some convincing, she finally agrees. I start helping her clean. I try to get her to tell me more about Prince, but she’s as tight-lipped as a detective. Every time I bring him up, she just says she can’t talk without his permission. His entire life is private—he’s so stuck up he doesn’t even do interviews.

Once we’re done cleaning, I head back to my room and lock the door. I dive into bed and pick up my phone for the first time in a week. I have around a hundred missed calls and fifty messages—from people I haven’t spoken to since high school, and even some who never held a conversation with me. I guess they all heard I married a billionaire. Now, suddenly, everyone remembers me. I scoff. How did they even get my number?

As I lay there, I start thinking. How will I survive here for the rest of my life? It’s not like I can work. I’m practically a stay-at-home wife. I don’t know anyone in the area. I’m so used to living with my brother that I feel empty without him. If I step outside, I’ll probably be swarmed by paparazzi—and I hate those people. I can’t even beat the crap out of them without risking a lawsuit.

I’ve never felt more lost in my life. I just wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

Maybe one day, I’ll break free from this marriage. Get this contract terminated—somehow. I’ve heard of contracts being voided before. Maybe I’ll get lucky, after I’ve gotten what I need from this marriage. God, I feel like trash just thinking that.

Prince has the nerve to call me a gold digger—like this marriage isn’t just as beneficial for him as it is for me. He married me to save his precious reputation, at least that’s what his mother says. He’s so two-faced. I don’t know what women see in him aside from that panty-dropping face, sexy voice, and of course—his money. That’s it. His personality is absolute garbage. Just yesterday, we got married, and today I’m already thinking of ways to kill him. But maybe that’s too soon. I should probably wait a month—if I can survive that long.

I bet my mother is celebrating right now. I wish I could say she’s an amazing woman—a great mom—but that would be a lie.

And yet, in some twisted way, I guess I have to thank her for this. Because if I hadn’t married Prince...

I take a deep breath as the thought crosses my mind—and I immediately push it away.

Sometimes you make choices, and no matter how messed up they are, people will never understand why.

Axel

I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life. Now I have to be seen in public with her. Her face alone is a nightmare. Models are my type—not low-lives, not gold diggers. I’m going to have to hire the best makeup artists just to fix her broke, pathetic look. Just imagining myself walking beside her makes my stomach turn. And the media? They’re going to drag me for stooping so low.

Even worse, I’ll have to defend her. Pretend I love her.

I switch off my phone to avoid the calls from my friends. I can already imagine the way they’ll taunt me once they see her. I’ve never hated anyone as much as I hate this woman. God, the thoughts running through my head right now… I grip the edge of the sofa and lean forward.

I signed away my entire life to this woman. All because of one mistake—one mistake that my mother has used to blackmail me. I despise marriage. I never saw myself committing to one person, yet here I am. Miserable.

They just had to find some desperate woman willing to marry me for money. But she’ll never please me. Her innocent looks and fake sweetness are nothing new to me. She’s going to have to try a hell of a lot harder to trap me. I laugh to myself. What a whore. I can’t believe she was ready to sleep with a stranger right after stepping into the house.

Marriage is for fools—ignorant people who actually believe it’ll work. I swore, even made bets, that I’d never end up in this situation. Yet here I am. Everyone thinks I’m in love with this mongrel.

But little do they know.

Little does she know what I have planned for her.

She’ll regret the day she signed that contract.